Wow, we were both exhausted from yesterday's agenda that we slept really, really well. I can't remember sleeping so soundly for so long. I guess we really did too much walking yesterday. So today, I said we would take it easy...not so much walking.

After breakfast we went to mass at a cathedral not far from the hotel. This cathedral has tourists at 12 noon but has mass at 10:30 am. There was not a huge crowd for the size of the church. The priest who said mass (in Italian) had a great voice and it echoed throughout the church. I found him quite understandable, so I tried to relay what he said to Nancy... the Italian? The one thing they do here is stand right after the part of the mass when you say "Christ h died, Christ has risen Christ will come again". In Canada we keep kneeling for several more prayers. I hope they fix this in the next Canadian missal. You look kind of silly kneeling when everyone else is standing. The kneelers were wood so you tried to avoid kneeling if you can. There were some Americans there. I could tell because there were some US dollars in the collection plate. It was a very nice service and the priest was very dynamic in his sermon. I believe from his vestments he was from the cappuccinists... like the coffee...hahahaha !

We then set out for our "side trip". I was hoping we could make a little trip from here to Pisa. It is only another 100 km West. We had to pick the car up at the parking garage to avoid an extra 5 euro charge. However, we picked up a wonderful veal cutlet sandwich and cold water (fressante)- bubbly. One and a half litres of water for 1 euro... the best price in Firenze. This was only steps from the hotel.

We then gave "mother" the task of finding the parking lot in Pisa. She was pretty good actually and soon we were on the non-toll road to Pisa. It was great, very little traffic and no big camions (trucks). We were there in a little more than an hour. Mother kept trying to keep me under the 90 km/h speed limit but to no avail.
Nancy helps support the leaning tower

It was an unbelievable commotion in Pisa. It was like Wasaga beach with no beach. Thousands of people from all over the world. We had a German take one of our pictures and then a man from the Netherlands take one. We arrived at about 12:30 pm and the sun was height and the day so clear that we actually felt the heat. We sat in the shade of the Duomo and ate our lunch. We bought tickets for the Duomo and were surprised that we could take as many pictures as we wanted. For 2 |Euros each it was the best deal.

We then wandered amongst the outdoor vendors. Nancy had her eye on a new purse... her old one was getting frayed. She saw a nice one but the guy would only come down 3 euros on 33 euros. Eventually Nancy go one for just 10 euros, a good deal we hope.

We stayed about 2 1/2 h in Pisa, more than enough to get pictures and do a little sight-seeing. But the crowds were difficult and the vendors were getting very pushy and obnoxious. The vendors everywhere else have some courtesy but not in Pisa.

Nancy never thought she would see this. Our tourist book says there are three things you must see in Italy and now we have seen all 3. Can you guess what the other 2 are ? I will tell you tomorrow if you haven't guessed by then.

We have been without Internet for a few days now. The main problem has been the hotel price and the fact that when I want to send them out next door... he is closed.

Tonight is our last night in Florence and we will have a nice supper before we go to bed.