Ya know… every time you think you’ve planned everything to the "nth degree"… that crazy Irish dude Murphy shows up [ya know... the one who wrote the law]
We docked in Livorno at 6AM so everyone could get a early start to Florence, Pisa or wherever. Of course if you didn't have a ships tour planned you couldn’t get started until 8AM since that’s when the shuttle bus’ starts to run. [it’s a looooonnnggggg way to walk through some dangerous territory to the port gate.]
Of course the Wacky American Tourists were up and on the dock at 7AM to catch the 7:30 train to Florence only to find they have to wait. It’s very windy and cold so Chuckie heads back up for jackets. Then Chuckie decides to change shoes… another trip up for the spare digital battery and his Map of Firenze and the ships security is starting to get a kick out of his off the boat/on the boat routine. Somewhat like the trips in and out of the hotel in Spain for the same reason.
After the shuttle drops us off… at the McDonalds... in Livorno, too late for the 8:11 train, Chuckie makes the mistake of asking a local in Italian where to find the Tabachi to buy tickets for the #1 bus to the train station. The crowd on the shuttle now decides they should follow him everywhere since he seems to know where to go and what to do [due to some serious research and planning] and then… it starts to rain.
Aaahhhhh yes… Chuckie, the master strategist, expert logistician, superior details and advance planning guy, mister 3 trips to the cabin before 730AM... forgetter of umbrellas.
Yep… after we made sure we packed the umbrellas for the forecasted rainy days in Tuscany, making sure one was even attached to the camera bag [which was promptly left in the cabin because he has all the film taped to the camera strap and the long lens on his belt] It’s raining in Tuscany and the damn umbrellas are…still in the cabin. But, Hey Chuckie has a hat, Illy has a hood on the jacket… what could possibly go wrong…
go wrong… go wrong.
The buses in Livorno are really neat with scrolling signs announcing the next stop. Some of the crowd picks up on this and start repeating the listings… asking Chuckie, “is this the one…. Or this one…. How about now?”
Hoping the weather in Firenze is better; we get to StazioneLivorno Centrale, through train ticketing and lead the cavalry charge to the departure platform. Down the stairs.... under all the tracks and up to Binario 7. The hour and half ride to Firenze was uneventful except for the increasing rain.
Of course when they get to Stazione Santa Maria Novella in Firenze all the women have to find the W.C. [British for Toilette] and they discover… ya gotta pay before you can get through nifty coin operated gates in the W.C. at the Stazione. Now the scramble to find € .80 exact change … the turnstiles don’t give change. Chuckie points out the change machine on the wall… and the rush to find €1.00 coins begins.
While half the train is in the W.C… we sneak off for our trek to Mercato San Lorenzo, in search of a replacement leather hat for the one Chuckie lost on the Turnpike one windy day, and then over to "I Frattelini", the hole in the wall Panini shop near Piazza della Senioria…the best Panini’s in town.
Stay tuned for the rest of our day Rainy day in Firenze.
Right now… gotta pack to get off the boat tomorrow.
Ciao 4 Now,
Chuckie [forgetter of umbrellas] and the now dripping, glaring at him unmercifully, Dragon Lady.
We docked in Livorno at 6AM so everyone could get a early start to Florence, Pisa or wherever. Of course if you didn't have a ships tour planned you couldn’t get started until 8AM since that’s when the shuttle bus’ starts to run. [it’s a looooonnnggggg way to walk through some dangerous territory to the port gate.]
Of course the Wacky American Tourists were up and on the dock at 7AM to catch the 7:30 train to Florence only to find they have to wait. It’s very windy and cold so Chuckie heads back up for jackets. Then Chuckie decides to change shoes… another trip up for the spare digital battery and his Map of Firenze and the ships security is starting to get a kick out of his off the boat/on the boat routine. Somewhat like the trips in and out of the hotel in Spain for the same reason.
After the shuttle drops us off… at the McDonalds... in Livorno, too late for the 8:11 train, Chuckie makes the mistake of asking a local in Italian where to find the Tabachi to buy tickets for the #1 bus to the train station. The crowd on the shuttle now decides they should follow him everywhere since he seems to know where to go and what to do [due to some serious research and planning] and then… it starts to rain.
Aaahhhhh yes… Chuckie, the master strategist, expert logistician, superior details and advance planning guy, mister 3 trips to the cabin before 730AM... forgetter of umbrellas.
Yep… after we made sure we packed the umbrellas for the forecasted rainy days in Tuscany, making sure one was even attached to the camera bag [which was promptly left in the cabin because he has all the film taped to the camera strap and the long lens on his belt] It’s raining in Tuscany and the damn umbrellas are…still in the cabin. But, Hey Chuckie has a hat, Illy has a hood on the jacket… what could possibly go wrong…
go wrong… go wrong.
The buses in Livorno are really neat with scrolling signs announcing the next stop. Some of the crowd picks up on this and start repeating the listings… asking Chuckie, “is this the one…. Or this one…. How about now?”
Hoping the weather in Firenze is better; we get to StazioneLivorno Centrale, through train ticketing and lead the cavalry charge to the departure platform. Down the stairs.... under all the tracks and up to Binario 7. The hour and half ride to Firenze was uneventful except for the increasing rain.
Of course when they get to Stazione Santa Maria Novella in Firenze all the women have to find the W.C. [British for Toilette] and they discover… ya gotta pay before you can get through nifty coin operated gates in the W.C. at the Stazione. Now the scramble to find € .80 exact change … the turnstiles don’t give change. Chuckie points out the change machine on the wall… and the rush to find €1.00 coins begins.
While half the train is in the W.C… we sneak off for our trek to Mercato San Lorenzo, in search of a replacement leather hat for the one Chuckie lost on the Turnpike one windy day, and then over to "I Frattelini", the hole in the wall Panini shop near Piazza della Senioria…the best Panini’s in town.Stay tuned for the rest of our day Rainy day in Firenze.
Right now… gotta pack to get off the boat tomorrow.
Ciao 4 Now,
Chuckie [forgetter of umbrellas] and the now dripping, glaring at him unmercifully, Dragon Lady.
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