We thought that since we were close enough for a day trip to the town of Pisa that we would take a train and go over and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Our train trip wasn’t as eventful as the trip from Rome to Florence, it was pretty mundane. The train took a quick hour trip through the hills of Tuscany and we arrived in Pisa. I am not that impressed with Pisa. I am glad that we only were there for a few hours. I found the city to be very filthy. Graffiti marked almost every building, the ground was extremely dirty and the smell…..sewer smell everywhere we went. I am really glad that we had not arranged to stay a few days in Pisa.

We walked through the town to where the Leaning Tower of Pisa was located. It really was a neat looking building. Due to the fact that it continues to lean gradually every year, it was being worked on so it was wrapped in fabric and scaffolding. We were still able to manage a few great pictures. We were like all the tourist and tried to take pictures of us holding up the Tower of Pisa…..but it was a lost cause for Rick and I. We just couldn’t match things up.

The weather here is incredibly hot and incase you have forgotten, I hate sweating!!!!. By the time we got back to the train station to head back to Florence, my ass was completely drenched and chaffing. It really was not a pretty site, I honestly look like I have pissed my pants. On the train ride back to Florence, I used my iPhone to research excessive sweating. I learned that Botox treatments help with excessive under arm sweating. I wonder if I can have my ass injected with Botox. I didn’t find any related information on excessive ass crack sweating and treatment options. Maybe I can start a trial group. Dr. Stacey Bank I think we have a new mission in life, you could be famous for finding a cure for ass sweating. I could probably do ok with the wet looking ass. The issue that irritates me is that everything becomes raw….maybe I just have a fat upper thighs that like to rub together…..I am sure Michelangelo chiseled away that fat deposit on the David Statue. I will keep you updated on my ass crack sweating dilemma.

After arriving back in Florence we went back to the hotel for our daily afternoon nap. I couldn’t nap so I got up and walked about the city. I visited a few churches and had a chance to just sit back and reflect. I enjoyed sitting on the pew and looking up at the ornate ceiling and wondering about the history of these buildings I had been seeing. The magnitude of these works of art and how well preserved they are really made me take notice. It was good to have a spiritual moment, all by myself, in a strange city. I often don’t take time to reflect on the spiritual side of life these days. Times have changed for me, but I still believe in God and Heaven and the wonderful things that await us all one day. It is sad that it takes an afternoon in Florence, admiring gorgeous frescos to remind you of LIFE.

I shopped around the town, visiting the local flea markets and a few ceramic shops. I really do love my ceramic pieces that I have purchased on my other trips to Italy and I wanted to find something to remind me of the Tuscany region. I ended up buying a ceramic Christmas ornament, nothing that I will use each day, but it will be fun to relive the memories each year as it is placed on my Christmas Tree. We ate dinner at a great little restaurant that is visited by many local and international celebrities. The food was great, the staff were incredible. The restaurant used to house the Carousel from the Plaza during the winter during the 1700’s, so it has a very unique history and architecture.