Summary

A couple and their dog, Liddy, enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Pisa during the new year, capturing candid moments through photography, appreciating the city's historical architecture, and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.

Abstract

The narrative describes a personal journey through Pisa, highlighting the couple's visit to the city during the first week of the new year. They navigate the city by foot, starting from their parking spot under Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, and explore various landmarks, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The couple, who are not fluent in Italian, embrace the challenges of being tourists in Europe and find joy in simple experiences like ordering coffee and lunch at a local restaurant, La Borsa. The author reflects on the evolution of their photographic interests, now appreciating street photography as a means to capture authentic moments of daily life. They also comment on the welcoming nature of Pisa's walkable streets and the well-behaved canine companions that enhance the city's ambiance. The day concludes with a peaceful sunset by the River Arno and an evening stroll along Corso Italia, where festive Christmas markets still linger.

Opinions

The author values the authentic experience of being a tourist, embracing the unfamiliarity of a new city and language.
There is an appreciation for the art of street photography, viewing it as a blend of journalism and candid camera work that captures the essence of human activity.
The couple finds the presence of dogs in public spaces, such as restaurants, to be refreshing and indicative of a dog-friendly European culture.
The historical architecture of Pisa, starkly different from the newer buildings in North America, is highly regarded for its beauty and the stories it tells.
The walkability of Pisa is seen as a significant asset, allowing for a relaxed and safe exploration of the city on foot.
The author expresses a preference for the Leaning Tower's current leaning state, suggesting that correcting it would detract from its iconic charm.
The couple enjoys the festive atmosphere of the Christmas season in Pisa, despite it being past the traditional holiday period.

Strolling Through Pisa

Visiting Pisa during the first week of the new year

We were advised to drive into Pisa and find the Centrale. Find the station. There you will find parking.

We followed that advice. Finding the station, and then parking under the nearby Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. A good location to start a walking tour of Pisa.

It was all new and confusing. Lots of people bustling about. We don’t speak Italian. Being a tourist in Europe is new to us.

It was lunchtime. We found a restaurant, La Borsa. We found a table and sat. June requested a menu from our server. Our server smiled, walked over to the sandwich board displaying the specials of the day and brought it to our table.

We ordered coffee lunch and wine. It was great. The menu moved on to other tables as we enjoyed our food. An amusing and relaxing way to begin our day in Pisa.

Street scene on the Corso Italia ©2023 Dave Scott

We last visited Pisa in May of 1986. We were on a bus tour of Europe. We were given time to climb the Leaning Tower before being herded back onto the bus for the drive to Monaco and Nice.

Today, we were on our own. We had no specific goals. With lunch out of the way, we wandered the streets heading north towards the Tower. June did some light shopping. I looked for some street shots.

Texting under a watchful eye ©2023 Dave Scott

I am just starting to appreciate street photography. It is an interesting part of the photographic arts. Not well appreciated, but a practice which captures people doing what people do. It is a practice which is part journalism and part candid camera. I now appreciate it as a necessary tool for the travel photographer.

After years of searching for the grand landscape, training my eye to recognize an urban moment is a challenge. A challenge that keeps the craft fresh.

Liddy and June by the River Arno ©2023 Dave Scott

Strolling north along the Corso Italia we crossed the Arno. The river on which Pisa is built. I took a moment to pose June and Liddy on the wall beside the river. Then we continued on our leisurely walk north along the Via Giosue Carducci.

On arriving at the northern city wall, we turned west towards the Tower and the Cattedrale di Pisa where we put on our tourist caps and took some obligatory photos.

The iconic leaning tower ©2023 Dave Scott

It being winter, and a weekday, the crowds were manageable. We had heard that the Tower was closed to visitors, but this was not the case. There was a line of ticket holders waiting for the privilege of climbing the stairs to the top. Having experienced that adventure when we were younger, we didn’t feel the need. There are a lot of stairs.

I set up my camera on the ground to get some group shots of the three of us in front of this iconic landmark. We couldn’t resist posing in a classic meme.

The tower, the baptistery and the cathedral were all built on soft soil. They all tilt to an extent. The tower more so, because it is so tall compared to its foundation.

I understand that at one time, the tower was closed because of worries that it would eventually fall over. Repairs have been made and that eventuality has been forestalled.

Today we have the technology to push the tower back into an upright position but then it wouldn’t be the Leaning Tower of Pisa, would it? Planning a tour around the Formerly Leaning Tower of Pisa just doesn’t work, does it?

Liddy comes with me because she assists me with my hearing loss and other services. She is quite privileged because of this role. Here in Europe, we find that dogs are allowed almost everywhere. More importantly, people enjoy being out with their canine companions. They are everywhere. We found it so refreshing. We also found most canines to be very well-behaved.

Scuola Normale Superiore ©2023 Dave Scott

It was getting late, so we turned back towards the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and our car. Taking a different route, we came across the Plaza dei Cavalieri.

The architecture all over Italy is amazing. With a history of western architecture that goes back less than 400 years, you just don’t find buildings like this in North America. In the Northwest, you would be hard-pressed to find a building over 150 years old.

Finding buildings like the Scuola Normale Superiore and making these connections… Well, it makes the adventure so worthwhile.

Along the Borgo Stretto ©2023 Dave Scott

What makes places like Pisa special is the city’s walkability. Because it grew from agrarian roots some thousands of years ago, the concept of wide streets was just silly. Streets were used for walking down to the plaza where the meetings and markets were. The city grew up with narrow streets.

Fortunately, there has not been a need to destroy them. Restaurants along the way are always welcoming. We can walk and wander and not fear being hit by anything more than another pedestrian. So refreshing.

We arrived back at the Arno in time to watch the sunset. Not a fantastic burning sky kind of sunset, but it was a nice one.

The view east had more pink in the sky. In both cases, I loved the reflections on the river as the streetlights were turning on.

Night settles on Corso Italia ©2023 Dave Scott

As we followed other shoppers south along Corso Italia, we were able to take advantage of the many stalls selling wares. It was still the Christmas season; decorations had not been removed. Not the same as the German Markets, but still, a festive atmosphere where everyone was having a good time.

We certainly enjoyed our day in Pisa.