Pisa II

We didn't have much time to spend in Pisa.  So we just did a quick walk around the Piazza del Duomo ("Cathedral Square" - also known as Piazza di Miracoli "Square of Miracles") before we had to head back to the B&B to collect our luggage and move on. 

The funny thing was my girls weren't the only children who seemed to find swinging on the chains the most fun part of the Pisa experience.  When I took this photo I had to wait while several other children
wandered in and out of the frame. 

Ok, a few more of these.  We had to do it.  Can you imagine coming to Pisa and not taking a photo of yourself doing this?  Wasted trip, right? 

S hates having her photo taken.  With a passion.  But, after watching us all assume this pose, she decided she'd get in on the action. 

I guess she's holding up the sky here. 

Oh, and now the tower. 

E is sitting on one of many rock posts lining the lawn.  At any given time, all along this row, you can see people balancing on a post and pretending to hold up the tower.  As we took this photo, a teenage boy had just run along the row of posts surprise high-five-ing everyone who had their hand up to pose for a photo.
It was pretty funny! 

Ahhh... finally.  The vendors.  THIS was what E had waited for.  When we travel, in each city we visit we give the girls a little bit of pocket money.  They are allowed to spend that money any way they want.  This helps cut down on the begging because, believe me, a street vendor situation like this can promote a whole-lotta begging.  After much deliberation E bought herself a key chain and S bought herself a Pinocchio doll. 

On the walk back to our hotel we snuck into a few courtyards etc. to explore a little 

This just felt so... so... Italy after we've been used to the clean lines and orderliness of Sweden. 

Lunch in a street cafe.  E playing with her newly bought key chain. 

And S loving her newly bought Pinocchio

After our quick tour of Pisa we hopped on a train and headed to Florence. 

This little one quickly got tired - the twirling of the hair is a tell-tale sign - and she settled in for a nap.