Ciao.
The last few days in Otranto were absolutely fine but we were all ready to leave and very keen to start the next phase. The weather improved again so we were still able to enjoy going to the beach, however we were there alone or with the occasional German tourist. All rock dwellers had retired for the season & I suspect all bikinis had probably been thrown out....you wouldn't wear the same ones in 2012!
Left Otranto in a minivan with a million pieces of luggage and booked on Ryannair (equivalent of Jetstar, or perhaps Tiger). Fares don't include checked in luggage, yet we had 4 pieces. How lucky were we that we got the assistant who had had a working holiday in Australia and loved all things Australian....except St. Kilda which he called "schifosa" - grubby. I quickly told him we lived a long way from THAT St. Kilda. Anyway the schmoozing worked and we boarded without having to pay any extra!
Our first impressions of Lucca were perfect. The driver from Pisa was wonderful and our new apartment in the historic centre was stunning. Now that we have been here for a few days everything is still fabulous and getting better but the apartment is stunning to look at but very impractical.
Lucca is 40 minutes from Pisa and is completely enclosed by 4.2kms of very thick wall.....so thick that upto not so many years ago you could still drive on the wall. Now it is home to pedestrians, cyclists and joggers.
We have discussed doing a daily jog or walk but as yet have not started!
Inside the walls is a picture perfect town with a maze of typical Italian streets, lanes & piazzas. It looks quite big on a map but we will go from one end to the other for an ice-cream and it takes 15 minutes....it takes us longer as we usually get lost.
Glenn was only here Sunday and returned to Melbourne on Monday so its just the three of us and we are getting on pretty well. Kids started their language classes on Monday however here, the teacher comes to the apartment. They do half the lesson in and then go out to put into practise what they have learnt. Day 3 and they are improving all the time. They can have a short conversation and their vocal is quite extensive. I'm very pleased with the progress and they can now see what is possible. The Lucchesi are very friendly and very welcoming....not that I know any personally! I reckon you can tell when you ask for directions or are really slow in a shop or when you're making language mistakes......we do all of that!
I have already checked out every real estate window and look at apartments for sale in the historic centre....I have asked Glenn and the boys if it could be my 60th birthday gift, particularly if i get no birthday, mother's day and christmas gifts till then. I think he's going to have a flutter at the Cox's Plate this saturday to see if he can raise the deposit!
It is truly a very liveable city, it looks and feels safe....no visible gypsies. Yesterday I had an appointment at the language school which is outside the walls; after a few minutes the boys were bored and wanted to go home so i let them go by themselves. An hour later when i was walking home I went into a panic wondering who i would call if they had been kidnapped....I raced home & was very happy to see them!
Yesterday I was feeling a little lonely and kept throwing envious glances at everyone who had someone to talk to.....the whole damn town actually. Was in a shop & detected an Australian accent so could't help but say hello; 2 minutes was all that i needed!
On a serious note the social aspect of this lengthy holiday is possibly my biggest concern for all of us. The kids have done exceptionally well with no other kid company, I have the advantage of speaking the language and chatting to anyone and Glenn chats to foreigners or has to rely on me. I hope we will meet a few people here but who knows? I have been working hard at sorting out activities for the kids in the hope that they may meet some other kids; this afternoon we are off to a tennis squad trial lesson, we'll see how that goes. In a way it would be easier to be here for a whole year because then you just make a decision to go to the local school which gives you enough time to learn the language and make friends etc. Next time???
Lucca has it all......great food shops, beautiful shops that are not too designer and overpriced (made my first purchases this morning....a puffer jacket as it is going to get bloody cold), friendly people and is close to everything by public transport.....so YES this is definitely my place.
Ciao for now as it is time to go to the park for a kick of the soccer ball.
Marie
The last few days in Otranto were absolutely fine but we were all ready to leave and very keen to start the next phase. The weather improved again so we were still able to enjoy going to the beach, however we were there alone or with the occasional German tourist. All rock dwellers had retired for the season & I suspect all bikinis had probably been thrown out....you wouldn't wear the same ones in 2012!
Left Otranto in a minivan with a million pieces of luggage and booked on Ryannair (equivalent of Jetstar, or perhaps Tiger). Fares don't include checked in luggage, yet we had 4 pieces. How lucky were we that we got the assistant who had had a working holiday in Australia and loved all things Australian....except St. Kilda which he called "schifosa" - grubby. I quickly told him we lived a long way from THAT St. Kilda. Anyway the schmoozing worked and we boarded without having to pay any extra!
Our first impressions of Lucca were perfect. The driver from Pisa was wonderful and our new apartment in the historic centre was stunning. Now that we have been here for a few days everything is still fabulous and getting better but the apartment is stunning to look at but very impractical.
Lucca is 40 minutes from Pisa and is completely enclosed by 4.2kms of very thick wall.....so thick that upto not so many years ago you could still drive on the wall. Now it is home to pedestrians, cyclists and joggers.
We have discussed doing a daily jog or walk but as yet have not started!
Inside the walls is a picture perfect town with a maze of typical Italian streets, lanes & piazzas. It looks quite big on a map but we will go from one end to the other for an ice-cream and it takes 15 minutes....it takes us longer as we usually get lost.
Glenn was only here Sunday and returned to Melbourne on Monday so its just the three of us and we are getting on pretty well. Kids started their language classes on Monday however here, the teacher comes to the apartment. They do half the lesson in and then go out to put into practise what they have learnt. Day 3 and they are improving all the time. They can have a short conversation and their vocal is quite extensive. I'm very pleased with the progress and they can now see what is possible. The Lucchesi are very friendly and very welcoming....not that I know any personally! I reckon you can tell when you ask for directions or are really slow in a shop or when you're making language mistakes......we do all of that!
I have already checked out every real estate window and look at apartments for sale in the historic centre....I have asked Glenn and the boys if it could be my 60th birthday gift, particularly if i get no birthday, mother's day and christmas gifts till then. I think he's going to have a flutter at the Cox's Plate this saturday to see if he can raise the deposit!
It is truly a very liveable city, it looks and feels safe....no visible gypsies. Yesterday I had an appointment at the language school which is outside the walls; after a few minutes the boys were bored and wanted to go home so i let them go by themselves. An hour later when i was walking home I went into a panic wondering who i would call if they had been kidnapped....I raced home & was very happy to see them!
Yesterday I was feeling a little lonely and kept throwing envious glances at everyone who had someone to talk to.....the whole damn town actually. Was in a shop & detected an Australian accent so could't help but say hello; 2 minutes was all that i needed!
On a serious note the social aspect of this lengthy holiday is possibly my biggest concern for all of us. The kids have done exceptionally well with no other kid company, I have the advantage of speaking the language and chatting to anyone and Glenn chats to foreigners or has to rely on me. I hope we will meet a few people here but who knows? I have been working hard at sorting out activities for the kids in the hope that they may meet some other kids; this afternoon we are off to a tennis squad trial lesson, we'll see how that goes. In a way it would be easier to be here for a whole year because then you just make a decision to go to the local school which gives you enough time to learn the language and make friends etc. Next time???
Lucca has it all......great food shops, beautiful shops that are not too designer and overpriced (made my first purchases this morning....a puffer jacket as it is going to get bloody cold), friendly people and is close to everything by public transport.....so YES this is definitely my place.
Ciao for now as it is time to go to the park for a kick of the soccer ball.
Marie
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