Lucca Day 2

A cloudy start to the day today. And woke up to a surprise, this canal at the back side of the apartment went dry overnight. Well, mostly dry. The waterline the last few days was as least a few feet deep and full of fast moving water but this morning, empty. Granted, there's probably still half a foot of water still flowing - we've seen many fish swimming in the water - but the rest of it just...disappeared. We wonder if the city is somehow stopping the flow as a preemptive measure to avoid flooding as we're expecting rain for the next few days. But Google wasn't giving us any info on it so we're stumped. Very strange.

Aside from that, it's another slow morning. Mom and I walk a few minutes over to a pasticceria to pickup pastries for breakfast. The pastries are not great but we wouldn't know unless we tried.

After breakfast, dad goes to walk the wall for his exercise walk, which means quick pace. Mom and I opt to traverse one of the shopping streets, Via del Fillungo. Many different shops line the street from leather to makeup to a shop of random homegoods. Nothing particularly strikes our fancy but it's a nice walk. Although I do find a cool vintage looking container that would look at home in a grandmother's bathroom holding cotton balls - mom thinks it's kinda ugly but I like it. What can I say, I'm a rebel.

It's nearing lunchtime so we all meet up back at the apartment to pick a lunch spot. We had passed Osteria Baralla this morning and the interior appealed to mom, so we decide to eat there for lunch. It's a cool interior with arching brick and warm wood tones. Although funny thing, everyone eating at the same time as us is American. Or speaks English, at any rate. That's the first time we've experienced it on this trip.

Pumpkin ravioli for me, farro soup for dad and beef stew with polenta for mom.

Nothing amazing, but the food was tasty. Although unfortunately my anxiety was kicking up the moment we sat down, or if not anxiety, reflux. So we left quicker than we probably would have once we were done eating. Which is a bummer, because I really did enjoy the interior of the place and could've sat there awhile. Alas, my brain and body determine it's not meant to be and I head back to the apartment while the folks go for some gelato again from I Gelati di Piero.

After a long siesta, we head out to walk the wall. It totals 2.6 miles in circumference - and we walk a full circuit! Felt pretty good to walk the entire route. It was a pleasant time to stroll and they've done a very nice job with the pathways on the wall.

On our way home we detour to a deli, Cuccori, to pickup dinner. I didn't get pictures but we selected Tuscan veggie soup, spinach and a giant meatball log (sounds weird, but it was heavenly). All the food was delicious! One of my favorite meals yet.

Falling asleep to some rain tonight. We'll see how the weather is tomorrow!

Ciao!