It was our second day in Italy and a day trip to Florence was on the travel itinerary. We were up early on Sunday for the 7:25 a.m. train from Rome Termini station to Florence. We arrived in Florence shortly before 9 a.m. The night before, each person had selected the one thing they absolutely wanted to see on this day trip. "Mo" wanted to see the leaning tower of Pisa. "B" and I were indifferent about Pisa. "B" was content exploring Florence and getting to the markets. I had been told by some fellow travellers while I was in Barcelona that Pisa was not a top priorirty to see in Italy - they recomemnded Lucca instead, so I was not in a hurry to get Pisa. However, we agreed to do at least one thing recommended by the others during this day trip. We purchased our train tickets for the hour train ride to Pisa. Round trip tickets cost about 20 euros.

It was a pleasant train ride - we spent most of it catching up. We arrived in Pisa shortly before 10:15 a.m with this goal - find and see the leaning tower of Pisa and be back in Florence in time for lunch. We hurried out of the train station and through the city center. We navigated our way on instinct and by following the crowds, through the city center, passing vendors as they were setting up their market stalls, past locals sitting outside quaint cafes. We met a gentleman from Naples who was helpful with directions and after 20 minutes (mostly speed walking), there it was in view - the leaning tower.

Although "B" and I were indifferent about this trip - we immediately got into tourist mode, pulling out camera and attempting the signature leaning tower pose - I am sad to report we failed on our poses. We walked around the area for a short while taking snapshots from every angle possible. There was an option to go into to the building and up to the top of it - we did not take adavantage of that option. Once we had our fill of photographs, we hurried back to the train station for the 12:30 train back to Florence. I managed to take some snapshots on our walk back to the train station.