Lost in Lucca

 We left Pisa bright and early to catch the train to Lucca.  4.00 Euro for the train for 2 of us. We couldn't believe our luck.  The train system is easy to manage and language has not been a problem...so far. 

We arrived in Lucca to grey skies and decided to take a taxi to our hotel.  The front desk woman in Pisa arranged one for us.  We got in the cab and it became very apparent that the hotel was not going to be ideal.  Our lovely Italian only speaking cab driver was half way back to Pisa when we finally were able to tell him we didn't want to stay so far from Lucca.  Eventually he turned around and was kind enough to turn the meter off and on again to head back to Lucca.  20 Euros later he dropped us off at the tourist information centre where they helped to find a B&B inside the city walls.   Everyone in Italy walks everywhere so when they told us it was just a short stroll down the road, we believed her.  It would have been a short walk if Joe had read the map correctly but it was raining so hard by that point we could no longer read it.
We arrived at the B&B soaked through but laughing at what a day we had so far.  I don't remember ever laughing at our misfortune as we have so far.  We were after all, looking for adventure!
That afternoon after the rain stopped we decided to walk around the town.  I don't think either one of us has ever felt so confused by a street system before.  By streets I mean very small alleys where cars drive by so fast you have to squeeze yourself up against the wall for fear of being run down.  After 4 hours of continuous walking we figured out that as long as you see the wall you know where you are. (definitely slow learners!)
We got home about 5 o'clock and I instantly fell asleep.  We went out for a very early dinner at 7 and home by 9:30, asleep by 9:32.
Today was sunny and glorious. We went for a long walk then we rented bikes to ride around the city wall.  It seems that everyone walks the wall on a sunny day and  now we know why.  It was tons of fun!
 We made a picnic of bread, cheese and fruit and lounged on the wall for an hour or so in the sun.  Wander wander, like everyone else...home for a rest and showers, then out for dinner.  The streets were crazy busy because it is Saturday night.  Everyone and their crying baby were out strolling.  Great people watching if nothing else.  We had a just okay dinner then came home as we have an early start.  Tomorrow the Cinque Terre!  More pictures to follow,we have a weak connection!