ALL THE THINGS
A LAUNDRY LIST, LUCCA STYLE
August 2-August 16, 2019
By E. Perryman
#akintsucrooner
THINGS I DID……..
1. Explored Lucca, San Gimingnano, Siena, Volterra, Torre del Lago, and Montecatini. Soaked in the architecture, people, and food. Ate at the delicious Casa Puccini, Giglio, Peruca, and tasty wall restaurant, San Colombano. Partook in one delish meal at McDonalds and viewed the entertaining meet the parents/fockers with my friends.
2. Ate delicious chocolate gelato (cuz it’s my fave,) drank hot spring waters from Roman baths (salty,) and rode a bike along the wall of Lucca (so fun.)
3. Enjoyed a boat ride, saw Puccini’s birthplace/villa, and drove in Tuscany and Rome. Driving in Tuscany was easy despite roundabouts. Driving in Rome was bottom clenching. Roman pedestrians/drivers are reckless. Window washers are annoying. Note: Listening to Tosca while driving can be hazardous.
THINGS THAT MADE ME GO HMM…..
1. Plural spelling is suspect here. Words like shrimps/baggages are used often and printed. And graffiti is everywhere. Bummed me out.
2. Sequin excess; shiny bedazzlers are everywhere. Even the high end shops were sporting sequin accents. It’s not just for the disco loving gays like myself anymore.
3. Opera singers at Torre del Lago. Despite the lead tenor and Musetta, I was underwhelmed by the singers, including the famous Mimi. Her voice is an echo of what it used to be. You know Mimi isn’t good when you are ready for her Act 4 death.
THINGS I’LL REMEMBER….
1. My singing coachings. My vowels were energized, breath-ignited, phrasing-motivated, toolbag-filled, and brain-stuffed. I look forward to implementing and future work with Massimo Morelli and Stefano Teani.
2. Food here is smack my behind fresh. No factory production for these folks. It’s made from scratch daily. If you don’t get it in time, no decadent Italian donut for you.
3. Thou shalt not tip thy waiters but thou shall put forth at least a 2 euro per person coperto charge at each meal for the dining privilege.
THINGS I WAS DUMB ABOUT……
1. Bathroom door hardware. It is unintuitive to operate. It engaged my fear of getting locked in a low oxygen, window free bathroom.
2. Not bringing a big enough suitcase. I am a significant participant in stimulating the tourist economy. I always forget this when I pack.
3. Not using google translate enough. When I did, it was really helpful. I mostly know how to pronounce Italian so I could be understood. It was fun to communicate with the teenage worker at the candy booth.
THINGS I’D LIKE TO DO HERE IN THE FUTURE….
1. Visit with Elizabeth. I missed her terribly. She is my person and partner in crime.
2. Sing/coach here. My big girl singing pants are washed and ironed.
3. Visit more of Tuscany, go to a movie here, experience the Italian auto grill rest stop, and eat more gelato.
THINGS I NOTICED….
1. Dreadlocks are a thing; not just for reggae rockers. I saw this hairstyle on a diverse group of people.
2. Trash here is hyper regulated and difficult to dispense. It feels prohibitive to conscientious recycling. Way too many rules and uptight waste infrastructure.
3. Lights normally go off automatically in the bathroom. I often found myself waving my arms to turn the lights back on mid rest room visit.
THINGS I BOUGHT….
1. Clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
2. Magnets, perfume, and masks.
3. Alcohol, tote bags, and Fanta.
THINGS I ENCOUNTERED…..
1. My natural teacher, peacemaker, leader, do-er, fixer, earthy, and gregarious self.
2. My sensitive and vulnerable side. Expectations are fickle fellows.
3. I’m happier in the morning. I credit my wife for helping me with a morning attitude-ectomy.
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM MY ITALY TRIP IN 2000….
1. Bye bye Internet cafe, hello WiFi. It’s everywhere, even pricy restaurants.
2. Many locals are covered with tattoos. This wasn’t true when I backpacked here in 2000. Huh.
3. Fans whether battery, usb, or geisha style is a travel necessity for me in 2019, not so much in 2000.
ELEVEN THINGS WE ENJOYED…..
1. Day trips.
2. Meals.
3. Gelato, Donuts, and Crepes.
4. Conversations.
5. Biking.
6. Watching lizards.
7. Kids, dogs, and cats.
8. People watching.
9. Rando turtle in town.
10. Opel insignia car.
11. Shopping.
THINGS TO LEAVE YOU WITH….
1. If Scatman can do it, so can you.
2. Every day is a borrowed time with its good, bad, and ugly.
3. “Wherever you go, there you are”-Love, my inner pop up Buddha.
akintsucrooner 