I've learned so much! What an amazing place - thank you so much for being such a thoughtful and knowledgeable tour guide, Sharron. I love all your travel posts. 😊
Thank you Sharron! Italy is on our to see list, and I will add Lucca as a must stop. I had never heard of the icon you describe so vividly, I am ashamed to say as a Catholic who treasures such artworks. I love the traditions that are unique to these ancient cites in Europe.
When I see the word Lucchesi, I think of Lucchese, the finest boots made in Texas, and of course Lucchese borgata, one of the Five Families.
I remember the bicycles on the top road from previous writ. Peaceful. Good deep, straight sided moat too. The multiple pointy outriggers of the wall have inspired many a well-defended fort across the world. Statue of Liberty grounds are similar but more and pointier. Fine book by Freide and Reitz "Walls, Ramparts and Lines of Demarcation...." 30 bucks on amazon. Cover pic is amazing.
"The Romanesque Cathedral of San Martin is dark, mostly illuminated by small stained glass windows and votive candles. Pause just inside the doorway to allow your eyes to adjust after the dazzle of the Tuscan sun."
After reading your beautiful descriptions, I feel like I will be revisiting Lucca when I see it for the first time.
What a beautiful story. I literally walked with you through this amazing city. You have what we used to call "the bug" in the service (although the purpose of that BUG was quite different... hah). As always, the work of a trully inspired person!
Feelings are mutual... you are a good hearted, honest, and obviously empathetic human being. There aren't many of the latter in this blasted world. I wish we could meet face to face.
What a wonderful idea! I am so deeply traumatized by my (ex) family's ambush that I have literally lost all hope of better days for the rest of this here earthly life. Living in this opaque "greyness" day in and day out is the cruelest punishment for what I did NOT do....
You have not lost hope. You are still processing grief. It takes more time than we think, and patience. If I were a fortune cookie I would say, "Seek a totally new direction and take one small step." But I am not a fortune cookie. And I can only speak to what worked for me.
Thank you for reading my little travel tale, Alexander. I love that city too and have gone back many times in my travels. How nice it would be to sit on a park bench there with you sharing adventures of the road.
I've learned so much! What an amazing place - thank you so much for being such a thoughtful and knowledgeable tour guide, Sharron. I love all your travel posts. 😊
Thank you, Rebecca! Happy birthday to you!
Awww, thanks, Sharron! 🥳
Thank you Sharron! Italy is on our to see list, and I will add Lucca as a must stop. I had never heard of the icon you describe so vividly, I am ashamed to say as a Catholic who treasures such artworks. I love the traditions that are unique to these ancient cites in Europe.
When I see the word Lucchesi, I think of Lucchese, the finest boots made in Texas, and of course Lucchese borgata, one of the Five Families.
Thank you! I hope you get there some day. It is lovely.
I remember the bicycles on the top road from previous writ. Peaceful. Good deep, straight sided moat too. The multiple pointy outriggers of the wall have inspired many a well-defended fort across the world. Statue of Liberty grounds are similar but more and pointier. Fine book by Freide and Reitz "Walls, Ramparts and Lines of Demarcation...." 30 bucks on amazon. Cover pic is amazing.
Thanks, Kate, for the book suggestion. Sounds intriguing. I will look for it.
"The Romanesque Cathedral of San Martin is dark, mostly illuminated by small stained glass windows and votive candles. Pause just inside the doorway to allow your eyes to adjust after the dazzle of the Tuscan sun."
After reading your beautiful descriptions, I feel like I will be revisiting Lucca when I see it for the first time.
It's not a travelogue--it's travelprose.
Thanks so much , Jim. I hope Lucca is on your travel itinerary someday. It is a little gem.
Real neat story re Il Volto Santo, Sharron! You make a fine tour guide. I want to go!
Thank you! Me, too. Wouldn't we have fun going together...
Thank you so much for taking me on this journey with you. What a beautiful city. I hope to see it someday. 😊
I hope so too! Thanks,Justin!
What a beautiful story. I literally walked with you through this amazing city. You have what we used to call "the bug" in the service (although the purpose of that BUG was quite different... hah). As always, the work of a trully inspired person!
Well, thanks for coming along with me, AT! I loved your company, my friend.
Feelings are mutual... you are a good hearted, honest, and obviously empathetic human being. There aren't many of the latter in this blasted world. I wish we could meet face to face.
There are so many lovely people I have met on Substack. Kind, generous souls. I wish we ALL could get together, don't you?
What a wonderful idea! I am so deeply traumatized by my (ex) family's ambush that I have literally lost all hope of better days for the rest of this here earthly life. Living in this opaque "greyness" day in and day out is the cruelest punishment for what I did NOT do....
You have not lost hope. You are still processing grief. It takes more time than we think, and patience. If I were a fortune cookie I would say, "Seek a totally new direction and take one small step." But I am not a fortune cookie. And I can only speak to what worked for me.
I fell in love with Lucca a long time ago. It's a magic little place. Wonderful, Sharron. Brings back so many memories!
Thank you for reading my little travel tale, Alexander. I love that city too and have gone back many times in my travels. How nice it would be to sit on a park bench there with you sharing adventures of the road.
A virtual Substack Park Bench! :) I must find my old photos from Lucca and Siena, we toured all of Tuscany back then... ah it was glorious.