I never thought that I would ever see the famous tower, as it is a bit off the beaten track. It was a short hours drive from the holiday park where we are staying.
We parked the car and headed towards where we thought it was, then we saw the tour buses and tour group so we guessed we were headed the right way. Who thought finding to tower would be difficult. Then I looked up and I could see the top of the tower. It really was on a lean. That first sighting of such an iconic feature always surprises me, it is almost magical. it is a bit like 'wow it really does exist!' We knew we were getting closer as there were more and more crowds. We then had to run the gauntlet of tacky tourist stalls before entering the grounds where this beautiful building stands.
The tower is magnificent but the hoards of tour groups is very unpleasant. This is the reason why I try to avoid tourist hot spots if at all possible. It is not the tourists that I dislike. (actually that is a lie, I really dislike the stereotypical loud brass American tourists) But it is the tacky tourism stalls and the guys who hunt you down to try and sell you fake watches and sunglasses. I hate it! So to be honest, I am glad I got to see this iconic cultural feature but I wouldn't have been too upset if I had missed it and the tacky tourism either. Pisa really is a one hit wonder town, the remainder to the town is as unremarkable as the leaning tower is remarkable. Culinary high of the day - dinner including the yummy tomatoes and feta.
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