A Day in Livorno

Annamaria on Monday

This city on Italy's northern Mediterranean coast is the country's third largest port and the third largest city in Tuscany.  People have lived in the area since the Neolithic age.  These days, while not on the usual tourist track, it is a bustling exchange point for international commerce.  This Sunday, it was bustling for a different reason.

When the weather forecast predicted 60 degrees F and sunshine, my friend Nicoletta suggested an outing. I enthusiastically accepted since I had never visited and any day spent with Nicoletta is a pleasure.

Mother Nature cooperated with a glorious day.  Here is what it looked like:

First stop for Italians, coffee.  And for this American, a tiny ciambella.

As we walked along the seaside promenade -

Confetti on the pavement, a sure sign that it's carnevale.

And that means kids in costume.  Here's my favorite,
especially since I will soon be photographing giraffes
in the wild!

I took a great interest in the Italian naval academy, because it has a connection to a new character in my soon-to-be-released The Blasphemers. An Italian nobleman introduced in the story is an admiral.  So he must have gone to this school. 

Cadets waiting for the bus across the street from their academy

Then lunch!

We chose a place called Crudomania, that we happened upon because it was in front of a parking place we had found.  I know of nowhere else in a world where one can find such excellent food so easily.

It was a fish place, of course, decorated with entrancing three-foot long sculptures
made from miscellaneous materials.

Nicoletta chose the san pietro (john dory), upper left.  We shared all our courses.

I apologise for the fact that there is a bite taken out of every course before I thought to photograph it.   

Appetizer: Cod with sweet and sour onion

Pasta course: Spaghetti with sea urchin.  A first for me.
Spectacular!

What the main course looked like on it's way to oven.  It was gone before
I thought to take any photo. :)

Chocolate dessert.  Quite a few bites already gone.

Cafe macchiato to finish off.

Then a stroll through the Venezia District -

So named, because it has a system of canals

Some of which run along ancient forts and bridges.

But also modern shops (This one was closed on Sunday)

My favourite Italian hero.  And a gull.

What a glorious day!

Happy, happy, LUCKY me!