Quiet Streets or Pounding Drumbeats, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Sometimes it is quiet enough to hear a pin drop in the narrow streets of Lucca.



And sometimes the only thing heard is the gentle rhythm of one person walking.



Sometimes it's the easily recognized sound of plastic luggage wheels bouncing along the uneven stones.



And sometimes it's the reverberation of drum beats echoing through the narrow canyon-like streets as a parade passes by.

Unfortunately, I found out neither the occasion nor the purpose of the parade. But it was colorful, loud, full of life, and fun to watch. Ah, Lucca!

Out and About, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Nothing like a bright red coat to give a photogragh on a cloudy gray day a burst of life.



Some folks buy and carry and some folks sit and watch.



Many businesses have managed to take advantage of the favorite musical son of Lucca, Giovanni Puccini, the 19th century Italian opera composer who produced more than 70 works making him one of the most prolific composers of the time.



But Lucca isn't just about deceased opera composers. Their annual music festival draws modern stars every summer.

The Bookseller, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Empty cafe tables sit in the shadow of this small piazza. The green and yellow glow of the bookseller stalls are lighted in the background. This is one of my favorite images and so I published it by itself in this post.

On the Wall, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

On top of the wall, spring flowers are popping out and the trees are showing a hint of green.



The world is busting out all over in color. (Special effect added in post-processing).



The sky gives a nice show at this sunset.

Beauty abounds in and around Lucca.

A Walk Around Town, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Shadowman peeks through this arch and is caught looking.



A popular restaurant in the Piazza dell' Anfiteatro gets ready for the lunch crowd. (Pane and Vino means Bread and Wine - two favorites around here).



A piano busker entertains the diners with his classical tunes and an occasional rendition of "House of the Rising Sun." (He must really like that tune because it is certainly a non-sequitur).



As the temperatures creep upwards, more and more gelaterias are opening from their winter hibernation. Like Starbucks in the USA, gelaterias seem to be on nearly every corner.



Another narrow and charming street to wander down.



Lucca has at least two music institutes that I have seen so it is not uncommon to see instruments being carried or wheeled around town.



The prolific Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924) was one of the greatest Italian opera composers in history. He was born in Lucca and enjoys special status as a favorite son. This statue adorns the Piazza Citadella.



This corrugated cardboard art sculpture warms in the morning sun.



Shadowman checks out the stone benches outside the library, a popular spot for the older generation to while away the time in conversation and warm sunshine.



A carousel horse waiting for a rider in Piazza Napoleone.

Villaggio del Fanciullo, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

The wall around Lucca has ten ramparts (baluardos) and one platform (piattaforma). There are very few structures other than green space/park on any of them.



The 2.5 mile circumference wall is a huge circular park that is a joy and pleasure to visitors and residents alike.



On Baluardo San Pietro, is located the Villaggio del Fanciullo. With fractured English and Italian, I think I came to understand correctly that the Villaggio was built after World War II by the help of the American Red Cross and the local Catholic Diocese to serve as a refuge and home for orphan casualties of war.



We met some of the friendly and welcoming people currently involved in the home. They were effusive in praise of the help given them by America. It was nice to hear such warm words and sentiments when nowadays, many comments about America are not complementary. There have been many good deeds we have done around the world - it's worth remembering in these challenging times.



Two lone joggers on the wall.



Spring magnolia blossoms in the Villaggio's front yard - an affirmation of eternal hope and renewal the home offers.

Random Sights, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

A life lived at the pace of the foot is a more relaxing and natural life - except for the constant presence of a smartphone.



A view from the Lucca wall at the Santaurio di San Gemma - parts of all five blue/green copper domes are visible.



The back view of the Cathedral of San Martino.

A car mirror reflects Shadowman and a bell tower.



A quiet afternoon in Piazza Napoleone.



A bicycle with a wildly bent rim is a sad machine, indeed.

Red Vespa, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

I've always wanted a red Vespa scooter - and I finally got my wish in Lucca. And for only 2.5 Euros - such a deal - it is somewhat small though. It makes a good depth of field toy.



This man is not impressed with my Vespa. And yes, that is "Sean's Gelateria" in the background.

Laundry in the Morning, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Because sunshine is available, free, and convenient, clothes drying is often done outside people's windows on the sunny side of the building.



Reading into the stories the laundry can tell, in this case, winter is over, time to wash the coats and put them away until next year.



Packed together tightly on the line. Seems like that method might yield more wrinkles but, chances are, they have to iron them anyway.



Even laundry drying in the Tuscan sun becomes real life art to a photographer's eye - lines, colors, a crooked sign and a bicycle.

Institute Boccherini, Piazza del Suffragio, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

There are benches in this piazza, the Piazza del Suffragio, but I preferred leaning against the sun-drenched wall and soaking in the moment of sun and sound. It is also the front courtyard of the National Institute of Musical Studies Luigi Boccherini. The city records report the existence of music schools in Lucca all the way back to the seventh century.

As for me, when the sun moved from wall to bench, I sat on a bench and listened as the purposeful tones of piano and string continued to gently pour from the open windows of the Institute. A magical moment of light and sound and place.

The statue of Luigi Boccherini graces the center of the piazza.



As the sun traverses its arc through the southern sky, Luigi Boccherini comes to life in the spotlight of sun greeting the students and masters who pass by on the way into the Institute.



I can feel already it is a special place - I look forward to performances to be held later this month.



On a different day, with more diffuse light, Mr. Boccherini is more visible in the midday sun.



No matter the day, it seems that beautiful live music drifts from the open windows and washes over us all in the piazza. It feels like living inside a foreign film - without subtitles.