Lucca Italian School, Santa Croce Festival, and Life in Lucca

After only four weeks, we already feel right at home here in Lucca.  We are getting to know a few more people, as we are becoming "regulars" at various caffes, ristoranti, and negozi (shops).  

We have now completed two weeks of language classes with Cristina of the Lucca Italian School, and are able to handle some very basic conversations. Due cappuccini da portare via, per favore!  (Two cappuccinos to go, please!)  However, we can't yet comprehend an Italian pre-school book that we picked up at a local book shop, LOL!  Long way to go... but it has been so much fun.  Six more weeks to practice.  The school also sponsored a "Make a Pizza" evening, where everyone got to roll out and top our own pizzas to share, along with vino.  :)

We happily stumbled into Lucca's annual Luminaria de Santa Croce (Festival of the Cross with luminaries) on September 12.  The colorful medieval parade lasted for hours, followed by spectacular midnight fireworks which we were able to enjoy from our balcony.  Hope you'll enjoy some of our photos, below.

Finally, I've included some photos of a local wine tasting, as well as some of Lucca's gorgeous churches.

Keeping all of you in my thoughts!

Buon Giorno!

Love, Donna

Italian Lessons in our "Casa"

Cristina being very patient with a "beginner student"!

Lessons completed - off to Caffe de Mercato for vino!

Making Pizza at the Lucca Italian School

On the left is Eva, our pizza instructor, with Daniella, the school director

Yaaayyyy!  My pizza done!

Lighting candles all over town for the festival!

and..........the Festival!

Festival Fireworks

Still enjoying Lucca.......

Loving Luccesan wine!

The front door of our apartment building - 228 via Fillungo

Baristo "Marco" at Caffe Puccini........

Helping Italy's economy (shopping anyone?)

One of Lucca's many towers

San Michele Church in San Michele Piazza

San Frediano Church

Cattedrale di San Martino:  Lucca's Duomo

The famous "Holy Face of Lucca"

and finally, in the Basilica Di San Giovanni...

......where we heard a vocal soprano and tenor perform excerpts from some of Puccini's great operas