One day, while I was staying in Lucca, Italy, I decided to go to Barga. It was a short trip by train to the Barga station but how to get to the town, high above, became the mystery. I was told there were no taxis and even though there were buses, no one I asked could tell when one might arrive. So I did the logical thing, I walked. I couldn’t see my destination and had no clear idea how far it was. The road rose steadily until it became a switchback through a forest, with no place to walk but the edge of the narrow pavement. Surprised drivers managed to avoid me as they sped past and I eventually arrived at the new part of town, which sits at the feet of the old.
I stopped first for lunch, then continued on. After crossing a bridge with a great view of the old buildings, I entered a wholly different place, one of narrow alleys & tunnels, staircases for streets and hardly a soul in sight. I generally try to omit tourists from my pictures but, surprisingly, there were almost none to omit. Early afternoon, I suppose most of the residents were at home. It was a very pleasant feeling and I climbed to the very top, crowned by the local church, before finding my way down again. After a couple of hours, back again in the newer part of town, I was directed to a bar where I was given a bus schedule. Almost immediately one came along, dropped me at the station, and I was on my way back to Lucca.
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