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The penultimate day, we agreed that it might be worthwhile
to scale the famous tower, since it had been under reconstruction
for so long, and it wasn't that expensive compared to
the airfare and the hotel (together).
Captured July 2 2002 11:14:24a
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We had to get there early to sign up, then wait a bit
for our turn, so we wandered around aimlessly, as tourists
do.
Captured July 2 2002 9:39:07a
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The wolf suckling two human children on the left is
the symbol of Rome.
Captured July 2 2002 10:24:19a
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Pete got this nice angle on the tower looking up.
Captured July 2 2002 11:05:23a
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Going up the stairs, we didn't really notice the lean
of the tower, except that it got easier to climb, then
harder, then easier. Apparently, there is nothing in
the middle of the tower -- just an empty space that
the stairs wrap around.
Captured July 2 2002 10:34:09a
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Captured July 2 2002 10:34:49a
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Captured July 2 2002 10:35:00a
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Here we are, almost to the top.
Captured July 2 2002 10:39:41a
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This is as close as Roger got to the edge -- he didn't
tell us beforehand that he was afflicted with a touch
of vertigo.
Captured July 2 2002 10:43:50a
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Captured July 2 2002 10:43:37a
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The steps were well worn by the passage of tourists
before us.
Captured July 2 2002 10:45:51a
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Roger enjoying the view from the interior of the bell
tower.
Captured July 2 2002 10:53:32a
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The Leaning Shadow of Pisa.
Captured July 2 2002 10:56:47a
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The Leaning Visitors of Pisa.
Captured July 2 2002 10:55:21a
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Back at our favorite gelato seller's after a hard morning's
climb.
Captured July 2 2002 11:34:58a
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Baywatch Italiano
That afternoon, we hired a car and drove out to a nearby
beach to enjoy the warm waters of the Mediterranean.
Captured July 2 2002 2:17:16p
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Roger had never been buried in sand before, and said
it was one of his lifelong ambitions.
Captured July 2 2002 1:41:39p
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Pete and Ki helped him fulfill it.
Captured July 2 2002 1:42:32p
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It was a hazy, warm day.
Captured July 2 2002 2:17:30p
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Stop at Red Arrow
That evening, we drove back to the coast to find ourselves
a good, seafood dinner. Some of the traffic control
in Italy was really bizarre....
Captured July 2 2002 8:53:16p
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The restaraunt we found indeed had wonderful seafood,
and we took it at a very relaxed pace, eating and talking
for nearly three hours.
Captured July 2 2002 11:53:12p
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Hard Drinkin' Man
Clearly, someone had a little fun with Photoshop on
this one...
Captured July 2 2002 10:18:09p