Tis Returns to Italy! Day 40: Living Like a Local in Lucca

Lisa of Tis Travels is on a three-month journey through Italy, exploring, eating, and living like an Italian. Follow along on “Tis Travels” on Facebook and Instagram!

Things have started to feel different here in Italy. I go about my days, running my errands, doing my shopping in the markets, and having a drink in the evenings, all in Italian. At first, as I was visiting many new places, it still felt a bit like a vacation. Now, I am back “home” in Lucca and it feels very normal. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way trying to replicate an “Eat Pray Love” experience. I am still looking forward to indulging myself the entire trip but some moderation is in order. However, you should not expect me to check into an ashram anytime soon. I don’t much enjoy feelings anyway, so spending hours on a hard, cold floor trying to get in touch with them is not going to happen. 

Today, as the tourists filed in and out of the piazza below my window, taking photos and dining in restaurants on overpriced food, I worked. At some point, I pulled out my yoga mat. I propped my iPad up in the floor-to-ceiling window with a view to the action below and started a class. Afterward, I cooked my dinner, as I try to eat healthier and avoid some of the indulgences of the first month here. It feels like I’d achieved the type of experience I was trying to have on this trip. It feels wonderful.

Today and tomorrow’s updates will be a bit more “normal” as I prepare for my trip to Milan mid-week for the Italy vs. Spain football game! Because the individual states in the US cannot be bothered to coordinate efforts and create a digital vaccination pass that other countries can link to their systems, my paper vaccination card is not acceptable at the game. Therefore, I get to have that swab shoved up into my brain again tomorrow in order to get a 48-hour EU Digital Pass. At least I was able to easily walk into a local pharmacy and communicate with the pharmacist to get my test scheduled. That will pass for normal for now.  🙂 

Ciao for now!