Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"Livorno is a town that doesn't give a... " a Livorno Travel Page by craic

Search:
Home » Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Livorno » Livorno is a town that doesn't give a damn. Great! - Livorno, Italy

"Livorno is a town that doesn't give a... " a Livorno Travel Page by craic

See the Entire Livorno Travel Guide

Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


craic    


Real Name: Jennifer Compton
Lives In: Upwey, AU
Member Since: Nov 27, 2002
VT Rank: 187

 > View Larger Map
Florence, IT  13  34
Bologna, IT  4  9
Rome, IT  43  112
Genoa, IT  13  38
» more...
 

Page Views: 6,032            Last Visit to Livorno: July, 2004      

Livorno is a town that doesn't give a damn. Great!

by craic - last update: May 20, 2007

I arrived in town by train!

Public transport is terrific
And there is just one thing I want to say to you. Ready?

Ok you Livornese. There is nothing wrong with your city that could not be fixed by getting out of your cars and off your vespas and into the buses and onto your bicycles. (But did you realise how you scared me by not wearing helmets while biking?)
The traffic is horrible in your city.
You are very bad drivers.
This is not helped by the traffic light system. The little green crossing man is showing but as one crosses, suddenly all the traffic from the side road starts pouring across the road.
A woman thrust her baby in a stroller out into the melee shouting at me "Be bold! Just cross!"
I think that was what she said.
She may have been shouting "You ***! Get out of town!"
I had just seen two traffic accidents so I did not feel like being bold.
This is obviously a tough little city with plenty of attitude with a very fleet of foot population.
View of statue without pigeon poop
My great grandmother, Telena Scaramelli, left Livorno many many years ago. She married an Irishman and settled in Otaki in NZ.
She never went back to visit and no one in my family has ever been.
So it was a very special moment as the train pulled into Livorno.
I expected something. I don't know what. But something.
View of statue with pigeon poop
I got the strange moment on the bus to Miramare. (I went to Miramar primary school in Wellington, NZ.)
As the bus drove by the big deserted square with the two statues, early in the morning, just the sea breeze blowing in, I got the strangest feeling.
Later in the day I walked back to the square.
Now there were people about. But it was still haunted.
I have only one question.
Why is one statue and the steps around it absolutely covered with pigeon poop, while the other statue is poop free?

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Not very beautiful, not many tourists."
Cons:"I was too scared to cross the road."
In A Nutshell:"Tons of don't give a damn."
craic's Livorno Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 13 - Photos: 13
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
TransportationLocal Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

craic's Livorno Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Searching for Ancestral Memory in LivornoJune, 2004 8

Comments for craic about Livorno
dabidc Sun Jul 26, 2009 19:57 UTC
 Hi craic, wow thanks for suffering thru all the difficulties in Livorno, I like your style, I would have moved on somewhere else very quickly. Check that lucky number and avoid 9. Thanks for the visit to my Val Gardena page, I just love the mountains
tiabunna Sat Jun 6, 2009 09:00 UTC
 Lost internet before completing my visit last night! Seems a mixed bag for a visit, but an enjoyable read.
junecorlett Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:20 UTC
 Great tips , thanks for sharing.
Arkeolog Sun Apr 5, 2009 19:04 UTC
 great page on Livorno. I liked your tips and photos. Bora
See More Comments

Livorno Hotels

About VirtualTourist10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTouristContact UsPress CenterHelpUser AgreementPrivacy Statement
Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.