Highway holdup, Mamma Mia!

Leaving Rome we managed to get onto the ring road that circles the city. We were hoping to find a Northbound exit that would take us to Pisa via a Mediterranean coastal route. But we were confronted with boards that showed only directions to Pompei. We must have literally gone around in circles before we found one that we thought would take us North. After a rankling hour( or so it felt like) luck struck. Having lost nearly an hour we eased into the highway traffic hoping to get glimpses of the sea. But we were disappointed. We were mostly driving through foothills and agricultural land. After nearly 2 hours of driving the road veered towards the coast. Finally we had views of typical Mediterranean villas on our right, and the deep blue sea on the left. That feast for the eyes only lasted an hour before we drove inland again. 

We were approaching Livorno, a port city, but we were going to bypass it and drive towards Pisa. All traffic slowed. It was a three lane highway and I stuck to the middle lane in readiness to change lanes when I saw the sign for Pisa. We had already been driving for three hours. 

Then traffic slowed further gradually coming to a full stop. The drivers waited patiently in their seats for nearly half an hour and then began getting out and talking to other drivers. Their conversations are dramatic being animated with their numerous hand gestures Those who had phones tried to find out what was happening, but most were throwing up their hands in the characteristic Italian gesture accompanied by "Mamma Mia". We too got out of the car and tried to converse with other drivers but between our English and their Italian there was no coherent communication. The gist of the matter: nobody new what was happening. Many theories were floating about. Must be an unusually massive traffic jam, being the rush hour. After all on coming traffic is smooth. Probably a truck has overturned spilling its contents and blocking all the lanes and as usual police are slow to take action. Perhaps a major traffic accident that even ambulances and traffic police find hard to approach. 

We were simply a large parking lot for nearly three hours. Luckily for us, we did not need a bathroom break. Finally traffic began to move. We were hoping to see the cause for the standstill but there was no clue at all. It remains a mystery to this day.

Picking up speed we reach Pisa. As we cross the river Arno we see that bridge is crowded and all along the banks candles had been lit. A festival was being celebrated. We found out that the local holiday honoured a Saint. We were in no mood to enjoy the festivities since we wanted to vist the Tower and its surrounds and then leave for Florence. It was already late in the evening. We had to park but no space was available. Having come this far we had to at least have a glimpse of the famous tower. So we took a risk and parked our right wheels on the raised sidewalk hoping that we would not be caught and made to pay a fine. (Fines in Italy are instant). It would also delay our drive to Florence. I didn't fancy driving in the night into a new city where we had yet to find accommodation. So what do we do but launch ino a brisk walk-run to the renowned tower, take the obligatory photo, rush back. We breathe a great sigh of relief to find the car safe and no parkiing ticket anywhere. 

By the time we reached Florence it was already dark. We stopped near a hotel that looked promising, but Drink went in to check and did not approve. We drove slowly again looking for another Hotel. As I was driving very slowly and stopping frequently, a female driver behind me looked out of her window and loudly mouthed something in frustration. Luckily I found a tight spot, beside another hotel, into which I wedged the car while she sped by and we also decided on staying there. Enough was enough. We had spent most of our day on Italian roads.