COLLODI,  ITALY
   We were up and fixing coffee getting ready for another day of traveling.   At 0720 we were boarding the Regional Train for a 10 minute ride to La Spezia to catch another,  a 45 minute ride to Viareggio.  When we stepped out onto the Platform, our next Regional to Lucca was there,  as if waiting on us to arrive (although it wasn't).
   From Lucca, we caught a bus to Pescia, a small town about 30 minutes away from Lucca.  We caught a taxi in Pescia  for a 7 minute ride to Collodi.
   We chose to visit this town for a couple of reasons.  Second,  it was the birthplace of Pinocchio.  His creator was Carlo Collodi,  although his last name was actually Lorinzini.  He changed his last name to match the city.  He was born in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1826.  Debby's life has always centered around children and the story of Pinocchio was a character that delighted children.
   First, because of her "Uncle Gino".  Uncle Gino was born Gino Baiocchi in 1900.  He emigrated from Collodi,  Italy to America as a young man.  He met and married a nice opinionated Italian woman in San Francisco.  Among their California neighbors was Debby's family.  Their Italian charm created a bonding.  Enough so that Lil and Gino soon became "Aunt Lil and Uncle Gino" to Debby and her siblings.  She has many fond memories and funny stories of their lives together.
   So traveling to visit Uncle Gino's home town of Collodi, Italy was a dream of hers.  Ron and Nancy and I came along for the ride, because visiting new places is what we do.  As it turned out, visiting Collodi was a serendipity. It was a highlight of all our places.
   The Taxi driver let us out near the main entrance to the Garzoni Gardens, near the bus stop sign.  The first thing we did was walk into one of two sidewalk curio shops across the street.  We were perusing the many souvineer, Pinocchios and curios hanging around while Debby struck up a conversation with the shop keeper,  who was about my age.  When Debby asked her if she knew the name "Baiocchi", she lit up and begin talking.  She said her grandmother had married a Baiocchi.  Debby explained about her Uncle Gino and the shopkeeper (DeAnna) seemed to enjoy the conversation as much as Debby.
     We went into the Garzoni Gardens and looked around.  A couple of water fountains were shooting up about 25' in the air.  One pool had water plants and the other had hungry fish coming at you when you walked up....piranhas, I bet!  😆
   Tony Baiocchi told us that his Uncle Gino was born in Collodi and worked in these gardens as a kid.  He said he also recognized DeAnna, the shopkeeper in the photo, as the one he met on his trip to Collodi in 2007.     She is related to his Uncle Bruno's wife.
Some of the statues within the garden were of a fantasy nature.  The main fountain that cascaded down the hillside was shut down and would have been fun to see running.
   The Butterfly exhibit was very cool.  Those lethargic creatures were very colorful and unafraid.  A couple of them appeared to be suicidal.  They were parked on the stairsteps and in the middle of the walkway.
   I wouldn't lay on the sidewalk in front of ME!   😎