Letters: Pisa has much to offer visitors

Pisa has much to offer visitors

I’m so sorry Shirley Wang found nothing of interest in Pisa, just crowds, merchants and, of course, the tower [“Wish We Weren’t Here,” Feb. 7].

We found the expanse of lawn and small-town atmosphere a relief from the crowded urban milieu of Florence. There were lots of people there, but alongside the tower were the duomo and the baptistry, both gleaming jewels and extremely interesting historically and as buildings.

After we’d seen all this (and, yes, taken that picture with the tower), we strolled to a restaurant where, in spite of its being an obvious tourist trap, we had the best meal (served by the nicest waiter) of our Italian visit.

Will Owen

Pasadena

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No wonder others find us to be ugly Americans. If you plan a visit to a new or foreign destination, take some time to read about it. The reason you travel is because it is not like home.

Patricia L. Moore

Los Angeles

Dueling cities, helpful article

Regarding “SF vs. SD,” by Christopher Reynolds (Jan. 31): It was one stupendous article. We love things about both of those cities. He was thorough, comprehensive and objective. And good writin’!

Jon Wright

Concepción, Chile

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Reynolds did a fantastic job on the comparison between our two major tourist destinations. It will be very valuable to keep on hand. Eleanor Van Natta

Rancho Dominguez

Macrobiotics for those on land too

Judith Fein’s article “Reaching for a New Outlook” in the Jan. 24 cruise issue was lacking in information on macrobiotics.

The article should have included information about residential and institutional programs where those who are not interested in a cruise might go to learn to cook macrobiotically. Phiya Kushi wrote a good educational online article about macrobiotics, available at www.kushiinstitute.org.

George Ohsawa, Michio Kushi and Herman Aihara, among the postwar leaders in spreading the benefits of macrobiotics in America, were the brains behind founding Chico-San Rice Cakes and residential facilities in California and Massachusetts to teach and spread the word.

Aihara’s book, “Basic Macrobiotics,” is a terrific introduction and available at Amazon.com.

Peter John Andros

Tucson

The Crow’s Nest a Santa Cruz fave

We recently enjoyed the Jan. 10 article “Ease Into Santa Cruz.” The Crow’s Nest on East Cliff Drive (www.crowsnest-santacruz.com) was not mentioned; it is popular and one of our favorite places to dine in Santa Cruz.

James and Elise Dills

Camarillo