this is why geologists are important

It is pretty.  It does lean, even after the second round of foundation work.  We enjoyed seeing it and taking pictures.  Then we had a philosophical discussion -- if it had never leaned, would it be a famous landmark today or just another over-sized cathedral with matching bell tower?  (Your answer and argument to the question are welcome)

First view of Pisa's famous tower from the parking lot

From this side it doesn't look like it is leaning very much.  Did you notice how some of the columns are longer than the others as they tried to compensate for the shift during construction?

M. Souris is taking a funny picture.  He is trying to push it back up straight.

The cathedral behind the tower -- the whole reason the tower was built was to be its bell tower

As you can see, the tower is not the only thing on this site that leans.  This is not a trick photo.  Also notice that slant below the first roof on the cathedral -- that whole wing is tilted as well.

From this side it looks like it leans more than from the other.  Weird.

So we made it to Pisa and took a look at the tower.  We took a lot of pictures.  Then we had some lunch.  They had AMAZING food in Pisa.  I had pasta with zucchini and it was so good that I felt like I had actually had REAL Italian food.  If I hadn't been so full from the first serving I may have asked for a second -- it was that good.   Thank you, Pisa, for having fresh, flavorful, delicious food.  Grazie -- molto grazie!

We also took some of the silly pictures that tourists try to take.  Most of them try to make it look like they are catching the tower or pushing it back up. 

The real reason the tower leans --  Michael is trying to push it over.