We hop off the train not completely sure where we are headed. Catch a bus that takes us to the small town of Biassa high on the hillside. HIGH ON THE HILLSIDE. This bus is the same width as the road. I travel up the zig zag way thinking of the people killed by roads such as this in South America. I think of how off balance the bus must be with Adam on one side of it. And yet, I realize to perfect views.
When we get to the hostel, we are told we take the green bus to the first of the 5 towns. Ha. This green mini bus is really a large van. A large van that must again zig zag down the hillside. Not only does it make it down the steep mountain, it also takes us straight to the train station of Riomaggiore through crowds of tourist. I find an awestruck wonder in the simplistic fact that Italians can drive...very well!
Due to the advice of the owner of our hostel, we decide to take the train to the last city, Monterossa, and make our way back to the others. The train is simple, and short. The five cities are rather close together. (Via dell'amore is closed we find out.)
With big plans to check out the beach in Monterossa, hike to the (said) prettiest town of Vernazza, and take a train to the following three, we get stuck as soon as we see the beach. We immediately decide not to leave. 2-4 mixed drinks later, we are in heaven.
To anyone who knows anything about Cinque Terre, it is known for the views from the hikes. Not exactly for the beaches you cannot get enough of. After finding a bar that plays American country music and makes Coladas with actual pineapple, I conclude it is the best spiaggia I have ever been to. Adam settles on it being his 2nd favorite, which is OK since he has seen many more than me.
Day one is finished. The entire first day of a two day trip to see five cities in finished after just one city. Una città meravigliosa. I decide to become Italian, and spend my entire summer longing to be near the sea. Coming up crispy from the salt of the Mediterranean. Becoming brown from the sun's unforgiving rays.
Day two begins with us deciding to be more productive. Although, we think nothing can top yesterday, we will try. We take the train into Vernazza, which I was told is the best city. Other than an art gallery with a wonderful woman from the UK, I am not so impressed. The boats and buildings are colorful, yes, but here I hear more English than Italian. Even though I moved to Italy to teach English, I long to hear the sing song sound of the Italian language.
We quickly leave the town on a hike headed up, (and over, but really the up was the most memorable.) I am stunned by not only miraculous vista that scream, yes God wants us to appreciate his artwork, but also by how out of shape I am. Up up we go, on the stairs from hell.
Views are stunning, made slightly less appealing by the sweat pouring from every inch of my. When we finally get around the hillside/mountainside, we see what we came to see. Corniglia. Sitting like a painting plopped down from a work from Mario Zampedroni.
After the two hour journey, and soaked dress, and extremely cake-y make up we decide we must again go to the sea. We head to town, and dive in, literally. The crystal clear water here puts the Maldives to a competition. I see every speck of me while I swim.
So, if you ever find yourself in Italy, Cinque Terre is the place to be. Please stay a day in each city. Suck it up and hike the trails. Skip being a tourist, and jump in the sea. Be Italian. Stay in a hostel that is in a town you would never know existed, but are so glad it does. Have a epiphany that comes when you realize how blessed you are to be in place. A place. Any place. Chances are, around the world someone does not know it exists. Does not understand the beauty from being right there.
Here I see how great my decision is. How many people would not want to make the same choice. How I would never want to be them.
No comments:
Post a Comment