Spring Break has hit Italy… although, now that I think about it some Italians seem to treat their life like spring break, even their prime minster takes it easy (backhand slap to Italian politics!) For Spring Break my crew in Florence all went their separate ways for the most part. Dublin, Canary Islands, people going to 4 different cities in a week! Me; I’m roughing it with my brother Marcus. Trip itinerary: 2 days in Cinque Terre and 5 in Sorrento. Don’t let people tell you studying abroad is all fun and games. Sometimes you have to work.
Its hard to sum up a place like Cinque Terre.
As the name goes Cinque Terre (roughly translated : 5 lands) is made up of 5 major towns, with many small communities of farmers on the surrounding mountains (mountains not hills). The five towns from North to south are; Monerosso: the only town with real beach access and the least compact. Vernazza: the most touristy town and also the most photographed town in Cinque Terre. Corniglia; the town way up on the mountain, Manarola; we kinda just walked through this town and Riomaggio: the town we stayed. Wedged in a very narrow valley. One of the more quiet towns but very picturesque.
Wating for the train to Monterosso
Most of these towns survive off of three things. Tourism, agriculture and fishing. Thus we encountered many things that coincided with these ways of life. A lot of shop owners spoke decent English. I found it really frustrating when I would try to speak in Italian and they would answer me in English. The local fruit and wine were outrageous. Very flavorful and tasty. The wine was expensive because of the limited quantity, but it was a very unique smooth taste. Much better than what my host mom and I drink at home (southeastern Italian wine: tastes like alcohol and smashed grapes….wait a second…) And because of the local fishing industry most restaurants had mostly seafood; very fresh seafood menus. One night I had a order of fried calamari and French fries. Understand I have had plates of fried calamari grace my dinner table many a time in my life, but I never tasted anything close to this. I wanted to slap the chef for making a lie. No calamari every tasted that good. I also had half a mind to demand the termination of the waitress who recommended it. They were selling a lie…. The best tasting lie that ever passed my lips (except for the time I told my brother I “forgot” where I put all his Halloween candy).
View of Vernazza from the side of the mountain
For the one full day we had in Cinque Terre; Marcus and I decided we would see it all. The Lover’s walk, which is the easiest path from town to town was shut down because of landslide possibilities, so we had to take the advanced trails that wind through the mountains. I now understand why all of Cinque Terre’s happy couples take the easy way. Our elevation change was so great I had to pop my ears on the way up and down. At some points the hike was downright grueling. But the views, smells and the nap at the end made it all worth it. It was the only way to really see all of Cinque Terre. To get to know and better understand a city or area you need to attack it on foot. There was so much more to be seen outside of the cities.
Dude is catching the squid I ate that night
Building Cinque Terre had to have taken a big vision and a motivation the size of Cesar’s ego.
Cinque Terre was an awesome place to visit. And I’ll have the privilege of returning one and maybe two more times this term. So I leave with the comfort that I will return and learn some more. For now its off to Sorrento. Expect some posts. I’ll be milking all I can out of a week with out my Italian class!
Songs for Cinque Terre (some throw backs)
Slow dancing in a burning room (village sessions acoustic version) John Mayer
Satisfy my soul - Bob Marley (ocean watching music)
Beautiful country, great pictures. But the best was your comment about walking the City. My Son gets it! So the next time we are in San Francisco, I know Max will have my back when I suggest we walk. Thanks, Max.
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