Weekend in Cinque Terre

So a large group of us met up at the train station to meet up before our midnight train to Cinque Terre, we were there a little early so we were just hanging around. Before long we were told that there was a sciopere (strike) with the train, just for that night. So like the logical college students we all are, we decided to stay at the train station to either change our tickets when the ticket offices opened again, or hope on the first available train. So started our night in the train station. About 12 of us picked a little corner of the station and set up camp, and we did enjoy ourselves for quite a while, then the novelty of being stuck in a train station wore off, and we took turns sleeping. Finally, the morning came, and we were able to negotiate getting on a 7:20 train to Cinque Terre. A nice surprise because many of us were prepared to spend the weekend in Rome. After a long train ride, where I constantly had to switch seats because we weren’t able to get a reservation on the train just a ticket, which means you get to be on the train you just don’t have your own seat.
Once we arrived we all decided immediately that the hassle we went through to make it to Cinque Terre was definitely worth it…it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Our hostel was in the first of the 5 towns that make up Cinque (five) Terre (towns). We were led up through this little town on a beautiful cliff over looking the bluest ocean. Our hostel for the weekend was this cute little apartment. We wondered around the small for a little bit, and then settled at a little wine bar on a cliff overlooking the ocean. After sitting here for a while we then wandered to find a restaurant, which was great. My weekend was filled with pesto, which is Cinque Terre’s specialty. After dinner we just enjoyed the wonderful view and weather.
We woke up early the next day to do the 12K hike between all five towns. The first three towns we really easy, it was from town 3 to town 4 that it was nearly impossible. I made the great decision to go hiking in flip flops; which when you have to walk up questionable stairs, and you’re walking on the side of a cliff with no railing they’re not the greatest choice but I made it. We enjoyed a late lunch (I had pesto again) along the ocean in town 4, and then just relaxed the rest of the day. Even though the hike was difficult, it was worth being able to get these fantastic, breathtaking views. Also, seeing all of the little towns was great. Such a peaceful, happy place. We enjoyed another beautiful night, and went to bed early because we had an early train to catch. The pictures I took don’t do this place any justice, but it at least gives you a little idea of how astonishing these towns are. It really was a great weekend, still one of my favorites since I’ve been in Europe.

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