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Step Off The Train And...
This is seriously the view when you step off the train in Riomaggiore. Richard and I are becoming expert packers. We can pack up all our belongings and stuff them into our giants, but still tight-quartered, backpacks with ease now. Almost like carnival vendors moving from town to town, folding up their tents. Made sure we had everything, went downstairs to barely beat the 11am checkout. Erin was downstairs, and although the skies were looking gray and potentially wet, she decided to come to Pisa with us.
We got to the station and found a train heading to Pisa that left in, oh, about 3 minutes, so we bought our tickets at the self-service machine, and ran to the train. Richard and I had our backpacks on our backs and daypacks strapped to our chests, we looked like soldiers from the year 2010. Made the train fortunately and rolled out of Florence. Although the visibility was limited out the windows of the train, it was still some nice landscape to see, especially when you are from the deserts of Arizona.
About an hour and a half later we made it to Pisa just as the skies let loose torrential rain. The street hustlers tried selling us umbrellas for 6 euro, Richard
The Leaning Tower Of Pisa
No amount of rain could keep us from crossing this off our lists of sights to see in our lives. told them he'd pay 3, the guy said no. I stepped in and said, I think James (I just made up a name) has an extra one we can use. So then the hustler said he'd sell it for 3, so Richard and I both bought one. We walked across street, Richard and I still in full backpack gear, and hopped on the bus to the Tower. The bus was obviously packed, and I am sure everyone loved our backpacks smacking them in the faces. We had Erin keep an eye behind us so no one would unzip our bags and take stuff.
We made it to the Tower and walked to park where there is a cathederal and the Leaning Tower. It was pretty cool to see. It was packed with people. We didn't have too long to spend there, Richard and I had to catch a train to Cinque Terre in like two hours. We all did the cheesy and embarrassing photos where we are posing away from the tower pretending to be holding it up. Interesting place. Cross it off our lists of things to see. I likened it to a highway roadside attraction, like the
Out And About
On the main, and pretty much only, street in Riomaggiore. world's largest ketchup bottle. The rain stopped. Caught the bus back to the station, and again, ran to the train. Bummed to say goodbye to Erin, especially as rushed and awkward as it was, but its kind of how it is when you meet people on these trips. We all have agendas and travel plans to meet, so you eventually have to part ways and see whats waiting for you on your next stop.
Fortunately for Richard and I, a slice of paradise was waiting for us in Riomaggiore, the villiage we stayed in. It was crazy on the train, you pass through this long tunnel, and then for about three seconds there is a gap and you just see the blue sea and giant waves, almost like looking out the porthole of a cruise ship. Then you go back into the tunnel and 5 minutes later you are in Riomaggiore.
The Cinque Terre are five villages on the Tyhrennian Sea. They are situated on cliffs mainly and have steep hills behind them. Its famous for pesto and lemonchello and a sweet raisin wine that I forget the name of. We got off the train and you immediately
look down a cliff at waves just crashing against the bottom of them. I couldn't believe how big the waves were and how blue the water was. We walked through the main strip of Riomaggiore, stopped at the office of La Dolce Vita, which rents out rooms in various parts of Riomaggiore, and the guy led us to our where our apartment is. Its like the apartment in Rome, not as nice, but you share it wish other people. Richard and I are in one bedroom with two twin beds and there is another bedroom with three beds. There is a kitchen which is nice, a bathroom, and a living room with nothing really in it. Met two of the guys in the other room, David and Michael from Chicago, and then Richard and I headed out into town. Ate some lunch, which was foccacia bread with tomatoes and cheese on it. Great little town this is.
We went down to the coast and watched the angry sea. The skies were blue, but I think the earlier storm caused the waves to be so large. We walked to the station, bought our Cinque Terre cards which give us access
On The Cinque Terre Trail
On the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola. to the hiking trails and free train rides between the 5 villages. We walked from Riomaggiore to Manrola, about a 15 minute walk along the cliffs above the ocean. I can't describe how awesome the views are. We got to Manarola, and it was kind of late for the area, maybe 7pm, so nothing was really open, so continued walking along the cliffs and sea to Corniglia which was about a 45 minute walk. Nothing was really happening there so we took the train to Vernazza, about an hour walk or a 5 minute ride. Walked around town a bit, periodically raining, and then took the train back to Riomaggiore.
Ate dinner at this ristorante. I ordered a pasta dish with pesto, of course, but the pasta was called Triefete (I probably spelled that wrong), but its local to region. It was delicious. Went back to the apartment. Richard fell asleep and I sat in the living room talking to David and Michael, they turned out to be brothers. Nice guys, very smart. They had to get up early and take a 20 hour train ride to San Sebastian, Spain so they turned in early too. I wish I
Leaving Manarola
The village of Manarola, on our way to Corniglia. could upload pictures and show you what this place look. Its like a tropical island with how light blue the water is and the cliffs and the villages on the cliffs make it all more dramatic. So look these places up online and just picture me taking a relaxing walk through one of the villages.
Have fun,
Matt
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