Today’s forecast was for rain and 60 degrees. It was wrong.
Vernazza is one of five “Cinque Terre” towns on Italy’s west coast, and the one where we sleep. Today we decided to not hike to Corniglia because of the recent rains and the difficulty of the trail, so we paid 4 Euros each to ride the train there.
Corniglia is at least 300 steps above the train station, so that was fun.
In town, we left the menfolk to drink Americanos while we shopped.
When we came back, they had each enjoyed two Americanos and then bought us lattes.
The next town is Manarola, so we paid 4 Euros each to ride the train there.
The train station is at least 300 steps below Corniglia, so that was fun.
It takes about 3 minutes for the train to travel between Corniglia and Manarola.
Gelato tastes great no matter the flavor. These days we just point randomly at three and take what we get, which has yet to be a disappointment.
The next and southern-most town is Riomaggiore. Unfortunately, the very good, flat, scenic trail to Riomaggiore is still closed because of landslides that happened last year, so we paid 4 Euros each to ride the train to Riomaggiore.
Upon exiting the Riomaggiore train station, we turned left and climbed the steep walkway through residential areas. Anna and I were convinced that something was amiss since we did not see the town nor recognize the route, but the menfolk kept walking and whatdoyouknow, there was Riomaggiore, down at the bottom of another steep hill.
We thought it would be neato to not take the train back to Vernazza but instead to ride a boat. Jim and Dave walked down many steps to the marina to inquire about a boat only to discover that the seas were too heavy today so no boat. At first this was disconcerting because we assumed we would have to traipse back up and down the way we came but NO! I saw a sign pointing to “statione” through a tunnel, saving us manymanymany steps. Oh, joy.
We paid 4 Euros each to take the train from Riomaggiore all the way back to Vernazza. As we paid for our last tickets, Jim and I noticed that we could have paid for an all-day pass for 16 Euros, which was exactly what we had paid. Okay then.
For a day with no hikes, we hiked quite a bit. Naps helped, and also a plan to buy pizza in town and eat it on the Mealey’s terrace.
Formaggio does not mean “four cheeses”; it means “cheese”. Sausage pizza has sliced hot dogs on it; green olives, ham, mushrooms and artichokes are yummy on pizza.
Italian restaurateurs are hilarious. “Can we order take away?” asked Jane. “You want take me away?” asked the dude.
We live in vertical world, and walk very, very carefully to and from our rooms.
Vertical world is not “tall people’s world”, therefore tall people have to duck when using the shower.
Bad guys could easily hide in Vernazza. Our hostess has not asked to see our passports, she wants cash for the rooms but not until we leave, and train tickets are cash only, too.
Tomorrow is swimming at our last town, Monterroso. We shall pay 4 Euros each, in cash, for a train ticket and ignore the weather report.
Hahaha love it. Nice modeling in the shower and on the stairs and with Americanos! YOUR TERRACE LOOKS AMAZING!
Love you all so much. Yay Americanos!