We are back in France.
Which.
We.
LOVE.
Italy was gorgeous. How many times have I been told that the Cinque Terre is some of the most gorgeous terrain on this earth? Many times indeed, she nodded emphatically to herself. And it was! But let me tell you something friends. With Italy? Come Italians. And with Cinque Terre? Comes a 5 hour layover for a train connection through Hell-- one that map makers seem to think is known by the deceptively benign title of La Spezia. She shuddered, and gagged-- throwing up just a tiny bit in her mouth. Then resumed typing.
You really want to know my honest feelings about La Effing Spezia? Here. In technicolor:
Okay, but we'll get to that in a minute. First the good things about our Italian soiree, which-- all in all-- made dealing with even La Spezia worth it.
We have the beach---that there yonder is the first of the 5 Terre, called Riomaggiore:
Well, rocks more so than beach, but still-- a spot to incur sunburns galore:
We have the spectacular views from the hike: -- WHAT viws!!
The mid-hike luncheon with our darling friends Sherry (left) and Amanda. Oh-- the girl in the middle? That would be Heid Beid. Who, as we have discovered, has an amazing aptitude for falling asleep ANYWHERE. A true spiritual gift when traveling! Luckily we found a place that didn't mind our profusely sweating, gasping, sports bra/bathing-suit-clad selves.
Heidi felt a little more bashful when we finished the hike and were heading to dinner, so did what she could to add a demure cover up to her hiking ensemble. One REI quick dry towel later, and the lady was ready for the ball. Or, at least for a glass. :)
And-- I told you about the angels, here they are. The most magical moment of our Cinque Terre stay:
A few other friends we met at the new hostel-- you know, the one up the cliff:
We went into town and watched the final Eurocup Game with these fine gents, who were all surprised at how old I was. 'You started playing guitar when you were in your THIRD year of college?? I haven't even LIVED that yet!!' Thanks boys. Thanks.
Now the icky parts of our Italian adventure. I GIVE YOU, THE MAN THONG:
THE PERSONIFIED SENTIMENT OF HOW IT FEELS TO CLIMB OVER 200 STAIRS TO GO TO BEDDIE BYE:
THE SIGN IN LA EFFING SPEZIA WHICH I RAN INTO THAT DID ITS BEST TO RE-DISLOCATE MY SHOULDER:
THE LAYOVER IN MILAN WHICH WAS IN A DIRTY, SMELLY, TRASH-FILLED STATION, WHICH WAS EXTENDED BY 40 MINUTES DUE TO A DELAYED TRAIN:
THE BIZARRE SLEEPING SITUATION ON THE WEIRD TRAIN THAT RESULTED IN TWO SWEDISH MEN SLEEPING 16 INCHES ABOVE US, AND ARM RESTS JUTTING DOWN INTO OUR MID-SECTIONS:
What you don't see is the two hours we spent wandering La Spezia in 100 degree heat, looking for an internet cafe. You don't see the eight sets of wrong directions we received on the way. You don't see the nickel sized blister on my right heel, or the three little ones on my left. You don't see the countless Italians who romantically mauled each other, and then were crazy rude to us. You don't see the 38 plus hours of travel it took us to get from Cinque Terre to our current spot, Rennes. You don't see Heidi and I waiting for our first lay over in La Spezia to END, consoling ourselves with ice cream and singing, 'We! Both! Hate! La Spay-zia! It drives! Us! Eff-ing Cray-zia!' Except, I'll be honest-- we didn't censor ourselves. We dropped the actual F bomb, many times. We were FUDGING FED UP.
But now, ah, tres bien mes amis!! We are back in France! Back in the land of patisseries and lovely accents!! Back where I know how to communicate just a little! Back where ticket men on trains will cheerfully chat with us about where we're from, and our travel plans! Back where people keep their tongues reasonable distances away from other tongues, except presumably, behind closed doors! Back where there are lovely sights like Mont St. Michel to see!
We head to Ireland tomorrow (what?? I know, random!) to attend the birthday party of some darling Irish girls we first met in Nice. We anticipate a fantastic break in the language barrier, and plenty of down home Irish culture. Then, back to Paris for a week (yay!!)and then home!!
Love to all-- thanks for reading! :)
