The First Trip

It's Monday morning-- you can tell just by the haggard look on everyone's faces. That, and talk of the upcoming weekend trips has already begun the same way we talk about dinner at lunch.

To say Cinque Terre is heartbreakingly gorgeous is almost an understatement. Looking back at my pictures, it's hard to believe I was actually the one behind these photos. (Quick note-- it seems that even on the Internet at school, uploading pictures to the blog will not be easy. Blech. Feel free to see Facebook for the rest of the pictures!)


So twelve hours before our train left Termini, I purchased my ticket. Such a whim, and such a great decision. It was a great group of people I was tagging along with- all easy going, very fun to be with and plus it's always fun to get to know new people.

The train ride was wonderful-- something about being on a train just makes me so so so very happy. I had grand plans for homework and sleeping, but significantly more staring out of the window ended up taking place.

Five hours later we came to a halt at Riomaggiore, one of the five towns in Cinque Terre. We trudged up a hill to our hostel, checked in, paid a near-fortune (for a hostel anyway) and were led up to a great little apartment that we would call home for that night. Soon afterwards we were re-stocked with pesto, goat cheese, crackers and cheap boxed wine. Always the ingredients of a great night, ha.

We also were able to steal a few hours of sunlight at an all-rock beach, complete with Speedos like you wouldn't believe. Not topless though, since I knew you were wondering. I took a nap on a rock in the middle of the Mediteranean and continued thinking in disbelief that this is actually my life.

We had a great night getting to know some of the other travelers in the town (Norweigians, Swedes, British, etc.) and doing plently of sunset sightseeing.

The next day we awoke to start hiking the infamous five-town, five-hour Cinque Terre extravaganza. Despite dehydration, headaches, and probably not the best shoe choices, we made it out to the trail.

I was expecting a real hiking trail-- think rugged, rocky, hills, etc. PART OF IT WAS PAVED! What a cop-out. Nevertheless, it was absolutely stunning and really fun to get some (even if less-intense) exercise.


At the middle of our journey, we were stopped dead in our tracks, lured to a little pizza place for lunch and a beer. Well, the journey stopped there. We had to check into our campsite at 5 after heading back to Riomaggiore to grab our bags out of the hostel's storage closet.

We made our way back, turned in the key, grabbed some gelato (of course!) and began our half-hour journey to the campsite. A train and a short bus ride later, we were at the entrance of La Sfinge.

The place was actually a trailer park in all reality, but we were all thrilled. Especially since the price per night (9 euros per person) beat the cud out of the night before (41 euros per person).


We'd gotten food for a dinner picnic and spent the night around this table, talking and doing some damage to, yet again, more cheap boxed wine. Also briefly met some Canadians. I'm starting to believe no one in Italy is Italian.... hmm...

Our train left the next afternoon, so we made plans to grab some beach time at Monterosso and then hop on the train back to Rome (now being referred to by all of us, as home!). The beach at Monterosso had slightly smaller rocks, much easier on barefeet.

My only complaint about Cinque Terre is that it was so incredibly and painfully touristy. I heard easily more English this weekend than Italian. Definitely a let-down. Sure, it made it really easy for all of us, but that's not what I'm looking for. Maybe next time...

All in all it was a great weekend and I am hugely astounded at how easy it is to just hop on a train and be in a completely different place so easily. I am so ready for the rest of the weekend trips! I am also really ready for the price of traveling to go down, as this is still (sorta) tourist season. October and November look cheap and therefore promising for greater adventures!

Onto another week at school, and definitely time to get my academics organized. This may prove to be a challenge, as my mind is 100% on vacation. Eh...