Cinque Terre Was Too Amazing To Explain In A Blog Post Title

Christina, D, and Aaron on the 3 Hour train ride from Florence to Cinque Terre.
A gloomy train ride, but it started shaping up as soon as we got to Cinque Terre. However, it was still freezing.


This is the trail description and map(copied from wiki)
"The first stretch, between Riomaggiore and Manarola , is even better known as the Way of Love . It is the shortest (about 1/2 mile) and is undoubtedly the easiest and it runs in half an hour.
The second section, between Manarola and Corniglia , is almost 2 miles long and takes about 1 hour walk.
The third section between Corniglia and Vernazza , is almost 2.5 miles long and takes almost 2 hours.
The fourth section between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare , is the longest and most challenging. It is 3.8 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours." (We opted to take the train from Vernazza to Monterosso)
Train track on the coast.

The "Lover's Walk." It was by far, the easiest. The structure is manmade, and flat. You can see it in the distance, along the side of the mountain.



Graffiti on the "Lover's Walk." 13

End of the Lover's Walk.



















The 4th Town (not sure which)














The group we traveled with, suggested that we shouldn't try to hike the fourth section, as it is extremely difficult. That was fine with me. We took the local train from the 4th city (Vernazza) to the 5th (Monterosso) and then laid on the beautiful beach for the rest of the day. At 6 pm, we headed to the train station, met our group, and hopped on the train back to Florence.

How To Identify Florentian Gypsies- And Other Things One Realizes While Waiting in Line

A couple days ago D and I went to the Uffizi gallery; It is home to many of the famous paintings you should've seen in art history- had you not been snoozing away in the back row. It's a very famous gallery with paintings like the "Birth of Venus" by Boticelli, Caravaggio's "Medusa", Titian's "Venus of Urbino" and so many more.

So that being said, we knew there was going to be a line. D and I went to the Uffizi the first day we were here, saw the line of about 200 people, and said we'd come back another day. After consulting Rick Steve's, we decided it was best to go early in the morning, before all the tourists were done with breakfast. Unfortunately, that meant I didn't get breakfast.

We got in line at 8:45; it was considerably shorter than the day before, but we still had a long wait ahead of us. Being in the queue made me realize the many similarities between that line and the line for Cedar Point roller coasters. Though the destinations are quite different, tourist attractions are all practically the same. For example: The food is always expensive; There is a man selling personalized grains of rice nearby, and actually getting business; You are surrounded by a crowd of tennis shoes, tall white socks, long navy shorts, and fanny packs; and finally, your wallet will disappear (whether it's the hefty price of admission or the pickpocketing gypsy).

That brings me to something else I noticed while waiting in the Uffizi queue -45 minutes so far- and that is, the mass of gypsies. Luckily the gypsies that day were just asking for money, but after reading this article: http://www.reidsguides.com/italy/planning/safety/gypsies.html, it seems we've been lucky.

Gypsies all look alike: wearing a dress, decorated socks with sandals, heavy layers, and usually a child in tow. About 5 of them walked down the line we were standing in, holding pictures of their family, wearing the sad face, and muttering phrases in what I presume to be Italian. A few minutes later, they all sprinted out of view and it was just a few moments before the "polizia" drove past.

What I don't understand is that if they are hiding from the police, why do they make themselves stand out? Being conspicuous doesn't usually include a candy-apple-red velvet skirt, at least in my book. I guess I'll never know.

But none-the-less, I'm in Italy, having the time of my life while enjoying the wonderful scenery and delicious food - and the gypsies can't take that away.

P.S. We did finally get into the Uffizi after an 1.5 hour wait. It was well worth it. The architecture was gorgeous and the paintings were unbelievable. I highly recommend visiting if ever in Italy- just make sure you get in line early.

So Much Time So Little To Do. Wait. Strike That. Reverse It.

Today was a gorgeous day in Tuscany. After wiping the sleep from my eyes, we headed to the Boboli Gardens. It was incredible; I felt like I had been dropped into Wonderland.

Long Sidenote: D and I are staying at our friend's house in Florence. It is amazing here. The apartment is a modern design with 12 foot white walls that come together at odd angles throughout. The furnishings and cabinets make it seem like IKEA had a party at the place and forgot to take all of it's stuff.

The windows are probably my favorite part. I just like sitting in the living room watching all of the people zip past on their Vespas two stories below. When I stick my head out into the street, it feels like I'm in a movie. The sounds and the smells all seem very unique here.

Sorry I got off track but my mind is running a mile-a-minute trying to think of everything that is happening.

So, where were we? Oh right, the Boboli Gargens. We went there to do a photo shoot for Sarah's photo project. (Sarah is our friend who is studying here, by the way) This morning, before I could even think of opening my eyes, Sarah was doing D's make up and hair.

Around 11 we headed to the gardens. We crossed the Ponte Vecchio, bought our tickets to the gardens, then headed in. I, of course, forgot my memory card at the apartment so I took photo's with D's camera. I'll have the pics up later.

After walking around the gardens for a few hours we headed back to the apartment, starving. I picked up a baguette and some salame from the store. I've been living off bread, oil, and vinegar for the past 3 days so salame was an added kick. It's the small things in life.

Well rested, we headed out to reserve tickets for a weekend trip. We're planning on hiking the city of Cinque Terre, on the coast. There are 5 different parts of the city to hike to and it totals to be about 7 mile hike. Yikes. And then we get to lay on the beach. :)

At 7, D and I made dinner for Sarah and Christina, and their roommates Manny and Aaron. We had Gnocchi with bolognese and a side of green beans, yum!

And that about rounds out the day. It was a great one.

Easter in Italy

I never thought I'd say I'd be in Italy for Easter. I also never thought I'd say I miss home as much as I do. But both came true today. This morning we went to the Duomo for the Easter parade and the fireworks (yes, in the morning). It was so amazing and the Duomo is beautiful. Supposedly the guys are climbing it tomorrow...600 steps. I'm not sure if I can deal with that.

But anyways, it was nice to talk to my family today, whilst they were enjoying Easter dinner at my grandparent's house. Skype was acting horribly, so the reception was bad, but we've invented a new language called Skypee which is where the sound cuts out mid-word and sounds "a bit li-- this."

It's so cool to be in a sweet and exciting city but I still wish I could be at home in Marion, at my Gramma and Grampa's house with the rest of the family, eating deviled eggs. Being abroad has really made appreciate my family and being home.

But none-the-less, I'm quite excited to be in Florence. We are going to Venice soon, and I can't wait to go to Chique Terra. I hear it is beautiful.

Baba O'Riley. And Other Songs You Never Expect To Hear In A Club

A wonderful last hurrah before going to Italy.