Cinque Terre, Italy
10.06.2012 - 10.08.2012
Everytime I saw a McDonald's I wondered who would want to eat at a McD in Italy.
Then, I missed three trains out of La Spezia to Corniglia - I needed a Big Mac and french fries to soothe my nerves.
By the time I arrived at Corniglia, it was dark. You have to take a bus (or walk) one mile up a VERY steep mountainside to get to the even steeper town streets. Corniglia is so small there is only one very short business street, but very many twisty, turny streets with many houses - any of which could had been my apartment for the next three nights. Fortunately, I had had sense enough to leave my 42 pound suitcase at the left luggage room in the La Spezia train station and carried only a bag of necessities for the next 3 days. Still, I was perspiring and sruggling.
After much climbing and searching in the dark, I heard someone cry out a window three floors above me. Later I learned it was Italian for "I see a single woman in the street. It must be her." What I did understand a moment later from four stories up - "Paula - turn right and come up these steps, I will meet you." It was the owner of my apartment. They were wondering where I was and looking for me. Have I mentioned that everyone is rather amazed at a single, old lady traveling around.
Maybe I have some pix of the town street you must walk BEFORE you get to these. Check out my photo gallery for photos with the Cinque Terre tag.
All this was worth it. I loved Cinque Terre - especially Corniglia. Although most of the hiking paths were closed because of a washout from rains this summer, I did get to walk about 3 miles. The steps in all the towns were enough to be a day's hike also.
Here are some views from the trail:
As much as I have wanted to go kayaking this trip - decided this was not the spot for me to put a kayak in the water.
Here is a photo of a phot on the grapes being harvested back in the 50s.
Here is the way they transport grapes and olives from the terraces to the road or farm now. I bet the men don't just sit and watch the women run this conveyor.
Posted by pscotterly 22:33 Archived in Italy Tagged terre cinque