I feel as if I have not documented much about my actual trips as I should be. Apart from the lack of time I devote to writing about my trips, I keep two journals which I simultaneously write in, one for school and one for personal use. So, I can’t be blamed for avoiding writing down my experiences and adventures, just that I don’t always blog about them. The only reason I feel a real need to blog about my trips is so I have something to reference or point people to when they inquire about my trips.
I have often wondered how I am going to recount my experience in Rome when I go back home. It will be like recollecting three months of traveling, personal growth, adventures, sights, sounds, emotions…I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s literally impossible to summarize my trip. Even within my stay in Rome, I’ve traveled so much outside Rome itself that each trip is like an adventure in itself, and I simply can’t treat my weekend trips as side notes in comparison to Rome. Each trip had its own amazing elements; each experience had its own adventure! I suppose what I’ll have to do when people inquire about my trip is to describe the affect of the trip on me, as a whole, i.e. what I learned from it, how I grew, and my favorite experiences. Sounds easy. Ha.
Anyway, I must continue writing about my trips, so that I don’t forget to do it. Two weekends ago, Maggie and I adventured to Cinque Terre, five cities along the Northern coast of Italy. These cities, , Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso were like a beautiful dream . The cloudy, grey day on which we arrived added a mysterious feeling to the towns which colored the mountains in which they were carved into. The first town, Riomaggiore, is my favorite, maybe because it was the first town we visited, but it was like walking into a dream. The smell of the salty ocean was fresh in the air and the breeze from the ocean swept up the streets as we walked toward the castle at the top. By this time it was already dark, yet we could hear the waves crashing against the rocks. It was so peaceful. Maggie and I sat up there for a while enjoying the sounds and smells.
Cinque Terre was defined by a series of random, unexpected events, and I here quote blurbs from my journal:
“Sitting by the railroad tracks in Manarola waiting for the train because the road was closed off and Maggie wouldn’t let me crawl over the fence.
Eating cashews and snickers bars.
Getting on the wrong train at La Spezia going to Genova. The detour brought us thirty minutes past our intended destination, but it was a much needed detour. We just laughed when the conductor got mad at us for getting on the wrong train…and I quote him: ‘Make sure you KNOW where you’re going before you get on a train…’
Sneaking into a garden in Riomaggiore at night and picking two grapefruit after almost killing myself upon entering the gate of the garden when I didn’t notice the drop off. I slid and my leg got caught in the fence. I wouldn’t suggest doing it. But, it was worth it.
Maggie trying to throw her orange over the ledge of the train tracks. She aimed. She threw. Squash…right on the train tracks. Epic fail! Hilarious.”
These are just a few of the episodes that defined our trip, not including a random stop off in Pisa on our way back to Rome! We got off the train, found our way to the leaning tower of Pisa, walked back, and hopped on the next outgoing train to Rome! All of these fun adventures wouldn’t have been possible without Maggie.
And, this all happened in some of the most gorgeous towns in all of Italy. I cannot forget to describe the indescribable beauty we saw. The towns wedged into the mountains were painted with color! The reds and yellows popped in contrast to the deep browns and green of the mountains. Wine vineyards enveloped the mountain side! The five towns each offered a unique and different feel! There was pesto and foccaccia bread everywhere. Apart from that, Cinque Terre is known for its delicious WHITE wine. I can honestly say I had THE best glass of white wine that I have ever had in my entire life.
Cinque Terre has to be one of my favorite places in all of Italy!
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