swimming in the med... (someone has to do it!)
Today Felice, Denise & I firstly walked the High Road to the next town, Corniglia. The low road is the one that's closed due to a landslide, so there was no choice, since our mission was to have walked between each town by the time we all left. On the way up, we met an old local lady who told us there were 999 steps. We laughed! But soon stopped after we realised she probably hadn't been exaggerating. Every time we turned a corner, all we could see ahead were more steps. I got sick of them after about 100 I reckon, but you just have to keep on utting one foot in front of the other. After this though, the path evens out when it goes around the mountain. And when we saw the views, our legs stopped feeling sore any more. It's one of the only places you can see all 5 towns at once. And there was lots of pthalo! The way down wasn't so bad, not formed stpes so much as path & uneven steps paved in stones. Took about 2 hours. In Cornelia you have to walk down many steps to get to the train station. Denise counted & said 386. The sign at the bottom said 365, and my guidebook says 363. Basically, a shitload! I will be forever grateful I didn't decide to stay in Corniglia & arrive at the station only to have to climb those stairs with my backpack.
Felice was on her way to Nice so left us there. Denise & I were hanging for a swim so caught the train to Monterosso. She had never swum in the ocean before - a fact that dropped my jaw. However it evened out when I said I'd only ever seen snow once, considering there's a foot of it outside her home at the moment & it regualrly gets to -50 with windchill factor where she lives in Winnipeg. We lay around to dry off & since she's an artist, she played with my colour pencils for while.
Went to Riomaggiore by train simply to have a cappucino & to do the walk back by the ocean, as Denise hadn't done that section. At the bar having coffee we met an Aussie guy & one from boston who were playing guitar at one fo the tables. The Aussie has lived here for 4 months & grew up in Mt Gravatt.
Watched the sun set on the way back, but the wind was getting up & it was cold. have had dinner at the hostel tonight, & met an Australian naturopath working in London. I have played backgammon & she's started a jigsaw. Those who know me will agree it's a tiny taste of heaven for me.
AAm off to Venice tomorrow. Maybe with a short tour of Lucca on the way. Will play it by ear but am not in a hurry as Kay is working until about 8.30pm so I don't need to arrive until then.
Christine, your comments have worked thanks! & can you please let me know if a box arrives that I sent myself from France? This morning i got 3 text messages which was exciting! Thanks Mum, Jen & Mandie. Jen I'll try to phone tomorrow but I have to get a phone card yet.
I have really enjoyed my time here - it's such a beautiful part fo the world & I've enjoyed meeting a few people at the hostel. I am looking forward to seeing Kay, & now it's so close, the mosaics course. I haven't really had time to think about it too much until the last day or so, even though it was the inspiration for this trip.
So, there it is. Everyone should come to the Cinque Terra once in their lives! Plan it...
Lol,
Belle xxx
PS Suzanna. I have seen, but have been unable to buy, T-shirts with Caio Bella on them! I want one!
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