Monday 15, September: After walking up four stories carrying our suitcases, we arrived at the office for Albergo Barbara...and then went up a tiny spiral staircase..to our room. There is an amzing view of the tower from our window and we can hear the church bells...Jim is concerned they are not accurate to G.M.T...he's checking into it. He is also concerned that the Margarita pizza, a sanctioned food article here, is lacking the mandated basil...someone get on that too. We have discovered since arriving here in Vernazza that Jim is well, very important. Leonardini is the mayor. Everywhere we go and give his name people ask are you from here and then scurry off to tell eveyone in the place that Leonardini is here!!!! We are throwing his name around as much as possible...might as well take advantage! It rained most of the day. We had a delightful pizza (sans the basil...) outside, under an overhead tarp while it poured...it was so fun!
Tuesday 16, September: We took the train to Monterosso today. We went in search of a travel agent/boat guide. We hoped to book a boat tour to Genoa but learned that trips to Portofino had just stopped (on the 12th). It's ok, we had a great day shopping and waundering around new and old Monterosso. I think we are going back during the weekend...for the Acciuge Festival and no one wants to miss that! Picked up some sea glass (Chris) on the free beach (most beaches you have to pay to go on) and enjoyed the day. We confidently hopped on the train home, which did not stop in Vernazza and ended up in Riomaggiore. We then asked every italian speaking person we could find if the next train "ferma a Vernazza" and hopped, less confidently on the next train home. We made it in case you were concerned!!
Wednesday 17, September: We took the boat to Riomaggiore (hmmm...this looks very familiar!) had lunch at a snack bar (not what you think at all...YUM!!) and did some sight seeing. We then took the national Park trail "Via Del Amore" to Manarola (I have the lock to prove it). We bought a beautiful silk screened picture (on its way to "Jim's parent's house...remember article 143 of the Italian Civil Code...as I type) and did some sight seeing. We then caught a train to Corniglia. It is a tiny town waaay up on a hill. We opted against the bus, who wants to wait on the bus, and 20 minutes later as the bus flew past us, we were almost up the hill and into town. No problem, we wanted to walk anyway!! We gulped down what could possibly be the best lemon granita (ok, maybe we were just really hot and thirsty, but it was good!!). We shopped around for w while took some great pictures and decided that maybe we should help the town economy by taking the bus down the hill...well that would have worked if we had arrived at the stop at 15:15 instead of 15:16. That's when we discovered the 400 steps that lead down to (and up from) the train station...all peacefull and shaded! We arrived at the station...as our train pulled away, not a problem after again checking with half the population of Corniglia to verify the correct train to Monterosso we boarded the train (it was late of course since we only had 6 minutes to make the connection with the boat) and enjoyed the ride. We actually ran (not something you really want to try and picture!) to the boat in Monterosso but the ride was perfect! and it stopped in Vernazza also perfect! I took movies of the boat rides all along the Cinque Terra...popcorn and movies when we get home!!
Thursday 11, September: We went to Florence today to do the official paperwork at the American Consulate. On the drive there (beautiful Tuscan hills by the way), Annie comments that she has called several times to be sure the Consulate will be open, since it is 9-11 and there might be some sort of observance. I ask do we have an appointment?...oh no, you can't make an appointment, it is first come first serve....oh that would be why we are flying down the hill at dawn without the benefit of coffee! We arrive in time (and one piece), take our place in line, only to learn...yes...by appointment only!!!! Annie is wildly waving her hands and Francesco is glaring from across the street. I am able to understand alot of "I can't"s and "emergency"s and finally we are allowed in. Well, allowed in after I emptied the backpack of every impliment and electronic device we had brought to Italy (who knew!!)...yes including knitting needles!!! We swore our offical oaths, got the apporpriate papers stamped and headed out. Before heading back to Volterra we had tripe panini and some totally amazing gelato (see Grom gelato!!!). The rest of the gang arrived around 6 and the fun began! We had a wonderful dinner and a lot of laughing about everyones adventures while we were apart.
