Saturday, June 10, 2006
Journal of Italy - Monterosso al Mare 1
Cinque Terre - Monterosso al Mar - May 22, 2006
Coming out of the train station in Monterosso was a dazzling experience. The sun on the harbor/beach was brilliant and tourists and locals alike strutted the resort promenade. We walked the length of it, then passed through a tunnel into "old town" where the boat basin sat. Mind you, we were wheeling our luggage behind us, up and down curbs and across cobbled streets in intense heat. I was in a scowl from sheer discomfort while my eyes were thrilled with what I was seeing. I certainly didn't take any pictures then. But came back later, early and late when the turistas were not around to catch some shots.
The Promenade in "New Town"
Old Town
To get to our bed and breakfast, we had complex instructions to go to the left of the church
and make a couple of turns and then UP, up, up 121 winding steps to the top of the village to Manuel's House, our bed and breakfast.
At the top of the steps was a warning sign, but we had already been assured that the cani (dogs) were not to be feared.
In fact, once we got inside the fence, we met the fearsome monsters in their usual poses. What a life!
Chico
Nuie
Carol loped right up the stairs like the athlete she is, and summoned Manuel to come and help me. I was fading fast on the last 30 stairs. I had sweated through my clothing (and I don't sweat), huffing and puffing like a locomotive, and red in the face. Carol worried that I was in serious danger. I was lugging two suitcases (one too many for a trip to Europe) and sick to boot. Manuel came to my rescue and showed me my room where I collapsed in the cool shade of a very simple, large room with a private bath, and cold terrazzo floors. The french doors opened onto a patio that overlooked the very top of Monterosso. We were atop the town, and it was so beautiful that I wanted to cry and I knew I needed to get well fast!
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Coming out of the train station in Monterosso was a dazzling experience. The sun on the harbor/beach was brilliant and tourists and locals alike strutted the resort promenade. We walked the length of it, then passed through a tunnel into "old town" where the boat basin sat. Mind you, we were wheeling our luggage behind us, up and down curbs and across cobbled streets in intense heat. I was in a scowl from sheer discomfort while my eyes were thrilled with what I was seeing. I certainly didn't take any pictures then. But came back later, early and late when the turistas were not around to catch some shots.
The Promenade in "New Town"
Old Town
To get to our bed and breakfast, we had complex instructions to go to the left of the church
and make a couple of turns and then UP, up, up 121 winding steps to the top of the village to Manuel's House, our bed and breakfast.
At the top of the steps was a warning sign, but we had already been assured that the cani (dogs) were not to be feared.
In fact, once we got inside the fence, we met the fearsome monsters in their usual poses. What a life!
Chico
Nuie
Carol loped right up the stairs like the athlete she is, and summoned Manuel to come and help me. I was fading fast on the last 30 stairs. I had sweated through my clothing (and I don't sweat), huffing and puffing like a locomotive, and red in the face. Carol worried that I was in serious danger. I was lugging two suitcases (one too many for a trip to Europe) and sick to boot. Manuel came to my rescue and showed me my room where I collapsed in the cool shade of a very simple, large room with a private bath, and cold terrazzo floors. The french doors opened onto a patio that overlooked the very top of Monterosso. We were atop the town, and it was so beautiful that I wanted to cry and I knew I needed to get well fast!
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