Italy: Day Four- Cinque Terre

The day after the wedding festivities, we took a tour to Cinque Terre. It's two hours from Florence and it's five small coastal villages where colorful buildings are built high up on the staggering sea cliffs, overlooking the emerald Mediterranean Sea. We had to wake up early so we all mostly slept on the bus ride but thankfully I woke up in time to see the large mountains of marble surrounded in morning mist. They look like they are covered in snow! But it is a solid mass of high rising marble- the marble Italians have been carving statues out of for centuries. Who knew?! Beyond that there was endless rolling hills of the Tuscany region with the occasional sun baked homes along the way.

Once we got to the first village we had to trek up and down by foot steep hills as we entered in. We walked past small enclosed yards filled with lemon and persimmon trees, narrow and crooked stone paths leading up to more small yards. Purple flowers erupted among large bushes. Pastel pink, yellow, and orange houses climbed the sides of the hills. I could have walked those paths for weeks and never have been full of the rich display for all my senses.

We had a little time there to go see the sea and wander. Buck, Molly, and I went into a small bakery and shop and our tour guide was in there and helped us order and authentic meal of local focaccia bread, prosciutto, and cheese. It was amazing. But soon we had to go to our first train and ride to the next town. The five towns can only be accessed by boat, train, or hiking- no cars allowed!

So we took the train and had time at that village too where the girls got to lit their first prayer candles in an old stone church. And then we all shuffled onto a ferry boat where we sat up top and got to ride around the cliff sides and see all the villages from the water's view point. We got off at one of the last stops and went to eat at a restaurant near the water's edge. We had plates of seafood, pesto noodles, fresh mozzarella, and then ice cream swimming with fruit.

June trying seafood for the first time. 

And then I was free to run to the water! I was dying to touch the jewel toned sea! I took my shoes off and stepped in, took a deep breath and inhaled that moment- my first time touching the Mediterranean sea! I honestly could have stayed there all day. All week or maybe for the rest of my life! That water! It was so clear yet deeply, richly colored with turquoise, emerald, and sapphire. The shore was covered in colorful rocks and sea glass and June spent the whole time with me hunting for rocks of jade, lavender, and rust. We found sea glass that was green, blue, and amber. Never have I found such things! It was a most sorrowful farewell when it was time to part ways with those gentle waves.

We wandered through the town, found a little sea side park the girls played on, ate more gelato and then boarded the next train to the final village. Once there we went wild shopping the small stores. I bought loads of local made pastas, a hand painted bowl and jug, and lemon soaps. We visited another ancient stone catholic church. We said our good byes to the sea. 

 

And eventually we went back to our bus and rode back to Florence. We all slept for a while. When I woke up a vibrant sunset wrapped us up. it had been a good day.

The Marble Mountains

Once in Florence Buck's family and us went to a local pizza place and ate gobs of pizza. And then it was bed time.

Only one more day left to post! 

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The whole Italian Story:

Getting there, that villa, and the wedding

Day One: Florence

Day Two: Pasta Mama Mia

Day Three: Markets and Art

Day Four: Cinque Terre

Day Five: Rome and Good Bye Italia!

A Small Story