Yesterday morning we got out of Venice, but not before being entirely overwhelmed by the number of people. We took a very nice and fancy train to Florence. Traveling on trains is a bit confusing because there are tickets, and there are reservations, and they are different. Also, when you get to the station you have to pick the right train, becuase our train to Florence was actually to Rome, and in any case, Florence is written Firenze (Venice is Venezia). So, we were in the Florence train station and this very helpless and young looking American girl walked up to me and said "Do you speak English?" I helped her find her train, and was astonished that I now knew, because we were doing the blundering just a few hours before.
So, we catch the local train(I am using the term train loosely here) to La Spezia. This trainride should have taken the same time as our train ride to Florence, despite the fact that it was only about 1\5 the number of miles. Luckily, we were in an un-air conditioned car. The train wasnt TOO bad when it was moving fast, but it kept driving slow and stopping, so we were both roasting and sweating like pigs. I dont know if I have ever been that hot for that long.
After six hours of travleing, we gladly spilled out onto the platform to make ANOTHER transfer. As Sue was wandering around looking for the Billetaria (for tickets), I was people watching next to the McDonalds, and started thinking how much everyone would probably hate this part of our trip. It was dealthly hot (still in the outdoor station), we didnt yet know what time the next train was, we despirately needed water, and we had traveled for a long time. But we have learned to roll with it. When in Rome. . . sweat like everyone else.
Oh, and speaking of rolling with it, Sues suitcase lost a wheel in Eger (days ago, if you will recall) so she has been dragging her suitcase along since. Venice is not really the place to buy a new suitcase unless you are looking for Gucci or Prada. Then we were going to wait until we left Vencie, and the Cinque Terra (The five towns along the sea) dont exactly have luggage shops, so in the meantime, we drag. Which is fine, but whenever we start pulling our suitcases, Janna turns it into high gear.
After catching the next train (we sat on the top, and should have had good views, but the windows were so dirty you couldnt see out of them) we were close to our destination. We went through a long tunnel, and came out right by the ocean. The train stopped, then another tunnel. Then the train stopped, and another tunnel. The towns were are in now are on the sides of mountains next to the ocean, and that is the only way to get to them. The trains have to tunnel. It is amazing.
So, in Vernazza (really small town) we wander through the one main street and get the key to our room. It was just up a set of stairs in an alley, to the right, up more stairs. Straight up more stairs, then left up stairs, ect, until after sweating more with our bags we finally get to the door. Success! Then up two more flights of stairs (a small, VERY SMALL winding staircase.) But we get a view, and all the rooms are up stairs. We have a view over the ocean, and since the town is built on a steep cliff, we see straight out on the ocean.
We took showers, got pizza to go and caught a quick swim before going to bed.
This morning, Iwas sitting up dressed at 6;30. Sue was a bit suspicious of my motives. We were going on a 7 mile hike today between the towns, and I was very anxious to go. It turns out I thought if we left early we would sweat less. Turns out it doesnt much matter here. It was Hot, Humid and Hazy all day. But, it was amazing. We climbed millions of steps (maybe a slight exageration, but about 3.5 miles of stairs) and saw some breath taking views. It was worth it, but kind of a after the fact worth it. We did some deep sea swimming in one of the towns. The Mediteranian is so calm and the drop off so steep that you can jump off the piers and never touch the bottom.
By the time we saw our town at the end of the last hike, we literally run (ok jogged) down the hill, past the steps, through town, and into the ocean. We stopped just long enough to take off our shoes. The ocean was amazing and beautiful and it was beautiful end to our walking.
So, before we head back to Florence for a longer stay, we are going to enjoy the ocean and the view and the small town. And by the way, REALLY CUTE cats here. There is even a black bob tailed cuttie.
MAYBE pictures tomorrow.
So, we catch the local train(I am using the term train loosely here) to La Spezia. This trainride should have taken the same time as our train ride to Florence, despite the fact that it was only about 1\5 the number of miles. Luckily, we were in an un-air conditioned car. The train wasnt TOO bad when it was moving fast, but it kept driving slow and stopping, so we were both roasting and sweating like pigs. I dont know if I have ever been that hot for that long.
After six hours of travleing, we gladly spilled out onto the platform to make ANOTHER transfer. As Sue was wandering around looking for the Billetaria (for tickets), I was people watching next to the McDonalds, and started thinking how much everyone would probably hate this part of our trip. It was dealthly hot (still in the outdoor station), we didnt yet know what time the next train was, we despirately needed water, and we had traveled for a long time. But we have learned to roll with it. When in Rome. . . sweat like everyone else.
Oh, and speaking of rolling with it, Sues suitcase lost a wheel in Eger (days ago, if you will recall) so she has been dragging her suitcase along since. Venice is not really the place to buy a new suitcase unless you are looking for Gucci or Prada. Then we were going to wait until we left Vencie, and the Cinque Terra (The five towns along the sea) dont exactly have luggage shops, so in the meantime, we drag. Which is fine, but whenever we start pulling our suitcases, Janna turns it into high gear.
After catching the next train (we sat on the top, and should have had good views, but the windows were so dirty you couldnt see out of them) we were close to our destination. We went through a long tunnel, and came out right by the ocean. The train stopped, then another tunnel. Then the train stopped, and another tunnel. The towns were are in now are on the sides of mountains next to the ocean, and that is the only way to get to them. The trains have to tunnel. It is amazing.
So, in Vernazza (really small town) we wander through the one main street and get the key to our room. It was just up a set of stairs in an alley, to the right, up more stairs. Straight up more stairs, then left up stairs, ect, until after sweating more with our bags we finally get to the door. Success! Then up two more flights of stairs (a small, VERY SMALL winding staircase.) But we get a view, and all the rooms are up stairs. We have a view over the ocean, and since the town is built on a steep cliff, we see straight out on the ocean.
We took showers, got pizza to go and caught a quick swim before going to bed.
This morning, Iwas sitting up dressed at 6;30. Sue was a bit suspicious of my motives. We were going on a 7 mile hike today between the towns, and I was very anxious to go. It turns out I thought if we left early we would sweat less. Turns out it doesnt much matter here. It was Hot, Humid and Hazy all day. But, it was amazing. We climbed millions of steps (maybe a slight exageration, but about 3.5 miles of stairs) and saw some breath taking views. It was worth it, but kind of a after the fact worth it. We did some deep sea swimming in one of the towns. The Mediteranian is so calm and the drop off so steep that you can jump off the piers and never touch the bottom.
By the time we saw our town at the end of the last hike, we literally run (ok jogged) down the hill, past the steps, through town, and into the ocean. We stopped just long enough to take off our shoes. The ocean was amazing and beautiful and it was beautiful end to our walking.
So, before we head back to Florence for a longer stay, we are going to enjoy the ocean and the view and the small town. And by the way, REALLY CUTE cats here. There is even a black bob tailed cuttie.
MAYBE pictures tomorrow.
Janna, You make me so tired! We were in Salina,Ut last weekend and I thought that it was hot BUT not the heat that you are describing. Do you think that it had something to do with humitiy as well? In spite of it all it sounds like you are having a good time. I can't imagine ever doing what you two are doing. It's a good thing that you're young. We are all doing good. Shell and Kell and children are coming the 27th thru the 29th of July. We have some fun plans. Be safe! MOMO
ReplyDeleteOne must navigate confusing terrain, wait through tunnels and stops, sweat profusely and climb a lot of stairs, all with a broken suitcase, in order to get to the beautiful view and heavenly swim. What an adventure we, you are on.
ReplyDeletePeggy