Venturing On To View Vernazza
We're so glad you came back! Have you been by our Boutique lately?
Ok, yawn, stretch, jump out of bed, it’s a warm day so dress lightly because we’re going to Vernazza.
I must first leave my apartment and see what my quaint pathway to town holds for me in the early morn.
This little plant has the right to flaunt its tenacity this morning as it says, "No dirt, no water, but that's not gonna stop ME from grabbing for the gusto of life on this barren rock wall."
And what do I hear as I stroll downhill to town? Could it be? No!
I arrive at the bottom of my pathway, entering the town center of Monterosso, and I have no concept what day it is, until I see . . .
Such a cute little school bus. Which is when it dawned on me that this is Thursday, a school day, and "real everyday life" is going on as usual for the locals. Even though yours truly is in a most UNusual state of mind!
Just before I begin the cliffside walk from Monterosso to Vernazza (the second of 5 towns in Cinque Terre), I get caught up in Monterosso’s early morning local market. And I’m lovin’ it.
Across from the fresh foods were booths of jewelry, clothing and kitchenware. And although far away physically yet oh so near in my heart, my wife comes to mind ~ which means it’s time for another gift.
I found a beautiful pair of earrings for Patty, but it had no price on it. Something similar was near and I was hoping the price would be comparable. This beautiful woman didn't take advantage of me and quoted me the same price as the other pair. Tourist Lesson #2 was far different from Lesson #1. Her honesty and kindness just made me melt.
One last stop before I head off to Vernazza. I couldn’t resist this beautiful Church.
Ok, are you ready to start walking with me to Vernazza? Soon I’ll discover if I have legs and lungs that have been lingering too long in the lap of laziness.
This is where we begin our journey. Monterosso is at sea level. Vernazza is both at sea level and just above, with cliffside houses. But in between the two towns . . . well, you'll see.
My first glimpse of the Sea from the cliffside walk on the way to Vernazza. Spectacular.
I continue to walk along this beautiful path and see a house that enjoys a one-in-a-million location.
Just around the bend from that magnificent home are mountainside vineyards.
Farther, closer and closest views of hillsides that I feel blessed to gaze upon and blessed not to harvest!
The Home with a view we saw in the above video. Something to dream about.
The path I’m on takes turns and dips into hidden places that fill my eyes with beauty created by the long-ago partnership between Mother Earth and woman and man.
Isn't this a scene that stuns? I'm going to make it my desktop background.
I'm walking higher and higher. This is the creek that feeds that beautiful bridge.
Charming, oh so charming.
Let’s take a look at the flowers that have winked at me along the way.
Flowers of every color and fragrance.
But beauty can also be found in something that does not boast color, don’t you think?
Colorless beauty.
Turning my eyes away from the path to stare at . . .
A moment to rest my eyes on forever.
A little further and I get a distant peek at Vernazza.
I then take a 180 degree turn and see from where I came.
A look back to Monterosso.
Getting closer to Vernazza, I decide to stop and share the moment with you.
And now, a picture postcard.
I'm getting excited! And I'm thoroughly enjoying the colors of the buildings. I mean in Washington you'd never paint your house pink. But here, it works. Don't you agree?
Even closer it's hypnotizing. Notice the train tracks in the lower left corner. If we didn't walk from city to city in Cinque Terre, we could take the train through the mountain.
Let’s listen to some Italian children as we hover above Vernazza.
And the moment has come.
We have arrived in Vernazza. From this beautiful beach we venture upward to scout out the shops and houses of this alluring cliffside village.
Leaving the beach I venture out into the town.
I'm beginning to feel at home seeing the narrow streets, tall buildings and clean laundry hanging from the windows.
The Town Square.
Much smaller than Monterosso, Vernazza cuddles up to you. It didn't take long to walk through town. I think half the fun was getting here!
Mix-and-match designs; yet it flows.
I think it’s time to eat, don’t you? It’s 1 o’clock in the afternoon and I walked all the way from Monterosso on an empty stomach. (Don’t remind me.)
A half hour later I found a cute little place at the end of town called Il Pirata Caffe.
Come on in and meet the Owner/Chef.
He spoke perfect English (the man on the left) and as I asked for lunch (it was 1:30), he said (very politely), "Lunch isn't served until 3. Why don't I make you a special pastry with fresh ricotta cheese and strawberries?"
Gotta tell ya that I was really in the mood for a very large lunch, so a pastry wasn’t going to cut it, until I saw his creation.
One look and I was sold. One bite and I said, "Lunch, what's that?"
Well, with all that powdered sugar in my system, I was like a race horse out of the gate! So I roamed around town for quite awhile, and ended up back at the beach ready for a little snack.
I found a To Go stand with a great view of the ocean and ordered Bruschetta and mineral water. I felt very Italian when I correctly pronounced the food that I ordered. My memory banks flashed back to my daughter, Krosbie, who gave me a lesson that Americans pronounce it (phonetically) Broosheta, but Italians pronounce it (phonetically) Broosketta. Just another show-off moment that I enjoyed privately. (But now that you know, you can pat me on the back.)
So we come to the end of my stay in Vernazza. Short and very sweet.
But the day is not yet over. And YOU better not be tired from all that walking, because we’re about to head on over to the next town southward in Cinque Terre, called . . .
Not to worry, it’s only 2 kilometers, my belly is full, the sun is shining, and my legs are starting to look like this guy’s . . .
And I’ve got you for company. So, what more could I ask for?
See you soon. Ciao.
Tags: bruschetta, chickens, Cinque Terre, Il Pirata Caffe, Italian children, Italian Riviera, Italy, marketplace, Monterosso, school bus, Vernazza
July 20th, 2009 at 6:16 AM
Nice blog! Keep up the good work.
July 20th, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Dear Norman,
I just love it when someone takes the time to share about my posts.
Thank you for reaching out and giving us a part of your beautiful self.
Quite sincerely,
Rich