Experiencing the Best of Europe
Day 14: Healing Meditteranean
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
Best Moments
1. Escaping the city to see a typical Tuscan town
2. Enjoying Tuscan wine
3. Inhaling some fresh air
4. Eating freshly caught seafood from the Mediterranean
5. Drinking a lot of wine at dinner and having a good time
6. Sharing inside jokes with friends
7. Going for what started to be a late night wade in the Mediterranean to a late night swim in the Mediterranean
8. Truly feeling like I was part of something
9. Skipping rocks in the Mediterranean
10. Realizing that I need to live closer to the ocean
Daily Recap
*The past few days have been full of exciting city life. Many of us were looking forward to some down time in the country.
*On the way to the Cinque Terre we stopped at a Tuscan town. It was so quiet and relaxing compared to the bustle of the cities we had been in.
*I was full of anticipation as we approached the Cinque Terre. Our hotel was so perfect. I took the opportunity to hand wash my clothes since I had a nice patio for drying them out. Believe it or not, I've actually really enjoyed living from my one little bag.
*We gathered for dinner. Some were a little apprehensive about the menu, but I was thrilled. We were going to have fresh seafood from the place it was caught earlier that morning. I could talk about this meal for days.
Personal Connections
*This night was probably the best of the whole trip. We all had a fair amount of wine. Feeling fine, we decided to take a little wade in the Meditteranean on the way back to the hotel. It ended up being a little more than that. I entered a 91 word memoir writing contest with a piece about this night. I'll share it here to give insight into why it was so great.
*Was it the abundant wine, late hour, or vast sea that made us abandon care? We surrendered versions of ourselves that rarely escape. Some removed constricting clothing. Others seemed forgetful after wandering in with money belts still on. We embraced the opportunity to be liberated.
Sounds of simple pleasures filled our little piece of the beach. Laughing, conversations, and the splash, splash of the skipping stones (or sometimes plunk) teased our ears. Some people drifted off to sea, while others got to know hidden fragments of new friends. Life is good.
Stub Hub
We were the only ones at our little restaurant. Jennifer had recommended it to us, so we went. Knowing we had a big meal ahead of us, I had a simple dish with cantaloupe and prosciutto. It was just what I needed.
In Massa Marittima there is a tower you can climb to see a view over the town and landscape. It offers a great typical view of the Tuscan land. It was so refreshing to look out and see greenery.
The Cinque Terre is a great place to visit. It is not a resort area like some of the cities on the Mediterranean coast. It offers the same beauty without all of the crowds and tourists. Being next to the sea instilled a relaxation that I needed at this point in the trip. Walking along the water made me wonder how anyone could ever be too stressed in an area like this. Unfortunately, the water can be peaceful, but it can also be very dangerous. I was so happy to see the towns running at full strength after the flooding. They seem to be resilient people.
We stayed in Monterosso which is the first town in the Cinque Terre. It was so neat to have towns so close. Each one has its own feel. Ours has the best beach. I also liked how there is the new part of the town and the old town.