paradise lost?

On our first away weekend, a few of us headed to Cinque Terre.

We hopped on the train for what felt like an eternity...numerous stops and transfers;

and we got off at the wrong stop (we got off too early-

but fear ye not, we had photo ops at the train station).

FINALLY, we got to Monte Rosso, the furthest of the 5 lands.

When we arrive, we were picked up by Emmanuale, the son of our cottage owner Frederico..

whom, might I add is next to our best friend since we were shooting texts about our arrival (but his English is terrible so his wife was was the texter---notes on a scandal!)

Emmanuale took us on what was the next best thing of Tim Burton's version of Mr. Toads Wild Ride.

I was literally in shambles, I mean laughing uncontrollably as I was tossed between Abby and the door while E-man was taking the tiniest windy roads at probably 90 mph!

Then, by foot he takes us to a gravel square in the pitch dark, surrounded by a wire fence and says that's where we are staying! wtf Emmanuale!!

After unpacking at the actual house, we opted for some foodies in town..

Unfortunately, since we stayed at the top of the town, we had to take the only way down: the trail of tears!

Now, I'm a grown man, but we had to take a small cobblestone road, in the pitch dark, next to a cemetery, road into town...my eyes played all sorts of cruel jokes on me!

The 4 of us walked down grabbed some pizza and returned back on the road very less travelled home!

Friday woke up to the most spectacular view:

Then headed out to hike the towns. Sadly for us, the "leisurely" path we thought we signed up for was clearly made by the devil himself: steep, narrow, and high.

I was awesome to be passed by the geriatrics club with walking sticks!

Alas, we made it to Vernazza, baked in the sun on some rocks, took a boat ride to the Via Dell'Amore, full of padlocks and graffiti of star crossed lovers.

That night had a delicious dinner in town, and overlooked the ocean at dusk.

Saturday made a pit stop in Pisa, tiniest town and tiny tower!

BUT many funny Chinese fans taking photos!!!!!

Then headed home.

It was a successful weekend on our own!

...and because she moves in mysterious ways: Ciara "Gimmie Dat"

Ciara - Gimmie Dat from shadyuploader on Vimeo.