Vernazza - Cinque Terre − 11 September, 2006

Arrive in Milan at noon local time. Grab bags and a bus to central station then a train to Cinque Terre via Genoa (where Columbus was born). Got off the train in Monterossa and went for a dip and took pictures of a fat Italian man in a speedo guarding his beach. The lifeguards were on duty – reading books.

Vernazza is the town we are staying in. It's the 2^nd town of 5 in Cinque Terre and is right after Monterrosa. There is a walking trail that connects all the cities. Our Pensione Sorriso looks over a stream as well as the trail that leads to the next town, Corniglia. It also seemed to be almost right on top of the train tracks. Towns are Monterrosa, Vernazza, Corneglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

First day here went for a run, not a good place to run. All hills, but great views. The entire town is built into a sea cliff. Brightly colored buildings are carved into the cliffs and no street is flat. Tourism is what sustains this town. First night ate some pesto pizza and drank wine then ate dinner with more pesto. Dinner was a little restaurant hidden in the crevices of the town. Met a couple from the States... tourists are nice, but the Italians are not so friendly. This place is Pestoville. Topped that off with a nightcap of Gelato. And Limoncello which is an after dinner drink that is pure alcohol mixed with some local limes and sugar. It's about 70 proof but tastes about double that.

Saw our first Italian sunset over the water – beautiful in Vernazza.