we left france today...a crazy morning...we over slept and so it felt a little rushed...we stopped for our last french baguette and we headed to the gare (station). there was a problem with the train so the first leg of our trip was on a coach bus...we crossed into italy this way and then caught a train taking us to our next destination...we rode in a compatrment with two canadians...a couple on a month long tour of europe...interesting people...it is clear we are taking two very different trips...they spoke of five star hotels and a trip to Dubai that included dinner with a $1000 bottle of wine...they are retired...he was a cooperate exec of some sort...i enjoyed the conversation very much...after a few hours of travel we arrived in italy...
we walked to our hotel...a great location and a wonderful room...a definite upgrade from our penny saving Nice hotel...we dropped our things and headed out...our first stop...gelato...yummy...and then to the water...a 3 minute walk from the hotel...beautiful...
the buildings look like those in france but they are brighter...it looks similar but feels oh so different...it takes a little bit to adjust to hearing new sounds...i felt like i was gaining headway with my french and feeling comfortable...and here we are starting over...ginny has done a great job...her time invested in her italian book in preparation got us to the hotel an has served us well along the way today...what a woman...
we walked along the water front until dark...
we snapped fewer photos today...tomorrow will be a picture day again...the weather is suppose to be wonderful and we are going to be walking the Cinque Terre tomorrow....it is a string of five towns along the sea...we are planning to walk from one town to the next and then take the train back...this will take most of the day...
tonight we went to dinner at a restaurant recommended by our hotel...a little sticker shock once again...and a few lessons learned...we are at the half way pont in our trip...it has really been incredible...i have learned so very much...it has challenged me in many ways...at times i have been anxious...uncertain...this is the first time i have travelled in non-english speaking countries...i have felt at a disadvantage at times...on the first day in Paris i panicked a little...but with a few deep breaths and a little reassuring i have taken off...thank you ginny...
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