Cinque Terre is beautiful

We left Venice on Monday morning and took 4 trains to Cinque Terre - yep I said 4 trains - the first one was delayed (Italian time...) so we missed our 2nd train which then threw off the whole schedule but everyone was a good sport and we all had time to chat and the day went by.  We arrived in Cinque Terre to the town of Monterosso al Mare - the largest of the 5 towns.  Very cute - a bit touristy but beautiful views.  After a brief introduction and instructions on the next day (a general strike and no trains) we headed out dinner by the seaside.  We have been very lucky with the weather - a gorgeous evening.  On the walk back to the hotel - we came upon a large group of locals in the middle of one of the streets - there seemed to be some kind of competition going on - it took us a while to figure it out but it was fascinating to watch - later we found out it was a tourne di noci  or from what we could tell a walnut competition played similar to marbles.  All ages and genders played - from teenagers to grandmothers - lots of laughter, cat-calls, and friendly discussion... fun to watch.

The next day - due to the general strike, was an early day as we needed to get the early train to either Corniglia or Vernazza (two other towns of the Cinque Terre) to hike the trail.  The strike impacted the trains and the ferries but did not start until 9:00 am  dont you love a country that will give you notice and a timeline for a strike... and end it when they say they will.   After a bit of hemming and hawing, I decided to do only one leg of the hike though it was the hardest and yep it certainly was hard - many steps straight up then a bit of a level section then many steps down.  I did it in about 1.5 hours but with a lot of huffing and puffing... here are some shots of the views.

A great day but boy is it hot!

Today we had a great day - we toured the back laneways and canals of Venice - had the worlds best gelato yum!!! took a ride in a real gondola with a gondalier called William - I said what a fine italian name and he laughed and said aahhh but I am handsome.  He has been a gondalier for 22 years - he took us up and down the small canals where he pointed out several palaces of former dignitaries in Venice.  He was lovely and very gracious but was a bit puzzled how a lone Canadian ended up in a boat full of Aussies - he asked if I got lost...  To explain there are 12 people on the tour 7 Aussies, 3 Kiwis, 1 American and me - 1 Canadian.  It was quite funny at dinner last night when Richard our leader asked who drinks wine and all 12 of us raised our hands, he then asked if anyone was a vegetarian and no one raised their hand.  Needless to say the group is getting along.  Back to the gondala ride - we found out the ride cost $80 euros and 6 can go in one boat - so 5 of us wanted to ride so of we went.

  

I made it - Venice!!

I made it – arrive safe and sound in at Venice Marco Polo – flights went very smoothly – full plane from Toronto – lots of people travelling.  KLM is great – they fed people twice plus free wine & beer!!  Too bad I was full from a lovely parting dinner at Dana and Marcs plus I had a few glasses of wine before I even made it to the airport!

I decided to be daring and cheap and take public transit to my hotel – it was easy and only 1.30 Euros and I found the hotel quite easily.  After getting settled, I took a walk in the neighbourhood – the hotel is in Marghera which is on the mainland and is a bit of a residential area.  After figuring out that I should not walk in the bicycle lane – sorry!! Other than pissing the one cyclist off - it was a very pleasant walk.  The architecture is different from my neighbourhood – I love all the balconies with all the greenery and flowers. 

On Saturday I ventured out on public transit again! The bus stop is just outside the hotel and #6 takes you right down to Piazzale Roma – again very easy and cheap!  It is hot today and lots of people.  I walked, walked and then walked some more – very easy to get around and lots of things to look at.  Visited the Basilica S. Maria Gloriosa Dei, saw this neat art installation made of painted wooden eggs (3,640,000 eggs!) titled Post-vs-Proto Renaissance by Oksana Mas then viewed 2 exhibits - Personal Structure and Eternal Love.  The eggs and the 2 exhibits are part of the 54^th Biennale de Venezia 2011.  All are very interesting – very different and all housed in unique spaces the eggs in an old unused church and the 2 exhibits in the Palazzo Bembo – a beautiful 15^th Century building on the Canal Grande.  I made it all the way over to the Piazza S. Marco which is huge with lots and lots of people.  After all this walking and looking – thirsty work for sure – lunch and a glass of wine sitting in the shade in Campo S. Polo.   

I managed to upload two photos - slow wifi connection...

Bags are packed... I'm ready to go...

Well, my bags are packed, the lists are checked and crossed off - whew!  It is amazing the range of things that you can find for travelling - I was in a travel shop yesterday looking at the various items and a lady came in who stated she was travelling to Botswana & Zambia, Africa and what do I recommend she take - my first thought was ME! but then I said a small flashlight, bug spray and a sense of adventure - ahhh... now I want to go back to Africa. If anyone gets a chance - go!   (I read this over and realized my advice sounds like something from a 'naturalist' how-to manual... I assumed she would be packing clothes, shoes, etc... I have found a flashlight to be a very useful tool to have anywhere in the world and the bug spray because mosquitos, the world over, just love me!)

Then I reminded myself of my own adventure - Europe - here I come.  I'm ready to go, this past week has been a good test of slowing down and getting ready - I have been weaning myself off the BB and issues at work (work has been fabulous - it is not them but me that is having the problem of letting go - they have been very patient with me...).  I also realized that this is the first time that I have not 'worked' since, well I can't remember since when - school, university, college, work... even when I took my last leave - I volunteered - teaching ESL for good portion of the time.  So it is a real mind shift for me - though, I think I am just justifying my inability to let go...  Well, soon I will be making my way across the Atlantic ocean to Venice, Italy - to a different & wonderful world - where I don't have any responsibilities other than to have a good time - hmmm... I think I can handle the task.

List, lists, lists...

I am working on my lists - a 'to buy' list, a 'to do' list, a packing list and so on - I know I have to control this when I fleetingly thought of doing a list of my lists - yikes!  I think I do lists really as a comfort - there is a feeling of satisfaction when I can cross things off - check - done!  Though lists do have a real purpose too - focusing what I need to do and keeping me on track but also pointing out what I have completed. 

This is my first official day off and I have to admit I am having a hard time letting go.  Early morning news of the passing of Jack Layton brought sad thoughts but also the issues of protocol came to mind - half masting of flags, messages of condolence, media advisories, notifications to staff, etc.  As a former member of Toronto Council - certain protocols are to be considered for Mr. Layton.  The wonderful staff in Protocol Services at the City have things well in hand but like I said - it is hard to let go. 

Now back to those lists... lets see what I can cross off today.

Oh my! am I really going to do this?

I am just about ready to embark on my year of opportunities - yikes!!  The countdown has started.  Friday, the 19th is my last day at work and then it begins... well really I see Sept 1 as the beginning - I still have several things I want/need to do first.

I have always felt that September 1 should be New Years Day.  To me it always feels like the start - for many years September brought a new beginning, a new adventure, a new opportunity so I guess it is appropriate that my year begins September 1.