Tourist trap dinner

For my first dinner in Rome, I was hoping to find a restaurant recommended by my guide book but instead settled for the ultimate tourist trap restaurant complete with over-priced items and an over-the-top waiter. Mimo, the Egyptian waiter posing as a slick Italian, did not have a sense of personal space. He kept hugging me, kissing my hands and cheeks, and telling me that I'm his "honey." In the picture, although it looks like I'm enjoying his company, he is actually pulling me in close to him and stroking my hand through his balding head. Under normal circumstances, I would've played along. But, I had just gotten off a 4 hour train ride, my body still achy from my marathon Cinque Terre hike, and my allergies decided to attack! Thankfully, a nice English couple saved me by chatting with me and telling the waiter to go away.
Food was about as bad as the waiter.

Getting lost in the Cinque Terre (for reals)

What an adventure I had in the Cinque Terre. What was suppose to be an easy 5 mile-ish hike ended up being 8 miles after getting lost! So, Cinque Terre is a rugged coastal region of Italy - genuine Ialian Riviera. It is comprised of 5 main fishing villages and the villages are connected by trails. It was inaccessible by land until the 1970's and it's now a protected World Heritage Site with the same length of stone walls as The Great Wall of China!
Ok, here's my series of events:
1) I rode the train into the most northern village, Monterosso and was immediately stunned by the view of the Mediterranean from the train.
2) I reached the next village Vernazza easily; took a little over an hour. The path was crowded but the views were breathtaking so I stopped for water and gelato.
3) On my way to the 3rd village Corniglia, I was graced with even more picturesque images of the ocean. All I could think about was how much I wanted to live there.
4) I was happy to be on my way to the 4th village Manarola because its suppose to be the easiest stretch. Soon enough, I'm noticing less and less people and I'm climbing uphill for a good 2 hours. After feeling like my heart is going to jump out of my chest, I come upon miles and miles of fenced vineyards. Then my path weaves me in and out of people's backyards and finally end in a little town called Volastra (look it up on the map I posted. Its a town of 200 people!). I notice that it is not one of the main villages and it is not near the ocean. Shit, where am I? Meanwhile, the sun is going down and I gotta catch a 2.5 hour train back to Florence.
5) I end up on an actual road for buses and cars and follow the windy path until I see an old man. I ask, "Scusi, dove-e stazione?" Yay! He understands that I'm looking for the train station and direct me to keep walking down.
6) At this point, I am running, trying to beat the setting sun and enter the hillside of the 4th village, Manarola (see how relieved I am to find this sign?). I rush through this beautiful village and find the train station! I realize that this hike really isn't meant to be done in oneday, nor should it be rushed. There's so many things to see along the way!
7) 8 miles, 5 hours and a mini heart attack later, I treat myself to a delicious panini and sunset :)

On the train to Cinque Terre

I missed the tour bus this morning so I said F it, I'm going to hike the Cinque Terre by myself. I'm currently on the 2.5 hour train ride to the first village, Monterosso. I'm enjoying the scenery and learning Italian at the same time!

Bye bye horse stable

I decided to stay in Florence for 2 more nights so I can go hike the Cinque Terre. Unfortunately, my horse stable guest room was no longer available so I had to change to a real hotel. But here is a last look at the guest house when you first walk in. The spiral staircase is cool and spooky at the same time, no? Very much what I picture as a fixture in old world European houses.