Got up feeling tired but ok and headed to meet everyone at the train station for 10:45. It's somewhat unnerving to make arrangements with practical strangers, with no way of contacting them and just turn up and hope that they truly meant what they said, will follow through and turn up. Luckily they did. Some were in better shape than others but all very smiley and happy to see me, as I was them.
We trudged up to the train platform and bought ourselves all day passes. The girls had changed arrangements slightly and decided on a three city pub crawl was probably more doable. They are all hilarious! Lots of catch phrases and sayings but definitely a laugh. If anyone ventured into negative territory you were forced to the naughty corner for a minute lol.
Our first stop was Corniglia. We bounded off the train with purpose. Lee taking the reigns and the position of tour leader for the day. We followed enthusiastically and followed and followed until we saw what was ahead.... a very steep incline of many many stairs!! Crap. Anna took one look and did a swift about turn. Hmmmm first obstacle we walked back and saw a small bus and inquired. It was going right up the hill! Score. Got there in no time to see our fellow train travellers huffing and puffing. Suckers. Lol
We found a little pizzeria and settled in. The girls started on coronas. That's the good/ unusual thing here in Europe u can get beer and alcohol anywhere. I wasn't up to drinking that early so got myself a black coffee... I'm starting to get a liking for them, more out of necessity really. We watched the view, listened as it rained and chatted away trying to get info out of Emma about goings on at the end of the night. She was getting no sympathy from the girls, only a buck up buddy and get on with it. Another couple came to join us at the pizzeria, Jeremy and Caitlin. Jeremy Aussie and Caitlin Canadian living in London as teachers and on mid term break. Later Jeremy told us he had the same reaction as i did when hearing Aussie accents and made a beeline towards the ruckus lol
From here we squished on to our trusty bus and headed bk down the hill to the train. Our next stop Manarola. Manarola not Motorolla as someone us liked to call it was I think one of the more famous five towns, the one where many photos are taken. It was lovely brightly coloured houses all grouped together, boats at their front doors overlooking the cliffs. Don't ask me how the actually got the boats there or in fact how they get any supplies anywhere.... We found a cute little cafe/ restaurant run by Lorraine originally American so ordering was a breeze. I had a couple of lovey very cheap glasses off red wine and bruschetta. Was perfect. The laughter flowed as did the continued Coronas. I have no idea how these girls can put away so much... I'm a total light weight!!! We then were found by Ryan and Nicole from the night before who had taken an easy morning and then followed the sounds of loud Australians to find us lol...I'm beginning to sense a theme lol. Some people looked upon our happy group with smiles, others with a hint of jealousy and some with annoyance. I was just happy to be part of the group and having a blast.
We stayed there a couple of hours and then as we were leaving our intrepid tour guide Lee got some straws stuck together with the help of Lorraine. With attached flag saying 'tour from hell' we were complete, an official tour!!! We headed back to FAST bar back in our home city of Monterosso. Funny how some thing becomes home so quickly. Maybe it's just where I'm sleeping or my luggage is that I call home?
We bought a couple of bottles and drank away merrily. Thomas joined us still looking a little worse for wear. The bar staff provided us with snacks probably to keep some on this side of sober. We stayed there for a couple more hours until people began to fade. I took Jeremy back to get his and Caitlin's luggage which had been stored in my room. He commented a few times how nice my room is. I wonder how my travel experience rates according to others. I'm definitely not slumming it that's for sure but I guess at my age I'm over hostels and shared accommodation....well who am I kidding I was ever really 'under' that type of holiday lol.
I took Caitlin and Jeremy for a quick dinner back at my local lol, a far 10m away and then i started the goodbyes again and everyone peeled off home and to bed. Once again fleeting friends, fun for a time now gone. I guess this is the perfect training for me. I always have a hard time letting people go in my life. Tend to hang on to wilting relationships far too long.
I guess this is the perfect cure.
Got hm. It was a bit touch and go and fell asleep
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