Weekend Away.

I know I have been MIA again. I honestly had good intentions -I started writing on my way to Siena about the culture and I'll add that soon but I got hit by a nasty cold. Even now as I'm on my next trip, a week later I'm still sick. I am taking medicine and I'm trying to rest up. It's so difficult with so much work to do. Monday will start the last week of classes, as well as final projects. Then we have two weeks for finals and special events. I can't believe my time in Perugia is coming to an end. However, I'm so thankful I already have a weekend planned to return and see friends. 

Today I write to you from a train roaring its way to Florence. I am going to Florence in order to get to my end destination Cinque Terre.  My goal is to write to you when we have train changes, bathroom breaks, and food runs. This way my blog is up-to-date as much as possible.

Therefore my trip began at 5:15 this morning as I threw myself out of bed to shower and finish last minute packing. I met Lauren, Lauren, Liz, and Gianna at Piazza Italia at 6:05. From there we took a taxi. The driver asked where we were going and once we responded, with a hint of fondness he said, "Bello. Molto bello." 

Now I am on the train and I just witnessed how a beautiful Italian women is treated on a train. She had her hands full and every man in my little compartment jumps to help her. Yes, the Italians of all people show up for chivalry. 

We have made it to Florence. We have an hour until our next train so we found ourselves in a place of comfort. We are sitting in a McDonalds and I may or may not shamefully give in to a breakfast sandwich. But while I decide I am starting my ten page paper. I sound more studious than I really am. 

And I did shamelessly gave in. I had a wonderful McMuffin, hash brown, and an orange juice. As for the paper, I am still stuck at the beginning.

We are still on the train but I just caught a glimpse of the Leaning Tower Pisa. Rumor has it that's all there is to do in Pisa. Maybe one day I'll go and get my tourist picture. 

Side note since I have time... From the last time I wrote some of my closest friends left Perugia for home. Actually, most of them finally arrived. Here is a picture of my closest friends in Perugia.

OK so we have now made it to our apartment for the weekend. Lets see if I can get you up to speed. After the train from Pisa, we changed once more. On that train, we were under tunnels for most of the trip but every so often we would see a peak of the cost. It was literally breathtaking. 

Once in Vernazza, we wondered down the street. Literally this town is one street that opens up into a port. It is beautiful.



After taking a quick look we decided to look for our apartment. As we were walking a man came up to us saying, I believe you might be the five girls. At first we were taken a back but then he said one of our names. We realized he was the landlord and took us right to the apartment. It is in the center of the street. It's very cute! 

Once settled with our keys, we took our cameras out an ventured. We walked under a little cove to the rocky beach and walked back to the port.



 After wandering and meeting many Americans, we had a gelato. Now we are playing Rummy and I'm working on my paper.

The paper is still not finished but I'm feeling incredibly productive. After our card games, we went to a local restaurant to have dinner. Afterwards, we wondered around Vernazza but realized this little sea side town closes early. We went back to our apartments and had an old fashioned girl sleepover. It was a wonderful evening. Everyone of us ended up sleeping in the same room. Three in one bed, one in  single, and one on a mattress on the floor. We ended up talking for hours. 

Saturday

In the morning, we got ourselves around with the intention of hiking to the next town, Monterosso. Our hike was more than I expected. But it was beautiful with so many breathtaking views and we met many Americans along the way. 

After four hour hike, we arrived panting for lunch. 

This town is bigger than Vernazza with many small shops and plenty of seafood restaurants. The weather is beautiful day. We are able to walk around in a t-shirt and jeans without worry. We enjoyed a walk around town, gelato while sitting in the sun, and even some time next to the sea. I think one day I'll live near the beach. 

We are now currently waiting for a ferry to take us back to Vernazza. No way was I hiking my way back.

So we took the ferry. It was great to be on the water. I forgot how much I love all forms of travel including boats. My dream is to go sailing, at least just once.



After the ferry, we gathered a few things to do from our apartment and had an afternoon study session right by the water.

After getting a little bit of color, we had dinner at a local restaurant and later retreated to our rooms for an evening of card games and cookies! What a perfect way to end our girl weekend.

Sunday

We have been traveling since 8:30 this morning and we are on our last train of the day, Florence to Perugia. Once I'm home I have a list of things to get done. I need to go grocery shopping, work on two presentations, one paper, laundry, and catch up on emails. Plus, catch up on my favorite shows and hopefully have a beer with my favorite Italian. 

In the next week I will be finishing classes and then traveling to Sicily. Talk soon.