Bella Terra

Wanda and Cathy arrived in Corniglia approximately 5 pm local time.  What a travel day it was!  Everything went smoothly until it was time to catch the local train from La Spezia.  The girls checked with information to obtain accurate track information for the train they needed.  Unfortunately, the information given was for a train that just left, so there was no way the girls could catch it.  So the second trail at 4:45 became plan B.  Much to the girls, dismay, the plan had to be delayed another 20 minutes.  While waiting, they were chatting with another couple from Great Britain. They went to look at the schedules and they identified that the train Cathy and Wanda were planning on taking did not stop at Corniglia, the town where the girls were staying.

Thank goodness these folks identified an issue for the girls and saved them from traveling to Monteroso and finding out that they were not on the right train.

Once in Corniglia, the took the green shuttle bus into town, called their contact, Cristiana, to meet them and were shown to their apartment by her son, Gabriel.  On their way to the apartment, Gabriel asked them were they were from, if they had been to Italy before, which areas of Italy they liked and if they liked Corniglia.  H said he did not like Corniglia and that he wanted to go to America.  He wanted to go to Hollywood and become an actor.  He was a cute kid, maybe he will be successful in his dream.

Climb, climb, climb...they finally arrive at their home for the next 4 days.  It is on the third floor of the building and has the most spectacular view you can imagine....and unfortunately, you will have to imagine because Internet connectivity is limited to a shared terminal and uploading photos is a challenge. 

Cathy and Wanda were more than ecstatic to wriggle out of their heavy backpacks and bags of camera gear.  Time for some food, off they go to visit Cristiana at her cafe for a bite to eat, followed by gelato!  Yep, gotta have gelato!  They ate their panini and gelato sitting on park benches in the piazza with an ancient church in the background.  They will investigate the church tomorrow.  A quick stop at the Alamentari for some breakfast supplies and back to the apartment for a much needed sleep!

Their adventures will continue tomorrow....but for now buona notte!

Is it Worth It?

        Today Cathy has been working hard in preparation of departure;  Wanda has been working through her list of "to dos" at work, preparing to be away for two weeks. Both have been questioning why crazy work hours and unexpected obligations always seem to manifest themselves just before vacation!
       
        Working long days to have a few blessed days of relaxation, free from the daily grind and worries of the office is frustrating.  But wait,  not only are the days that lead up to vacation frenzied; there is complimentary craziness on the flip side.  The dreaded return to work!  The unending, relentless barrage of e-mail, meetings and getting updated on the status of what occurred on projects while you were out; or, in fewer words, getting up to speed.  In no time at all, that blissful vacation is nothing more than a distant memory, something akin to a faded photograph.  Days are grueling as you struggle through jet lag; and at the end of each day you are wiped out; you feel tired, overwhelmed....hum...like you need a Vacation!  One would ask, "Is it worth it?"

        The answer is a resounding YES!!!  The two weeks in Italy will be worth every hour and minute of overtime, slogging through those emails fighting the jet lag and falling into a deep sleep on the sofa after work when you really had intentions of editing photos.   Yes, bring it on!  Wanda and Cathy are raring to go and primed for the adventure! They are anxious to climb aboard the jet and escape to a beautiful land with lovely people and pretend to live another life....living the sweet life even if it is only for a short while!  Vivere la dolce vita!

Le Preparazioni Finali

        The Final Preparations are underway.  Wanda has been packing, repacking and losing things, only to find them once again.  The emails are flying back and forth.  To say Wanda is experiencing some anxiety would be an understatement.  Cathy is laughing from a distance (probably better than risking being there and laughing...as the frenzy gains momentum).  Cathy has the final documentations assembled, and her only to-dos remaining are cleaning the camera gear and adding the last minute things to the bag that can only go in on the morning of departure.  Cathy's only anxiety is centered on her carry-on bag (no checked luggage planned).  While the bag meets the total linear requirements, the width measures a bit more than 14 inches.  It's depth is less than the requirements so maybe she can "fluff it up" and it will pass the checkpoint without requiring the bag to be checked.  Cathy and Wanda's other concern are the monopod and tripod they plan on taking for their cameras.  Sometimes professional tripods and mono pods are confiscated because they could be used as "weapons"; however, they will both risk taking camera stabilization equipment because low light photography really needs stabilization. Wanda has opted for a small tripod that folds to about 12" in length while Cathy has settled on the monopod.

        It is hard to believe that the girls started making plans for the trip nearly a year ago with the first reservations confirmed on June 2nd last year!  Where has the time gone?  The next few days will hopefully speed by and then time will slow down as they enjoy the time away to savor the dolce vita or the sweet life.  

Cathy has this hammock in mind.... (for which she will be challenged for use by Wanda......)

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Enjoying time with our hosts....

Isabella

Carlo

Luciano

Visiting with  friends not seen for a while....

Claudia and Gary

Sharing in an excellent meal....

                      

and ending each day with a glorious sunset....

Vivere la vita dolce!

Three Weeks From Today.....

Three Weeks! A mere three weeks and Cathy and Wanda will be in Italy! With travel plans and accommodations set, the girls are working up a frenzy and whittling down their final list of to-do items before departure. Exchanging US Dollars for Euros - check; finalizing packing lists - check; gathering maps - check; emergency contact info - check. Arrangements for pet sitters and lawn care remain.

During their weekend morning coffee chats over the Internet, the focus of the conversation always drifts to the subject of "the trip". During the work week, they send text messages to each other with reminders of the days remaining, the remaining trip related tasks they are doing that day and how an unrelated event triggers a memory from the prior trip. Excitement oozes and bubbles as they talk of how they want to leave now. Yes NOW!! Weeks have melted into days that just a short time ago seemed like an eternity. Maintaining focus on other important things like work and other day to day responsibilities remain top priority, but their hearts are already in Italy!

Who knew that the original "birthday celebration trip" Cathy and Wanda made a few years ago would have the rare impact that it did. Was it is because of their longtime friendship and shared hobbies? Was it that their trip flew in the face of traditional tourism; sticking to their goal of experiencing the people and their culture first and foremost? Was it the awe of standing in ancient places that they had only read about? Was it the sense of family and how welcomed they were by their hosts throughout their stay? Was it the simplicity of the Tuscan lifestyle; the peoples pride in hard work and sense of community? Or, was it the picturesque landscapes that took their breath away?

The girls agree that it is hard to isolate any one thing that resulted in their extraordinary experience. They will tell you that it was magical; like no other vacation. It was an experience that most people can't understand and one that created memories that will last a lifetime. Experiences and anecdotes of their first trip have been shared many times with family and friends. There is no stifling their enthusiasm and anticipation as they look forward to weaving new places, people and experiences into their lives and memories.

27 Days and Counting

Sitting in the admitting room at the Olathe hospital, waiting a trip to the lab for routine blood work, Cathy checked her email.  There was a brief e-mail from Wanda with the message "call me".... Not used to getting those types of e-mails from Wanda...Cathy called Wanda immediately.  A wrinkle had occurred in the travel flight plans and adjustments had to be made.  From that point on, everything else deemed "important" for the day went on hold and the girls went into resolution mode. 

Several texts messages later and a few hours on the computer; searching on discount airline ticket websites as well as major airline websites; lots of online chat on Yahoo Messenger; and with a few e-mails the girls had the wrinkle ironed out!   The travel adjustments resulted in extending the trip an extra day!  Whoo Hoo!!  Now who could complain about that!! 

Once the travel arrangements were settled, Wanda went about her day.  Cathy continued wearing her "travel agent" hat and searched for accommodations near the airport, in an effort to avoid the pricey airport accommodations.  A search of the Trip Advisor website, for hotels in Fiumicino, came up empty for reasonably priced accommodations. But, a gem of a Bed and Breakfast with rave reviews was found.  Cathy  initiated correspondence with the owner to determine availability and pricing.  Mere hours later, arrangements were set and an e-mail sent to Wanda that they had a place to stay. 

Technology is amazing. It is mind-boggling to pause and reflect on how seamlessly communications can occur with someone half-way around the world. Agreements and arrangements can be made within just a few hours, even minutes sometimes!  

So all is settled....the final day of the trip will be spent leisurely exploring the Mediterranean seaside town of Fiumicino; which is typically known for little more than the location of the Rome airport.