Chillin' in Monterosso

We arrived in sleepy Monterosso at 2:30 on Weds May 9 from the bustle of Rome.  There was no end to the action in Campo dei Fiori and the contrast to our little place in Monterosso between two churches was so great that Riley was wondering why there was no party outside when we went to bed that night.

In front of the open windows in Rome, Riley took to using the relatively rich opera voice that God has given her to entertain the folks on in the piazza.  When they started to call her down to sing on the plaza she grew very embarrassed and stood her sister in front of the window to lip sync.  

Getting from Rome to the Cinque Terre was pretty routine other then almost missing the train because Patti was held up by a chatty ticket agent as she purchased our leg from Monterosso to Venice.  Oh, and that we received a 200€ fine that was reduced to 20€ for not validating and intermediate leg ticket.  That was a little annoying, but you live and you learn and we are now learned.

Back to Monterosso.  This being a beach town we promptly went to the beach and the girls jumped in the Mediterranean, which was pretty cold, but that never stopped them.  I also went in and the goose bumps were so big and lasted so long that I thought I had contracted some Mediterranean skin disease.

After a shower, some pizza and warm Coca-Cola we went for our customary stroll where we found some more Gelato for our starving children.  Here in an interesting juxtaposition(sp), in the foreground you see a Nazi pillbox from WWII and beyond it you see the umbrella and guests of a cliffside restaurant.