Friday- Chianti
Driving through the green hills of Tuscany is a moment I found peace, wonderment, magic. Rows of grape vines, never-ending views, and beautiful houses filled with people who work hard and live a simple happy life. This is where my soul belongs. Away from the madness, above the pettiness. We got to go to a mansion on top of this hill that overlooked so much of these beautiful fields. The man who gave us the tour was adorable. He taught us that to him wine is life and meant to be respected. The Italians enjoy it instead of just using it as an avenue to get trashed. This is so beautiful to me. In America we seem to always want more, NOW! How can you enjoy life that way? When you are always trying to get to another place, always in a hurry, when nothing you have is ever enough. This man, although incredibly rich, seemed to have so much more figured out. Tasting wine, respecting it, overlooking the never ending bright green hills of Tuscany was an experience I will always carry with me.
Driving through the green hills of Tuscany is a moment I found peace, wonderment, magic. Rows of grape vines, never-ending views, and beautiful houses filled with people who work hard and live a simple happy life. This is where my soul belongs. Away from the madness, above the pettiness. We got to go to a mansion on top of this hill that overlooked so much of these beautiful fields. The man who gave us the tour was adorable. He taught us that to him wine is life and meant to be respected. The Italians enjoy it instead of just using it as an avenue to get trashed. This is so beautiful to me. In America we seem to always want more, NOW! How can you enjoy life that way? When you are always trying to get to another place, always in a hurry, when nothing you have is ever enough. This man, although incredibly rich, seemed to have so much more figured out. Tasting wine, respecting it, overlooking the never ending bright green hills of Tuscany was an experience I will always carry with me.Saturday- The Amazing Cinque Terre
Woke up at 6am to catch a train to Cinque Terre(5 lands). Wow! What an amazing place that everyone should see! They are these 5 little colorful towns along the Mediterranean Sea. We went on a 4 hour hike to each one. I really don't mind making my body hurt when I am so distracted by the beauty around every corner. Every time the sea came into view again there was teal blue sparkling water forever! Each town looked so neat as we approached it and as we got farther away. Each one of the towns was a little different and they were all beautiful. It was a perfect hike and this is definitely one of my favorite places I have ever been!
For dinner we had seafood and I'm not talking Lobster and Salmon. I'm talking the stuff that still surprises me someone decided to eat in the first place. Plates piled high with scallops, octopus, shrimp and mussels, practically breathing crawdads placed on some pasta, and a huge slab of Swordfish. As interesting as this was, and as much food as it was, I ate it all. I think I had more fun making these creatures dance then eating them, and with all the bread I ate to wash it down I was overly stuffed! Just a perfect day!
Woke up at 6am to catch a train to Cinque Terre(5 lands). Wow! What an amazing place that everyone should see! They are these 5 little colorful towns along the Mediterranean Sea. We went on a 4 hour hike to each one. I really don't mind making my body hurt when I am so distracted by the beauty around every corner. Every time the sea came into view again there was teal blue sparkling water forever! Each town looked so neat as we approached it and as we got farther away. Each one of the towns was a little different and they were all beautiful. It was a perfect hike and this is definitely one of my favorite places I have ever been!
For dinner we had seafood and I'm not talking Lobster and Salmon. I'm talking the stuff that still surprises me someone decided to eat in the first place. Plates piled high with scallops, octopus, shrimp and mussels, practically breathing crawdads placed on some pasta, and a huge slab of Swordfish. As interesting as this was, and as much food as it was, I ate it all. I think I had more fun making these creatures dance then eating them, and with all the bread I ate to wash it down I was overly stuffed! Just a perfect day!
Sunday- Beach Day (Monterosso)
After our leg workout the day before we decided to go for a much needed arm workout and went kayaking. I think it is funny that pretty much all the times I've been kayaking have been out of the U.S. As gorgeous as it was to see everyone on their bright Kayaks contrasting with the glowing water next to big gray rocks, it was slightly miserable. The waves were huge and my stomach was not happy. But we had a great time anyway! Then we just got to hang out and relax on the beach, my bad I mean the rocks. Even laying on a pile rocks made for a nice enjoyable day with our sore bodies. The water was warm and so nice to swim in! Super salty though and I came home to no water in our apartment, so lick me and take a Tequila shot! On the way home I met the sweetest couple who had been married for 31 years and were teaching in Florence. I talked to them the whole 3 hour ride home and we had so much fun getting to know each other (her name was also Carrie). They were wonderful people and it always amazes me how quickly you can call someone a friend. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to meet so many interesting
people.
It was just a perfect weekend and this will always be one of my favorite places!!
Sometimes I'm not sure I understand the full weight of what I'm doing. I pinch myself, I sprinkle water on my face, I scream "Wake up!!" I want to live in the moment, I want to appreciate and understand all that I am doing and seeing, but most of it is beyond my reach. No matter what I do, this is all surreal. Maybe I'll realize I'm actually here before I leave, and hopefully I'll realize I was actually here someday before I die. How can someone possibly grasp all there is to be grasped? How can anyone have enough room in their body to take in all of the beautiful things in this world? I try to take a moment each day to stop, listen, feel, breath, and I pray god give me the wisdom to get everything out of these experiences I am lucky enough to have.
After our leg workout the day before we decided to go for a much needed arm workout and went kayaking. I think it is funny that pretty much all the times I've been kayaking have been out of the U.S. As gorgeous as it was to see everyone on their bright Kayaks contrasting with the glowing water next to big gray rocks, it was slightly miserable. The waves were huge and my stomach was not happy. But we had a great time anyway! Then we just got to hang out and relax on the beach, my bad I mean the rocks. Even laying on a pile rocks made for a nice enjoyable day with our sore bodies. The water was warm and so nice to swim in! Super salty though and I came home to no water in our apartment, so lick me and take a Tequila shot! On the way home I met the sweetest couple who had been married for 31 years and were teaching in Florence. I talked to them the whole 3 hour ride home and we had so much fun getting to know each other (her name was also Carrie). They were wonderful people and it always amazes me how quickly you can call someone a friend. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to meet so many interestingpeople.
It was just a perfect weekend and this will always be one of my favorite places!!Sometimes I'm not sure I understand the full weight of what I'm doing. I pinch myself, I sprinkle water on my face, I scream "Wake up!!" I want to live in the moment, I want to appreciate and understand all that I am doing and seeing, but most of it is beyond my reach. No matter what I do, this is all surreal. Maybe I'll realize I'm actually here before I leave, and hopefully I'll realize I was actually here someday before I die. How can someone possibly grasp all there is to be grasped? How can anyone have enough room in their body to take in all of the beautiful things in this world? I try to take a moment each day to stop, listen, feel, breath, and I pray god give me the wisdom to get everything out of these experiences I am lucky enough to have.
Love this, Carrie. Please keep up with my blog as well! katieat4moonstravel.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are appreciating the beauty of travel so much! It's something that I try every day to get people to grasp at my job! :)
Miss you! Let's travel together again soon please!