Trains, Fines and Sweaty Hikers!!

Katie and I thought we were doing well despite the language barrier until we ran into a few problems on the rails. After a full day of hiking the Cinque Terre about (5 hours worth) we decided to buy a 2 euro ticket back to Montorosso where we were staying. We soon found out that the local tickets need to be validated the same as the regional tickets. The conductor informed us that this small error would result in a 25 euro fine each. When we lied about not having 50 euro he asked for our passports and told us he would be calling the police at the next station. Our bluff seemed to work because when Katie told him to get the police he settled for 25 euro. I still think he pocketed the money because we did not receive a receipt for this transaction. However we felt better when we soon learned almost every other traveler we meet has made this costly mistake.

On the next train ride we tried to be especially careful and double checked all of our tickets for validation stamps. We then proceeded to get on the next train and found out we did not learn our lesson. The conductor informed us that we got on the reservation only train. Which turned out to be one train earlier than the train we bought a ticket for. This resulted in another fine, but this time the conductor felt bad for us and went out of her way to make sure we made it to the correct train and our next connection. We have learned a lot on this trip but I think the trains will always confuse me.

Despite it all, the Cinque Terra was amazing. The hike that went from city to city had breathtaking views and helped us train for Everest!! Each town was unique in it's own way and we enjoyed the rest we took in each. Our accommodations at Manuel's Guesthouse were perfect. Manuel and his nephew Lorenzo are very friendly, hospitable and offered their home complete with beer, wine and spectacular views on their mountainside patio. From here we are spending one night in Sienna and then off to see more museums and old buildings in Rome.

Ciao