[Journal] Reflection in Cinque Terre, Italy

View from my hike in Cinque Terre, Italy.

There hasn't been a day that wasn't lovely in my month here in Europe. Today was no exception. Just finished hiking the trail from Manarola to Corneglia, and the views were breathtaking. I went off the trail into the winding paths of the vineyards, where I got a breezy, panoramic view of the ocean, Manarola and Corneglia. 

I realize the best way to travel for me is to have few expectations and flexible plans. It keeps things new, exciting, and always an adventure. Learning and discovering places as I go is a part of the journey, though it is important for me to familiarize myself with a map of the area and noteworthy attractions before arriving to plan/book reservations in advance. 

For the past few days of my solo travel in Italy, I’ve hopped from Airbnb to Airbnb, from Rome to Florence and now to Cinque Terre. With vague plans, I've left my stay mid-morning to wander the streets, take in the sights and listen to Rick Steves’s audio guides well into the evening. In Cinque Terre, I’ve now hiked between four of the five colorful fishing villages and explored the narrow winding streets of all five. It’s been a wonderful break to be in the mountains by the ocean, away from the bustle of the cities and tourists. 

Riomaggiore of Cinque Terre, Italy.

This past month, I’ve never felt more relaxed and carefree. I truly lived day to day. Fully immersed in my present surroundings. This is something I have found difficult to do back home. It seems there’s always extracurricular activities, school, or work. And much of that can be attributed to the college and work culture in the United States. In fact, towards the end of the program, my class looked at labor laws in several countries across the globe including China, Brazil and those in the EU. What we learned is that the U.S. is the only developed in the country in the world without a single, legally required paid vacation or holiday. Counties in the EU, in stark contrast, have at least four weeks of paid vacation by law.

This is a strong reflection of the culture in the U.S. compared to the rest of the world. While it appears we live to work, the majority of the world population works to live. Work schedules flow around meal times, with small businesses opening late and closing in the afternoon for people to enjoy mid-day breaks. Locals frequent cafes and bars, sitting outside with friends and family to indulge in drinks and conversation, and watch as the world flows by them.

I am grateful to have experienced this change of pace in living and to have seen a little more of the world. 

After the hike, I sat along the steps below the Church of San Pietro to look at google reviews and yelp to find a good place to eat. Now I find myself sitting in A Cantina de Manana… and the waitress has just set down my poached fish. I'm excited to dig in!



With gratitude,

Sherry