More of Cinque Terre - Part 2(B) (Rome, IT)

Train station in Monterosso

This is the view from the local priest's house in Monterosso.  The priest is a Capuchin monk who lives here on his own.  He is known for his hospitality and for offering his guest's home-made limoncello.  He was not in after we had walked up 400 steps to his house.  His house keeper was very welcoming and allowed us to tour the monastery and the church.  Alas, she offered us no limoncello!

Our guide, Fulvia, is in the center; the housekeeper is on the right, and her friend on the left.  They were absolutely charming and very friendly!

The small vineyard at the monastery.

Courtyard garden of the monastery.

A fresco on one of the walls of the courtyard garden.

An original Van Dyck painting above a side altar of the monastery chapel.

Main altar of the chapel.

Another view from the monastery which shows the train tunnel through the mountain side and the train station of Monterosso.

With Rolo Castillo, Bill Dickinson, and Jim Walsh.

As Fulvia pointed out, if you look close enough at the rock formation you will see the profile of a dog's face.

Get ready for some spectacular photos of Manarola, the last of the villages we visited.

The village playground.

The village cemetery, very few are buried in the ground since the village is on the side of a steep mountain.

Typical side street.

At the end of the afternoon, we took the train back to La Spezia to spend the night.  

On Sunday morning, we took an early train from La Spezia back to Florence, via Pisa, then caught the Fast Train back to Rome.  It was a very pleasant weekend in Florence, La Spezia, and Cinque Terre.  You have to put Cinque Terre on your "must see" list when you visit Italy and look for Fulvia Loretti to be your tour guide.

It is now Monday night.  All is quiet in Rome and St. Peter's Square.  The word is the same as earlier in the day, that the new Pope will be elected no later than the middle of March.  The excitement is already mounting.  Ciao!