Our first day trip outside of Parma was to Venezia (Venice). It is everything you would expect and more. Much more actually, because the prices were astronomical. Everywhere you go, people travel by water because that is the only way to get around the city. The decorative hand-made masks that Venice is so famous for are strewn everywhere. We eventually cracked and got one that we admired for the apartment (mailed it to Ireland, but we're praying it got there in one piece...). Would definitely recommend it as a city to see because the sights are one of a kind, but pack your own lunch to save on money.
Our next trip was the Cinque Terre. A little-known Italian jewel (except, of course, to the Italians). It is five little towns all located on the Mediterranean with bike paths, hiking paths and mini trains connecting each of them. After several hours lying on one of the beach getting color (brown for one, red for the other--guess who), we eventually decided to take one of the hikes to the other town. Little did we know that setting out on this path could lead to the end of our relationship. Chelsea's running phrase throughout the endless flight of stairs ascending upwards towards a mountaintop that seemed to be growing as we climbed, was, "I want a divorce," much to the amusement of me and other hikers who understood what both of us were talking about. It was probably the nicest walk I've ever been on, you know, it just happened that I swore for 3/4 of it.
It was, however, epic scenery with an unbeatable view of the sea, and of course great company....
One of our favorite moments from the ascent up mount death was Monica. Monica was an 8 year old Italian girl who clearly had no say in what her family activity of the day was going to be that day. She obviously had no choice in the matter after the decision was made. We passed them out several times and then they would pass us and everytime this happened, it was like watching a movie rewind and play a specific scene over and over again. Every time they passed, we would hear Monica going, "Acqua mama, acqua" (water mom water); to which her mother usually replied, "NO Monica. Andiamo!" To which Monica would then respond in a very blatant physical statement of "fuck you." She would promptly sit down wherever she was and remain there scowling until her parents stopped yelling at her. Now, they didn't give in to Monica's tantrum, oh no. They actually did what every parent threatened countless times to do to their own child when they were acting the bollox: they left her. Eventually, (we can only assume) Monica followed after them.
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