Stuff We Do!

I have been wanting to go to Vernazza since I first saw a picture of it over 10 years ago, so arriving at the train station was unreal. Unfortunately, I was not alone, I was pushed and herded by what seemed like over 200 tourists dressed in full Birkenstocks and I love Italy t-shirts. I felt compelled to hide my camera back in my backpack and try to make it as obvious as possible that I was not a part of the tour group following the woman with the big umbrella.

I was a little disappointed to see that so much of the town was catering to the very crowd I wished would go home. I was beginning to wish I had made this trip in the dead of winter, maybe then I could see Vernazza as I had imagined it quaint and rustic… real Italy.

But tonight everything is different. The Vernazza I came to see seems to have come out from hiding. After the whirlwind tourists left, Vernazza was left with only the quite tourists who would rather be a part of a place rather than invade it. The locals were everywhere, talking, laughing, eating. I’m so happy that I get to be here and see this place like this. I love how no one is in a rush, because there’s no where to go. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings… no actually I can.