June 3, 2011 - Bologna to Pisa to Cinque Terre

Ate quick breakfast at hotel, then headed to train station.  We headed for Pisa.  When standing in line to store our bags at the station, the father behind us started talking to us.  He was mark, wife Lisa, son Ryan and daughter Amanda, all from New Mexico.  They had Rick Steve's book and knew exactly how to get to the leaning tower, so we just tagged along.  We took pics of the tower and then headed to an outdoor seating pizza cafe together.  It was fun comparing stories with them.  Then we all headed back to the train station, since we were on the same train towards Cinque Terre!
In Cinque Terre, we didn't know where to go for our hotel, so we followed our knowledgeable friends from a distance.  Ended up just getting us lost.  Finally asked for directions that got us on the right street, but still couldn't find the hotel.  Asked another local standing nearby who directed us into the restaurant there.  Through the restaurant in the very back was a desk to check us in.  The attendant spoke little to no english.  They finally called someone who spoke English and put me on the phone with them.  They told me there wasn't a room there but had a room a block away with a room for us and would send a free taxi for us.  I said we didn't need one and just needed directions, but just then, it started pouring rain.  So we accepted the taxi, only to find it would be another 30 minutes.  We waited until the rain slowed and the attendant walked us to our room.  It was right on the main street facing the beach and sea.  Unlocked the front door that led up two flights to another locked door that led to a narrow hallway with six more doors.  Inside the last one was our room!
That afternoon we walked along the beach and then settled on dinner at a beachside cafe.  We befriended the couple next to us.  Both were Italian looking but hailed from Switzerland.  They were fun to talk with about different things.  He was interested to hear about us's healthcare system.  When Laura said she was from Texas, he said 'bush from there'!  Then we walked to the old town of monterosso.  On the way, we took a detour to photograph this old castle right on a cliff by the shore and started walking up more and more steps towards a convent at the top.  Each turn had better and better views!  Finally at the top was a very old cemetery cared for by the comment.  It went on and on and had spectacular views of the old city.  After that we headed into the old town for some pictures and gelato, of course!