I had imagined having to start this entry with a list of all the things we hadn't used so far on this trip: tank tops, sandals, sunscreen (except for faces), bathing suits... But then it happened: the sun came out.
The original forecast of 18 and rainy melted away to reveal a sunny warm day in Monterosso. We arrived here a little after noon and I was almost giddy seeing that the sun hadn't disappeared while our train was in the tunnel under the mountains that surround this little town. But there it was, shining brightly and welcoming us to the Mediterranian.
We spent the afternoon at the beach, soaking up the golden sun, playing in the sand, looking out for the little jelly fish, collecting
all sorts of interesting stones.
We cleaned up the sticky micah bits of sand in pre-dinner showers and headed across town (less than a ten minute walk) and had dinner at a local restaurant recommended by our tour book - so far our books have
not led us astray.
Now, the girls are in bed and Derek and I are sitting on our stone terrace that overlooks the garden and a little bistro. There is someone playing a classical guitar at the eatery. Some songs we recognize, others just sound beautiful. At times the patrons join in. It's dark now, we have eaten well, and I am in heaven.
A tavola!
We started with two plates of antipasti: mussels plus a plate of anchovies with olives and toasted bread. Solanne refused to try any of it, but Maia was game, though she enjoyed the mussels far more than the anchovies. Next, the girls shared a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce (how adventurous!). Derek had a traditional Ligurian dish of fettucini with seafood. I had a similar dish of spaghetti with clams and mussels. For secondi, Derek had the swordfish and I had the local fish (I should have asked what it was; it was so tender it fell off my fork), served with potatoes, clearly not their specialty, but by then I was full enough and so satisfied, that I could not complain.
We washed it all down with a bottle of San Pelligrino and a half litre
of wine. All for a delicious hundred euros, including cover and taxes. I could stay here forever.
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