Onward Hoe!

Flexibility is key. Plans change. I was coerced, nay, arm-twisted (and not much at that) to stay in Cinque Terre for 1 more day. Another fabulous day. We hiked through the first 3 towns and then up a mountain until my flip-flopped feet couldn't handle the trail any more. Then Peter accompanied me back to Riomaggiore where we caught up with Chris, Raja, and Jacqe (newly nicknamed ¨TJ¨ or ¨Tourguide (Jacqe)¨). They were cliff-jumping. I'd like to think that I would have done it too if I'd been there at the time of ultimate inspration and decision, but I also know that it would have scared the bejeezus out of me. Oh well, I missed it anyway. So we cruise back up to the rooms to wash off and then meet back for pizza. Pizza for dinner down on the rocks with the 2 new roomies Peter picked up (Bruno and Elvis), having lost Chris and Raja to the notion of camping out on the beach. I'd intended to leave in the afternoon, and had therefore forfeited my bed for the night, but finding myself again in need of a resting place and enjoying the company immensely, camping suddenly sounded like the best idea ever. Somehow we coerced (er...arm-twisted--no, we just asked and she was all over it) Jacque into hanging out as well so the 4 of us were up for a slumber party. We had to party first though. The ¨phat phive¨ (original strangers) planned a sunset gathering on the rocks from the previous night's viewing. Another Bob Ross moment would have been possible had we not just started the climb out when the sun ducked behind the mountain. The sky was still pretty, though, and we somehow found 7 other people who thought our idea a good one, so all 12 of us enjoyed wine and company, discussing top TV shows of all time and stupid human tricks until it was dangerously dark and the already perilous rocks soaked by the crashing waves (it wasn't really that dangerous...I just thought it sounded more poetic that way). The only casualty on the trek back was an empty bottle. The party continued, people came and went, some Italians smoked weed while most of us avoided them (Elvis joined them), Jacqe and I talked about music and our mutual love of Jesus (I gave her some suggested artists to pick up immediately...ahem Shane...and we became BFF's), the party broke up, and we went in search of a place to rest our weary heads. But Jacqe had to change so we went back to her (my old) room where Dad was nowhere to be found. He was out on a hot date with Joan Ph.D., and this was problematic only because he had the key to the room. Luckily the window was open so Chris just climbed in and we added breaking and entering to our super fun day. I was glad that nobody else was there for him to scare to death. Fully and appropriately dressed and armed with a fleece blanket, 2 sheets, and a sarong, we scouted out a few spots before settling on a nice little overlook platform and setting up camp for the night. No sooner had we laid down our blanket and copped a squat than who should ascend from t he rocks below...but Dad and Joan Ph.D! Chris chit-chatted with her about literature and art while Raja and I had an 80's power ballad sing-along. Jacqe, being roughly, a fetus when REO Speedwagon was big didn't have much to add to our revelry, but I think she enjoyed listening to both conversations.

We giggled ourselves nearly to death, resolved to stay awake for the sunrise, and then fell promptly asleep.