"...the love you make
is equal to the love you take."
The End (the Beatles)
is equal to the love you take."
The End (the Beatles)
So much love to share today. From the superficial to the heartfelt. Disclaimer: I have no rhyme or reason in choosing which parts of my recent jaunt I share with you at any given time. Story of my life actually, I go where the wind blows me at the moment. And today it's blowing us to the Cinque Terre in Italy. Specifically...the via dell'Amore. Which means: Pathway of Love.
A VERY brief Cinque Terre primer. Cinque (five) Terre (lands). Yep, now you are up to speed.
Five hamlets along the northwestern coast of Italy that are so isolated they are accessible only by boat and walking trails. The five towns are connected by an 8-mile trail. The first part of the hike is by far the easiest section to traverse because it is paved (the remaining sections aren't so accommodating). It is called via dell'Amore and connects the first two towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola in the Cinque Terre.
Five hamlets along the northwestern coast of Italy that are so isolated they are accessible only by boat and walking trails. The five towns are connected by an 8-mile trail. The first part of the hike is by far the easiest section to traverse because it is paved (the remaining sections aren't so accommodating). It is called via dell'Amore and connects the first two towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola in the Cinque Terre.
Manarola, Italy
(linked to: Shoot, Edit, Submit)
Riomaggiore, Italy
"Riomaggiore meets Manarola"
via dell'Amore
"via dell'Amore"
Cinque Terre, Italy
If your date doesn't merit the financial investment in a lock...there is always graffiti and love notes that serve a similar purpose at a lesser cost. But come on girls, let's not be a cheap date. Proudly claim the title of "high maintenance" and make your guy pull out a few Euro for a bona fide lock!!!!...
ORRRRRRR for the girl who has everything (AND everybody) already...
(Title suggestions???????)
Time for a quick photo-op
Thing #2 and Moi
(linked to: Shoot, Edit, Submit)
Riomaggiore, Italy
"Riomaggiore meets Manarola"
via dell'Amore
It's hard to imagine living in a village so secluded that one's whole life takes place solely within it's confines. Not hard to imagine the delight of teenaged boys and girls when a path was opened, after WWII, between Riomaggiore and Manarola. SHOCKER that it quickly morphed into a lovers' lane and meeting point to expedite expanding social circles (yeah, THAT was a politically correct way to put it). I might be old(er), but we use to have the same thing growing up...the Willow Grove Naval Air Base!!!!! I have to admit...much prettier here. Now that I'm 52 I'm kinda interested in the scenery.
"via dell'Amore"
Cinque Terre, Italy
The slightly less than 1-mile via dell'Amore is strewn with chains, tunnels, love notes, graffiti messages and all kinds of love locks. Tradition dictates locking your love onto a gate, and throwing the key into the Mediterranean to secure your everlasting love. If not everlasting, at least until a cuter guy with a sportier fishing boat pulls into dock (preferably with a name like 'Marcello').
If your date doesn't merit the financial investment in a lock...there is always graffiti and love notes that serve a similar purpose at a lesser cost. But come on girls, let's not be a cheap date. Proudly claim the title of "high maintenance" and make your guy pull out a few Euro for a bona fide lock!!!!...
"Tiamo"
via dell'Amore'
Cinque Terre, Italy
Or just a ribbon...
ORRRRRRR for the girl who has everything (AND everybody) already...
(Title suggestions???????)
It is said the Beatles got their inspiration for Abbey Road's "The End" from time spent in Cinque Terre and experiencing via dell'Amore.
It's easy to see how John, Paul, Ringo and 'my guy' George could be so easily inspired by the stunning ocean views, stone beaches imbedded in the cliffside, and studded picnic areas, as well as the love offerings...
Time for a quick photo-op
Thing #2 and Moi
Irina and Stefano where for art thou today? And if Irina is missing a pair of lace panties I just wanna say thanks for the laughs :).
All ya need is love folks. And apparently somewhere to express it.
Ciao...
--Kathy
linked to: This or That Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop, Shoot, Edit, Submit, Fabulous Friday, Friday Shoot Outs
Ciao...
--Kathy
linked to: This or That Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop, Shoot, Edit, Submit, Fabulous Friday, Friday Shoot Outs
Fun, fun, fun. Amazing nobody has taken those panties...they look like good ones! The locks and the endless forms of communicating love are lovely. :-)
ReplyDeletePictures just keep gettng better and better, Kathy.
susan
Holy WOW! First off I love the first shot - I love the colors- so beautiful! This must have all been incredible to see in person really! What a vacation! And that water- So beautiful too! Such a deep blue- totally different than carribean blue. This looks so much deeper and aqua!
ReplyDeleteIt IS different than the Carribean. Much richer blues in the Med. Yet still crystal clear like the Carribean.
DeleteWhat an awesome post .... I thoroughly enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have seen all that you saw (and to have experienced it with all your other senses too!!) - Thanks so much for sharing it with us...I LOVE the colors of the houses, and the stories wrapped up in this place!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back and know you had a awesome time in this gorgeous spot. I loved it when I was there! Great post and photos, and looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteThe locks are near and dear to me and I wonder if your story and the story of the licks I Shot in the Brooklyn Bridge are one and the same. Gorgeous photos Kathy.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I've run into the "love locks" in a few cities in Europe now: Paris, Florence, Prague. I think it is a tradition that perhaps started over there and morphed it's way to the States? Either way, I love it :)
DeleteI love the locks...and those panties. What a gorgeous place to visit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful...
ReplyDeleteWow! So many gorgeous photos! Looks like an amazing trip. I love the story of the locks. My favorite is the first photo with all the pastel colored buildings built on the mountain (or would you call it a cliff?) Either way, it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Funny too. Thank you for the smiles. :))
ReplyDeleteLovely love -photos! (by the way I have also love-post in my blog...http://matkantekijana.blogspot.fi/2012/08/rakkautta-pullopostilla-love-with.html
ReplyDeleteAfter another job rejection phone call I am really thinking of running away to that first picture, really really really considering it!
ReplyDeleteCan I tell you how badly I want to go to Italy?! LOVE the first two shots and the pantie shot is just too funny. Must have been a REALLY good date ;)
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful... I want to have a lock on their and throw our key into the med. What a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteMOllyxxx
Looks like an awesome place. I love the tradition of the locks. I wonder how many people have to send a diver to retrieve the key so they can later break up~ haha, just kidding. Ummm, so what happened at WGNAS? ;) You KNOW I am just kidding again!
ReplyDeleteThe WGNAS is but a fading memory Becky :)
DeleteAll the photos are wonderful, but I couldn't stop staring at the first one with the pastel buildings!!! I would hang that on my living room wall! AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI think you have a career as a photo-journalist. Great pics and interesting story.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos of a wonderful place. Really love your padlock shots, especially the last one. I thought that tradition was Asian - I wonder where it really started? I would really love a vacation in this place.
ReplyDeleteThat first photo just blew me away, such a stunning view around there.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!! I am so jealous. The photos are lovely and thank you for the tour. I may never see that place in person and I love the story around it. But maybe I could pack up and set up shop there selling locks (or panties). ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing and joining in.
I love Cinque Terra - we walked the trail from one end to the other - took the train one day, and the ferry back one day. one of my favorite spots ever. great photos.
ReplyDeletehttp://gingersflowers.blogspot.com/2008/03/colors-of-cinque-terra-italy.html
Those knickers need some bleach, stat! Great shots Kathy, I love you sharing your vacation with us.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots of Italy!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post. I thoroughly enjoyed your photos and your narration. I think in addition to inspiring the Beatles, Cinque Terra has now inspired me. I love all those locks. Yes, a tradition I would love to be part of.
ReplyDeleteIncredible! I would love to go to Italy someday! Hope we get to see more pictures!
ReplyDeleteOh my how beautiful and such an interesting post. Another one for my places to see list. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour first few shots look like paintings. Just the kind of place I would love to visit. I watch BBC TV series just for the scenery.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Pantylones - sounds a Italian for lone panties. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for making me completely jealous to the point of drooling (and not for the lacey undies). Wow what a gorgeous place to visit. I shall scroll on downward and toward further envy.
ReplyDelete