view of Monterosso from the sea
Much like with a person, it’s possible to fall in love with a place. I experienced this several times during my journey around the world. But it was Monterosso al Mare, and the breathtaking landscape of Cinque Terre that captured my heart. A serendipitious encounter, or coup de foudre as they say in French, much like the meeting with my Italian. Little did I know this place, that I had promised at least a piece of my heart to, would in time become my home.
Monterosso as the sun sets
This weekend, my Monterosso born Italian and I should be serenely tucked away amidst this dramatic landscape, celebrating his parents’ wedding anniversary upon the same setting where we recently celebrated our own. Instead, the ever unpredicatable mother nature had other plans. As the world is well aware, these 5 towns, particularly Monterosso and Vernazza, have suffered terribly due to intense flash floods. Global warming being the cause. Several lives lost and many people without homes and businesses, being the result. Within only a few hours, this past Tuesday the region was suddenly hit with 20 inches of rain, causing rivers to overflow and sweep through the villages. Thankfully, my Italian’s family, friends and most villagers are all safe.
enroute to Vernazza by boat
My heart breaks for these people who I have gotten to know through the last few years. Amidst the language and cultural barriers, I have been accepted into this land, not only by my Italian’s family but by the many kind-hearted and hard-working locals. My thoughts and prayers are with all those going though such hardship in Monterosso, Vernazza and neighboring villages.
view of Vernazza
Why I am writing this is not to post photos of the devastation and mourn the loss of a village, quite the contrary. My purpose it to celebrate the strength and resilience of this village and it’s people. Already, only a few days after this natural disaster, so much has been done by the locals and their neighbors, to assist in the clean-up and reconstruction. Even my Italian’s sister has been aiding in cooking for the many left without homes, food, or gas. His aunt, uncle and cousins too. Proof that the heart of a village can overcome even the toughest of obstacles.
a vision of natural beauty
Cinque Terre, and my beloved Monterosso, will remain one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Many thoughts to your Italian family. Hoping the water only makes the place somehow more beautiful !
Thank you Caroline! Let’s hope all looks as it did before, sooner than later.
Wishing the Cinque Terre a rapid comeback! So glad that your family and friends find themselves safe and in the comfort of each others company.
Merci ma belle!
Kasia, my heart goes out to the people of the beautiful Cinque Terre region and particularly those in Monterosso. My wife and I toured the area last October and found the area to be one of the most memorable we’ve seen in our travels. In fact, I have numerous pictures of the Cinque Terre region on the walls of my house. I hope that things get back to as normal as they can in as short a time as possible. And I hope your family members know that things will get better with time.
Thank you for your warm sentiments Mr. Ornstein. It’s such a uniquely beautiful part of the world, as you have experienced. Hard not to fall in love with this hidden paradise. The people of Cinque Terre are strong and very unified and they have already made much progress towards the clean-up, particularly the youth. In no time at all it will look as it had before, and most importantly it will be safe again.
Happy to hear that your family in Monterosso is safe, but my heart goes out to those whose lives have been impacted by this intense storm in Monterosso and Vernazza, and beyond. Love everything you said in your post, particularly about the strength and resilience of the people in this incredibly beautiful, and special place on earth. Thinking of Liguria.
Many thanks for your warm thoughts Marisa. It is an incredibly special place on earth. Monterosso is well under way of being cleaned up, but the worst hit was been Vernazza. I hope they too will recover soon.
I saw this on the news and was saddened to see the destruction as the waters swept through. It’s hard when it touches so close to people and the world you love – I watched the Australian floods sweep through my sister’s village earlier this year – and to feel so useless because of the distance.
Despite the heartache that comes from such a force of mother nature, it does bring out the strength of the community, as you’ve said is happening in Monterosso. Courage to them all in this difficult time and may the Cinques Terres come back stronger, united and more beautiful than before.
Carina, it’s true how different it feels when it’s your home and you fear for the lives of people you love. I’m sorry about your sister’s village. And yes, this is when the strength of the community comes through. It’s incredible to hear about how everyone is working so hard to clean up the landscape and restore ‘normalcy’ to the village. Very heart-warming. Thank you for your kind words, I hope your family in Australia is well.
Glad to hear that your Italian’s family is okay. Cinque Terre is truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and I have complete faith that it will continue to be so following the clean-up and restorations.
You and I both. Thanks Linda!
You always write with such emotion and purity. I hadn’t even heard about the flash floods, but what a devastating reminder of the fragility of our planet. People on the other hand, like you said, are so amazingly resilient and strong. Thinking of your Italian’s family and the whole community. (And missing you!) xo
So sorry Kasia…your heart must ache for the people and the place. It is very touching that you write of their strength & resiliency, I believe it, and they will overcome the tragedy.
I visited Cinque Terre last year with my parens and agree it’s one of the most magical places on earth. Prayers and thoughts are with the community. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Rachel. It’s unlike any place in the world, as you have seen for yourself. It will return, in time.
The region will bounce back stronger than ever after overcoming this! Thinking of you.
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