La Dolce Vita

Each weekend of the summer, my host family makes a two hour trek by car to the beach town of Loano, which lies between gorgeous green mountains and the pristine Mediterranean sea. After a long winding journey through countless tunnels we find ourselves in the quaint seaside town of Loano. Dating back to Medieval times, Loano has evolved into a popular but quiet tourist spot where sea bathers from Italy, France, Germany, and many other countries come to soak up the rays on the shore.
That night, we ventured into the mountains to eat at a trattatoria perched precariously on the side of the mountain sloping gently to the sea. Situated at the very top of the mountain stood a tiny, quiet little chapel, bearing no flashy facades or fanfare. The doors stood open to reveal a brilliantly lit, but nonetheless simple interior of a few rows of pews and a modest crucifix suspended from the ceiling. Though completely empty but for me, I tiptoed over to the last row of pews, not wanting to disturb the silence. After a legnthy prayer, i sat in the calm of the church, listening to the wind on the mountains, and the sound of the sea far below.