So Many Things

So many days of sunshine, wearing my sunglasses, enjoying a breeze when it comes. Where do we go today? Or do we just enjoy our spacious terrace, being apart of this small village? Naturally, there were excursions! We visited 3 different port cities of various sizes, each with their own unique flair. It's amazing to see how they have built these cities. The houses are all on top of each other, stacked up the hillside clinging to the rock. Great photo opts but no shot really does it justice. Due to the weather and a lust for more, we were compelled to try the gelato in each place! Comparison 'shopping' is important. Actually, Rome wins, the place on the Pantheon square. :)

Then, there was the day on the boat, a wonderful day. So many sites to drink in, caves to swim in and, of course, photos to take! This fine day stretched on not because it was something to be endured but rather because it was so glorious in fun, food, laughter, sun and warm water. Did I mention food? The day culminated in a grand feast. It was described as a 3 course meal with local wine. Well, in all honesty I think it was closer to 8 courses. (My heart and stomach want to say it was 16 courses so I've consciously cut that in half to be realistic!) The clean plates for the next course just kept coming (and our wine glasses were not allowed to be empty)! For at LEAST 3 of those clean plates I figured it had to be dessert – but NO!! Something else delectable was placed before us. I don't remember eating so much for a VERY long time. This was like being in the house of an Italian that loves to cook. It was a full-body experience in many ways!! (Sigh)

Not the Typical

As I find myself on the terrace content just to soak up the sites and sounds around me while reading occasionally from my book, I feel compelled to believe I'm not a typical tourist. I don't enjoy tours, visiting museum after museum, or a planned schedule of events that maximizes the tourist sites. Now, for example, I did go to the Vatican museum in Rome and St. Peter's – wouldn't have missed it for the world, even though it was my second time! But it was on my terms and at my pace. On the other hand, I also feel that relaxing at a cafe in the afternoon with an iced coffee (in Europe that usually means with ice cream! Yummy!) is as much about the culture as visiting sites. I love people watching and drinking in the pace of life.

We are on the Amalfi coast now for 2 weeks. So far we've done only one excursion to Sorrento. We took a boat there, making a stop at the island of Capri, and rode the bus back over the mountains. Each mode of transportation giving a unique experience and showing us different views. Sorrento is probably the biggest city on this piece of land that juts out into the Mediterranean. We enjoyed the shopping and energy of the bigger city.

Otherwise we have just explored on foot our little village of Praiano and enjoyed our wonderful terrace. While lounging on the terrace, about mid hill from the sea, I overlook the Mediterranean, watch some windsurfers and see the fishing boats and transportation boats come and go. I look at the houses around and see how they've decorated their patios, marvel at the vast differences in construction techniques and listen to scooters (the preferred mode of travel – easier to park!), delivery trucks (miniscule in comparison to ours) and the foreshortened buses as they go by periodically. Of course, I can't forget the church bells that peel their happy song (in my opinion) at indeterminate times! Even with the occasional rumblings and/or clanging bells it is peaceful and relaxing.

There are a few more places we will venture out to but there is no rush. Pompeii, water caves by Amalfi and Positano are on the list of possibilities and maybe some others. This is an awesome trip and as my mother would say, “Whatever you do, it's all gravy!” Praiano, I think, is designed to slow the pace down. So I'm embracing that! I'm even letting go in regard to the vanity I have about my hair!! :) I'm on vacation, after all!  

A Glimpse of Praiano

From our Terrace

Also from our Terrace

Twists and Turns

The title says it all when it comes to life on the Amalfi Coast. There are a few places along the coast that allow for a traditional beach setting, but by and large cliffs rise out of the sea. Streets and houses alike cling to the the rocky surfaces providing magnificent views.

Atrani - just one example, more to come!

We had a very full and exhausting travel day on Saturday. Exiting our apartment in Rome we found a taxi right at our doorstep even though we hadn't called for one! Piling in, we headed for the train station eager for our 2.5 hour ride to Salerno. I love train travel in Europe. You can see so much from a relatively comfortable seat – parts you'd never see otherwise, catching glimpses into the lives of those along the way. After arriving in Salerno we easily found the port and the boat we would take to Amalfi. All was going without a hitch! The boat ride was cool and satisfying just knowing I was on the Mediterranean Sea, plus the picturesque towns along the way, nestled between cliffs.

Once in Amalfi we were unable to catch the first bus because it was too crowded. Oh well – sit down and have a gelato!! Those are just the burdens to bear due to travel. :) We caught the next bus, told the bus driver the name of the stop we wanted and settled in for the ride. Certainly a lot of twists and turns on this bus route. The driver was less than helpful. He never called out any stop names, and when we finally pressed the stop button, ran to the front and made him open the door to talk to him, we find out our bus stop was 5 minutes ago!! Well, our hosts found us (no car) and we had a LONG way to walk (UPHILL) to get to our place. We're not sure that any stop we would have gotten off at would have provided an easy way. As I said before the houses cling to the cliffs, streets zig-zag up the hills or stairs are available which constitute 6 stories or so before reaching a street to cross and then more steps!

Traveling is an adventure. This is one of those stories to tell and as time goes by the temperature will be hotter, the way even longer and the uphill road will basically be like rock climbing with our suitcases strapped to our backs. (Actually Brian had both of the suitcases strapped to his back – my hero!!) After resting, we are enjoying the place thoroughly!