Day 21

June 14
Today was a day of rest. I woke up later than usual, went to breakfast where I once again consumed an inhuman amount of food, and then left the hotel for a bit of light shopping. The first item on my list was to go back to the hole-in-the-wall wood working shop to buy hand carved pieces for my new chess board. The elderly man who owned the shop carefully packed each piece into a box padded by bubble wrap. We decided to traverse a new road and managed some light shopping along the way. We returned to the hotel at about noon and Nanny took a nap while I fiddled around on the computer. Gelato seemed to be in order so we could stave off the munchies, the massive breakfast keeping our bellies from needing a real lunch. After that we dropped our packages and purchases back at our wonderful hotel and had to leave not long after that because the housekeepers needed to clean our room.

From the hotel we walked down the street to a small souvenir shop where I intended to buy a pair of handmade sandals. We sat there in that store as the owner of the store sat down to a shoe bench and custom made me a pair of shoes. It reminded me very much of A Tale of Two Cities and I couldn't help but wonder as well if he had small elves finish his work when he went to bed at night. When he had nailed in the last strap and made sure that I was one hundred percent satisfied I paid and left.

Dinner time was soon upon us and we headed back to a small restaurant we had dine at a day or two ago. I had ravioli and Nanny had spaghetti. Charmed by the good food and prompt service, I ordered a desert, not really knowing what it was, only that it was lemon something or other. Our waiter came to the table, rattled something in Italian, crossed the street and disappeared down a road on the other side. Nanny and I joked that he had gone to buy the desert and I figured mama in the kitchen had sent him out for some ingredient or another. Not long after, he returned carrying a yellow package. He soon brought out a small two layer cake sort of like a big vanilla wafer covered with a lemon cream. I ate it with a cappuccino and it was perfectly amazing. I was inclined to write down the name of this heavenly sweet; Deliza al limone. Nanny noticed the restaurant had a website and had me write it down as well. We plan to go back tomorrow and I'll take pictures of the storefront then.

Here is the website and if anyone is coming to Sorrento I fully recommend eating here

http://www.caffedelmare.it/

Day 20

We sailed to the island of Capri today. After another large and beautiful breakfast, we went out in search of the ferry by which we were instructed to travel. The hotel has an elevator that goes from the bottom floor all the way down the cliffside to the beach below. The walk was enjoyable, although a few stops for directions were necessary. Nanny bought a shawl to keep the sun off her arms, as she is now a rather brown color and constantly complains of sunburn. We sat atop the boat and were windblown and chilly by the time we finally reached the shores of our destination, despite our usage of the shawl as a blanket. The coast was lined with little shops and restaurants. As we exited the ferry, people were lining up to attend tours of the island. Nanny decided that we would take a railcar up the incline to a higher place on a mountainside. We soon found that the shops there contains similar, or in some cases exactly the same, items that can easily be found back in Sorrento, but here they were charging double and triple the price. The shawl that Nanny had paid five Euros for was being sold here for ten and fifteen. Despite all of this the town did provide us with lovely window shopping and a breathtaking view, as well as some decent gelato. From this point we took a bus to the area known as Anacapri, where we did more window shopping. Sandals I had seen in gift shops near the hotel for thirty Euros were now being displayed in windows and storefronts for sixty, and even eighty. The plan from there was to take a bus to something called Grotto Azzurra, which we did. These busses climb the mountains through roads made of hairpin turns. On the occasion that another bus or car needed to pass us we slowed down a little and I swear if I had stuck my pinky finger out of the window I might have lost it on a sideswipe. We got off on the edge of a cliff and had to climb three or four flights of stairs before we were informed that the grotto was closed for the day. I did go down that extra flight to take a few pictures anyway. The water here is so blue you would think the people must have dyed it that way. Back on the bus and another cringe worthy ride or two and we were finished with the island of Capri. Although stunningly beautiful and fun for tourists, I do believe that I like the Sorrento area much better. We ate after we had gotten off the ferry and had a small and embarrassing communication issue over silverware and did a little shopping to finish up the day. On our way in we had a little trouble calling the elevator down. Some guy sweeping the sidewalk instructed Nanny to “push push push push the but-ton” in order to alert someone in the hotel to bring the elevator down. His enthusiasm did nothing to ease our full bladders and when the elevator finally did open its doors we were rather relieved. Tomorrow is regroup day, when we will attempt to fit all of our treasures into our suitcases without squishing, breaking, smashing, destroying, or killing any of our new or old possessions.
This is the grotto from above. Look at that water!








Here is more info on the blue grotto and some pictures from inside
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Grotto

Day 19

We had a driver pick us up from the hotel at 9:00 this morning and drive us all around the coast and through the mountain. Breakfast in this place is wonderful. Honestly I'm too tired at the moment to do much here, but I'll give you some pictures for now.

BOTH of these are lemons. Not kidding

This is a "flying basket"

It's what you use to transport

the stuff you don't want to lug up

the mountainside.

Pompeii

So I bought a handmade inlaid wooden chess board with (I think) piano finish. It cost me a pretty penny but I couldn't resist- despite the fact that I do not even know how to play. I really thought it would be great to buy something inlaid here from Sorrento, but when I entered the store recommended by our driver I just couldn't see myself loving a jewelry box as much as I would something I might find a bit more useful. I bought it without the pieces, as I was not very fond of the ones in the store. It is actually a box with a small lock on it, in which I can store the pieces, when I find some. Please excuse the terrible lighting and crookedness of the photos. More on the actual trip part of the day coming sooner or later.

Day 18

Pope Day had arrived. After waking up early so as get the very best seats, we hurried our way across the mile or so Vatican City where the line to get in was not even long. After a little confusion we found the section in which we were to do our pope viewing. The distance between ourselves and his holiness was minimal, and an excited buzz started up around us. With a full two and half hours until the popemobile was scheduled to carry its precious cargo, we sat down and got comfortable. After about an hour or so, we heard a drum beat coming from the left side of the square. A school or organization of some sort had come out to provide those waiting with a little entertainment in the form of flag tossing, trumpets, and drums. This went on for quite some time, helping the time to slug its way along. The Vatican became full to the edges with people and the square was a colorful fidgeting mass. Finally, at a few minutes after 10:30, the pope came out in his popemobile and made the rounds about the square, and then walked up the few steps to his chair under the shade of a canopy type thing. About five or so priests approached the microphone and did the welcome spiel in their respective languages. Then the pope said a prayer or two. Then the priests each went up one at a time and introduced the groups and organizations that were present in the audience. This took up the bulk of the time. After that that pope said another prayer, blessed us and our families, and it was over. The time now being 12:00 or so, Nanny and I shot out of there. Hotel checkout time was now, and we felt it rude to be late. We rushed back, faster than we had come, and burst in to the hotel and gathered our belongings from the room. As there was an hour or two until we had to be at the train station, I ran and did a bit of last minute shopping. We then entered a taxi and were off to the station. The ride to Naples was uneventful, other than the immense fun we had, as usual, handling our luggage. However in was in the Naples train station that we discovered we would have to take the metro to Sorrento. Not an easy accomplishment with two flights of stairs down, a million people pushing past and surrounding us, and little idea what we were doing. However we crammed ourselves and our possessions into the car, to the dismay of our fellow passengers, and did our best not to roll over any toes our completely fall over anyone. A taxi brought us to our hotel, and it was a true relief to finally be here. In the room we discovered a jar of orange marmalade, which we ate along with cheese, bread, crackers, and an apple for dinner. I could hardly make it to the bed before crashing to a much needed sleep.

Let's play a game. FIND THE POPE

Now try this one

Day 17

We went to the catacombs and did it ever take some effort getting there. We were instructed to walk miles (I think) to the nearest metro station. It really doesn't sound so hard just to walk, but really when you are in a foreign land far from your destination, the more appropriate word is navigate. So that is what we did. Map in hand, comfy shoes on, we brazenly tread across the city, farther than we have had to walk as of yet. Not only did we have to concentrate on not getting lost, it also becomes an issue to try and keep from becoming road kill when the sidewalks are shoulder width- if they even exist- and there is constant competition for the parts that don't drip mysterious liquid upon those unfortunate enough to stand below. We also had to fight the innate urge to shop along the way. We had been informed before we left the hotel that the catacombs are open from 8:00am until 12:00pm, after which they close and reopen at 2:00 and shut down for the day at 5:00. We left the hotel around 8:00am. With time pressing in, we made it to the metro. Nanny had bought a walking stick for an elderly cousin along the way, despite my nervous protest. After a few stops riding the metro, we got off in an entirely new landscape. Next we had to cross six or so lanes of traffic and track down a bus. I zipped across, now more accustomed to the European art of automobile dodging, unlike Nanny who understandable preferred to wait for a larger lull in cars. We had to ask more than one person for directions, and eventually found the bus we needed. The ride was bumpy and slightly confusing, but we made it off alright and followed the yellow signs and arrows that pointed our way to the catacombs. We made it there around 12:15, past closing time. A two hour wait lay ahead of us, but the sun was shining that there were fields and trees and it was a generally peaceful place. People began gathering around 1:45 and we finally were able to purchase our tickets. The tour did not allow us to take pictures but I did get some of the surrounding areas.


The journey back to the hotel was easier being as we had some idea where we were supposed to go and when we did make it back we were exhausted. However the day was not done, as we had arrangements to see the pope the next day and we had to pick up our tickets from the US bishops office. A very small rest and change of footwear later and we were on the road again. The office wasn't far and I had some idea of its location, but still it was a rough walk for our tired bodies. Once inside, a very cheerful nun with beautiful teeth gave us the lowdown on the event, such as where we were to enter, sit, exit, what to wear, and so forth. A priest gave us our tickets in an envelope, and when we opened them they were a yellow color. These tickets were for a special area around the pope, closer than the general public seats. Nanny was so excited that we had these special tickets that she felt rejuvenated and didn't even mind the walk home.

Day 16

June 9
After another lovely breakfast in our room we headed out in search of the bus that would take us on a tour around Rome. We were just rounding a corner onto a main street, wondering where we would go from there, when I spotted it sitting at the stop almost as if waiting just for us. We paid our dues and climbed up to the top level for maximum city viewing. The bus took us around Vatican city, the rough audio guide spewing facts and dates into our ears through the neon plastic earbud headphones. Buildings and monuments, fountains and piazzas, all around the city we rode. When we arrived at the coliseum stop, we gathered our belongings in a hurried manner and with one last look around to make sure that nothing of vital importance was left behind, we hopped off the bus. What a sight. Nanny had to stop and sit down so she could “take it all in” When she had finished that we walked around it and finally found an entrance. That was probably the fastest moving line we’ve been in this entire vacation, although it was pretty long. I have noticed that while we were in Paris many of the museums let people under eighteen in for free, and seniors had a discount. However here in Italy, you have to be a resident of Europe to receive discounts; otherwise you just have to suck it up and pay full price. The floor of the stadium was smaller than I has thought, and it was appeared to be a maze of half walls, overgrowth, and ruins. After walking all around the bottom floor I valiantly climbed the dauntingly steep stairs to the second floor. Nanny only made it half way up and decided that she would just wait for me there. I don’t blame her. The assent was sloped and the stairs were large and every step felt like you might get pushed off the edge and go rolling down faster than Jack and Jill. Once out of the stairwell the view was even better than from the first floor. The land surrounding the amphitheater was quite a sight as well. After making the rounds I climbed back down the stairs and exited the famous roman landmark. We decided to walk around more and went up a road that led to a small chapel. Tired and sundried, we headed back for the bus, which we rode back to the familiar area surrounding the hotel, and had a nice lunch of sandwiches. We took a rest at the hotel and then decided to go in hunt of a supermarket. We had two ask about three different people as to where exactly it was located, but eventually we found it and purchased cheese, crackers, more cheese, some fruit and wine. Lugging it home was quite the exercise and by the time we arrived in our room it was a struggle just to sit down fast enough. We napped for a while and then had a simple but filling dinner of our hard earned supermarket booty. We have decided it to call it a night early so as to be revitalized for tomorrow.

Day 15

June 8
As today is Sunday we elected to make it Vatican day, as many of the other stops on our stay in Rome may or may not have been closed for this holy day of rest. Breakfast arrived in our room promptly at 8:30. I had my cappuccino, yogurt, and croissant in bed; it was lovely. We dressed and headed out of the door on directions from our hostess. We had chosen to walk the half mile rather than trying to take a bus or taxi. When we arrived in Vatican city, it was strangely not overcrowded and we could even walk from one place to another without getting stepped on. After walking to the entirely wrong side of the Vatican, the sky began to send down a sprinkle of rain. It was then that we realized that we had absolutely no rain gear with us. By the time we had walked to the other side of the Vatican and found the line in which to wait for entry, the sprinkle transformed into a moderate shower. Despite the fast motion of the line we were still soaked to the bone by the time we had reached cover. Most of the line was covered and we ran through the parts that were not. Once inside the Vatican, we elbowed our way to the back of the church where the Sunday mass was being held. We had to stand in the back with a crush of other people all bobbing and swaying for a view of the alter. After a little more than an hour, the many priests and holy people proceeded out and we were smooched between waves of tourists trying to squeeze through the tiny gate that separated the mass area from the rest of the church. Still rather more than a little damp, we waited the five or ten minutes outside for the pope to come hang out of a teeny window high up above us and say the angelus. By this time the cats, dogs, elephants, and buckets that had been wreaking havoc upon our heads had been reduced to a mild mist and we made our way back to the hotel for a rest. I was so whooped I didn’t even want to venture out again. We checked our maps and tourist books and decided that the Parthenon was close enough for us to venture out in search of.
After we had made our way around the Parthenon and had a cappuccino to revitalize our weary soulds we made a pass through the surrounding areas. Nanny found a jewelry store to fall in love with and about a block later so did I. It was called LALA Italia and all the furniture and interior was white and the jewelry was organized by color. I immediately found a few things I just had to have and picked them up and carried them as I worked around the small shop in search of more. Come to find out, I had been carrying the displays (whoops) and the clerk tried her best to explain this matter to me. When it finally clicked I felt my face flush and handed my treasures back to her. I do believe I will have to go back and spend a small fortune on new jewelry. We came back to the hotel, dropped off our things, watched a little television and then walked two doors down to a restaurant. I ordered pasta alfredo and when the waiter brought it to me it look a bit more like mac and cheese. However a bite or two revealed it to be nicely seasoned and a pretty good meal. I am looking forward to more nights in our quaint hotel and tomorrow we plan to visit the roman catacombs and the coliseum.



Nanny has found herself a new best friend. I think he's a keeper =]