TriptoSouthernItaly

Sept 13, 2019 Today was our kill yourself in Rome day. We got going pretty early and walked this city. Managed to hit all the main sights in addition to doing a tour in the Colosseum and getting into the Vatican! We were so hyped. Avi really wanted to go into the Vatican but the lines were literally a mile long when David and I were here last. We had to buy a tour to get in. This time, we waltzed in with no line at all. The crowds inside were insane as always but Avi got to see it all, including the Sistine Chapel. We were numb by the time we got out. Just so much to see. It is hard to take it all in.  We are headed home tomorrow. What a great trip. We are all ready to return home and are glad home is the good ol USA where vegetables are abundant and beds are soft. 

Sept 12, 2019 Another brutal travel day. We had full intention of having a nice relaxing Italian coffee and breakfast before leaving the sleepy little town of San Vito Lo Capo. Got ourselves up and packed and went to pay our ticket first at the police station, thinking it would take just a few minutes. Nope. Police sent us to the post office to pay it and then told us to return when paid. The post office was slower than molasses in January and there was a line of people in front of us. By the time we finally got it paid and returned to the police station to have them "file" our ticket and xerox a copy for us, we had to get on the road without a minute to spare. No computers used here folks. Just weird. Everything communicated with paper. We hit the road with 90 km to drive to the airport and not a minute to spare.  None of us had eaten or even had a cup of coffee. No time. David drove like an Italian bat out of hell and I just held my breath much of the time. We got to th...

Sept 11, 2019 Woke up at 6:30 am this morning and fell asleep a little earlier last night - maybe around 11:30. Sleep has been tough for me here and most nights, I've tossed and turned until 1 or 2 am. I think my clock is finally adjusting now that it is time to go home. David woke up shortly after me and we headed out for coffee before waking Avi. Just like everywhere in Italy, it doesn't matter where you go, they have expensive espresso machines and can make a delicious cappuccino. We had one coffee at the Bar by the beach and then walked down the beach sidewalk a little way and had another. We then headed back and woke up Avi. We had plans to hike and see the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. The Reserve was not very far from our place but it was another throw up road. Hairpin turns with feeling like one wrong move would send you to your death. Eventually we found a parking spot that we thought was a legal spot and headed into the Park. What a beautiful place. We hiked abo...

Sept 10, 2019 We packed up this morning and left our Air BnB in Cinisi. Found a new location in San Vito Lo Cabo that we reserved for the next two nights. Cinisi is about 60 min from San Vito Lo Cabo. Part of the drive is done on the main freeway which is a nice road. The second half of the drive is smaller and rougher highways. We really wanted to spend a day at the beach. We had a quick cup of coffee in Terrasini and got on the road. The drive was nice, interspersed with amazing vistas of the water and the mountains. Much of this area is very dry. We arrived at San Vito Lo Cabo and my first thoughts were that much of the area reminded somewhat of Arizona. The area has gigantic stunning mountain outcrops that are severe and beautiful. We found our Air BnB and got checked in. It is very humble and we paid a lot of money for it but it will work and at this point, no complaining will be done. We headed to the beach and had some pizza and coffee by the water and David and Avi immediat...

Sept 9, 2019 Well, we pulled the plug on our AirBnB in Palermo. Left the premises and lost $400. Couldn't face another night in that trap. I felt like I was being subjected to torture with my bed in the middle of the freeway. Couldn't do it and David was nice enough to allow me to pull the plug. We left Palermo and headed to Segesta Temple to spend the day. Ancient ruins and absolutely beautiful vistas. The temple was built in the 4th century BC, it is thought. There is a lot of mystery around the temple and many hypotheses. It is Greek architecture and nobody knows exactly why and it was never finished, also completely without reason that history provides. But it is massive and incredible to see. It sits all by itself in the middle of the country side and is awe inspiring. There is also a theater built from that era and we hiked to the top of the mountain to view that as well. The marriage of the ancient and the modern was never more obvious as we looked down onto modern r...

Sept 8, 2019 Today was a travel day. Got up and packed and left our lovely home in Vietri Sul Mare. We stopped in town for a delicious coffee and sandwich while overlooking the Amalfi Coast. It was one of those moments for me. Just happy to be there. Got on the road and headed for the airport. Getting to the airport, returning the car, shuttling back to the airport and boarding an Italian plane went rather uneventfully. The plane ride was short but not sweet. Loud and smelly and not very comfortable. Arriving in Palermo, Sicily we found our way to yet another rental car counter and picked up our car. This car is easier to drive per David and quite a bit more comfortable. It was about a 40 min drive to our Air BnB which also went quite smooth. A little bit of a challenge figuring out where out apartment was but we managed ok. All the Italian streets are the same, narrow and so difficult to figure out street names and where something is located. I think we are getting a little better...

Sept 7, 2019 Today was the day we determined to hike "Path of the Gods". This is a world famous hike that can be adapted in several ways. We opted to start in Bomerano and end in Nocelle, avoiding the 1700 steps that takes you down to Positano. Because we parked our car in Bomerano, we opted for an out and back hike instead of a point to point which is what most people do. Many people go all the way to Positano and then take the bus back to their car. However, the bus ride along the Amalfi Coast sounded like a really bad idea to us and we opted to return to our car on foot. We drove to the trail-head the long way but the quick way, that is to say we avoided the Amalfi Coast. It was a beautiful drive yesterday but we did not need a repeat. On the way, we stopped at Pimonte for a coffee and a little something to eat. If you want something besides pastry for breakfast, you are destined for pizza. That's about it. So pizza it was. None of us were up for sugar. Pimonte is a ...

Sept 6, 2019 We got up earlier this morning to get on the road for our Amalfi Coast Kayaking adventure. We were out the door at 8 am. Stopped in town for a quick coffee and a pizza/pastry and we were on our way. Wow oh wow. The Amalfi Coast drive deserves it's reputation. It took a full hour to go about 13-14 miles. Narrow winding streets that would be too narrow for a one way street at home but here, it is a two way street. Hairpin curves and cars and pedestrians inches from each other. David is totally amazing. I would have had to just stop in the middle of the road and cry. Kind of like being on top of a black diamond ski run and knowing you don't have the skills to get down but that is the only thing you can do. Of course, the beauty of this drive is also reputed and deserved. Majestic cliffs line the highway and sparkling turquoise waters lay at the bottom of the cliffs. We finally safely arrived at the spot we were supposed to meet the Kayak Guide but it was not without...

Sept 5, 2019 This has been one of those travel days to try the most sturdy traveler.  We got all packed up and out of our apartment by 11:00 am this morning and David actually figured out how to call a taxi in Italian. He has been managing his Italian really well this trip, unlike me. As soon as I try and talk, I'm searching for words and can't remember what word I need. I'm blaming it on a change in diet, sleep and exercise. I feel like all the brain gains I've made have disappeared. In any case, we got a taxi and went to Budget to rent a car. That all went pretty much to plan even though the way it is done would never pass muster at home. We rented the car and then were sent across busy streets without cross walks to pick up our car, all the while feeling like our life was about to end. We managed to grab a quick coffee on the way to pick up the car since we'd had nothing to eat or drink. With our new Italian car, we headed to Pompei, which is on the way to our ...

Sept 4, 2019 We are in Naples. Land of cobbled and narrow streets, scooters everywhere, castles and delicious Italian food. We all crashed and burned into our beds last night, truly exhausted from travel. I woke at 7:30 and felt great.  Couldn't believe I slept through the night and effortlessly transitioned into a different time zone. I headed out about 9 am to grab my first Italian Caffe Latte as David and Avi were still sleeping. When I returned, the guys were still asleep! I read a while and David got up about 10:00.  We realized that he had slept about 15 hours! Of course, he did not sleep a wink on the airplane or train and did not take a nap when we arrived, unlike Avi and me. We let Avi sleep a bit longer but by 11:30, he was awake and we were ready to explore. First stop was breakfast and coffee. I guess you could call it breakfast. It was actually typical Italian fare - sandwiches with mozzarella cheese and amazing tomatoes and pizza. Delicious. We then headed ou...

Sept 2-3, 2019 We spent Sept 2 in NYC waiting for our flight out at 6:49 pm. David and Avi got an Uber and went into Brooklyn and had lunch with Jim. I stayed back and worked as I was trying to close out the month. Took about five hours but so happy to get it done!! Headed to the airport about 4:00 pm to find out our flight was delayed. Delays kept being announced as we waited. We finally boarded the airplane at 8:00 pm and then sat another hour waiting to get clearance for takeoff. Finally in the air but it was a long and grueling trip for some reason. Nothing felt comfortable. Neither Avi or David slept at all. I slept maybe an hour or so. We arrived in Rome and headed to the train station to catch our train to Naples with a transfer in downtown Rome. And of course, the train had issues and we ended up being delayed another hour. We were all three completely and totally exhausted when we arrived in Naples at about 4 pm. We got settled in our Air BnB and Avi and I both took a nap....

Sept 1, 2019 We are celebrating Avi's graduation from University of Pacific with him by going to Italy. Today is the first day of travel and we flew from SF to New York. It was an uneventful travel day. I have been working around the clock to close out the month prior to leaving on vacation. I have a couple hours more to do tomorrow before we fly out to Italy in the evening but I'm almost there. Tonight we went a few miles away from our hotel to have genuine New York Pizza. A little hole in the wall place that doesn't even take credit cards but the pizza was delicious. Avi wanted Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream and then instantly regretted it - too sweet and too much peanut butter. Typical over the top Cold Stone. I am exhausted and am hoping a good night's sleep helps my view of life tomorrow.