April 25, 2008 noon ish Friday
"Quite close to Salerno there is a coast towering over the sea that the inhabitants call della Costa Amalfitana, full of small villages, gardens and fountains. Among these there is one called PRAIANO."
Another lemony blue day iin Praiano. Right at this moment neighboring men are calling back and forth to each other across the hillside. Standing on their terraces and chatting in the way only Italians can do. All words ending on an upnote.
Carol just returned from a hike up to an old convent. 3x the stairs of yesterday to La Gavitella! The views were fabulous, she reported. A report of said adventure is all I need. I have planted myself here on the bottom terrace under the bamboo pergola from which I receive the perfect amount of filtered sunglight.
There is a lemon tree winking at me directly to my right/front and I have no need to leave. EVER. It's our last day on the Amalfi Coast and I want to soak up every drop of enchantment I can wring out of Le Arcate – our villa by the pearly blue sea, which today is as calm and still as a mirror shining up to the sky.
A sailing boat, ferries, and other sea craft are gliding along far down below. Journal materials are scattered across the wooden slatted table. I have paper, pens, books, water, coffee, sunglasses, camera, and poncho. Going to the bathroom is the only good reason I can see for moving.
April 25, 2008 10 pm ish
We just returned from a short stroll to the lookout point down the street.
Was it already 5 days ago that we saw the fog rolling down below, covering everything in milky white sheets of mist? We sat on the stone benches built into the curve of the wall and looked out at the twinkling lights of Positano on the far shore. All the little villages bright clusters of tangled starlight under the black sky. What a safe place. A good place. A fine place to implant wondrous experiences of childhood. I imagine all the townspeople tucked into their plump beds, safe and warm in their sleeping and dreaming. Heads nodding off on storybook pillows. Drifting off to a land of talking birds and giant animals.
Thank you for indulging me this: the world's longest travel report. I've answered a few questions in the comments section. I am NOT in Italy now. I DID make it back up the down staircase. I DID NOT travel with my sewing machine, although Stephen I will take you up on your offer for next year's trip as my baggage porter. A couple of posts about Rome and this episode of travel blogging will conclude. xo
thank you for taking us all along!!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us . Your photos are amazing and your journaling par none
Namaste
Wow, thank you. I’m working to keep my mind off of a fire that may or may not reach us, and your travel journal is so much more than just what I needed. Wonderful, wonderful. And thank you for sharing it all with us. Your insight and point of view is as spectacular as the subjects you capture in photos and words.
This looks like such a magical place…and your journal seems to be equally magical as well!
Breathtaking, All of it. The photos. The words. The stairs. The sea.
I have made my husband, my son and my daughter-in-law look at every picture with me. It has to be shared. You, dear Mary Ann, are the queen of everything.
That looked like the most amazing trip ever. the journal pages let me wanting more…an now I think i need to visit Italy-Thank you so much for sharing
I just hopped over and I am glad I did! Thank you for “bringing us along” on your travels. I’m in awe.
Repeating the others when I cry “No, you are not taxing us at all, we would love even more posts transporting us to those shores, stairs and skies” You bring out the best in your readers.
Thank you again for your generous spirit, your words, your pictures and your vision.
sigh
Wow, that was wonderful. I love your journal and your photos. So beautiful.
I have really enjoyed your travelogue and journaling. Thanks for sharing!
Indulging you? Oh no no no no. Rather you are indulging us…..
Sharing your lovely time…………..
Have you considered formal publication? I would buy one. Two. Three. What better gift, in the darkest time of the year, for those facing a flowerless cold and monochromatic season?
I have to tell you that I am so thoroughly enjoying your journey. I think you have been to heaven on earth!!! Your journal is absolutely stunning too!
This is beautiful! I was trying to plan a trip to Italy this summer, then decided to wait. I have to get it planned tho – maybe next summer – I wasn’t sure where to go before….now I have a much better idea. Will continue to be in touch.
Yes, I should hope that you DO apologize for knocking our socks off, every damn post.
I now have NO socks.
I will go head to head with Stephen, competing for the Baggage Porter spot on the next trip.
Once again, M.A.,…
Post Perfection.
ox
Lisa H.
I don’t want it to end.
Happy Mother’s day to the Mom of the Cat Posse!
lemony blue…
lemony blue…
lemony blue…
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
lemony blue…
xox – eb.
I have loved experiencing this trip through your eyes and descriptions. The Amalfi Coast is on my dream board and I wake up to look at it every morning – your travelogue has been a joy to me. You are a wonderful wordsmith. Thanks for sharing. I wonder – do you add your photos upon your return home or do you get them printed while you are traveling? I am thinking you write while on the road and then add images, embellishments and photos later – correct?
thank you, mary ann…
god M.A. it is so beautiful – what’s wrong with you? You came back? We need to get together soon. I still need to touch that book in person and visit the posse. My coyote says “hi” and dance shoes should happen tomorrow.
Dont stop I’m living this vacation vicariously through you! karen…
I don’t know…it doesn’t look like you had much fun…
OH MAN…I don’t have enough adjectives to describe how I feel looking over your shoulder on this fantastic trip. I have been reading and looking for some time now, will have to come back and soak in some more of this luscious-ness.
x…x!!