April 18, 2008
Swirling grey skies, cool moist air, and intermittent showers. Our vague plans to go to Ravello on the bus and walk down to Minori were dashed! Hopping the ferry to Positano seemed unwise in the choppy silver water. Being in the middle of an Italian dream of paradise meant that none of that mattered. "RAIN SCHMAIN!" we shouted and headed out to parts unknown. First stop The Duomo to explore its mysteries, but not before climbing all 63 wet steps to the top.
In the late morning we left the Piazza dei Dogi and headed up Salita San Nicola dei Greci – a series of staircases that led straight up to the top of Amalfi by the sea.
A curved even walkway ran the length of a cliff with houses built into its sides.
Mediterranean plants are tucked into every crack – salvia, sage, euphorbia, and many many more. Foamy sprays of blue, burgundy, yellow, and grey all along the walls.
There were gorgeous views of gunmetal grey sea which was churning in the light rain showers. All the boats rocked back and forth in the open water.
Windy, cool, and wet, the smell of chicken soup wafting over from someone's kitchen. One woman ran down the walk I am picking my way so carefully across, skipping down steps and under wooden trusses set along the high wall. Occasionally the sky opened and a little rain poured out. We stopped. For pictures made in the camera, and our minds which are full with LOOKING.
All the way we walked to the road tunnel then down one last staircase to the sea front and breakwater and a tiny shop where I bought 13 tiles that spell out "Moss Cottage" in the Amalfi style font. A good way to spend a lovely grey morning in Italy.
I am enjoying reliving my trip as I add the photos into the travel journal then share them here. Fortunately I have another week of vacation from school before I return to the classroom. I feel grateful to have experienced a small part of Italy and intensely content to pore over the writing and photos now.
oh the pink walls and your poetry of green and blooming things – I am in love – such exquisiteness – such living and breathing glory and joyfulness
cold compress please…
xox – eb.
HOly moly-what fun and what great pics
so beautiful- I want to touch that journal.
Awesome. Nothing short of ahhhhhh-some!
wow… this is all so delightful…
: )
Oh, the beauty, the *shiver* gray rain, the pink walls. Loving every shred of evidence. xo
More! MOre! I love it!!! karen b….
Come see my blog, I finally got it up! recycledrita.blogspot.com
up from the floor..one hand up on the surface of my desk, then the next. Now, hoist back up into the chair. Okay. Deep breath?…good.
You forgot to tell us that we need a manual to prepare us for the beauty and stunning exquisiteness of your “story”. I’m off to the hardware store to buy supplies for a seatbelt on the office chair.
Again, thanks for taking us along. Man, the tickets must have cost you a fortune!
ooxx
Lisa H.
I find myself cheering you for taking this adventure and chronicling it so meaningfully. A forever treasure
I’m loving your photos and journaling. I feel like I’m on the trip with you. It’s beautiful. Thanks for having me….
Enjoying April 17th & 18th with you… thanks for having me along! Let’s continue on the journey after we rest a bit, shall we?