The Road

April 16, 2008 10:15 p.m. Amalfi, Italy

Not gone to sleep yet! Couldn't get a wink of sleep on plane even though Dopey & Sleepy in front of us were conked out the entire trip. Here is where I begin to tell the major obstacles and how we overcame them and lived to eat a delicious plate of fried eggplant with tomatoes in a cozy restaurant filled with laughing Italians singling songs and living la vita pazzesca. In 5 brief chapters.

Our first stop was Amalfi and the charming, inexpensive, completely fabulous Hotel Floridiana. Trip Advisor was right on the money about this place. It exceeded our expecatations!

Chapter 1: The Flight - Time was lost. I'm still confused.
Chapter 2: Locauto or Our Rental Car Cannot Be Found - Wild goose chase #1 Theme song: Trouble. Cell phone doesn't work. No, it works we just don't understand the rapid fire Italian directions. Janitor in airport tries to help. Gives up. Shakes his head hands us back the phone.
Finally met nice Mormon family who took us under their large wings and guided us to safety (or at least to the rental car place which is NOT in the airport). Got car. Got inside. Don't understand gearshift. Didn't we rent an automatic? Press here, move this up, keep foot on brake, hold down, GO. It's manual AND automatic. Who knew?

Chapter 3: The Road - soundtrack: Herb Alpert - Tijuana Taxi . Holy crap whose idea was this to drive in Rome after not sleeping for 24 hours. Must have been Sister's. She'll have to drive while I take pictures. Are there 2 lanes or 3? Hard to tell. Nerve wracking. I can touch the cars speeding past. Does this mean they're too close? Glad I'm not driving.

Original frescos in the breakfast room of our hotel which is in a restored villa.

Chapter 4: Finding Floridiana - The narrow entry into traffic-free permit only zone we don't have permits for is v.v. narrow. I jump out of car and get permission to enter from nice traffic cop who stops oncoming cars to let us squeeze through. Throngs of people all the way up to the 4 green garage doors. Sister collapsed upon arriving. Where is Gianluca? Where is the hotel? Do you think we have to carry the suitcases up those steep steps with 16 inch risers? Sister, I know you just drove us here, but do you think you could heave ho the cases up the stairs while I take pictures?
Chapter 5: La Perla - smoked mozzarella, tomato, rocket (greens) pizza and side of fried aubergines and bottle of Prosecco = spectacular! Restaurant with yellow walls is filled to the brim and lively! We found it hidden in walled alley of Amalfi. Coconut gelato after dinner shared with Sister on steps of Duomo.

Did we accidently drive through Naples? I thought we weren't supposed to do that? The Bay of Naples is SPECTACULAR. All the blue revives us. We drive on.

There is so much to say and show! I decided to use my travel journal to tell the story. Seems easiest this way. The only parts not taken directly from my travel journal are in italics. I hope you're ready for the world's longest trip report over the next week or so because I am prepared to deliver it!

Comments

[eb]

oh dear me - deep deep deep sigh - I am pulling up the armchair to stay awhile and soak up your visuals and tales...

at last

mwaaaaaaaahhhh!

xox - eb.

[katie]

welcome home, welcome home!! i've got much catching up to do here, i've skimmed the surface - it luscious cream - jeeze what a rich experience you've given us here through your words and photos, will be back and back, again.... 'xo

[Carol Weiler]

Thoroughly enjoyed your posts about your trip and loved your journal-what a wonderful keepsake to remember what you think you'll never forget! I don't think you ever look at life the same way after a trip to Italy-It's magic! Thanks for taking us along!

[lynne]

yes we are prepared!!! welcome back!!

[Lisa Hoffman]

Whew...All of this pacing and looking at my watch had me a tidge grumpy.
I ate pasta and drank wine in your honor. Too cold for gelato, but there's always tomorrow.
I'll be waiting for the next installments as I drive to and from Longmont, Boulder and Denver, wishing that it was Naples, Rome and Amalfi.

Ciao for now, Bella....

Lisa H.

[Toni Brown]

She's BACK!!! whoo hoo ... I cannot WAIT to hear, well, everything, anything ...

meanwhile, have been working on an altered book with some Rome spreads, inspired a poem -- I lost your email address so here's the link, at your leisure and after you catch up on some ZZZZZZZZ's ...

http://seaweedandgardenias.blogspot.com/2008/05/rome-poem.html

[susan w]

mind "the world's longest trip report"? Are you nuts! That's what we've been waiting for! (sprinkled with journal snaps & wish making photos) . Grateful you are back in the ether

[Erin Glee]

Welcome home! I "discovered" your blog while you were on your trip....your talent with words and photography have made me an immediate FAN! I look forward to the unveiling of your Journal as if I were seven--and it's almost Christmas!

[Judy Wise]

Great sighs of happiness. Your photos give me wide smiles. Welcome home. I can hardly wait for the rundown. ((((((HUGE HUG)))))))

[Kate]

I'm so excited that I get to take this trip to Italy(vicariously through you)! Much cheaper this way, don't you know. And what a tour guide you are! Suppose you'll expect a good tip....

[Randi]

It's about time you got home! We have been talking among ourselves for so long we are getting on each others nerves. You are the bravest person I know! I am terrified of Los Angeles traffic, no wonder I don't go anywhere.

[Deb]

Welcome home! Thank you for sharing the first chapters of your globe-trotting adventure and allowing some of us to experience vicariously all the wonders of Italia. This armchair traveler eagerly anticipates future installments!

Deb

[Gwen Delmore]

Welcome home! We, your loyal fans, await all details. Please tell (and show) ALL!

[patty van dorin]

Can't wait to hear more. Love the breakfast room self portrait!!!

[Julie Prichard]

Hooray! Welcome back- I can't wait to see your journal...but what you've mentioned so far sounds spectacular!!

[Janet]

Welcome back. I'm more than ready for the travel journal. Sooooo missed you.

[chm915@yahoo.com]

Oh, the floor in that hotel!! The ceiling!! So cool!
The meal in Chapter 5 sounds absolutely sensual!
I'm just so exclamatory over this!!

[Stephen du Toit]

Welcome home - it's been rather dull without you around.

[Tyn]

Can't wait to see how this story ends!!! Glad you are home- I am sure the posse is glad you home too.

[Andrea]

Welcome home! How did you like the very narrow road out to Amalfi?! Can't wait to hear more stories. This was one of my favorite places to visit.

[Suzanne]

We're ready!! We're ready!! Bring it on! I'm feelin' the blue!
And "Ben ritornate!!" S

[Jamie]

You're back!! :-)

Love the mosaic of photos called The Road! The food, the frescoes, the water...I'm thankful that Sister could drive for you. I am anxiously awaiting your journal updates.

Welcome back, M.A., we missed you.