Thursday, Oct 6
Friday, Oct 7
Saturday, Oct 8
Sunday, Oct 9
Monday, Oct 10
Tuesday, Oct 11
Wednesday, Oct 12
Thursday, Oct 13
Friday, Oct 14
Saturday, Oct 15
Sunday, Oct 16
Monday, Oct 17
Tuesday, Oct 18
Wednesday, Oct 19
Thursday, Oct. 20
Tuesday, Oct 11 - Resting in Sorrento
Today was a day for rest and doing laundry. It was sunny
and warm! We found a “Wet-Dry” and, along with two other American
couples, did our laundry. Only one laundromat in all of Sorrento! Ate
a pizza for lunch while sitting in the Wet-Dry. The machines were very
touchy, and the dryers didn’t get very hot, but finally we were
all clean again, hopefully for 9 more days. We went to sip wine at the
pool until the town opened back up again. (Italy shuts down for a few
hours during lunch.) School children seem to be done at 12:30 pm. We had
to step over dogs as we walked the streets. They lie on the crosswalks
and sidewalks.
Bought a cashmere scarf and learned how to tie it in a “Valentino”
knot. Found an inlaid wood shop called “The Arch” and bought
some lovely Christmas gifts for the kids. Also watched the artisan working
with his scroll saw – very detailed work. He’s been doing
this for over 60 years, and his family has been doing inlaid wood for
over 200 years.
Sat by the hotel piscina (pool) until dinner. The pool area is at the top of the old town walls and is surrounded by olive, orange and lemon trees, all full of fruit. The olive trees in this area have nets suspended beneath them to capture the fruit when it ripens. Sometimes grape arbors are built over the top of orange trees, like a second story.
No fast food in sight. No restaurant chains, either. Just local eateries, as there have been for hundreds of years. For Italians, food isn’t meant to be fast. They have a saying, that “while you’re eating, you don’t grow any older.” So why would they hurry a meal?
Ate dinner at La Stalla, which I think means horse. Or stallion. Or perhaps stall. Who knows. I had grilled chicken, and Pat had mussels. The room we ate in had an arched ceiling, and I discovered that if I hummed at a certain pitch, the sound resonated throughout the entire room. I didn’t even have to hum loudly. It was great, because Pat got very agitated and nervous and thought everyone would get upset with me. It was quite fun.
We enjoyed Sorrento, it was warm and lovely, and the locals were very friendly and beautiful people. Very ancient and historic, and laid back. Pronto = what you say when you answer the phone. Allora = “um” or “well.” Finito = finished.
