What a great beginning to July! Mark and I had an action packed day. We left Roma earlier this morning. We had to get up at 6:00 AM so we would be ready to get a taxi and head to the train station. We were able to actually see another side of Roma that we hadn't seen before. When we arrived in Roma we went straight through town (which now I think was a ploy to get us to pay more euros since it takes longer to get from point A to point B) and going this morning we took the back roads which was very quick. At the train station we got to experience our first express caffe. It was all very rushed. It was something knew and I didn't mind. I was lucky enough to find the little espresso candy that I like.
Once on the train all was peaceful. I read the entire time and the trip, a little over an hour, went quickly. I was even served juice and a little snack. We got to Naples and found our private driver, Massimo. He was very nice and his English was amazing. He was such a fast walker. I thought I walked fast, but now I know I do not. Mark will not be able to tell me that I am walking too fast any more, because Massimo truly is a fast walker.
He was telling us about Naples and about Pompeii because we were going to be stopping to see the ruins before we got to Sorrento. He was also telling us about a cameo maker that we just had to see. When we arrived in Pompeii he took us to see the “master” working on the cameos. The “master” is 78 and has been making the cameos by and since he was 10. It was amazing to see all that goes into the process. I bought a small pendant that can also be a brooch. I also bought a more modern pendant that has flowers. They were beautiful. Massimo took my package to the van and Mark and I headed across the street to the Pompeii ruins.
Pompeii was a very large city when it was covered in ash and lava when the volcano erupted. I was sad to see the humans that died and the dogs. It is sad to know that everyone in that area was killed and almost buried in stone. Amazing. There are dogs living there now and you can see how much dogs were respected and almost worshiped. There are mosaics throughout Pompeii that are pictures of dogs. We were lucky that it was a little overcast today, otherwise it would have been soooooo hot.
When we finished our tour of Pompeii Mark and I met up with Massimo and we were off to Sorrento. Massimo told us all about the area and showed us a great lookout point where we took a few pictures. Massimo took one of Mark and myself. That was our first picture we have of us together in Italy. I only wish I wouldn't have been so hot and casual. Oh well, it is how I have looked almost the whole vacation. The humidity is very high in Sorrento...that goodness for pony tails.
We finally got to our hotel around 2:30 or 3:00ish. It is a gorgeous hotel and our room is amazing. We have a private little French balcony and a private patio area outside another area of our room. There is a little table and two chairs plus two lounge chairs there for us to use. We also had another surprise. We had a bottle of champagne and a fruit platter waiting for us in our room! Delicious.....we haven't had the champagne yet, I think that will be for tomorrow. We put it in our refrigerator. The fruit is such a welcome sight. I haven't had fresh fruit in several days. The hotel also has an “opulent” breakfast as told to us by the guy who checked us in. I am looking forward to that in the morning.
It is so funny, because I have been looking forward to coming to Sorrento the whole trip. I have heard all about the Limoncello and couldn't wait to try some. So, when we went out for our meal today I ordered the “liquor nationale”, which of course is a small frozen glass (shot glass size but more elegant) with limoncello inside. I of course needed to share with Mark because it is a little strong. I had such a tasty calzone with veggies and mozzarella inside. Too good for general words. All I can say is I was sad when I was too stuffed to finish it.
Good news....we have a laundry place within walking distance. Yes, you are right....that means we have clean clothes. Woo hoo! I love starting out a new place with clean clothes. We headed over right after we ate lunch. Luckily for us there are shops galore all around the laundry. So I shopped and found a beautiful purse and Mark found two belts. I then decided that I also needed a belt (which I really do). Then we waited for the clothes. They weren't dry so we had to go out again and look around. We met the nicest older Italian man working in one of the shops. His name is Nick and he was so nice and welcoming. He gave us a couple of places to visit when we go to Capri on Monday. He even pulled out a couple of books and showed us the pictures of the areas. He was just so nice.
Tomorrow we have a full day Amalfi Coast drive tour for 8 hours. We will get up early, eat breakfast quickly and then get to our meeting spot. Stay tuned for those pictures. I am sure they will be breathtaking.
Ciao from Sorrento!
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