Sorrento

We loaded back on the mini bus and met Umberto back at the top of the mountain. There was a great fruit stand here. It had a very picturesque view. Kathy made a little snack for us, while we took some photos. Wine and macadamia nuts. (There was also popcorn, but I learned my lesson about popcorn). The fruit stand sold the largest lemons I have ever seen. They were the size of someone’s head. We took a photograph of this with a man who runs the stand. They also sold these miniature oranges, which you eat, everything, including the skin. They were so tasty. Dave and I bought a small bag of them.


At the fruit stand was a kitten. He was so adorable. He was meowing like crazy, so we fed him some milk. I felt so sorry for him. His little legs were so flea bitten. I wanted to tuck him in my back pack and take him back home. I don’t think the kitten would have been troubled by this either. Our cats Jack and Puck may have a different opinion about this when we get home. Something tells me they wouldn’t be too happy with a new family member. Once back at the hotel, I had enough time to shower and get ready for dinner.

Dinner was at a small restaurant that sat on a pier called Zi'Ntonio Mare located in Marina Grande. We arrived close to sunset and the view was beautiful. They had wonderful food. They made serving food an art. Long wooden cutting boards were used to serve pizza, which was only the antipasto. Before going in to sit for dinner, some the ladies from the group went across the street to some little shops that sold linens. Kathy was right. They did have the best prices on lace and linens I had seen since we got to Italy. I bought lots. We were all having so much fun, but knew we needed to get to the restaurant. We settled in, ate a little pizza and drank some wine. Dave tried Limoncello. A lemon liquor they make in south Italy. I had some salad and started getting antsy. The time between servings can be long in Italy. I decided to run across the street one more time and get the last of what I wanted to get. I must have started a trend because all the ladies from our table ended up disappearing. I found them all over at the three small shops.
One was a little dress shop. I found a couple of pretty dresses. I tried on an olive green dress and the woman who worked at the shop offered to take it in for me at no extra charge. She said she would deliver it to the restaurant when she finished making the alterations. I walked back over to the restaurant and the main course was nearly over. (I didn’t miss anything… it was fish and veal). While were waiting for dessert, I told Dave about the dress and how they had others I liked. We went up to talk to Kathy and Umberto for a couple of minutes and the next thing I knew, the Italian lady from the shop shows up carrying 3 dresses. “I didn’t like that color on you” she said, “You are too young to be wearing such dark colors. I brought over a few other dresses for you to look at that are brighter.” I let Dave pick out a couple he liked. He laughed and laughed. He has been telling me for years that I ought to wear brighter colors. This would have never happened back home in the states. She altered one of the dresses and it was ready by the time we finished our dessert and coffee. After dinner the group walked around a little more through two little shops. All of the women were so happy with all their purchases.

We had to take a smaller bus to the restaurant, because of the narrow streets. Umberto didn’t have to drive and could for once enjoy sitting as a passenger. On the way back to the hotel, he sat next to Marie. We teased him about going under bridges, he would have to give Marie a kiss. They were both embarrassed, but finally Umberto leaned over and gave Marie a little kiss on the cheek. Everyone clapped! Our bus driver serenaded us on the way back to the hotel with Santa Lucia. We all joined in with the chorus . I wished that I had had a video camera to really capture the moments as we came back from dinner. Here we are, on a rickety bus, with a driver serenading us as we climb the twisting and winding roads back to the hotel and when we get to the words “Santa Lucia”, the entire bus is suddenly joining in and laughing. We decided to meet Raeleen and Colin downstairs for a drink after we got back to the hotel. I changed into the pants I bought from my new-found Italian mother. We were enjoying our visit in the lobby area of the hotel, but it was getting late. Never seems to be enough time. Tomorrow is another busy day. Today, though, was sure fun

		Sorrento/ Positano Wednesday, June 5th
		A mini bus met us, as again the streets are too narrow for Umberto to take us any further. We stopped off in what was described as the artist town of Positano. Positano is very pretty. There are lots of very small shops, which sell paintings and clothing. Bouganvilla cover houses and buildings here.

Lemons are very popular here so there are lots of ceramics with lemons on them. Dave took a walk to the bottom of the hill to have a closer look at the Mediterranean, while I felt the need to stay closer to town and look around. I do regret this. I wish I had more time to explore and also see the Mediterranean. We only had 1 hour to stay in Positano. I could have easily spent several more here. All the buildings are painted white and pastel colors and it reminds you of a beach town. Before leaving Positano, Dave and I met up and had a lemon granita together. It’s like favored ice. It was very good. Very soothing on such a hot day.
We loaded back on the mini bus and met Umberto back at the top of the mountain. There was a great fruit stand here. It had a very picturesque view. Kathy made a little snack for us, while we took some photos. Wine and macadamia nuts. (There was also popcorn, but I learned my lesson about popcorn). The fruit stand sold the largest lemons I have ever seen. They were the size of someone’s head. We took a photograph of this with a man who runs the stand. They also sold these miniature oranges, which you eat, everything, including the skin. They were so tasty. Dave and I bought a small bag of them.