Leaving Positano was heartbreaking. ..my happy place. Gippy arranged for a taxi to Naples…the drive itself is a wonderment. Amalfi drive is nothing but corkscrews around cliffs, but arrived in Naples safe and sound.
My first impression was a mix of Shanghai, and the roughside of Atlanta. The taxi took me to the doors of my B&B….oh lord what have I gotten myself into? The area looked rough at first, and the building was slightly scary…I rang the bell per instructions, and the inn keeper electronically opened door…I walked into a inside/outside area and made my way up the stairs. .. (I already had my phone out looking up hotels.com)..Then I met inn keeper, Robby and walked into the flat….don’t ever judge a book by its cover. I soon found this to be true of the city Naples also.
The flat was adorable…my room was all done up in lilac…beautifil curtains, Kingsize bed and sweet decor. Robby laid out map and gave me all the directions I needed to get about town (yeah right)..
I put my stuff up and I headed out. As I stated at first Naples first hits you with a little scare, then I began to see what was under inside the cover… I wasn’t very far away before I began to feel its charm, or get lost….I believe I was 2 streets over nefore regretting by direction. I actually broke my own record by passing the same woman 5 times….she waved at me the last time….in Naples people are loud yet friendly, the driving is crazy and chaotic. To cross a street I just got with other people , halfway closed my eyes and went for it. I walked and walked…I got so wrapped up exploring the city, especially when I came across the castles, that I lost track of how far I came and of course I lost my way back…it was getting evening and I wanted get back to room…because the first thing I figured out, is the bus system seems much more complicated than the other cities. So I start doing my typical “where am I “questioning.. Problem is Napoli has much less tourism as the other cities, so finding people who speaks English was a little difficult. …now understand everyone was friendly and willing to help, I just couldn’t understand them…so I broke down and got a taxi…at first they(group of taxi drivers) looked at address and couldn’t figure it out…however one did and tried explaining to my taxi….hmmm not good sign.
After a while of driving I could see we were close…then he pulls up into a deadend alley and says “here “….It didnt look like my place…he overcharges me and I get out…I walked around and realized my road was no where to be seen, my gps was dying, and it was dark.
I walked into a market and asked owner, no English, he yelled (I think his sons) they both came and was looking at address, finally the younger one found it on his gps and walked me to my room about 2 blocks . I tried to pay him for his kindness but he refused….
Napoli (Naples) chaotic but interesting.

My last official day in Italy. I actually woke up with a pretty bad headache, so I slept in quite a bit. When I started feeling better, I got up and headed off to the trainstation….I get to trainstation only making 2 wrong turns…not bad.
I would be taking the circumversia (subway). I get my tickets and get on board…of course there was only standing room for over half of the 25 minute ride….
On the bus a band began playing with bongos, tamborine etc…pretty cool…As I look out the window at Naples I am astonished at how much graffiti is everywhere…the mixture of old and new buildings….you could see the rich and the poor, more poor here than in the other cities..you could see the factories and markets.
Once I arrived in Pompeii I began explorinh…I was dumbfounded at the preservation of something 2000 years old. The way the people of Pompeii lived was extraordinary….the marble tanletops
, mosaic tile floors, there is actually a fast food place for that time period. The frescoes remain on the walls, the gardens, and so much more…I explored close to 5 hours…and yes, I can get lost in Pompeii…and I did…I left the site with a final picture of Mt, Vesuvius. ..the volcano that destroyed pompeii. Very surreal.
I grabbed some Indian food before heading back to my room (only 1 wrong turn that time). Tomorrow will be an early day. I will be leaving Italy…so sad.

I woke up early enough to eat a little breakfast and head to the ferry where I had prebooked tickets to Isle of Capri. Excited about the Blue Grotto and Mount Salero, I was on my way.
As the ferry approached Capri , I noticed a large cloud looming over the island.
When I first get off the ferry, I was a little confused, but with all the tourist, I figured I would just follow the crowd. Sure enough it lead me to the funicular (sort of like people mover, or uphill cable car)…again I fell in with tourist, more than once I got ushered into tour groups….when I forst got onto the funicular there was only 2 seats…rest was for standing…I plopped my bottom into the seat….that didnt last long…the crowd poured in, and a big,smelly guy came and stood directly in front of me making me eye level with something I didnt want to be eye level with….I quickly stood up and turned.
When we reached the top of the hill, I explored Capri…I caught bus to Anacapri…there is where I found the chairlift to Mount Salaro. …I thought, why not…so, up I go…literally into the clouds….but the problem when your in clouds you can’t see anything. …everything was completely hidden by the clouds….Statue of Augustus standing there, but nothing else….well, take pictures anyway. Another problem with clouds is the fact that they are often filled with something. …yes, rain. As I get back on chairlift, I ride for complete 10 minutes or so in the rain….freezing and wet!
The rain would not let up. Being in shorts and a tank, I was shivering. . I decided to go ahead and buy a rain poncho. A lady was standing in front of me getting herself one with this sweet little old store lady helping her ..I asked for one for myself. ..she helped me put it on. ..when I asked her how much, i was expecting to get taken advantage because of rain…so i figured I would pay around 5 euro….plus the fact it was the quality of a trash bag… .I also thought since she was sweet old lady she wouldn’t be that way..Imagine my shock when that sweet little old lady become the greedy little wench and told me 10 euro ..I paid, licked my wounds and left…..
Now that I had my stylin trashbag to protect me from the rain, I decided to head to the blue grotto. Rain stopped so I trudged forward… It was a hike, another crazy little bus ride, a couple hundred steps and I was there, entrance to the blue grotto….now where are the little row boats that take you inside? It figures, Blue grotto closed for rain….Not being outdone I was determined to take pictures of the famous Blue Grotto…(my research had not told me that it was the sunlight coming through the hole inside that created the azure effect) I was standing on the rocks/ledge over the entrance to the cave…I took out my selfie stick,stretched it as far as it would go, and leaning over the railing I hang over the side trying to get picture …being slick with rain, I pictured myself falling over the side….with my selfie stick …I hate pictures of myself so the one thing I found out I love about selfie sticks and a better use is taking pictures over and under things I cant normally take pics of….In a crowd…I can stick it above the crowds, and in this case I can see below me 3 feet…..although I got a picture of the entrance of the blue grotto, which basically was a cave entrance….but at least no one can say I didnt get a picture of it.

Being wet, tired and very disappointed I started on my way back to the marina ..I just want to get back to Positano….
When I got back to the docks, I go to pier and ask marina guy what platform my ferry would be on….”No no , no more Ferries to Positano ” WHAT?…my tickets say 5:15, its only 4:30. …He sent me to talk to the office. The office stated due to the big Amalfi race, all ferries after 4 o’clock were cancelled….I asked her what Im going to do….no one told me, the booth before handed me the tickets, never said a word. The office lady stated that I could take ferry to Sorento then bus to Positano. …since ferry is only way to get off island, I had no choice. All I wanted to do was get back to my happy place.
I had to wait another hour before catching the Sorrento ferry..When we docked I went to ticket booth and asked where I get bus tickets to Positano. ..the girl said,”I cant give information but I can sell you ticket to ride tjis bus, but it dont go to Positano” When I asked where do I go, she just told me to ask driver….really?
I chose to walk on…asking people along the way…people said I would need go to trainstation. When I asked, they said to the 2nd piazza. I walked full mile straight up hill…to get to main area….I seen what said tourist office….I go in and inquire about tickets. The response I received was, “i cannot give you information, but I can sell a tour to you….we are a professional tour company, but we dont provide directions.” i stated that they had tourist info on front door. “Yes, we provide information on the tours we sell”…..Are you kidding me?
After i continued walking I asked a few other people and got more direction. ..I walked to bus station and bought tickets to Positano. Across the road at the bus stop were several people waiting..all tourist trying to get to positano. ..they stated that they had been waiting for 30 minutes. A bus pulled in, but turned his motor off…not going to Positano. ..when he asked why, he said he didnt know. 30 minutes later, still no bus. The “tourist ” taxi offered take 7 people at $10 a head to Positano. I and actually 7 more people piled into the van and headed off to Positano. Walked 15 miles today, went to 3 diffeeent towns, rode 6 buses , 2 ferries, and a taxi…but Im finally back at my happy place.

..

I slept like a rock…my body and brain completely shut down..the true amazement of being in Positano filled my heart and head…I truly felt like I was in heaven…going to sleep with my balcony doors slightly open listening to the dreamy music wafting in, hypnotized me to a deep sleep. After I woke up and made my way ro the main terrace I was greeted by Gippy, the Inn owner with a tray full of croissants, Cappuccino, juice, fruit….marvelous. His welcoming demeanor made it so much more special.after sitting on terrace making light conversation with him and another guest, Gippy asked what my plans were….was I going to Amalfi, capri, Ravello?…as if I woke up from a haze, I remembered I had plans and needed to see a few more sights. So I gathered my day stuff together and headed to the town of Amalfi…very nice, and sweet. Beach looked inviting but I had sights to see…I explored Amalfi, ate a lite lunch of bruschetti, and I decided to take the bus to Ravello.
Ravello is a town on top of a huge mountain behind Amalfi….now if you would like to experience a road trip….try this…I was on a small bus, standing up holding to a pole, traveling uphill of nothing but corkscrew turns….i was falling and swaying everywhere….we were so tight in the bus, I guess we held each other up.
Except for a beautiful view and pretty church, there was not much to see…so I headed back to Amalfi and then ferry ride back to Positano. A pleasant evening of Pizza, and lemoncello I retired to my wonderful room…

I left Florence on train but had to change to a regional train in Napoli (naples) I hadnt used a regional train yet….the main trains are pretty self explanatory, but regionals are a little tricky…lugging my now very heavy luggage to the next train was ridiculous….but I found it and got on…I asked an older gentleman if I could sit in seat beside him…there was a long italian spill I didn’t understand a word of…but I thought it was no…so I turned away…he started sau sit sit…..lol. so I sit, but not before I have to load bags onto the overhead luggage rack….For a little advice never wear a comfy, cotton dress and have do this…and dont get bottom of dress caught on luggage why you are taking luggage over head….I think I flashed the entire train….
I arrived in Salerno where I had to go walking with all this luggage….down the sidewalk onto the pier….I was so hot and pretty tired, but riding that ferry was amazing. The sights I was seeing was beyond words…the castles on the hills, the monestaries overlooking, the houses dotting the scenery look like they are dangling on stone, or built in to the stone…the ingenuity of the roads constructions along major cliffs….cannot imagine jow man could do something like this.
I arrived in Positano…my first impression was heaven.
There were porters waiting at ferry sight…one offered to take my bags….Now being a little gun shy after seeing some of the scams in other cities. ..I was wary. When he said i could ride bus to room, and my luggage would be waiting ..
That was the deal breaker…im not handing my luggage over to him, no matter how heavy it was…so i declined. …He kept saying it is 70 stair….I kept walking. ..i got to building and there was a few americans standing there…I asked where the bus stop was…they pointed and told me at top of stairs…hmmmm….looked about like 70 steps. They pointed to tourist office and I went on to ask about the bus….long story short…the porters were legit and they called for them to come get my luggage… when they got there, i got the biggest smile, while I wanted to crawl under something….I tried explain, but he understood.
I went to the bus stop and got my ticket….bus will be there in 2 min… (the timeline in Positano) bus arrived 30 min later. I had accidentally torn my ticket a little and the bus driver , acted like he was going give me hard time but just started laughing…..he joked with me a few more times, and told me he wasn’t going to tell me when my stop was…lol. I knew I was going to like this place.
I found my b and b / Inn near top of mountain. Unbelievable! Gippy, the owner met me outside. He showed me around and was so friendly I couldn’t get over it….made me feel so welcomed
Offered me wine, drink anything. All i could do was just be in awe of the whole place, town, and people. I settled into my 2 bedroom, bath and small kichenette with a private balcony with incredible views….There was no way, I got this place for the price I paid…wow.
Late lunch at Gippys uncles restaurant nearby , then to shower. I walked around the shops, but most of evening i just sat out on balcony looking at a piece of heaven and listening to beautiful music being played throughout the different restaurants nearby….this place is how I truly always believed Italians lived….

.

Todays plan was to meet with tour group (this time at Burger King) to head off to Cinque Terre. A coastal town built into the cliffs of the mountains overlooking the sea. It was so beautiful…we went through 4 of the 5 villages, took ferry and trains. These villages are so old, and unique. The atmosphere is amazing. The steps and walking are massive but worth it…I rode with a variety of diverse people…the people sitting closest to me was from 3 couples from Chili…one man could speak a tiny bit of English. ..he was so jolly….he just cracked me up …so happy and smiling. He told me he went to our country last year….New York and Miami….oh no, although those are great cities, I hate that was the only 2 places he saw…He stated it was very expensive. ..I tried telling him, those were the worst if saving money. I met several nice people on this trip.
You know your southern accent is strong when a lady from Canada (perfect English) asked the California woman beside me if I was speaking Italian. ….hilarious. This tour group….it eas just more like transportation. ..we did our own things then meet back certain spot…to go to next. We arrived to the second village I had lunch by myself….Pesto spaghetti and bruschetti….delicious.
Then it started raining. ..down pour…I tried standing under restaurant tent till it eased off. I had to break down and buy a rain poncho.
Our last village was adorable. A swimming area with a small waterfall near the beach….old castle tower to climb….and a very nice old church. …
The tour lasted with bus and all…13 hours…exhaustion…but of course again, I get lost trying to find my room…

Lets start the day by over sleeping…10 to 20 miles a day of walking can wear a person out….plus skyping with my sweet doggie Eva and Dan at 1am (time difference) makes one sleepy head in the morning….I had already procrastinated packing suitcase (why was it everywhere, I dont have clue) I told myself at 120 am, that I will get up in plenty of time to repack….well, its now 8:10….threw everything in suitcase with sides bulging. 8:30 downstairs to check out….megabus doesnt leave till 9:45 so Im ok, just around corner…grabbed a quick breakfast from hotel asked desk the way to get to bus stop…said for my bus I need to take “people mover”..now 8:45….start down street…wait, its the other way….since I went shopping in Venice , I now have an extra suitcase loaded with souvenirs…but my personal bag did fit inside it, so more luggage. Then there comes that massive staircase over the grand canal..the monster….not counting the 2 smaller stair arches. Clamping up and down these steps with heavy luggage is no easy feat..I should be able to bench press pretty good when I get home.
After making my way to the people mover I bought my ticket 1.5 euro to station where megabus was…I get my ticket ready …NOOOOO….bus to depart was 8:30…its now 9:10. So back to people mover, another 1.5 eu. Have to now go to trainstation….pretty long walk….go into train office purchase ticket….no tickets til 1pm….Im not wanting to wait that long, so I went to the ticket kiosk. For some reason I just didnt believe the ticket booth…sure enough there was an earlier train… (first class…ugh) oh well.
I arrived in Florence without much problem. …my gps is now talking like a Roman…its saying 5 min to room….3 blocks and 1.5 mile of walking I arrived. Of course if I had not went through 3 alleyways and around the trainstation twice…it might had been 5 min….
My first impression of Florence was not the best….it could had something to do with the high heat,dragging heavy baggage on broken cobblestone sidewalks that are 2 feet wide, blister on foot, or the extremly busyness of Florence. I first noticed tourist traps….then i noticed people were not as friendly as people of Rome….they seemed almost rude….like I stated before, sidewalks were 2 feet wide, dragging luggage is hard enough…but many people would almost knock you down….I was getting pretty ill and at the corner I was stopped, this woman was going around me and she actually pointed at my suitcase in her way and said…”ooo picka upo…” i told her “you kissa my asso” but she didnt hear me and she went on….then a little skinny man carrying a briefcase was barreling down sidewalk and got on inside of sidewalk and literally about knocked me into traffic….I swear if I had a third hand I would have knocked him into that brick wall beside him. After that, I got my second wind and decided to take no prisoners. …I went full force like a bull down the walkway…if you were in my way…you were mush under my rolling suitcaae wheels….however; I needed help….the only other willing to help was another American with a better map.
On the last leg to my destination a man came up to me asking if I spoke English (me 5 min ago) when I said yes…he started saying he was from hungry and lost…I said join the club…then he goes into a big spill about how he was stuck, needed money etc… (he could speak only little English himself) after a moment I realized this was scam, I told him no, he kept following me, I told him no, and go away…he kept following me….I was not in mood, I finally got quite beast like and yelled at him and said NO, GO AWAY NOW! He turned his attention to a man passing me and asked him,”do you speak English?” I yelled back at man and said, “tell him No!”
My room is from air B and B…its where you rent owner complete apartments or a private room from them. Since I knew I would barely be here due to tours I had planned, I thought would be good option. Mauro is the owner and he helped me up the 2 flights of stairs to my room….and I also have access to the whole house, which gave me opportunity to do a load of laundry.
After taking a break, freshening up…I decided to go out and see Florence. …very pretty…unfortunately couldnt go into most museums because of time…so I walked, and walked exploring the city…Highlight was when a restarantier wanted me to come inside and eat…he jumps in front of me on sidewalk and begans singing..hated to tell him, I had already ate.

My room in Venice was not the biggest….but definitely was clean and served the purpose, great breakfast, nice staff and pretty convenient location….but with rooms as high as
$900 a night what can you expect for $75 (my highest priced room…all others $40 and below)
On todays agenda was check out San Marcos Basilica, and bell tower…however; leaving my room, all fresh, full, and feeling great…I found shops, they had always been there, but they were calling my name today….souvenir here, souvenir there….then I found the cutest suitcase.. (no thought process of getting it home) well, what makes it more appealing I got to haggle for it…I felt like I was in China again…but dont expect starting half price like China. Before I got past shops…I had to go back to room and unload….
On to San Marco Square…my 1st stop was the bell tower….up the flight of elevator, to such a beautiful panoramic view of Venice….simply breath taking. Pictures to the left, pictures to the right, elbow to the rib, camera lens to the side of the head….but it was worth it….I wished i could’ve remembered how to say I’m sorry to those people.
Next stop, San Marco Basilica. ..The line was tremendous, and it was already getting hot….to note, if going into church you have to cover sholders and knees…so I had slipped on skirt over my shorts and had a scarf around my tanktop to hide my shoulders (big scarf).
A girl in front of me had short shorts and a halter…she had to pay $ to rent what looked like a bedsheet to cover herself….
Inside the Basilica there was that annoying sign again with the camera with red line thru it….I think I can be slicker this time…..putting my phone near my chest and lowering the light level, I began snap snapping away for pictures….feeling all proud and stuff…I then started thinking about lighting striking me, due to the fact I am in church breaking rules…so I stopped….
The Basilica was absolutely gorgeous. …in my opinion much prettier than sistene chapel…the gold leafing just illuminated.
After leaving the church, I checked to see how my pictures turned out….1 blurry picture of the dome and 8 dark pictures of the front of my blouse….lovely.
Next stop Burano island…this is my #1thing I wanted to see in Venice….I had to take 2 water buses to get there….the 2nd one was long….and waterbus is ok as long as not too crowded….but it was crowded and I had to stand most of way….when I got to Burano, I fell in love….walking up and down the beautiful colorful houses….I dont know how I feel if people just wandered my streets taking pictures of my house….In America we would be thinking them stalkers, calling police, shooting out the door…. but here, its like normal…smile, bon journo, etc….trust me I was off the tourist track a little too…When I got back on the main strip, the shops began calling my name again…. (I wish they would shut up, I have no more room!).
More souvenirs were purchased, lots of walking, and a nice lunch of spaghetti and salad….met 2 young college students from texas heading to Rome…gave them some advice…buy Roma pass, but dont lose it….
After several hours of Burano I thought I would head back and stop at Morano…it was ok, but after being in Burano, just didnt compare…even the shops wasnt calling my name. I should’ve stopped there 1st.
Getting on Waterbus from Morano back to Venice was a trick….the mass of crowd that got on the bus blew my mind. Im not claustrophobic but I was getting ready to turn around. …
When I got pushed on anyway, and again I was standing…I looked around, 1st thought “If Im going to be squished, this id definitely the group to be squished by….beautiful italian men all around me….thank god my deodorant still working…yes, handsome italian men…short. tall, alll…completely surrou ded except for the liitle girl leaned up against my knee and her baby brothers stroller parked on my toes…
When I returned back to my room, I took a break before heading to the waterbus, and taking a night ride and visit Piazzo San Marco a
1 last time….on the way I met a gentleman and his daughter from Ireland…that was heading to get gelato….hmm sounds good….getting to square I seeked out the gelato man….walked around and said my formal goodbyes to the beautiful San Marco square…on way back to waterbus, I was caught back up with the gentleman and daughter, poor fellow, looked like he got suckered by the rose man…We talked about how beautiful Venice was and how blessed we were to see it.
When waterbus dropped me back to my stop, I as normally get lost trying to find room….only suppose to take 5 min to get to room from waterbus stop…as always takes me about 45 minutes…..
Time for bed, got to catch megabus to Florence tomorrow…got to get up early…

Train to Venice..Landed at the station with hoardes of people….first impression? Im in heaven. Then as Im going through the crowd a young man took my luggage out of my hand and started carrying them over the stairway I was coming to.It was a monster….. and my bags are heavy. 1st of all I knew immediately it was a tourist scam/money getter. ..but at that time, I didnt care….when I got to other side I asked how much…he said $25..I said I dont think so….he said $25, …I said sorry not paying that for 5 minutes….he then said $20..I said here is $10…he said maam, this is my job. …I said well talk to your boss, because I didnt hire you.. He agreed and took the cash.
After finding my hotel room, same way as I did in Rome…I went wandering Venice….most beautiful place I have ever seen…
However you so have to watch for tourist traps…at San Marco square I dont know how many guys chase you down with purses, roses, and selfie stick, trying to get you to buy…they try putting the roses in your hands and if you rake it the will charge you exorbitant price….luckily I had read about these. Another was a guy trying put bird seed in your hand….yeah, thats what I want…a bunch of pigeons chasing me.
My main goal in Venice was just to appreciate the beauty….If you never been, its mind blowing. I rode around in waterbus, however getting squished happens at certain spots….I took pictures and pictures….I love Venice