The threat of rain was heavy in the air all day today. We all went down to the shops to select the fruit and pastries for breakfast. Afterward we set out for the bus to Amalfi, where we intended to spend the day exploring the small alley ways and staircases that connect the city.
Before we could get to Amalfi, we had to catch a bus. Easier said than done here. The next bus was scheduled for 1 hour from the time we arrived at the stop, so we walked on around Maiori. A one point we poked our head into a Catholic church and walked around. I noticed the holy water basin on the wall inside the front door and went over to dip my fingers in, but noticed that it was dry. All along the bottom of the basin was a build up of crystals. I dragged my fingers along them and touched them to my tongue: salt. these basins are filled with sea water from the Mediterranean Sea, which is then blessed as holy water. Wen the water evaporates, the sea salt is left behind.
The rain held off for quite awhile, and we enjoyed cool temperatures and dark gray skies as we climbed the staircases that form a labyrinth within this city. Mason, Greyden and Reece were our scouts, and they set out ahead to find the best route. Nearly every turn revealed a picturesque view of the sea, colorful tile work, or lush potted succulents in pots.
In Amalfi our first stop was the steps of the Amalfi cathedral. Shortly after we headed to a gelato shop for our mid-morning ice cream break. We continued our hike throughout the city alleyways and came out, eventually, in the next town of Anarato. Here we walked over to the seaside where the boys skipped rocks and tip toed up to the edge of the waves turning to run back at the last second. I collected broken pieces of Italian tile that had been washed ashore.
The Amalfi Cathedral
Gelatto for lunch
Skipping stones on the Med
We worked our way back toward Amalfi as the sky grew darker. Across the seas we could identify the distinct line of rain advancing on the city. Nearly back to the Amalfi cathedral the sky opened up and the rain poured down, followed shortly by hail the size of peas. All 7 of us ducked back into a covered alley for safety, but a city made of tile and stone does not absorb rain well and our alley was quickly turned into a gutter of rushing water with 7 bodies pressed against on the wall on the only strip of ground not swallowed up by the rain.
I found him. Casanova lives at #4 Amalfi, Italy.
By 4 pm we were back on the bus headed for home. Holly and I made a quick trip in a second down pour to the grocery store to grab a few items for dinner and breakfast tomorrow, while Jeff took the boys back to the apartment for baths. The three adults made dinner and had great conversation in the tiny kitchen until Mason came in tears to report that Reece had broken part of his tooth off. The boys had been playing, Reece got mad and Mason's face met a marble floor. Dinner was put on pause while mom and dad dealt with those two. Meanwhile, Miles and Greyden and I dashed for the back bedroom to entertain them with my iPad.
Awhile later we enjoyed dinner together as a family. Even with the rain, hail and broken tooth, still a fantastic day in Italy.
Before we could get to Amalfi, we had to catch a bus. Easier said than done here. The next bus was scheduled for 1 hour from the time we arrived at the stop, so we walked on around Maiori. A one point we poked our head into a Catholic church and walked around. I noticed the holy water basin on the wall inside the front door and went over to dip my fingers in, but noticed that it was dry. All along the bottom of the basin was a build up of crystals. I dragged my fingers along them and touched them to my tongue: salt. these basins are filled with sea water from the Mediterranean Sea, which is then blessed as holy water. Wen the water evaporates, the sea salt is left behind.
The rain held off for quite awhile, and we enjoyed cool temperatures and dark gray skies as we climbed the staircases that form a labyrinth within this city. Mason, Greyden and Reece were our scouts, and they set out ahead to find the best route. Nearly every turn revealed a picturesque view of the sea, colorful tile work, or lush potted succulents in pots.
In Amalfi our first stop was the steps of the Amalfi cathedral. Shortly after we headed to a gelato shop for our mid-morning ice cream break. We continued our hike throughout the city alleyways and came out, eventually, in the next town of Anarato. Here we walked over to the seaside where the boys skipped rocks and tip toed up to the edge of the waves turning to run back at the last second. I collected broken pieces of Italian tile that had been washed ashore.
The Amalfi Cathedral
Gelatto for lunch
Skipping stones on the Med
We worked our way back toward Amalfi as the sky grew darker. Across the seas we could identify the distinct line of rain advancing on the city. Nearly back to the Amalfi cathedral the sky opened up and the rain poured down, followed shortly by hail the size of peas. All 7 of us ducked back into a covered alley for safety, but a city made of tile and stone does not absorb rain well and our alley was quickly turned into a gutter of rushing water with 7 bodies pressed against on the wall on the only strip of ground not swallowed up by the rain.
I found him. Casanova lives at #4 Amalfi, Italy.
By 4 pm we were back on the bus headed for home. Holly and I made a quick trip in a second down pour to the grocery store to grab a few items for dinner and breakfast tomorrow, while Jeff took the boys back to the apartment for baths. The three adults made dinner and had great conversation in the tiny kitchen until Mason came in tears to report that Reece had broken part of his tooth off. The boys had been playing, Reece got mad and Mason's face met a marble floor. Dinner was put on pause while mom and dad dealt with those two. Meanwhile, Miles and Greyden and I dashed for the back bedroom to entertain them with my iPad.
Awhile later we enjoyed dinner together as a family. Even with the rain, hail and broken tooth, still a fantastic day in Italy.
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