"Il dolce far niente" in Positano
Day 8: Last night we had switched from our large motorcoach to a smaller van for the last leg of the journey into Positano. The roads are too narrow for our big bus. From that moment on I was like an excited little girl. I was afraid to blink, worried that I would miss something special. It was quite difficult to contain my excitement. Was I really here? Somebody pinch me.
After settling into my breathtaking "room with a view" at the Hotel Savoia I joined new friends Malcom and Annette for a glass (or two) of vino and took in the sunset from our gorgeous balcony facing the Positano hillside. As luck had it, we arrived on a day of celebration in the town. It was a day to honor the Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary. I went out into the town with a tour mate and walked the narrow streets window shopping and people watching. The streets were full of the locals out to watch the parade of altar boys from the church who preceded a lifesize statue of the Blessed Mary being carried through the streets as rose petals were thrown at her feet. The parade ended with a burst of fireworks that lit the night sky and music echoed in the hills until late at night.
With today to myself I decided to embrace the Italian approach to the day, "Il dolce far niente". The sweetness of doing nothing. I got up with the early morning light, sat on my balcony and watched how the colors on the hillaside changed as the morning wore on. The streets were empty except for the cheerful sanitation man bidding me a "Buon giorno!" I had been keeping a journal on the entire trp, but felt especially eager to make an entry this morning. I stayed there writing and taking photos with the changing light. Not feeling compeled what so ever to move from my perch, I called for room service to deliver a breakfast of fruit, breads, jams, and cappuccino. Sitting there, I enjoyed the sun, the air, and the view until mid-day. I spent the rest of day walking around the narrow streets and made my way down to the beach to relax in the sun and watch the afternoon light fade into dusk. A stop at a friendly enoteca for food, vino and conversation then I'm off to bed rested and ready for a new day and our next stop on tour, Pompeii.
Click the "Play" button below for a slideshow.
After settling into my breathtaking "room with a view" at the Hotel Savoia I joined new friends Malcom and Annette for a glass (or two) of vino and took in the sunset from our gorgeous balcony facing the Positano hillside. As luck had it, we arrived on a day of celebration in the town. It was a day to honor the Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary. I went out into the town with a tour mate and walked the narrow streets window shopping and people watching. The streets were full of the locals out to watch the parade of altar boys from the church who preceded a lifesize statue of the Blessed Mary being carried through the streets as rose petals were thrown at her feet. The parade ended with a burst of fireworks that lit the night sky and music echoed in the hills until late at night.
With today to myself I decided to embrace the Italian approach to the day, "Il dolce far niente". The sweetness of doing nothing. I got up with the early morning light, sat on my balcony and watched how the colors on the hillaside changed as the morning wore on. The streets were empty except for the cheerful sanitation man bidding me a "Buon giorno!" I had been keeping a journal on the entire trp, but felt especially eager to make an entry this morning. I stayed there writing and taking photos with the changing light. Not feeling compeled what so ever to move from my perch, I called for room service to deliver a breakfast of fruit, breads, jams, and cappuccino. Sitting there, I enjoyed the sun, the air, and the view until mid-day. I spent the rest of day walking around the narrow streets and made my way down to the beach to relax in the sun and watch the afternoon light fade into dusk. A stop at a friendly enoteca for food, vino and conversation then I'm off to bed rested and ready for a new day and our next stop on tour, Pompeii.
Click the "Play" button below for a slideshow.