Planes, trains and the pope mobile!!!!!

So things kinda took a different and unexpected turn for our trip.  Mom had a kidney stone that decided to be born in Italy.  So the long trip home was on the books.  It's a hard trip really when your at your best.  But when you are not on your game....ugh....it's is horrible.  To make matters worse the internet at  the villa was very spotty and even worse because of the weather....at least that is what Gabriella our host say's.  After trying to piece a way home we started out at 4am Tuesday and traveled all day long just to get to London and into a hotel room at 9pm.  

If nothing else just the walking will wear you out....but with bags.  So anywhere we could get a wheelchair we did.  Much to mom's chagrin, but she ended up seeing the upside to it all.  We were quick to get through customs and immigrations, and she also got to ride what I called the pope mobile.  I wish I had a picture of it....but we looked like sherpa's going through the airport....getting a picture was not on the table....the only thing I could see was the next step in front of us to get mom home.  

We finally made it home Wednesday afternoon after another 9 hour flight.  

It is funny...you plan a trip for a year.....you would think that I would be sad to end it just a couple days into the villa stay.  But it is very weird.  The only thing Don and I thought about was getting home.  Nothing else mattered. 

As for mom, after the crazy trip home, the doctors, the pills and all that she had to go through......ugh.  I think she might sleep for a month................................

Cloudy day's

Don and I outside the cottage.  This was a nice house....but a bit small I think.  We had not seen this house on our last stay.  But it was cozy with a fire in the living area.
We did also have some car issues.  The car we rented has some brake issues that didn't sound good at all.  Ended up getting Avis to come tough the car away and off to Siena to get a new one.  Made that into an adventure too....had never seen siena and found it to be much bigger than I ever thought.

Tuscany beauty.........

The sunset at the farmhouse is just as beautiful as I remembered.  That night some of the girls made a meat and cheese tray....just sat out talked, eat and drank wine....very fun.
Then Linda started sporting her singing skills with "the hills are alive with the sound of music".........

Dinner by Lydia!!!!

The first night's dinner was provided by Lydia....the very same lady that cooked for us 4 years earlier.  She looks just the same....dinner was great.....conversation even better.  Had a great time enjoying everyones stories.  Next day was beautiful.  Fog gone and ready to see the countryside.

On to the Villa

As luck would have it once we made our way to the car place.....we ran into mom and Jody and Kay and Truman getting their car's.  Place was packed with travelers.  Once we got our cars and had them checked out we hit the road.  AAAAhhhhh but it was rainy and misty.....and then the fog.  I wish I could have taken a pic of how thick it was....but no pic could show this.  It was beautiful, but ominous. I drove and Don was my wingman.  We do make a great team when we drive. Whoever drives the other helps with the navigation.  The only way to go.
So after the challenge of getting to the villa we hit the grocery store for provisions.  That was just as wild of a challenge because of the fog.....it was so thick that I almost went into a store to ask where the "Pam" (local grocery store) only to look across the street to vaguely through the mist the sign "Pam".
Now that would have been funny......"crazy american"

Anacapri fun!!!!!

What a great time with Amy and Linda in Anacapri.  The first photo is looking out our bed and breakfast.  Next is catching Amy laughing at the crazy driving that you have there.  I have video's that will curl your hair.  And the last two pic's are us taking the hydrofoil back to Naples to get the train to Florence.
Once in Florence we left the bobbsey twins and found our hotel for the night.  We stayed at the Cosmopolitan for the night for a great meal at a trattoria around the corner from our hotel.
Got to see Cindy and Jim very quickly before bed for a bit of wine and talk of their travels.  Great day of travel to the next part of our journey.

A picture is worth a thousand words!!!!!

Ok sooooo really!!!!!  This is not a made up picture.  We lived it...and much more.  I wish I could get the full video of us driving through the Capri streets......a total E ticket ride.......TOTAL!!!!
This is the normal travel in Amalfi coast!!!!! Love it!!!!  Could not get enough!!!!  But it is not for the faint of heart.  These people honk their horns to let you know they are at a hairpin corner and comin around.  But the key is you never, ever, slow down.  That is the key to Amalfi and Capri driving.  Very life challenging but very life affirming.

As a side bar, Amy and I took the plunge rode the chairlift over Capri.  Very beautiful, but you would not expect to be but in the midst of it all to hear the words....."KIM NORRIS" as you are going up the mountain side.  I turn to see Cindy Gordon coming down the other side....WHAT are you kidding me.  She also follows up with "I love you"  What a great surprise!!!! Can't wait to see them tomorrow....by the way I am guessing that she loves me because she is in Italy and loves it.....it does bring it out in ya.

Positano beauty

This is the view from our B&B that Johnny Maresca www.johnnystourservice.com helped us with. The B&B name is Il Canneto and we are thrilled.  Only one night here and then off to Capri.  Ciao!

When non-revenue goes right!!!!!

So as we last left off we were in DFW non-rev limbo.  Well the god's were kind to us and we got the last 2 business class seats.....together no less.  We even left on time and arrived right on schedule.....what about that.  Got thru customs with the smoothest of ease and then we get to the Lufthansa gate for Napoli and oooopppsss they "are a bit oversold" the lovely german lady say's.  But she says stay close.....well you don't have to tell us twice.  We wait till the bitter end with no reservations in Napoli....how could we, we don't know if we will even go to Napoli...we may end up in Rome.  Nimble fingered Don on his trusty ipad has written a driver in Napoli on the off chance we should make it, would he be available to drive us to Positano, and then further research gives us possible hotels if we should make it....but all is very fluid.
As the last of the Lufthansa passengers board.....what we hear them call our name!!!! Joy...but without any time to write the hotel...we walk down the jetbridge trying to email the hotel.....an damn the wifi goes out.  So off we go without any idea how, when or where to.
But once we get to Napoli, we find a wonderful man holding a sign with the name "Don Norris".  He is there waiting for us and then after helping us call the original hotel that we had in mind....only to hear that yes they are indeed booked.  He helps us find a wonderful place.  Beautiful view of the ocean, right across from the bus stop that takes you into the heart of Positano.  All is well....we can breath...the trip can now begin in earnest.

The crowning glory of non-rev travel

So here Don and I are in DFW airport......the drama has begun.  As with previous years, the flights that look the best soon dwindle down to a precious few.  A flight attendant friend suggest that with the possible merge scramble they are now offering rock bottom prices on oversea's flights.  Are you kidding me!!!!!!  Why have I heard nothing about this.  But after much debate between us we came up with Frankfurt instead of the very late London flight that would provide us with a very long day of travel the next day.  The only thing that could derail this plan would be ugly ugly ugly seats in coach.
Later on how this all comes out in the wash...............................

Rosita to Rome

So tomorrow is the big day for Don and I.  We have been planning this trip for over a year with family and friends.  All looks good this year for travel.  As good as non-rev travel can be I guess.  The last time we went there was a hurricane on the east coast that required us to leave 2 days earlier than expected.  And the first year we ever left the country we lost our sweet Sue just days before our travels.  Now it is my dear, sweet friend Rosi.  She is in trouble with cancer and never fails to show us all up on how life is truly to be lead.  She has her head held high and continues the good fight with whatever life gives her.
When we got the word how really, really bad it was and that we didn't think she had much time.  We all rushed to be with our friend.  But she was just showing us yet again how much the human body can endure and what fighting really looks like.
I didn't really feel much about Italy at that time.  Couldn't seem to muster up the fun factor.  For a number of days there it was just blank.  But if you look at all the pictures of Rosi, this being one of them with her daughter Keema, you see how life should be lived.  I wish I could post them all, they show all her travels, and zip lining, and taking on all that life has to offer.....but then it would be a blog about her....and I don't feel like that is what she would care for.  She would kill me for saying this, but without ever saying a word, she is a bit of a teacher with her life.
As we talked in the hospital about all the crazy stuff we have done in the past....going down memory lane, realizing that it has been over 25 years.....WHATTT!!!!  And then she stops and says "but hey isn't your Italy trip soon"  We stop looking at all that has been and she starts talking about all that will be from her hospital bed.  From how much fun we will have in Italy and bring back lots of pic's to ....."when I go back to work I am going part time....now more full time for me"  Rosi continues to live.

I know feel like that when I get back, I fully expect that she will be home and continuing the good fight. More than likely she will be planning her next trip.  Maybe hang gliding!!!!  She knows that the cancer has spread....she does not care.

So tomorrow the adventure continues.........................................

Three times a charm!!!!!

Soon....very soon....we will be making our third trip Italy.  YYYYYaaahhhhh!!!!  
Updates come very soon.  Get ready..........................

Basilica and the Doge's palace

So today it was a bit sad.  Rachel and I got up with the sun yet again to take on the fish market yet again, only to find that they are a bit like our hair dressers......they are off Sunday's and Monday's.  So the thing to keep in mind is you don't eat fish on those days.  It won't be flippin out of the bins fresh.  So we made do and made a great pasta with the Italian flag colors that night.  Basil, tomatoes and onion.  Very nice!  Also Rachel made wonderful balamic carmalized onions.  They were the bomb! 
But yet again I am a bit ahead of myself.  After getting home from the "not there market".  We were off to St. Mark's square to take on the Basilica and the Doge's palace.  You need to get there early folks.  This place yet again is off the hook with ton's of tourist, from the cruise ships and every other way they can get there.  But we are on top of it and there early, so early we stand for an hour before we can get in.  I would love to show you pic's but that is a "no, no".  However you would not have known that from anyone else.....everyone diregarded the "no photo's" sign...but us....so if the blog police are out there I am still safe.
The rest of the day was wondering places we had not seen before....trying to stay away from the crowds.  Finding wonderful quite places that were just as unique.  That is one thing I have found by staying a week.  You do want to go where the tourists are because they ARE wonderful.  But you just want to do these things early and get the hell out.  Then you go find the wonderful pieces of heaven that are really around every courner.  It is very true that you can be in the most crowed of places and turn down the very next alley and boom you are away from all the crowds.

Murano and Burano and Ghosts

Today was yet another day of walking.  We walked until we were a foot shorter and only on nubs for feet.  We took the ferry to Murano watched the glass being made by the masters and then over to Burano.  Burano seemed to be the big winner of the day.  Those beautiful lazy houses of every color in the rainbow was hard to leave.  We had a wonderful pairing of wine and dessert at the very same place that Don and I found 2 years earlier on our first trip here.  There was a hugh party of Italians celebrating something and were very fun.  We all wanted to stay but that was not to be....we have to hurry back to our apartment and drop off all our purchases and try to rest for only 1 thin hour and then off we go again to the top of Realto bridge for our ghost tour.  We walked the small alley's of Venice being told the history and the tales of long, long, long ago.  At this point we are so close to dead we don't see how we can make it one other step.  But we have our picture night as we have every night since have been in Italy and enjoy it all over again. 

The next morning Rachel and I are up with the sun again....but today we have fog.  How lovely!  We want to go back to the market for all that we need for another wonderful dinner.  But in our hearts we know that this is Sunday and there won't be a market.  But we go ahead and make the trek just in case.  And as we walk the sleepy streets we see that we were right.  There is very little signs of life on this Sunday morning.  But our walk in not in vain.  The views are spectacular.  And I love that there is almost nobody out.  We walk everywhere, enjoying everything.  Not much at all open, and it is very hard to find a place for our cafe fix.  But we walk until we find someplace open and sit and enjoy the coffee, and Venice.  As for the rest of our day, we have no plans today.  We were so very tired yesterday that the slow pace of a Sunday morning in Venice is rubbing off on us and we are finding that we are just as slow to get going.

Venice

Well we made it!  Not even the strike could stop us.  Just a joke, the strike was only 8 hours the day before.  It seems to be a bit of a tradition to have trasportation strikes.  Although we did see trains durring what they called a strike, it was very limited service and there was no service between the 5 villages of Cinque Terra.  But this was a new day and we were at the train station as they opened to get our tickets to Venice.  We arrive and it is just a beautiful with a small bit of bad luck.  This place is packed!!!!!! Beyond packed.  I can almost see why some might come for just a few days and never come back.  Had I not had that first glorious trip, I am sure I would be one of them.  But I do know how beautiful and quite it can be if your here at the right time.  When we got off the train and saw how packed it was on the vaparetto's we got a water taxi and found our way to the apartment.  It has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths and view of the canal.  The windows are not as big as I would like because I love looking out at all the happenings out on the canal.  I call it Venice TV.  But I found that if I put a chair with a pillow to make me a bit higher I can look out quite nicely.  I wave to the people passing by and they wave back.  It is a great way to spend an evening. 
But Linda has an even better way.  Our second night in Venice, she treated us to box seats to La Traviata at the Venice Oprera.  It was magnifacent.  We got all dolled up and off into the night we went, found this unbelievable teater and our seats.  It was a wonderful night. Linda and Rachel in one box, Don and I on the next box over.....fronts seats in the box.  CAN YOU STAND IT!  We had a lovely couple in our box that was from Japan. They were perfect box mates.  The even took the picture of all 4 of us after the event.  Sooooo all you followers now you can see Don.  I have had many requests to see his handsome face.  Some think he was lost or is not on this trip.  But I can tell you he is....most of the time he is manning the camera.  Even he loved the Opera.  No fuddy duddies on this trip....everyone is having a blast.  Even the crowds can't bring us down. 

Next morning Rachel and I are up with the sun.....off to the Rialto market.  This place is off the hook amazing.  Fruits, veggies, and the fish......all that glorious fish.  Some still flippin and a floppin it is so fresh. The crabs and octopus so big you just can't believe it.  Tonight Rachel and I will cook.  We got hugh shrimp and mussels for a pasta dish that we will make tonight.  Buon appotito!  Stay tuned for the next adventure.

Strike! Strike! Strike!

Today the Italian transportation will be on strike.  So when in Italy just go with the flow.  We are at our favorite place for breakfast, talking with the locals and the travelers.  Also we score again, the market will be in our village today.  So we will be checking that out as well.  Also since there is a strike today and the trains won't be running we will take the time to get ourselves ready for tomorrows travels to Venice.  Yahhhhh!!!  

Beautiful Montorosso

What a beautiful place this is.  We spent the whole day exploring this village to the north of us.  The St. Francis of Assisi  looking out over the sea is unbelievable.  Pictures just can't say it all here.  Although we will try.  The food is wonderful....our lunch at Via Venti was one of the very best to date....But I do think we have said this a few times.  But ya'll all check out the pic's and tell me what you think.

Rain glorious rain!

Today they had glorious rain. Not all day long but most of it. No hiking today, unless you call hiking the trek from our b&b to just about any place in the village. But it cooled off for a bit until the sun came out mid day and then back to rain it went. So this was a bit of a lazy day. But don’t think we didn’t enjoy….oh boy did we enjoy. First of all not seeing rain in about 3 months will make you do the happy dance no matter what. But some of the other guests of our b&B told us of a wonderful place almost on the outskirts of the village. They are a couple of brothers that are from Sicily. They are twins and they are hilarious. We all loved them instantly. They are bakers and everything we tasted was wonderful. Tomorrow we go there for lunch or dinner I think. But this morning I had a wonderful something that had the lightest dusting of dark chocolate you have ever seen and tasted like heaven. Not at all sweet, just heavenly. And then I got a dream fulfilled. Do you remember in the movie “Chocolate” with Johnny Depp that wild hot chocolate concoction that she served to Dame Judy Dench. OOOOOhhhhhh yah baby that is what I had. It was the most wonderful thing ever…..at least till tomorrow. The twins are comic relief as well as great cooks. We loved the place instantly and will be going back every morning until we have to leave. The rain became very heavy and we had to make a run for the room. When we finally got to the room we were completely soaked form head to toe. After a quick change we were on the road again down to the village. We found a great place for lunch….it is at the top of a turret that looks out over the sea. We had a wonderful lunch of cheeses and fish and pasta. Of course the wine was great and our waiter was the cutest Italian. Because of the rain we were the only one’s in the place and that was the best. He sat and chatted with us for a bit an then off he ran to get us a wonderful cake and after lunch drinks that were on the house. We were hoping that Linda would go all cougar on us and take this bit of Italy home with her. Tomorrow they say it will rain again. We were hoping to go to Montoroso tomorrow via the trails. But we were told that these trails are even more difficult than the last trails we did. If that is the case and it’s raining we are not to sure we are up to the task. But as you know, we never know what is next to happen.

Oh and by the way, take a look at the pic of the dilapidated house. Don says this would be a great fixer upper. Hahahahahah

Italian weddings and cemeteries!

Yet another day of complete beauty and challenge. We hiked up to the cemetery in our village of Vernazza. It looks out to the sea at the very top of our village. In America we would build something else….maybe a restaurant or a condo, but they chose a cemetery and it is amazing.

But I am skipping ahead a bit. Before this, earlier in the day, we were graced with an Italian wedding. As we are walking the streets of Vernazza this morning, we see Gulianno the owner of our b&b. We chat with him for a moment and he explains that a wedding will be going on in the church this very morning and soon they will ring all the bell’s of the church to signify that a new couple is wed. Then the couple will come to a near by balcony and throw candy to all the people below. Gulianno tells us that he must go now to get a good place to catch the candy. His daughter Sophia is tugging at him saying “Guli…Guli…andiamo, andiamo” This is her pet name for her father and it sounds a bit like she is saying “Julie…Julie” and she is telling him to “come on, come on” She is ready to find her prime real estate for catching the candy. It is a grand celebration, with these fantastic popper things that as best as I can tell, you pull the string and confetti flies out with a wonderful loud pop. We have a great video and the pic’s that Linda took were voted the best in our nightly viewing party.
So this was a very poignant day. We saw in the beginning of the day the birth of life between two people and at the end of the day the Italian cemetery. It was interesting on the way to the cemetery we went a back way, it was obvious that many of the local’s lived in this part of the village and on one of the alley ways there is this very frail woman sitting in a chair talking with family. My imagination is going wild at this point because I know nothing….but I tell you that I believe this woman has lived her all her life….and as life slows her down she does not use these mammoth stairs quite as much and then soon she stays only on this small alley with her family and friends. And they bring her all that she needs. And then one day she will go to the place that we are walking to this very day, to be with her family and friends.

The last of Lucca and the first of Vernazza!

Next morning we got up early for a fantastic bike ride on the wall of Lucca. This was so much fun. Linda, Rachel and I rode the wall and laughed the entire way. This was a total blast that I could do again and again. I love the fact that the people of Lucca have made the wall of Lucca….something that was used to fend off the enemy, is now used for family and friends for exercise and socializing.
Ok so now we are off to the train station to get to Cinque Terre. We arrive and Rachel’s words are still hanging in the air…..”only a gentle slop with very few steps”. What a big fat liar…hahahah it was 250 huge steps with only a few gentle slops. But as we were to find out soon enough, this was only the beginning. We have walked so much, I just know I will have model legs. We took the train to Motarossa, this is one of the most modern villages of the five. Beautiful beaches and the water the color of jade or emerald’s.
The next day was up with the dawn to make our first hiking run. But run we did not do….OMG….the trail from Vernazza to Conglia was kick butt. Up, up, up we went sweating all the way. By the time we made the village we were stink ball’s. But the view’s were fantastic….(hey look mom a new word)….yes fantastic. Every picture is a postcard. The hike was 2 hours and for most of you mere mortals it would have done you in. But we were on a mission and we continued on after some water, café and muffins to all 3 of our southern villages. Cognila, Montarolla, and Riomaggore. Each village so beautiful when asked later which village was our favorite could not be answered. We had a wonderful lunch in Montarolla. Don and I had a homemade pasta with a whole lobster…..total yum. Linda a scampi pasta and Rachel fried fish. Now for all you at home. Don’t be thinking about your fried catfish, cause now you are way, way, way off the mark. Think of the lightest batter you think of….maybe a tempura, then lighten that by half and you might get a notion. Then the fish was not your catfish. There were sardines and whole baby octopus and calamari. It was fantastic…there is that word again…..

By the time we made it back to our village we got the provisions for the night….wine, bread, salami and fruit for the morning, we were way ready for showers….and trust me, so was every villager we met. After showers we got to what has become a nightly event. Sitting outside and having our wine. Download the day’s pic’s and then a bit of our bring home dinner. Then the show begins. We look at Rachel’s computer of all the pic’s of the day. And none can believe that we did this or saw that or lived through it all.