It was cool last night due to the penguin in the bathroom, Let me thank A again for that A/C. While Savage and A went for a bike ride/run along the coast, Helen “tidied” the villa and we visited. I forgot how funny she is. So like my friends at home. And as stated before, Savage is great but girl talk is very different.
I so appreciate them letting us alight there for a few days. I think it helped us decompress from the traveling before. Their villa is sweet -- three bedrooms, one bathroom and a shower room, a family room overlooking the harbor/coast, and a well sized European kitchen (and a dishwasher) with washing machine too. There was a front and side balcony. The walls were very white and crisp looking with tiled floors throughout. Helen even had white slipcovers -- with two little mischievous boys??
I do so love European minimalist design. The dining table was up against the wall and the chairs stored nearby. It was brought out when people ate. The master bedroom had cabinets/storage closets to the ceiling (what I would do for super storage). It was a very spacious feeling place when it really wasn’t all that big. Maybe this minimalist thing works, I should try it.
When the guys get back, we leave the boys with their daddy and hit town. It was so much fun to walk through this little quaint town. Helen got fresh focaccia for dinner and a chain for the penguin (my new favorite bird or is it animal?). You get to see the locals when you go to the bakery and the hardware store. We even saw a poor soul get carted off in a mortuary vehicle (not really a hearse). The sites around town were so interesting ---
No Savage, I don't think you can surf here ;) swim and watch birds but not surf
yes, mom, people do drink on the street here
??? just makes you wonder --- really on the Italian Riveria -- class up people..
Stopped for a coffee (not me, as I don’t drink coffee) and A called and F was in a crisis situation -- scary. Helen ran off. We should have followed post haste but we got a text saying all was ok.
We ended up at this mini internet cafe right down the road from the train station and Helen’s place. Found us a great cheap hotel in Perugia for tomorrow night and then a resort on the coast for a couple of nights after that for our road trip south.
When we got back, Helen had taken F to the toy store for being ok. We had a simple pasta and tomato sauce lunch.
Savage sat around and read on the balcony -- decompressing I think, he even had my headphones on (I sure hope they make it home with me). I got to play with E -- Tummy Ache, Shopping Cart and Animal Lotto -- gotta love British board games. He was very good at those games, beat me most of the time.
Thankfully it was cooling off a little and I hit the ferry for a late afternoon ride out to San Fruttuoso to see the old monastery. A & Helen took the boys to the cinema to see Toy Story 3. Savage escaped by himself also -- he went to his mothership -- the beach -- he needed some saltwater therapy (even if there wasn't any surf around -- water always puts him in a better mood). (All this togetherness is a little too much for him I think.)
It was hot when I got to the water and I had to wait on the ferry. I enjoyed seeing all the people at a little festival they had going. There were a bunch of teenagers dressed in red shirts and white shorts or white jean miniskirts (what is up with these 80’s fashions) promoting Vodaphone. At least it wasn’t the Bud Light chicks out for a day at the beach.
The ferry ride stopped in Portofino and then reached San Fruttuoso. (Did I mention I get violently seasick on boats? Thankfully that did not happen on this ride.) It reminded me a lot of Cassis, France, where we had to get off the boat onto the rocky shoreline. That’s what happened here (at first I thought, what have I gotten myself into, but the place was so pretty), got off at the rocks. Up the stairs (and when I looked around I saw Jesus -- or someone who resembled him), and then to the rocky beach. There were lots of sunbathers here but the sun wasn’t really on them anymore. That didn’t stop them from enjoying their beverages (beer is big here too at the beach -- I could be on the Alabama coast if you just looked at what they had in their bags) and beach towel perches along the very rocky shoreline.
Lots of boats out in the little lagoon area -- there is a statue of Jesus that was submerged during the war -- if I had brought my swimsuit with me and I had more time I would have liked to have seen that -- maybe next time.
I trekked up the hill to the monastery/abbey area. It was very tranquil and quiet here. I was the only tourist around -- there was a lady in the courtyard tatting lace. If you want to take photos inside, you have to pay a photo fee (so no photos inside -- I just bought a 50 cent postcard instead). The gallery upstairs had a wonderful view of the water and then in the attic area there was a display of old tapestry and lace that was made in the area and old costumes.
The chapel was beautiful. This was a “new” chapel built on the foundations of the old one. I sat down and prayed for a few minutes -- to give us guidance and blessing on this road trip we were starting tomorrow. I had a great feeling of peace and adventure on this trip and glad I had a good friend on it with me. He's a very trustworthy person and a kindred adventurer too. But if you upset him, he can't be bothered.
Went up toward the tower and realized I didn’t have it in me to take those stairs -- so I walked around the base and ran into a surprise. Reminded me of the story of the three billy goats and the troll. I didn't see the troll....
Under the monastery they had little alcoves for boats and things -- good hideaways for people.
Waited for the ferry at a little bar and had a 2.50 euro cold pineapple juice (never had one of those before either -- hopefully lots of firsts on this trip, I am trying to get out of my comfort zone).
Went back to the “pier” ie the stone platform and waited for the boat, then on the boat (dumb idea as it was rocking there) and visited with the crew -- Nice people.
When we got to Portofino it was a nightmare. One of those “porn star” yachts was leaving -- Cheeky Tiger :) -- and then another one docking and you should have seen the folks getting off. They had to wait and wait for the Paris Hilton look alike to get off in her fancy evening dress. Then the little girl tried to jump back on the boat for something she forgot and almost fell in. I guess the nanny didn’t have a good eye on her. Luckily someone grabbed her before anything happened. Finally we made it back, whew, glad to see some friendly faces.
We had leftovers at the table situated to look out over the front balcony and enjoyed delightful company. We are all in the same profession but different fields and with totally different experiences. It’s a very multicultural crew. Helen has actually left the profession in a way and is taking on my dream job -- teaching. I am so jealous. I would love to be able to do that. I might be able to help people but she will impact so many different lives.
Great Spread Helen! Kudos to the chef.
The imps went to sleep (did I mention that the littlest one dumped his entire toybox out in his room).
The guys watched the world cup playoffs and Helen and I talked over them. The man of the house wasn’t going to turn on the penguin tonight but thankfully he did for a little while. Great relaxing day today -- got to decompress and relax with friends that I will miss when we leave. Buona Sera and Grazie ya'll ---- you can come to my neck of the woods anytime and I will even cook for you too......
The guys watched the world cup playoffs and Helen and I talked over them. The man of the house wasn’t going to turn on the penguin tonight but thankfully he did for a little while. Great relaxing day today -- got to decompress and relax with friends that I will miss when we leave. Buona Sera and Grazie ya'll ---- you can come to my neck of the woods anytime and I will even cook for you too......
No comments:
Post a Comment