Why wouldn’t ya?

What an amazing, wonderful, perfect, great day!

This morning I got up early, caught the continental breakfast in my very American hotel, and headed for Sorrento. I was going to make the trek to Amalfi and return early for mass, but heard the bells ringing while looking for the bus stop, so went to mass first instead. Best decision of the trip thus far. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you why.

Mass was nice. Similar to last Sunday, I was probably the only English-speaking person in attendance. No worries – I responded quietly in English. Something I found interesting, but obviously not unique to this church, an organ played the entrance but the singing did not begin until the priest made it to the altar and led the congregation in song. The priest sang every song! Father, what do you think about that?

After mass, I wandered around for nearly 20 minutes looking for the bus stop. I finally found it after listening to Italian and broken-English directions from three passers-by. Whew. And then the roller coaster began: our track was winding roads, s-curves up and down mountains. Our barriers were lemon trees and stonewalls. Our obstacles were small, parked cars; zooming scooters; and passing buses. Our scenery was beautiful.

When the bus stopped at Positano, I hopped off, ready to meet the day’s adventure – what a challenge I found. I was immediately lost. I followed the road sign down a street toward the town, but, as I was walking and not driving, this was probably not the best option. I found a staircase going downhill, and I tried it. Halfway down I decided that I would pay for a taxi if this was the way I had to return to the bus.

When I made it to the town center, I was greeted by a charming town with art galleries and shops. I grabbed a take-away sandwich, peered into many shops and windows, and meandered back upward, toward a different bus stop. [Thank heaven!] Next stop: Amalfi.

Exhausted from the worry of finding the bus stop and eating lunch on the go, I decided to sit, eat, drink, and people watch. Steps from the Duomo’s grand staircase, I enjoyed an espresso and lemon cake. Oh! The lemons!! They are amazing. I know some of you have tasted my limoncello before – but, man, oh, man – that was nothing. This stuff is delicious. Today I tried it all: limoncello, limoncello crème, lemon chocolate, limoncello gelato, frozen lemonade. The lemons are sweet, not tart. I can’t even describe the flavor. All I can say is YUM.

After this nice snack, I headed up the main street to (once again) window shop. The wares included touristy trinkets such as limoncello (surprise), leather sandals and purses, figurines, and paper (which the city used to manufacture). By this point, I have had enough of shopping and walking. I decided to head to the beach to enjoy the weather (chilly, mostly cloudy: I was glad to be wearing light pants and many layers of shirts).

And then, BAM, the highlight of the week: I met my Australian family. Sorry, Molan’s, these spellings are probably all wrong; I’m doing the best I can from phonetics. Mauz was joking about jumping in the freezing water, but said he needed encouragement. A few in his family shouted, “Do it, do it!” so I joined in. We immediately became friends and began sharing travel stories. Ginny (short for Virginia, I believe, so maybe with a ‘g’) decided it was time to head in for a latte, so I joined her and Mauz (her hubby) for a latte on the square. A latte turned to pizza on their veranda, turned to cooking lasagna, turned to eating, turned to limoncello, and finally gelato on the way to my bus stop.

In the ten hours we spent together, I feel like I am part of the family! I learned many Australian words [“sunnies” for sunglasses]; Molan phrases and their origins [FOMO – fear of missing out]; family nicknames, which are critical to Aussie life [Ren, Mauri, Mauz, Ginny, Jack]; the story behind each kid’s name [John Jeremy James “Jack” Molan, poor guy]; and how to make Italian-Australian lasagna. I was (and am) so sad to have left their (interesting) apartment. I wish I could have traveled with them the rest of their trip. They are on a month-long holiday that began with the wedding of a cousin in Austria. While 82 members of the family traveled from Australia to Austria for the wedding, the seven of them (two parents, two sons, one daughter, a daughter-in-law, and a boyfriend) continued on their journey across Eastern Europe and over to Italy.

preparing our lasagna feast on the terrace.

busy, busy, busy.

our meal! and our family portrait!

Left to right: Jack, Mauz, Maurice, Sr., Mauri, me,  Ginny [Ren took the photo and I never met Kate - she was in bed sick :( ]

This is why I'm happy to be alone!

I feel like I have so much to share about them and some other revelations I had today about Italian vs. American culture, but tonight is not the night. No worries – they will come soon.

Also! I had déjà vu this evening as Ginny shared her wedding photos (from last April). The memory felt two years old. I always know that something is right when I have such a strong déjà vu – superstitious or not, I am so happy to have met this family. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with them. Get ready Molan’s! I’m coming to stay with you in Australia!!!

Oh, and “ALLL- right! Get off me back!” bahahah. Thanks for everything y’all! I really do miss you already! :)

Tomorrow: Florence!