Another busy day of sightseeing. We woke early for breakfast then grabbed our bags and boarded the bus. We were headed to Greece, but first to Mt. Vesuvius. Ok, we were going to lose Delphi, but we got the extra day in Sorrento AND we had an addition to the itinerary, this very special volanco climb.
We headed towards the volcano, then the bus wound its way up, slowly through the switchbacks as more and more gorgeous scenery unfolded below us. The Bay of Naples is quite stunning, surrounded by mountans, cliffs, and charming, winding cities. The bus took us as far as it could go, a parking lot. The rest, we did by foot, up the volancic rocks and ash -- a steep incline. The sky was cloudy, threatening rain. We almost called it off, but as the forecast said the skies would clear later, the group leaders decided to take the risk for this special opportunity.
Some of us charged right up the steep incline, while others took their time, oohing and ahhing, snapping photos at every turn because every step seemed to reveal a new perspective, another gorgeous angle. Even the cold, damp air couldn't dampen our spirits as we climbed toward the top of the famous volcano.
At the windy peak, we posed for photos, stared into the crater, still spewing gasses, waiting for its next eruption -- 30 years overdue, so it's going to be a big one. They even had a little restaurant, souvineer shop at the top, featuring coffee, tea, and even alcohol. You could "like" them on facebook.
Ms. Hoffman and I asked a tour guide for directions towards Pompeii so we could know we were looking at it. Then eventually, back down and to the bus.
We had a couple of rest stops along the way as the city flattened into rugged, rural plains. Soon, we were following the coast, a thin blue strip to our left, that I kept staring at. "I'm on the heel of the boot!" I kept thinking to myself.
To entertain us on the long journey, Iris put on My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Ok, it was not about Greece, like My Life in Ruins, but it did display some ideas about Greek culture, and it was very funny. (I own this movie, and still get a laugh out of it). "What do you mean you don't eat no meat? That's ok, I make lamb."
In the late afternoon, we arrived at the port and had some down time in the parking lot as they sorted our papers, then we boarded. We expected tiny rooms, but it was still quite entertaining as we arrived and tried to figure out the movement and suitcase situation for four adults in such a miniscule space. Eventually, we figured it out and headed for dinner. There was a large buffet, but an equally large line. It seemed the cruise was way overbooked due to the strike, and I know we should have been glad that we were on the boat at all . . . but it was still a bit of a disappointnment. Luckily, the ride was kind of smooth, and we sailed peacefully through the night.
In the morning, we awoke for breakfast, then stepped outside for the sunny, stunning views. It was really spectacularly breathtaking: blue waters, green mountains, and snow-capped peaks. I was in Greece, at last! New country for me.
The students were enjoying socializing with their new friends, taking a peak on deck at times. And eventually we disembarked in Patras where our new bus driver was waiting for us. We climbed into the coach and glided along the coast, through more spectacular scenery. Later in the afternoon, we arrived in Athens, which was surprisingly sleepy due to Greek Easter; many people were visiting family and friends outside Athens and in the islands. Although this trip did not include the islands, I could tell that would be the place to visit in Greece.
Our hotel was awesome! In a really cool area along the water. We changed for the Greek Evening, boarded a bus and had a fabulous meal of Greek specialties while watching traditional Greek song and dance, including smashing plates. Students and teachers alike, danced in circles on the stage, videos and pictures galore, and frienships solidified. All smiles, we walked through the Plaka, humming the music in our heads, and back to the hotel for a peaceful night's rest. Tomorrow would be our last day in Greece and of the trip.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday April 10
On this day, we were supposed to be heading to the Ferry to Greece, spending the evening in Delphi. Due to the strike, we had a free day in the Sorrento Region. At this point, we were torn because we were actually really glad to be staying here -- the hotel perched on a cliff with 360 degree views of cliff and sea, stretching out over the Bay of Naples, sunshine, and a relaxed atmosphere with charming, winding streets to explore.
We got to sleep in a bit, then boarded the bus for Pompeii. We were glad not to have to squeeze Pompeii in with the Capri day or on the day we were departing. We got there early in the morning, before the crowds of tour groups showed up, so we could really absorb and explore. The sun shone brightly as the azure sky framed our pictures of the ancient unearthed city.
This was quite an experience for me, as I have always been enthralled and fascinated by the history of Pompeii. History teachers Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Santiago were also extremely excited to be jumping into living history. But the most exciting part of our visit was watching the students faces as they looked at the ruins and the bodies of people preserved in their final, agonizing moments as ash clogged their lungs. I could actually see their perspective changing, their lives changing as their horizons were ripped open. Soon, I will share a link to all my pictures on Shutterfly so you can see their awe-filled expressions. I really treasured those moments.
With our tour guide, we got to walk on the time-worn stones, in and out of buildings. This wasn't a building or two, it was the whole city -- so easy to imagine life here and those dreadful final moments when smoke and ash buried Pompeii. We were also especially intrigued by the frescoes on the walls and the red light district, specifically set up for sailors coming into port.
We could have spend the whole day here, exploring, wondering, searching and envisioning the past -- although eventually it was time to leave. Before boarding the bus, we had some time in the gift shop where we watched a cameo presentation, as an sculptor intricately carved the shell to create a cameo before our eyes. Some teachers purchased them, students perused the gift shop, and we had a delicious lunch -- Neopolitan Pizza, of course. So delicious! Afterwards, we had just enough time for a stroll to the atm machine before boarding the bus back to our hotel.
Luckily, traffic was not like yesterday. Students were eager to jump into the Mediterranean. As soon as we returned to the hotel, their suits were on and they were down the long winding steps to the beach below us. Some students took a stroll through the town with new friends, and many of the teachers enjoyed wandering and exploring. I sat on the beach with our three students and a couple of their new friends from the trip -- an all-girls public school in NYC. It was exciting to watch friendships unfold under a beautiful setting.
Justin was in the water immediately along with Bryan, then they had some time relaxing on the beach. Back to the hotel to change, then stroll around the streets in search of gelato and just . . . whatever we would find. As Meta is a small town, we ran into the other groups in our wanderings, for happy meetups. Eventually, we made our way back to the terrace outside our hotel, overlooking the cliffs and the sea. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, for that special golden light that photographers love, I watched Bryan and Justin play soccer with a little Italian boy. I taught them how to ask his name, took some photos, and just enjoyed the moment. Il Doce Far Niete -- the sweetness of Doing Nothing. Now THIS was La Dolce Vita. Just being. We read, we watched, we basked. Blissful.
Soon, two reporters approached me with an HD camera and asked if they could interview me about the captain of the Costa Concordia. They were from the Associated Press and were filming clips for news organizations to use in their clips. They asked me a few questions about the American perspective about what he did, and I explained that he was ultimately responsible for everything that happens on his ship and it was shameful how he left the boat and made up a story . . .
The reporters explained that I was sitting just outside his home, there in Meta di Sorrento, where he was under House Arrest. Ahhh . . .I got nervous that he would "get me" or something, but it was all good. Later on, through an internet search of my name, I was able to find and download this video clip. Cool! I do not know, however, which news broadcasts it was featured in. Very curious.
Eventually, it was time for another delicious dinner in the hotel, followed by some free time. Tomorrow would be a busy day as we were going to hike up a Volcano! And then head down the heel of the boot to Brindisi for our ferry to . . . Greece, at last!
We got to sleep in a bit, then boarded the bus for Pompeii. We were glad not to have to squeeze Pompeii in with the Capri day or on the day we were departing. We got there early in the morning, before the crowds of tour groups showed up, so we could really absorb and explore. The sun shone brightly as the azure sky framed our pictures of the ancient unearthed city.
This was quite an experience for me, as I have always been enthralled and fascinated by the history of Pompeii. History teachers Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Santiago were also extremely excited to be jumping into living history. But the most exciting part of our visit was watching the students faces as they looked at the ruins and the bodies of people preserved in their final, agonizing moments as ash clogged their lungs. I could actually see their perspective changing, their lives changing as their horizons were ripped open. Soon, I will share a link to all my pictures on Shutterfly so you can see their awe-filled expressions. I really treasured those moments.
With our tour guide, we got to walk on the time-worn stones, in and out of buildings. This wasn't a building or two, it was the whole city -- so easy to imagine life here and those dreadful final moments when smoke and ash buried Pompeii. We were also especially intrigued by the frescoes on the walls and the red light district, specifically set up for sailors coming into port.
We could have spend the whole day here, exploring, wondering, searching and envisioning the past -- although eventually it was time to leave. Before boarding the bus, we had some time in the gift shop where we watched a cameo presentation, as an sculptor intricately carved the shell to create a cameo before our eyes. Some teachers purchased them, students perused the gift shop, and we had a delicious lunch -- Neopolitan Pizza, of course. So delicious! Afterwards, we had just enough time for a stroll to the atm machine before boarding the bus back to our hotel.
Luckily, traffic was not like yesterday. Students were eager to jump into the Mediterranean. As soon as we returned to the hotel, their suits were on and they were down the long winding steps to the beach below us. Some students took a stroll through the town with new friends, and many of the teachers enjoyed wandering and exploring. I sat on the beach with our three students and a couple of their new friends from the trip -- an all-girls public school in NYC. It was exciting to watch friendships unfold under a beautiful setting.
Justin was in the water immediately along with Bryan, then they had some time relaxing on the beach. Back to the hotel to change, then stroll around the streets in search of gelato and just . . . whatever we would find. As Meta is a small town, we ran into the other groups in our wanderings, for happy meetups. Eventually, we made our way back to the terrace outside our hotel, overlooking the cliffs and the sea. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, for that special golden light that photographers love, I watched Bryan and Justin play soccer with a little Italian boy. I taught them how to ask his name, took some photos, and just enjoyed the moment. Il Doce Far Niete -- the sweetness of Doing Nothing. Now THIS was La Dolce Vita. Just being. We read, we watched, we basked. Blissful.
Soon, two reporters approached me with an HD camera and asked if they could interview me about the captain of the Costa Concordia. They were from the Associated Press and were filming clips for news organizations to use in their clips. They asked me a few questions about the American perspective about what he did, and I explained that he was ultimately responsible for everything that happens on his ship and it was shameful how he left the boat and made up a story . . .
The reporters explained that I was sitting just outside his home, there in Meta di Sorrento, where he was under House Arrest. Ahhh . . .I got nervous that he would "get me" or something, but it was all good. Later on, through an internet search of my name, I was able to find and download this video clip. Cool! I do not know, however, which news broadcasts it was featured in. Very curious.
Eventually, it was time for another delicious dinner in the hotel, followed by some free time. Tomorrow would be a busy day as we were going to hike up a Volcano! And then head down the heel of the boot to Brindisi for our ferry to . . . Greece, at last!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 9 - Easter Monday continued
After filling our bellies with classic and flavorful food, we went to the clock, our meeting point overlooking the cliffs. Soon, our tour guide came to show us around the island. In our short wander through tiny streets, past quaint hotels and scenic views, we all caught a glimpse of lifestyles of the rich and famous, vowing to stay there one day. Some of us vowed to buy a house there one day and live a fun, beautiful existence high above the sea. Wisteria and lemon trees scented the air, and scenic views were found around every corner. Under the bright blue sky and warm sun, everybody was smiling and feeling purely elated. "It's the garden of Eden," said Ms. Hoffman. There's no better way to explain it.
We passed the island's perfumerie, started by local monks centuries ago. The perfume is still made by hand, capturing the essence of the island's fresh, breezy citrus and floral scents in a bottle to take home and relive. I held out my hand for a sample spritz from a cheerful lady in a clean white lab coat. "mmmm, what is this? I have to come back." The unisex fragrance was light, clean and . . . just made you feel good, without being overwhelming. "We have to come back here," I said to Mrs. King as we climbed further up the cliffs.
Eventually our tour guide led us to a tree lined park with stunning, dramatic cliffs in all directions. We took photos, trying to preserve the moment forever, to get us through stressful times or dark winter days. We imagined a life where we get to live here. Then we had free time.
Back to the perfumerie where we did some shopping, buying gifts for family, friends, coworkers -- and of course, ourselves! Everything was so delightfully fragrant, and not in that overwhelming way of the perfume counters at Macy's or something. Fresh.
We made it back to the clock with plenty of free time to spare, so we tried fresh-squeezed lemon juice with a squirt of fresh-squeezed orange juice. The lemons on the Amalfi coast are incredibly fragrant. The area is know for its limoncello, a liquor made from lemon rinds, and most families know how to make their own. Citrus trees line the streets and backyards in this area; in the Naples area, fed from the nutrient-rich volcanic ash from Ms. Vesuvius, the lemons grow to almost mutant sizes, bigger than cantaloupes sometimes. Everybody had such a positive reaction to the slushy citrus goodness, so I knew I had to try. Nothing, nothing has ever been so delightfully flavorful. I savored every sip -- aromatherapy for the soul.
Reluctantly, we headed toward the funicular (the little cog tram down the side of the mountain), which led us to our ferry to leave Capri. But why would anyone want to leave Capri? But alas, since our hotel was in Sorrento, it was time to go.
We were all dreading boarding the ferry again, although the waves had clearly dissipated after the morning chaos. We had about a half hour to bask in the sun and stare at the surreally turqouise water before boarding our hydrafoil to Sorrento. This boat was different. The route was different and the water was calm. Good thing, because by the time we got on, there were no seats! Most of us popped ginger supplements to fend off nausea before it began, then we boarded. Under such pretty skies and calm water, I took a risk and stood outside on the deck. With just a thick rope protecting me from flying towards the water, I was hoping the water wouldn't be too rough. It wasn't easy to stand during the high speeds, but the boat crew didn't seem concerned about me and a few others who enjoyed the views and captured beautiful pictures and videos. What a completely different ride from our arrival.
Once the boat arrived in Sorrento, the group was still smiling and nobody got seasick. Hurray! We walked up a steep cliff to meet Diego on the wider streets up above. "Ok everybody," said Iris on the bus after we had a ppo. "The hotel is 15 minutes away in a suburb of Sorrento. But the ride can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 3 hours. Since it is a holiday here in Italy, it looks like there will be a lot of traffic."
We could not fathom how such a short distance could take 3 hours. But as we slowly inched along the cliffside road in insane gridlock traffic, we lasted about 3.5 hours. People even had to leave the bus to . . .ya know. Because there were no restaurants and nowhere to do. I understand why there are no bathrooms on busses anymore, usually. They are hard to clean and they can create awful smells. But I think it's worth it just to have them in case of emergencies like this. I have to make sure I disseminate this information to EF so they can think about this for the future. Nothing at all against Diego's magic bus, but we would have loved a bathroom and it would have saved us much stress.
Despite crossing our legs and trying not to think about running water, the views along the cliffs were breathtaking as the lights twinkled in the distance across the bay of Naples. And eventually, we were dropped off near our hotel. The streets were too narrow to fit the bus, so we walked up a slope, up the cliff to the Panorama Palace hotel. Cliffside. Overlooking what promised to be a gorgeous view in the morning.
We all rushed in, dashed for the bathrooms, and relaxed. I looked out my window to see an almost full moon, a couple of planets, and lots of stars dotting the sky. I did not have a sea view, but I could see mountains and I was happy.
According to the original plans, we were supposed to be heading to the ferry to Greece tomorrow. Oh, what a tease. All this way and not able to enjoy this hotel? But there was a Greek ferry strike and we were unable to depart as planned. This gave us an extra night in Sorrento, which meant a bonus day. It also meant we were going to lose a day in Greece and we would no longer be able to visit Delphi. On the flip side, we were going to climb Ms. Vesuvius, which was not on the original itinerary. yay!
I curled into bed, grabbed an extra blanket because the room turned chilly, and fell into a blissful sleep.
We passed the island's perfumerie, started by local monks centuries ago. The perfume is still made by hand, capturing the essence of the island's fresh, breezy citrus and floral scents in a bottle to take home and relive. I held out my hand for a sample spritz from a cheerful lady in a clean white lab coat. "mmmm, what is this? I have to come back." The unisex fragrance was light, clean and . . . just made you feel good, without being overwhelming. "We have to come back here," I said to Mrs. King as we climbed further up the cliffs.
Eventually our tour guide led us to a tree lined park with stunning, dramatic cliffs in all directions. We took photos, trying to preserve the moment forever, to get us through stressful times or dark winter days. We imagined a life where we get to live here. Then we had free time.
Back to the perfumerie where we did some shopping, buying gifts for family, friends, coworkers -- and of course, ourselves! Everything was so delightfully fragrant, and not in that overwhelming way of the perfume counters at Macy's or something. Fresh.
We made it back to the clock with plenty of free time to spare, so we tried fresh-squeezed lemon juice with a squirt of fresh-squeezed orange juice. The lemons on the Amalfi coast are incredibly fragrant. The area is know for its limoncello, a liquor made from lemon rinds, and most families know how to make their own. Citrus trees line the streets and backyards in this area; in the Naples area, fed from the nutrient-rich volcanic ash from Ms. Vesuvius, the lemons grow to almost mutant sizes, bigger than cantaloupes sometimes. Everybody had such a positive reaction to the slushy citrus goodness, so I knew I had to try. Nothing, nothing has ever been so delightfully flavorful. I savored every sip -- aromatherapy for the soul.
Reluctantly, we headed toward the funicular (the little cog tram down the side of the mountain), which led us to our ferry to leave Capri. But why would anyone want to leave Capri? But alas, since our hotel was in Sorrento, it was time to go.
We were all dreading boarding the ferry again, although the waves had clearly dissipated after the morning chaos. We had about a half hour to bask in the sun and stare at the surreally turqouise water before boarding our hydrafoil to Sorrento. This boat was different. The route was different and the water was calm. Good thing, because by the time we got on, there were no seats! Most of us popped ginger supplements to fend off nausea before it began, then we boarded. Under such pretty skies and calm water, I took a risk and stood outside on the deck. With just a thick rope protecting me from flying towards the water, I was hoping the water wouldn't be too rough. It wasn't easy to stand during the high speeds, but the boat crew didn't seem concerned about me and a few others who enjoyed the views and captured beautiful pictures and videos. What a completely different ride from our arrival.
Once the boat arrived in Sorrento, the group was still smiling and nobody got seasick. Hurray! We walked up a steep cliff to meet Diego on the wider streets up above. "Ok everybody," said Iris on the bus after we had a ppo. "The hotel is 15 minutes away in a suburb of Sorrento. But the ride can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 3 hours. Since it is a holiday here in Italy, it looks like there will be a lot of traffic."
We could not fathom how such a short distance could take 3 hours. But as we slowly inched along the cliffside road in insane gridlock traffic, we lasted about 3.5 hours. People even had to leave the bus to . . .ya know. Because there were no restaurants and nowhere to do. I understand why there are no bathrooms on busses anymore, usually. They are hard to clean and they can create awful smells. But I think it's worth it just to have them in case of emergencies like this. I have to make sure I disseminate this information to EF so they can think about this for the future. Nothing at all against Diego's magic bus, but we would have loved a bathroom and it would have saved us much stress.
Despite crossing our legs and trying not to think about running water, the views along the cliffs were breathtaking as the lights twinkled in the distance across the bay of Naples. And eventually, we were dropped off near our hotel. The streets were too narrow to fit the bus, so we walked up a slope, up the cliff to the Panorama Palace hotel. Cliffside. Overlooking what promised to be a gorgeous view in the morning.
We all rushed in, dashed for the bathrooms, and relaxed. I looked out my window to see an almost full moon, a couple of planets, and lots of stars dotting the sky. I did not have a sea view, but I could see mountains and I was happy.
According to the original plans, we were supposed to be heading to the ferry to Greece tomorrow. Oh, what a tease. All this way and not able to enjoy this hotel? But there was a Greek ferry strike and we were unable to depart as planned. This gave us an extra night in Sorrento, which meant a bonus day. It also meant we were going to lose a day in Greece and we would no longer be able to visit Delphi. On the flip side, we were going to climb Ms. Vesuvius, which was not on the original itinerary. yay!
I curled into bed, grabbed an extra blanket because the room turned chilly, and fell into a blissful sleep.
Friday, April 20, 2012
April 9 - Easter Monday
Easter Sunday was our last evening in the lovely and spacious hotel. We settled in for a nice sleep and an early wake up call the next morning. After breakfast, we loaded our suitcases into the bus and said goodbye to our quaint, rustic mountain in Palestrina before heading South.
In a few hours, we saw Mt. Vesuvius looming in the distance as Iris explained the danger for residents living in the Naples area. In the 40s, the government offered 30,000 euros to those living there if they moved away. But people stayed. The volcano is dormant, but is 10 years overdue for an eruption and not the kind like we had in the 40s. There could be another eruption like the one that covered Pompeii.
I was extremely excited to be in a new part of Italy, since I had never been south of Rome. The bus pulled into the port of Naples, which was our only introduction to this classicly chaotic city famous as the birthplace of pizza. I noticed that everyone seemed to have all their laundry out, making the buildings look almost like they were covered in a hodgepodge of fabric. I can see why Switzerland banned this kind of drying method because it does take away the appearance of order. At the same time, it's so practical.
We had some free time at the port before boarding our ferry to Capri, the island famous for jet setters and those who want to peak at their lifestyle. I took photos, the students and other adults wandered around the vicinity, and soon it was time to meet our guide who took us on board the hydrafoil.
The seats were like short-haul airline seats, and they stretched across the whole wide length of the ship. I wasn't able to get a spot near the window, but I found an isle seat up near the front, where I could kind of peak out the windows. The boat took off, and everyone was cheering and laughing as the boat dipped up and down on the choppy waters. We'd laugh as the drops tickled our bellies. We oohed and ahhed, and then . . . suddenly . . . it became very quiet.
I put my headphones on and closed my eyes in the beginning because there wasn't much to look at and I wanted entertainment. But, eventually, even through the headphones I could hear what was going on. Chaos had erupted aboard as the neon-vest clad officials went around frantically distributing clear bags to the frantic hands reaching into the isles. Wretching, vomiting, mass vomiting in all directions. Chain reactions. Thank goodness I was seated under a vent and had an isle and an empty seat next to me, so I was spared some of the horrors that others went through. The boat then hit a "perfect storm" style wave and tipped so far up that before we landed, I thought "This is the end, we're going to capsize." BOOM, we hit, then up and down and even I started to feel seasick. I closed my eyes, pinched the pressure point on my ear to try to help with nausea and waited for it to be over.
The green cliffs of Capri were right in front of us, yet so far away as the boat continued to bob with its green passengers. And then finally, finally . . .we slowed down and inched slowly into port. The crowd tried to compose themselves and dispose of their refuse, the clear bags filled with today's meals. I found some members of our group in the back, and nobody looked ok.
I was glad I managed to keep my breakfast down, but just barely. We all wobbled off the boat and Mrs. King grabbed fistfulls of the clear bags for the ride home. Oh no . . . the ride home. We would have to do this again. People were grouchy, sick, disoriented, but then we emerged into the bright sun and turquoise water of Capri and suddenly . . . everything was much better. "It was worth it," one of the kids said. I had to agree.
Soon we had started walking straight as the nausea dissipated. We stared at the 360 degrees of spectacular views along the shore, then walked to a harbour for pictures and fun. Jackets came off, smiles came on, and . . . NOW we were on vacation. This is the life.
We boarded small mini-busses that climbed up the cliffs of the island taking us to "Capri," the city high above sea level. We strolled along the lemon tree-lined promenade, peaked into designer stores, and looked at even more views before heading into a restaurant for our first true Neopolitan style pizza marguerita (cheese and tomato sauce, the classic). It was so delicious. There are no words to describe it in this particular blog, but I promise to come back and write just about the warm, gooey bliss that was this pizza.
We had tiramisu flavored gelato, then headed out for some free time on the island.
more later . . . :)
In a few hours, we saw Mt. Vesuvius looming in the distance as Iris explained the danger for residents living in the Naples area. In the 40s, the government offered 30,000 euros to those living there if they moved away. But people stayed. The volcano is dormant, but is 10 years overdue for an eruption and not the kind like we had in the 40s. There could be another eruption like the one that covered Pompeii.
I was extremely excited to be in a new part of Italy, since I had never been south of Rome. The bus pulled into the port of Naples, which was our only introduction to this classicly chaotic city famous as the birthplace of pizza. I noticed that everyone seemed to have all their laundry out, making the buildings look almost like they were covered in a hodgepodge of fabric. I can see why Switzerland banned this kind of drying method because it does take away the appearance of order. At the same time, it's so practical.
We had some free time at the port before boarding our ferry to Capri, the island famous for jet setters and those who want to peak at their lifestyle. I took photos, the students and other adults wandered around the vicinity, and soon it was time to meet our guide who took us on board the hydrafoil.
The seats were like short-haul airline seats, and they stretched across the whole wide length of the ship. I wasn't able to get a spot near the window, but I found an isle seat up near the front, where I could kind of peak out the windows. The boat took off, and everyone was cheering and laughing as the boat dipped up and down on the choppy waters. We'd laugh as the drops tickled our bellies. We oohed and ahhed, and then . . . suddenly . . . it became very quiet.
I put my headphones on and closed my eyes in the beginning because there wasn't much to look at and I wanted entertainment. But, eventually, even through the headphones I could hear what was going on. Chaos had erupted aboard as the neon-vest clad officials went around frantically distributing clear bags to the frantic hands reaching into the isles. Wretching, vomiting, mass vomiting in all directions. Chain reactions. Thank goodness I was seated under a vent and had an isle and an empty seat next to me, so I was spared some of the horrors that others went through. The boat then hit a "perfect storm" style wave and tipped so far up that before we landed, I thought "This is the end, we're going to capsize." BOOM, we hit, then up and down and even I started to feel seasick. I closed my eyes, pinched the pressure point on my ear to try to help with nausea and waited for it to be over.
The green cliffs of Capri were right in front of us, yet so far away as the boat continued to bob with its green passengers. And then finally, finally . . .we slowed down and inched slowly into port. The crowd tried to compose themselves and dispose of their refuse, the clear bags filled with today's meals. I found some members of our group in the back, and nobody looked ok.
I was glad I managed to keep my breakfast down, but just barely. We all wobbled off the boat and Mrs. King grabbed fistfulls of the clear bags for the ride home. Oh no . . . the ride home. We would have to do this again. People were grouchy, sick, disoriented, but then we emerged into the bright sun and turquoise water of Capri and suddenly . . . everything was much better. "It was worth it," one of the kids said. I had to agree.
Soon we had started walking straight as the nausea dissipated. We stared at the 360 degrees of spectacular views along the shore, then walked to a harbour for pictures and fun. Jackets came off, smiles came on, and . . . NOW we were on vacation. This is the life.
We boarded small mini-busses that climbed up the cliffs of the island taking us to "Capri," the city high above sea level. We strolled along the lemon tree-lined promenade, peaked into designer stores, and looked at even more views before heading into a restaurant for our first true Neopolitan style pizza marguerita (cheese and tomato sauce, the classic). It was so delicious. There are no words to describe it in this particular blog, but I promise to come back and write just about the warm, gooey bliss that was this pizza.
We had tiramisu flavored gelato, then headed out for some free time on the island.
more later . . . :)
Sunday, April 15, 2012
April 8 - Easter Sunday
Another early wake up call, then down for a relaxing breakfast. Happy Easter! The Albany group chaperones made little Easter bags for their students, filled with good candy. How sweet. Soon after breakfast, the Albany and West Bronx groups boarded "Diego's magic bus" for a 4 hour ride to Florence. We were looking forward to the nonni nonni time and the beautiful Umbrian and Tuscan scenery that glided by the bus on our way North.
more later . . . Ok, I'm back, and it's Friday April 20th as I complete this post. We're all still basking in the glow of the trip, and Justin's already asking his mother if he can go again in 2 years. More about that trip later. So, we glided North towards Florence, stopping at rest areas for mandatory ppo (pp opportunities). Several of us enjoyed the excellent, frothy, delightful cappuccinos and other assorted treats such as crispy, flaky warm croissants, Nutella to go, and Desiree's favorite -- small Pringles.
We arrived at a parking lot next to the train station in Florence, and I was instantly overcome by a flood of memories from my other 4 trips to Florence, arriving via train for most of them. I also came to Florence on my first EF tour as a student in 1997. The last time I was here, it was 100 degrees, and I was dragging my mother and great aunt around the simmering cobble stones on a day trip from Lake Como. This time, it was much, much cooler and a lot less crowded. There was a more relaxed atmosphere, and I could actually appreciate the art and the city a lot more this time. The students were amazed by how many sculptures were out in the open, and how with every turn, a random building would feature some kind of fresco or sculpture. Florence is an inspirational feast for the eyes and soul.
We had the opportunity to visit the Leonardo Leather Shop, one of the original family-owned leather shops, creating some of the finest leather goods you will find anywhere in the world. These are the types of items that can be passed down from generation to generation. And they have the price tag to match. We watched a brief presentation about how the Florentine box is created (beautiful), then went to look at some of the gold jewelry before shopping time. I was very interested to see that they still sold the items I bought there years ago: mom a purse, dad a wallet, a tiny little leather box for myself (now priced at 45 euros, wow), and a cute leather change purse for grandma, priced at almost 60 euros. I didn't realize how much I had spent at that time, swiping my credit cart, the first time I had that freedom. But I'm glad I bought those items, and they are still beautiful and special. In fact, when my grandmother passed away in 2007, I inherited much of her items. When I went through her jewelry boxes, I noticed that she still had the leather change purse along with the note I gave her that said, "Now you can finally stop using the beat up old change purse I gave you when I was 3."
Just like our Rome day, however, the skies opened up in heavy downpours just as we began our guided tour in Rome. Umbrellas were almost useless in protecting us from the downpour, and despite all our warnings to dress in layers and bring coats, some of our students were underdressed and freezing. Even in my jacket and fleece, I was cold. At the same time, we were all under the magic spell of Florence's beauty and enjoying how pretty it was, even in the rain. We ended the walking tour slightly early, and -- by our luck-- the skies began to clear and the sun creeped slowly out. We wandered through the Medieval Streets, and Bryan said he wanted to move here one day. I told Desaree that she should think about studying abroad here for a semester, especially with her interest in fashion. So many exciting times ahead of our students. I said, "Promise me you'll study abroad in college. This is all just the beginning of very special memories." Desaree was walking around in flip flops, so we went to get her some new shoes for her cold feet. Even though I warned her to buy European brands since the American ones are marked up with import fees and the European brands are cheaper than we could get at home, she bought a nice pair of All Stars.
We browsed through H&M, had a gelato, and before long and all too soon, it was time to meet in the square again to head for the bus home. We posed for some Buona Pasqua pictures (Happy Easter). The sun was shining brightly, and we were all happy. Yes, we are on vacation and we are in Europe. Back to the toasty bus for nonni nonni time, listening to music, watching the scenery float by again. A lovely Easter Sunday.
more later . . . Ok, I'm back, and it's Friday April 20th as I complete this post. We're all still basking in the glow of the trip, and Justin's already asking his mother if he can go again in 2 years. More about that trip later. So, we glided North towards Florence, stopping at rest areas for mandatory ppo (pp opportunities). Several of us enjoyed the excellent, frothy, delightful cappuccinos and other assorted treats such as crispy, flaky warm croissants, Nutella to go, and Desiree's favorite -- small Pringles.
We arrived at a parking lot next to the train station in Florence, and I was instantly overcome by a flood of memories from my other 4 trips to Florence, arriving via train for most of them. I also came to Florence on my first EF tour as a student in 1997. The last time I was here, it was 100 degrees, and I was dragging my mother and great aunt around the simmering cobble stones on a day trip from Lake Como. This time, it was much, much cooler and a lot less crowded. There was a more relaxed atmosphere, and I could actually appreciate the art and the city a lot more this time. The students were amazed by how many sculptures were out in the open, and how with every turn, a random building would feature some kind of fresco or sculpture. Florence is an inspirational feast for the eyes and soul.
We had the opportunity to visit the Leonardo Leather Shop, one of the original family-owned leather shops, creating some of the finest leather goods you will find anywhere in the world. These are the types of items that can be passed down from generation to generation. And they have the price tag to match. We watched a brief presentation about how the Florentine box is created (beautiful), then went to look at some of the gold jewelry before shopping time. I was very interested to see that they still sold the items I bought there years ago: mom a purse, dad a wallet, a tiny little leather box for myself (now priced at 45 euros, wow), and a cute leather change purse for grandma, priced at almost 60 euros. I didn't realize how much I had spent at that time, swiping my credit cart, the first time I had that freedom. But I'm glad I bought those items, and they are still beautiful and special. In fact, when my grandmother passed away in 2007, I inherited much of her items. When I went through her jewelry boxes, I noticed that she still had the leather change purse along with the note I gave her that said, "Now you can finally stop using the beat up old change purse I gave you when I was 3."
Just like our Rome day, however, the skies opened up in heavy downpours just as we began our guided tour in Rome. Umbrellas were almost useless in protecting us from the downpour, and despite all our warnings to dress in layers and bring coats, some of our students were underdressed and freezing. Even in my jacket and fleece, I was cold. At the same time, we were all under the magic spell of Florence's beauty and enjoying how pretty it was, even in the rain. We ended the walking tour slightly early, and -- by our luck-- the skies began to clear and the sun creeped slowly out. We wandered through the Medieval Streets, and Bryan said he wanted to move here one day. I told Desaree that she should think about studying abroad here for a semester, especially with her interest in fashion. So many exciting times ahead of our students. I said, "Promise me you'll study abroad in college. This is all just the beginning of very special memories." Desaree was walking around in flip flops, so we went to get her some new shoes for her cold feet. Even though I warned her to buy European brands since the American ones are marked up with import fees and the European brands are cheaper than we could get at home, she bought a nice pair of All Stars.
We browsed through H&M, had a gelato, and before long and all too soon, it was time to meet in the square again to head for the bus home. We posed for some Buona Pasqua pictures (Happy Easter). The sun was shining brightly, and we were all happy. Yes, we are on vacation and we are in Europe. Back to the toasty bus for nonni nonni time, listening to music, watching the scenery float by again. A lovely Easter Sunday.
Saturday April 7
It's 3:29 here back in the US, and I'm a big jet lagged as I fell asleep by 6:30pm and woke up at 1:30am. Trying to get tired again, so I figured I'd update the blog.
Saturday April 7 was a full day in Rome. We nicknamed it the traveler torture day. With 4 guided tours in one day and, according to Mrs. King's pedometer -- 16,000 steps, it was quite a long day. We did see a lot of amazing things, though -- but just not enough rest and free time, which soothes the soul on a tour like this.
A 6am wake up call, down for a breakfast with hazelnut spread, cereals, machine coffee, and some cheese and cold cut ham. Boarded the bus by 7:30 for much appreciated nonni nonni time, as Iris called it. (Nap in Greek). As we were an hour south of Rome, we appreciated the extra sleep.
Then, as soon as we arrived, the skies opened up like a shower. Umbrellas were almost useless for keeping us dry as we skirted around puddles and found our way to the Roman forum. Luckily, the skies cleared after the extreme shower, but leaving us drenched. The group turned on their "Whisper" devices, which allowed everyone to listen to the day tour guide through "secret service-style" headsets. Unfortunately, I thought these were only for the Vatican today for some reason, so I left mine on the bus and had to walk right next to the guide so I could hear her. We wandered around the ruins and imagined life in the prime of the Roman Empire, quite an advanced civilization that left behind many interesting artifacts. They had excavated the area that was under many feet of dirt from the years. Very cool.
Afterwards, we strolled over to the Colosseum, for another tour. Everyone was excited to be at such an iconic landmark with such rich history, and I was excited to return after 15 years, but wishing I had my whisper. This, of course, made me appreciate it for the other two tours of the day.
Next, we waited on line at the Vatican so we could enter St. Peter's Basilica. As it was Easter Eve, it was exceptionally crowded, but we made it through the fast moving line that circled around the square in about a half hour. Once inside, tourists were instructed not to take photos of the crucifix as it was a day of mourning (Holy Saturday), but most people ignored it and I was shocked at their disrespect.
Mr. and Mrs. King had tickets to see the Easter Vigil mass at St. Peter's that evening, but decided against going since the logistics of getting back to the hotel were going to be quite tricky and they didn't want to risk getting stranded. I can imagine that it would be quite an amazing experience and hope they can come back another day for a masss.
After St. Peter's, we had a very quick lunch break which gave us just enough time to duck into a little restaurant around the corner. I had Quattro Formaggio pizza (4 cheeses) and enjoyed a nice meal with Justin, Ms. Hoffman, her wife Nicole, the Santiago's friend Ray, Desaree and Bryan. Then back for more touring. For our next visit, we had an appointment at the Vatican Museum, so we got to skip ahead of the huge line and enter.
The Vatican Museum houses so much incredible, awe-inspiring art. There are stunning things to see in every direction as we walked our way towards the Sistine Chapel. I was unable to visit the Sistine Chapel on my last visit to Italy with EF because it was so crowded. Luckily, they were able to get us in this time. As I squeezed my way into the chapel, I felt chills as tears came to my eyes. It was absolutely transcendently amazing, even with all the people inside. I took time to stare at the art and take it all in, wishing I had a chance for a private tour or to see a mass inside Michelangelo's masterpiece. Eventually, reluctantly, I left and squeezed out the tiny door in the back. The crowd pushed with such a surge that it felt like we'd get trampled. Little Justin had to push back a bit to not get hurt, and I had to hold people back so a woman in a wheel chair could get through. We are at the Sistine Chapel, not a rock concert in a mosh pit . . . don't crush us, be patient.
That part was a bit scary, but then fresh air and space as we exited and had some free time in a lively marketplace with live music. (The band played Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and sounded almost American, until they spoke with their Italian accents). Desaree and I looked at Tibetan Singing Bowls, Justin window shopped-realizing that he had to budget himself, and much of the group got gelato before we boarded the bus to dinner.
After a long day of walking and listening -- information overload-- we were so happy to sit in the restaurant. We ate a fried ball filled with rice, tomato sauce and cheese, followed by our meal. We ordered a bottle of wine for the adults, then finally - dessert.
The waiter came over with gelatos for most of us, but ran out. When he returned, he was out of the strawberry ones, but then returned to start passing out the chocolate ones. I went to grab one and he said, "No! Finito." And I said, "I didn't get any" and he walked away into the next room. The group was laughing and they said, "Go follow him." I was mad because he was denying me my gelato. In the other room he said, "No! Finito! Finito!" He was yelling at me and making a fool of me, and how do I not look ridiculous as I say "I did not get a gelato." I guess he thought I had a strawberry one, but I had passed it down to the end of the table thinking more was coming. Maybe he thought I wanted a second one, but once I made it very clear that I did not get any, he should have let me have it. I mean, I can afford a better gelato.
I talked to Iris who had a conversation with him, and he tried to say that was because he ran out of the gelato, but that wasn't the case. The group appreciated the entertainment and I was laughing, because, eventually -- I got my gelato. Which, by the way, was the worst gelato I had in Italy.
Onto the bus for nonni nonni time on the way back to the hotel. We were thinking about trying to get cabs to a local church, but since the hotel was up a hill and we were exhausted, we knew we were not going to make it to the Easter Vigil mass as hoped. I was asleep before I knew it. Tomorrow was going to be another early wake-up call and a busy day.
Saturday April 7 was a full day in Rome. We nicknamed it the traveler torture day. With 4 guided tours in one day and, according to Mrs. King's pedometer -- 16,000 steps, it was quite a long day. We did see a lot of amazing things, though -- but just not enough rest and free time, which soothes the soul on a tour like this.
A 6am wake up call, down for a breakfast with hazelnut spread, cereals, machine coffee, and some cheese and cold cut ham. Boarded the bus by 7:30 for much appreciated nonni nonni time, as Iris called it. (Nap in Greek). As we were an hour south of Rome, we appreciated the extra sleep.
Then, as soon as we arrived, the skies opened up like a shower. Umbrellas were almost useless for keeping us dry as we skirted around puddles and found our way to the Roman forum. Luckily, the skies cleared after the extreme shower, but leaving us drenched. The group turned on their "Whisper" devices, which allowed everyone to listen to the day tour guide through "secret service-style" headsets. Unfortunately, I thought these were only for the Vatican today for some reason, so I left mine on the bus and had to walk right next to the guide so I could hear her. We wandered around the ruins and imagined life in the prime of the Roman Empire, quite an advanced civilization that left behind many interesting artifacts. They had excavated the area that was under many feet of dirt from the years. Very cool.
Afterwards, we strolled over to the Colosseum, for another tour. Everyone was excited to be at such an iconic landmark with such rich history, and I was excited to return after 15 years, but wishing I had my whisper. This, of course, made me appreciate it for the other two tours of the day.
Next, we waited on line at the Vatican so we could enter St. Peter's Basilica. As it was Easter Eve, it was exceptionally crowded, but we made it through the fast moving line that circled around the square in about a half hour. Once inside, tourists were instructed not to take photos of the crucifix as it was a day of mourning (Holy Saturday), but most people ignored it and I was shocked at their disrespect.
Mr. and Mrs. King had tickets to see the Easter Vigil mass at St. Peter's that evening, but decided against going since the logistics of getting back to the hotel were going to be quite tricky and they didn't want to risk getting stranded. I can imagine that it would be quite an amazing experience and hope they can come back another day for a masss.
After St. Peter's, we had a very quick lunch break which gave us just enough time to duck into a little restaurant around the corner. I had Quattro Formaggio pizza (4 cheeses) and enjoyed a nice meal with Justin, Ms. Hoffman, her wife Nicole, the Santiago's friend Ray, Desaree and Bryan. Then back for more touring. For our next visit, we had an appointment at the Vatican Museum, so we got to skip ahead of the huge line and enter.
The Vatican Museum houses so much incredible, awe-inspiring art. There are stunning things to see in every direction as we walked our way towards the Sistine Chapel. I was unable to visit the Sistine Chapel on my last visit to Italy with EF because it was so crowded. Luckily, they were able to get us in this time. As I squeezed my way into the chapel, I felt chills as tears came to my eyes. It was absolutely transcendently amazing, even with all the people inside. I took time to stare at the art and take it all in, wishing I had a chance for a private tour or to see a mass inside Michelangelo's masterpiece. Eventually, reluctantly, I left and squeezed out the tiny door in the back. The crowd pushed with such a surge that it felt like we'd get trampled. Little Justin had to push back a bit to not get hurt, and I had to hold people back so a woman in a wheel chair could get through. We are at the Sistine Chapel, not a rock concert in a mosh pit . . . don't crush us, be patient.
That part was a bit scary, but then fresh air and space as we exited and had some free time in a lively marketplace with live music. (The band played Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and sounded almost American, until they spoke with their Italian accents). Desaree and I looked at Tibetan Singing Bowls, Justin window shopped-realizing that he had to budget himself, and much of the group got gelato before we boarded the bus to dinner.
After a long day of walking and listening -- information overload-- we were so happy to sit in the restaurant. We ate a fried ball filled with rice, tomato sauce and cheese, followed by our meal. We ordered a bottle of wine for the adults, then finally - dessert.
The waiter came over with gelatos for most of us, but ran out. When he returned, he was out of the strawberry ones, but then returned to start passing out the chocolate ones. I went to grab one and he said, "No! Finito." And I said, "I didn't get any" and he walked away into the next room. The group was laughing and they said, "Go follow him." I was mad because he was denying me my gelato. In the other room he said, "No! Finito! Finito!" He was yelling at me and making a fool of me, and how do I not look ridiculous as I say "I did not get a gelato." I guess he thought I had a strawberry one, but I had passed it down to the end of the table thinking more was coming. Maybe he thought I wanted a second one, but once I made it very clear that I did not get any, he should have let me have it. I mean, I can afford a better gelato.
I talked to Iris who had a conversation with him, and he tried to say that was because he ran out of the gelato, but that wasn't the case. The group appreciated the entertainment and I was laughing, because, eventually -- I got my gelato. Which, by the way, was the worst gelato I had in Italy.
Onto the bus for nonni nonni time on the way back to the hotel. We were thinking about trying to get cabs to a local church, but since the hotel was up a hill and we were exhausted, we knew we were not going to make it to the Easter Vigil mass as hoped. I was asleep before I knew it. Tomorrow was going to be another early wake-up call and a busy day.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Friday April 6
I awoke to the smell of hot croissants as the lights turned on in the airplane. A quick breakfast before landing in Rome. I haven't been to Rome in 15 years, so this was exciting. Once we landed, a tour guide was waiting to take us around the city. Since our flight was so early, we had the bus to ourselves for a bit. (Just the 12 West Bronx folks). She gave us some time to freshen up and get some coffee. This was our students' first groggy introduction to the process of ordering Italian coffee . . . and while I tried to order him a lungo, Bryan got a regular caffe (espresso) and did NOT like it . . . oops. Receipts everywhere, how do we pay, where do we go? . . .
After the caffeinated chaos, we boarded the bus and took in the sites of Rome, the ruins mingled with the old buildings mingled with the modern. Quite charming. And it seemed much cleaner than I saw it in 1997. Tree lined boulevards, clean streets, happy people strolling about in the springtime. So much beauty.
Justin was very excited and tried to do all his gift shopping in one day -- every time I turned around, he was running off to a stall or a store, always wandering in his excitement. We had to keep an eye on him. Gelato at the Trevi Fountain! Yum. Then we had a meal in the center of Rome by a main square (Pizza!) and tried to fight the grogginess of staying up too late. After peaking into some gorgeous churches and seeing famous paintings and the Pantheon, I realized just how much beauty is in Rome. Really stunning, gorgeous, unbelievable beauty that soothes the soul . . . and the jet lag.
After some free time lounging in the square (and more of Justin's shopping), we met up with the other group who had arrived from Albany. Yet they wanted to tour the things we just toured, so more free time to walk around. We saw the ruins of old Roman streets, wandered pretty far and walked into a random building which turned out to be another breathtakingly stunning church. I thought I was all churched-out after my semester in England in college and all my travel through the years, but the ones in Rome are quite stunning and transcendent. On the way back, Desaree, with her eye for fashion, kept window shopping and sometimes popping into the stores. Both Desaree and Bryan were drawn to "Penny Lane" a cool British inspired hipster store with fun clothing. And they tried on a bunch of stuff; Bryan bought a cool pair of sneakers, a nice button down shirt. But boy was that slow . . . of course the kids would go into a store when we only had 15 minutes left to walk back. We lost almost all our time in the store and had to RUN back to the square for our meeting time. I did not want to keep the group waiting; what a bad first impression. But we got a little disoriented. Luckily, Mr. Toussaint helped guide us to the right street and Desaree pointed us around that last little curve that got us to our fountain and the group. Finally, off to our hotel at 6pm.
After an hour or so drive (and nap time, yay!) we arrived up a beautiful mountain surrounded by rugged landscape and quaint towns. Our hotel! I went into my room, saw my balcony and had to resist jumping into my bed because dinner was waiting for us downstairs soon. Just enough time to shower and freshen up. Apparently, several of the other group members, including Ms. Santiago and her husband, used that for nap time.
Dinner was delicious, and the hotel staff, dressed in suits, were very sweet and friendly. Pasta, pork, dessert. We met the final group who had arrived just in time for dinner, a school from Queens -- and we were all united as one big happy family with our group leader Iris. Then . . .at last, bed.
Thursday April 5
Thursday was our departure day at the airport. We all met at the sunny lounge in Newark, many of us ate Smash Burger, and we eagerly anticipated our departure. We watched movies and napped on the direct Continental flight to Rome.
Greetings from Athens!
Opa!
Here we are in Greece! A brand new country for me and an exciting arrival for all of us. We've had limited Internet access, and only in the lobby of our hotels and only when it was working. Now, finally, Internet in the hotel room!
Quick summary, then I'll work on a more extensive update. We toured Rome, went to Florence on Easter Sunday, which was magical and charming, even in the rain. Sun came out, drove back down to Rome. Easter Monday we drove down to Naples where we boarded a hydrofoil to the gorgeous island of Capri. We toured the beautiful landscape and stunning views before boarding a ferry to Sorrento, hopped on a bus for a 15 minute ride along the coast to our hotel in Meta . . . but with Easter Monday traffic, it took almost 3 hours . . . EEEK. But so worth it when we saw the views of our cliffside hotel. Due to a ferry strike in Greece, we could not depart for Greece the following day and had to miss Delphi (boo), but we got an extra day in Meta (yay!) and after a great visit to Pompeii in the morning, we had tons of free time (yay). We climbed Mount Vesuvius yesterday morning, then headed down to the heel of the boot for our ferry departure. A mini cruise to Greece. Due to the rebooking, we were cramped in our rooms, where even adults were packed 4 to a room (eek) but it worked out ok. When we awoke, we had stunning mountain vistas and blue water all around. Arrived in Patras, drove through gorgeous scenery and here we are in our beachfront hotel in a great neighborhood of Athens. We went to the Greek evening for dancing and plate smashing, and that's where we are now.
I'm working on the detailed blogging next, but it will take me a while to catch up.
:)
Here we are in Greece! A brand new country for me and an exciting arrival for all of us. We've had limited Internet access, and only in the lobby of our hotels and only when it was working. Now, finally, Internet in the hotel room!
Quick summary, then I'll work on a more extensive update. We toured Rome, went to Florence on Easter Sunday, which was magical and charming, even in the rain. Sun came out, drove back down to Rome. Easter Monday we drove down to Naples where we boarded a hydrofoil to the gorgeous island of Capri. We toured the beautiful landscape and stunning views before boarding a ferry to Sorrento, hopped on a bus for a 15 minute ride along the coast to our hotel in Meta . . . but with Easter Monday traffic, it took almost 3 hours . . . EEEK. But so worth it when we saw the views of our cliffside hotel. Due to a ferry strike in Greece, we could not depart for Greece the following day and had to miss Delphi (boo), but we got an extra day in Meta (yay!) and after a great visit to Pompeii in the morning, we had tons of free time (yay). We climbed Mount Vesuvius yesterday morning, then headed down to the heel of the boot for our ferry departure. A mini cruise to Greece. Due to the rebooking, we were cramped in our rooms, where even adults were packed 4 to a room (eek) but it worked out ok. When we awoke, we had stunning mountain vistas and blue water all around. Arrived in Patras, drove through gorgeous scenery and here we are in our beachfront hotel in a great neighborhood of Athens. We went to the Greek evening for dancing and plate smashing, and that's where we are now.
I'm working on the detailed blogging next, but it will take me a while to catch up.
:)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Greetings from Rome!
Here I am sitting in the lobby of our beautiful 4 star hotel on a hilltop south of Rome. It's beautiful in this little city. We had two very busy days of sightseeing and absorbing the laid-back Italian culture and absolutely stunning beauty of Rome. I will write more later, but I am tired and it's time for bed. I will say that I came to Rome for the first time 15 years ago on my first trip to Europe with an EF tour in high school. Now I have returned for the first time since then, and this time I have brought my students. I made sure that my students tossed three coins in the Trevi Fountain so they could return as well. :)
And again, what a beautiful city. :)
And again, what a beautiful city. :)
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