View Larger Map
It was not very clear so I wanted to postpone the trip. but although the English people at the table were going tomorrow and had an extra seat, they would not ask me so decided to go with Miss Wilt and Miss Peet.
We met at breakfast and they went off early for time to shop and do errands. Wrote a note to Miss Schwabe - telling her I would like to come the 24th if I could go around with the guests of her pension but did not wish to go sightseeing alone. Got started by 11.15 but no train in sight. Sent for a carriage. Didn’t come.
Miss Ferris, a nice American girl from Stratford came along, said “Go by train” so I got into the #2 didn’t go to the station, got out, saw my carriage, ran after it, got in in front of Mrs. Dickens and rode to the station, 2 ½ francs per person-a franc too much. I got there at 12:05.
No Miss Wilt – stood waiting - no seats - asked if this were the right station - “si si” finally two minutes before train time they came and we all rushed to the train, got in helped by an old man who had to have tip, ate lunch on train, changed cars, got on a local, went to La Cava.
Cook’s man met us, put us in carriage, two horses and we started. Rode into an alley where driver’s relations came out and helped him get ready, got him a whip, a coat, a hat. At the next turn, he had a great parley – loud voices and we had to get into another carriage.
We drove to Ravello and then to Amalfi. The drive was beautiful with the sea on the left and the interesting country on our right. The mountains are all terraced and the terraces held in place by stone walls usually lots of bollins of solid cement or cement covered with panels filled in with loose or fitted rocks.
These terraces connected by stone steps usually …planted with lemon trees which were covered by matting supported by long poles or else there were oranges or olives everywhere but the mountains were steep and rocky. A number of interesting wild flowers most of which I knew at least by family.
Interesting old relics, old towers and other ruins - queer houses of the peasants, children begging everywhere holding out itching palms. We would not give. As Miss Wilt said, “It goes against my principles.”
Beautiful views and colorings in sea and land. Beautiful drive winding up the valley to Ravello.
Up there we went into the Cathedral and saw the pulpit on six lions-“3 lions and 3 lionesses” also opposite Jonah being swallowed by a whale which looks like a dragon on one side. Jonah going down head first, in the other coming out head first so he must have turned around in the whale as Miss Wilt said.
We walked to a garden and they wanted 60 cents to see it. And we wouldn’t, besides we wanted to get to Amalfi by daylight. Decided to go to the Capuchin Hotel. Drove there, found it was full, but they said they would put us in the reading room so we went up and then went out in the dome and explored around.
Had a very nice dinner and then went up stairs and walked on the magnificent terrace where we could see the lights of Amalfi in the distance. Brought some postal cards as I am keeping these for souvenirs. Finally went to bed about eleven. Our beds made of 3 lounges-four chairs for each bed. They were most comfortable-Too tired to sleep well.
No comments:
Post a Comment