#Sorrento Last Minute Deals

[pigtailedgirl]

Ray Vecchio Undercover My HeadCanon on WHY???

Ray leaving. That thing that hurts my heart. You get why the show in Doylist ran with this idea. It seems so fun and perfect on surface. With replacement a nightmare of the character linchpin to Fraser in Chicago. Reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture was Ray Vecchio! There is no logical or emotional way Ray would leave, unless had to. Killing would tone shift and be devastating. Straight actor switch has no story to build. But man, the never explaining the why in canon or really dealing with the weight of it hangs around. Nothing makes sense. A lot of guess work for a Watsonian fit.

@quasilogical put out their idea. Very interesting.

I wanna ramble bout mine or where I go most times.

AND it's I pretend Ray was pegged by the Feds for this even pre-Fraser. This is why he's on the Feds like Ford's radar, and the whole going down double entrapment angle and IA continuing interest.

Much like Ray K, who I think was only selected for name similarity last minute, hence his confusion. and because he was easy sell at low point and a easy place-holder if people are looking for the name to stay consistent and all that, Ray V starts the series in the same loner boat and is easy mark to sign up an operation for.

I think the Feds were building this project for a long time.

But the question is not of Due South having people who look alike, cause it recurs, getting to be someone else. Maybe Armando was like the thug, cop, cab driver extras. Maybe he was Ray's long lost family mob connected bro. Maybe he never existed before Ray. It doesn't matter that Ray has a look alike.

Questions important is... When and why was this Armando alike was a sure out and Ray in? Which canon gives absolutely nothing for because seasons 1 and 2 had no build for this obviously and seasons 3 and 4 never bothered to backfill.

But the question of why or how post-Fraser you could get Ray to go? How Fraser would let it happen and stay and not run to get him or leave? There is your meat of continuity.

What I think happens is in steps. That for me always hinges on three layers.

The Victoria incident. The shooting and the unresolved issue being do Fraser and Ray giving conflicting accounts of who had the gun in the final chase? If Fraser said he took it off Victoria, and Ray says he saw it in her hands. UH-OH

Wiggle room for a wedge against Ray. Does Fraser think Ray is lying and his dealing with why.

Then Juliet is Bleeding happens. It's another bad shoot-out for Ray. It's also a power vacuum in the Mob set up in the area as up and comer Sorrento goes down, and so does Zuko likely from the business. Ray and Fraser have deaths like Louis, Irene, and guilts to live with.

Finally there is the Rankin Incident. Where Rankin claimed police brutality on Ray and less extent Huey and they got forced to cut him loose rather than Ray revealing to anyone he'd beaten him earlier and was tailing him for almost raping Frannie. So Ray takes the rap but not revealing the reason.

If we can infer from the show talk that it's been sometime between season 2 and 3, as there is cases like Greta Garbo that says time passage, there was sometime between JIB and the end of season 2, and approx. 90 days between Ray's undercover and the body of Rankin getting discovered; We can think long-term planning and short windows to implement again for Feds/

I think too it's important that A Likely Story references the family Langoustini having connection with Tucci and Chicago, not only Vegas.

My theory goes they tried to rope Ray in post VS. Had a mobster in Armando working/watched to do family building and maybe on the Feds inside the whole time.

Ray said no but wasn't able to confront or turn it down completely because of Fraser. Both not talking about their issues with justice/duty versus personal and the gun thing. But Fraser didn't know. And Ray is both guilty and angry at it all.

Then Juliet is Bleeding sinks Ray and makes the offer start to realize as inevitable. The Feds make it plain to everyone, even Fraser, we have means now to make this project a go. The Langoustini's can affect Chicago. The Feds move to install Armando as a bigger player in the chaos. Ray moves to an apartment as seen in Red, White, and Blue. Fraser and Ray are having major undercurrent vibes of picking understanding and loving someone, versus projection and ignoring feelings for your duties. Personal loves and morals or the profession. It's make your choices.

And that makes me feel so bad for Fraser but makes him clearer to me. Ray, who is going through old relationships closing up wounds and wants, wants Fraser to express feeling for him. Or someone! To let it out at least, even if it's with or to Thatcher or someone else. Fraser is caught between hard places of Ray should do this for justice in the abstract but really Fraser doesn't want him to personally or to lose him friend or otherwise.

So Fraser retreats to Mountie persona. Season 3 opens to runs to a vacation in Canada to pretend just like old times, I'm okay. While Ray's emotions undo him with the Frannie incident and the Feds strike, before Fraser and Ray can even come to terms.

Hence the season 3/4 weird brothers betrayals and unknowns of people coming through and the hatred of corrupt cop leadership, personal vengeance and mob activity on everyone's plate.

Essentially Fraser knew Ray was going but got blind-sided in the moment and in how to cope and how to justify it. Ray too on how Fraser sees him or feels in light of. Ray couldn't say no and betray that sense of having to do right that Fraser installed over personal, even if this is the worst fucking way and timing. Even if it's not justice and a lot of personal fail guilt like JIB mixed in, he can't come out and emotionally admit that failure to Fraser thinking Fraser doesn't put that above the job. So he got to go do the job. Fraser can't pursue the why cause fear of bad answers so stays protection mode Chicago, driving himself mad wondering, and trying to get over it, get over his issues, and getting to know new Ray with new issues and be helpful and bond.

So when Fraser does see Ray again; OMG chase, reunite, but all this tension and drama is still on the table for them. Of I don't know who you are or I am anymore and I know what we don't want, the wacky hurtful adventures of emotional and physical danger and mistrust, but they no longer have a read on trusting themselves, knowing what the other wants from each other and are scared to let out those feelings lest hurt each other. Why Ray went undercover? Cause I loved you dummy and thought you wouldn't like me if I did the wrong thing. Why Fraser can't trust Ray isn't the bad guy who didn't do the wrong things? Cause you love him dummy, and that feeling and belief you have to put it out there and above the image to not be your dad and to get it back and not lose it.

Then of course, more shootings, F/V staples, and Fraser learns the exact wrong thing and trauma retreats. Runs part 2. Ray retreats to Florida too, cause pretending to be not Ray sounds like it works better. Damn.

Until they work it out in the next episode of head canon addition lol.

[straykidsnerd255]

Hello ! :) I Saw That your requests were open again ! Can i request , if it's not too much too ask , how Sorrento , Io , Isaak and Baian would deal with their daughter ( the reader ) throwing a tantrum ? How they would recomfort them ? Some of them will punish them ? Would they yell at her ?

Thank u !!! Love U ! ❤️ Keep doing the amazing job !

Thank you so much! Love you too Anon<3! Thanks for the request and here you go!

Sorrento: 

He is the type that will try his best to comfort his daughter. When you are crying and throwing tantrum for who knows what now. “Dad, why didn’t you buy me that dollie?!” Your seven-year-old voice screamed out. ‘That’s why’ Sorrento sighed as he scooped you up in his arms. “Because that doll cost just as much as the food that you and I have to eat for the next few weeks,” Sorrento said, taking you with him toward the food section of the store. You mumbled under your breath but you knew that your dad was right. You needed food.

Io:

 “Y/n, if you keep doing this, you will be put in timeout. I am going to say this one last time. We need to go home in 10 minutes. It's almost dinner time. Ok, Y/n.” Io said, placing his hand on his daughter’s head. You glared at your father and immediately stomped your foot and screamed. Io took a deep breath and picked you up, and walked back to the house. “Y/n go to your room. You will come out when I call you for dinner.” Io said, placing you on the ground. You knew you were in big trouble when your dad didn’t yell at you.

Isaak: 

The first time you threw a fit, he snapped and got really angry at you causing you to burst into tears. Ever since that day, he refused to get that angry with you. You were just an 8-year-old child and you didn’t deserve that. He makes sure that if you do throw a tantrum, he makes sure to not yell at you but he will put you in time out or in your room till you are calm and will talk to you about your little tantrum. Isakk doesn’t like putting you in your room when you are sad but he knows that if he holds you close and tries to comfort you; you are just gonna keep throwing tantrums.

Baian:

He doesn’t believe in punishment or putting you in timeout either. He just has to make eye contact with you and you immediately go silent. He is pretty good about keeping you in place and if you even so much as want to throw a tantrum, he just looks at you from whatever he is doing and you are silent and sitting on the couch with a toy that you had been playing with before. Baian will just smile and watch you play with your toy before going back to his book.

[villacostadeglidei]

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[yildirimmadsen6-blog]

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[violetsystems]

#personal

According to my watch, I walked about seven miles yesterday. Nineteen minute miles at one point. Every time I check my watch and see my heart rate I do actually think about Sator from Tenet. I haven't run outside since maybe last summer. I haven't felt safe. But I lowered my pace to about eight minutes and thirty seconds back then. Yesterday I walked the length of the river to the lake all the way down to the south to the auto show. I don't own a car. I don't even possess a valid license at the moment. Considering the ACLU is suing the Chicago police department for monitoring social media, this should be all old news at this point. I do like design. One of the first booths I gravitated too was Kia's new logo. Maybe it was the summer sale's event that drew me. But either way, I got a pretty sick backpack from the presenters at the booth just by walking up. Shared my thoughts on the limited edition Sorrento Zion edition. Couldn't help being caught by the Matrix references. I continue to do things alone in this city for my own reasons. These reasons get a little more concrete as the days out here wear on. I realized that after a year of being ghosted maybe it was better off. And yet I'm still aware of the sticky social glue that seeps from the cracks of this city like grease. Grease is everywhere. I have my own routine to deal with it. Retinol works wonders. But the grease of pushing things through while covering up huge plot holes is ever present in this city. There's so much of it that you could be minding your own business and completely sucked in. I took the bus back. I've always been a fan of the transit. You can't really live in Chicago without it. I've owned a car here and do not miss the constant street cleaning tickets. One morning I woke up to my Volkswagen totaled outside my apartment. The insurance covered the repairs but I no longer own that car. There's a lot of things I no longer own and never really look back on seriously. But when it comes to being me, I've become fairly comfortable owning that situation. Part of going to the auto show was more perception based. Everybody watches what I do and yet there isn't much going on in my life that you can really see. I am getting extremely restless about life simultaneously winking at me from the void. Nothing really changes even when it does. And isolation can do this to you. Lack of validation can do that too. Lack of any sort of love. Piece meal validation is often worse. It triggers desperate, attention seeking behavior. Slimy, greasy tricks I've become bored with are easy enough to avoid. Except when you go out in public. And seven miles is more than most people spend walking prone in public. Long enough to organize an entire parade around somebody. All the while making it about them at my expense.

What I've realized over time is that people have their ideas about you and they are haphazard and fleeting. People say they know me. People think they know me. I haven't spoken to anyone in any depth in years. Year after year, I get that little nod in the street that somebody knows what I'm feeling. Not an admission. Nothing you can rely on. It's just the culture you think to yourself. And you keep feeding into this culture of "we're all in this together." You realize a year later that you are in this for the most part alone. The people you involve into something far too complex to explain to people want to use it as a springboard to talk about themselves. This can be the same for a journal you maintain weekly on the internet. What have we really learned about Tim at this point that doesn't set me apart from mediocrity? Apparently nothing. I've been beaten up, broken and bruised by an incredibly vague and almost scary con game. The con game is the same we're all dealing with. A society that speaks one thing but does another. A constant silencing of your personal voice in favor of group think and peer bullying. Is it any real wonder why after all this I've given up trying to figure out what mainstream society in America wants from me? I don't really understand anything anymore in my personal situation except for a few core things. And most of those things are too intimate to write about let alone talk about with anyone who'd listen. I live a life completely in the dark about everything. No glorious purpose. No acknowledgement of progress other than shadowy ghosts of shell accounts with funny names. People who hunt me in the street with messages shirts offering me psychological discomfort instead of job networking opportunities. Judgement of my situation from a mob of the general public without much looking in the mirror. An incredibly strange and destabilizing situation where nobody talks to each other and people instantly fear facing the problem head on. That's a shit situation to build your life upon at this point of my life. And yet it's the situation I'm in. No life. No liberty. No pursuit of happiness. And the police monitoring every word of it apparently. Everybody knows who I am but doesn't want to address me by name. They want to be seen keeping tabs on me without any real care for how I feel about it. I figure this is the very essence of fame that people don't talk about. I often thought becoming famous would yield something for all the trouble it's worth. To me I'm simple pattern recognition to this town. A glyph or an icon that people spy throughout their boring lives. Something they can pick on. A target to deflect the blame. And this is not something that will ever stop. It's something you just grow to get used to. Just like I've grown to understand that I'm practically invisible in a job market that is desperate for workers. It's fucked up. It's all really fucked up. And yet I tolerate out of some last drop of love for something I know nobody understands or respects in my general vicinity. Just secretly roasts me for behind my back. Someone to make fun of to take the focus off themselves. He can take it. He's privilege. It is not a privilege to not be able to unsee what's been done to me. The glimmers of hope that are out there get more genuine throughout the grease. But the road is long, twisted and the trust for me has dwindled out of necessity. I'm breathing on fumes emotionally. Financially I'm ok.

I really don't know what the answer is. I know the past thinks it knows me by now. I haven't spoken much to the past in the last year. I still see people haunting my media. I still interact knowing full well that there's some secret agenda. I still hope people who think they're helping my life actually read these carefully. I don't trust anything in my past anymore. Not even the bare skeletons of friendships with people I maintain to pretend I'm still alive. Nobody texts. Nobody calls. Everybody stares expectantly hoping I'll give in and open up to them. Nobody asks. It's been dead fucking silent. I talk to people all the time. On the way back from the bus an elderly woman came up to me and started asking me about my tattoos. I don't have a problem talking to people. People aren't open to valuing the time it takes to open up after what I've been through. And I start to realize people need me out here more than I actually need them. My life is a clusterfuck. People out of nowhere email me to ask how I'm doing from years ago. I wonder if it was all instigated by me renewing my passport. Some sort of federal background check. I live in a constant state of dystopia. And I've quarantined myself from all of it. I'm mothballed. Completely. A fucking cosmic joke to most people out here. The midwest can't stand you shining without someone getting a piece of the credit. The only reason I shine is because I've been through hell. I'm probably still smoldering from being roasted every single minute of my life here in public. There are too many stories of other people interacting with me. Not enough of me feeling worth enough to be treated more than a prank, joke or toy. And that's just the watermark of this city. It's a swamp. A great place to get lost in. But also a great place to be misunderstood. Not a very safe one. The rent is still cheap if you've been here forever. And yet all I ever feel like doing is being away from all of this. These people. These demanding stares that don't offer shit in return. I know this. I've watched the same old dirty tricks on loop. I've stayed out of it because I'm inspired to be better. I thought there was an escape. For myself. Maybe for another person. I would never openly admit that because it is now too dangerous to write anything. This used to be a way I could seize my own narrative. Maybe it still is. And yet nobody fights back against the noise other than me. That's not something I will stop. There's nothing out hear to change my views that much of what thought knew me is behind me. There's still a pretty bright future. Whatever color it glows is something that needs to understand I can burn out just the same. I know I'm expected not to. But this city is not helping. So maybe let's start there. Treat me right. I can't let go of my dreams. I won't. If you try you are in for a fight. And this city has already lost the war with me. I'm sorry but it's not that hard to see. <3 Tim

[naplesdriverguide]

What are the Benefits of choosing City Car Service?

What are the benefits of using the town car services on your next business trip? For most executives, sedans have become more and more the standard, replacing the old limo driver image, or the traditional lower-management rental hassle. Here are the reasons you should consider Naples drivers service for your next business trip.

Explore New Places With Car Services

Growing new city has its own quirks, and interesting places. Your driver will help you out and doesn't have a large limo vehicle's hindrance, and there's just enough greater comfort in the size of the town car to encourage smoother discussion about local trends.

Another thing to remember is that you ought to have your executive transportation service wherever you are going to be. Search for a nationally run business and save yourself the question of having to acclimatize every stop on your path to a new company.

What makes the Limo car service Naples Italy stand out?

Advanced car services from the executive and company town know your needs, and how to work on corporate time.

• Professionalism: All good executive transport providers should concentrate on being professional from the moment you schedule a city car until you (or your customer) arrive safely at your destination. It refers to both the driver and the car, as the car is an extension of your business for the duration of your use.

• Punctuality: It's of course important to be on time in the corporate world. Any reliable company of town car services should have drivers who understand this, and your timing needs.

• Experience: The basic experience lies beyond the timeliness and expertise of the cars and drivers. Without knowledge of the region, and navigation skills, communicating with executives, and knowing the overall business needs, you can not complete your job well.

In the end, these companies carry on the simplicity of a smaller car with the comfort of limo services' personal attention and expertise. Efficiency or usefulness can't make you go wrong.

Operation town cars is a trendy way to save time and money

There is a lot to consider when planning a trip out of town, and having to drive yourself to the airport is probably the last thing you want to do. Dealing with travel arrangements and luggage is hassle enough on its own, so you don't need the additional pressure so difficulty of trying to navigate the roads when you are likely to be already frazzled. In such cases it can be of great help to hire a Car service from Rome to Sorrento.

No matter what city you're in, airport traffic can be a nightmare. For so many passengers eager to catch flights or return home, these places can be congested in a real way. Weaving in and out of traffic when your watch is continuously being tested is not the best way to spend the last few minutes before a plane trip. If you hire a car service to handle your trip to the airport, you need not worry

[stjohnsglobal]

Weekend Trips: Where to Go

Studying abroad gives you an ample amount of time to visit other countries nearby your host country, letting you make the most out of your study abroad experience. Try to see as much as you can while you’re abroad because when else will you have the chance to spend 15 consecutive weeks in Europe? I can only write this article based off places I have personally visited and how my experience went but I’ll pass along tips and tricks that worked for me and that you can use too!

While visiting anywhere while abroad always try to stay as close to the city center as you can because that’s where all the attractions are and since you are going to only be there for a short time you want to get in as much as you can without wasting time on traveling to the attractions. When it comes to housing, airbnb.com, Hostel World, and Hosteling International are good if you’re looking for someplace inexpensive. Most importantly before going anywhere – do your research. Make sure where you are going is safe! Check what kind of currency they use – not everywhere uses euros! Map out what attractions you want to see and how much they’ll cost before you go – who knows you might even be able to get a better price or avoid a long line by booking in advance.

While in Paris, it was super cheap to visit Amsterdam by bus – tickets can be €20 or less if you schedule it early enough in advance. We stayed at a very nice place right outside the city center just a short walk from the tram into the city center. I would recommend going to the Anne Frank Museum and if you can make it into Amsterdam by Friday night, the Van Gogh Museum has a great night time tour/ mixer happening for a decent price – about €16. I also went to London while I was doing my 5 weeks in Paris. In London, I would recommend doing a traditional tea tasting, you can find really good deals on groupon.com. I found a tea tasting package that takes place on a boat with finger foods and pastries included and came with tickets to a boat cruise of London for less than €45. The boat cruise took us by the London Eye, Big Ben, and gave historical information on the big buildings along the water. I would recommend going to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and taking a stroll through Hyde Park.

While in Rome, my mother came to visit so I had a really good week of trips, that I didn’t have to pay for. We visited Pompeii on a package that took us on a guided tour and then a tour of the town Sorrento about 30 minutes away from Pompeii and it included lunch.  There are tons of packages that leave from Roma Termini (the main train station in Rome) and I would definitely recommend doing that.  I also went to Tuscany and a day trip to Pisa is worth the trip. You can even take one of those iconic photographs holding up the leaning tower!

While in Seville, I went on a trip to Morocco through a package with discoverexcursions.com. It was definitely my favorite trip from my whole study abroad experience, but it was also the most expensive. The trip was €200, which included transportation, a four-star hotel for 3 nights, all meals, a guided tour of the blue city of Chefchaouen, a camel ride on the Tangier Beach and a tour of the city of Tangier. The trip was worth every last dime! I know the Seville rotation will be ending this semester and students will be instead staying in Limerick, Ireland. I have never been to Limerick and unfortunately have no specific tips for where to go from there, but that’s the fun part. It’s a brand-new place with a whole new set of adventures to be discovered! Good luck on all your travels!

Social Media Ambassador: Rian Smith, Fall 2017.

[jo-shanerome18]

Herculaneum & Pompei

17/05/2018: We left this early morning to walk to Roma termini, needing to catch the seven twenty Freccia Rossa to Naples, followed by the first available Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi.

Jumping straight on the train, Cec questioned whether we were on the correct one. "Yes" was Jo's reply, pointing out the board informing travelers of the final destination, Napoli.  Then the thought crossed Jo's mind, "why did we have reserved seats when there were no seat numbers?" Shane got off and looked at the info board back in the main part of the station. Damn, Cecilia was right! We were on the regional train to Naples not the fast train. It was a mad dash to get off the train and scurry the seven platforms to get on the correct train. Apart from the big money difference there was a huge time difference between the two trains, one hour compared to three hours! Thankfully we made the change of trains with five minutes to spare, sat back in somewhat more comfort and speed than the regional train and enjoyed the ride.

Our fastest trip in Italy. Made it to 300

The arrival of the train at Napoli Centrale was smooth and on time, an hour and five minutes after departure. Following the signs to Garibaldi Station where the rattlers would take us south caused some confusion but after a short delay we found the ticket booth. Five return tickets and we were heading down to the platform. There were only two trains that travelled in the direction of Pompei, the first was to Sarno, which veered left at Barra and went around the eastern side of Vesuvius and the second, which was ours, to Sorrento. The trip was a half hour long and was pretty packed. Standing room only. There were plenty of locals getting on and off each stop which made it awkward at times standing in the carriage entrance. We managed, and by around ten o'clock joined the queue for tickets and audio guides at Pompei. The rest was easy.

We estimated that we could see what we wanted by two, an hour back to Herculaneum, an hour there and back to Napoli Centrale. This would give us plenty of time to catch the seven o'clock train back to Rome.

Entry point to the ruins

Located on a plateau of Vesuvian lava flow and overlooking the valley of the River Sarno, the ancient city of Pompei, dating back many centuries B.C., thrived from the produce of the fertile plains that are today part of the Campania region. During Samnite rule that commenced during the late fifth century B.C., Pompei was highly urbanised, refortified and dependant on Nocera, the largest city in the area. The movement of the Samnites unsettled political order resulting in Rome intervening in southern Italy, with military campaigns during the Social War leading to Roman dominance over the entire region. A few hundred years on and after becoming an ally of the Roman res publica, Pompei along with other Italic communities rebelled, demanding equity with Rome regarding social and political equality. This resulted in Lucius Cornelius Sulla and his centurions besieging the joint, forcing Pompei's surrender and subsequent creation of a colony by the name of Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum. Once founded, Roman money moved in with private and public building popping up everywhere, embellished over the following decades under the rule of Augustus and Tiberius.

This all come unstuck a few years after the rule of Tiberius, when a violent earthquake smashed the city up, creating work for the locals for a number of years to come. With the reconstruction work still under way and seventeen years after the earthquake, Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. It put an end to it all, covering Pompei under a thick layer of volcanic ash and lapilli. Although the city was rediscovered toward the end of the sixteenth century, excavations didn't get underway until the mid eighteenth century and continues today with around forty nine of the sixty six hectares having been excavated. A century later for the purposes of study, identification and mapping, Pompei was divided into regions or neighbourhoods, and insulae or blocks. Where the names of building owner were unknown the excavators would name the buildings after whatever was found there or such.

First view of Pompei, Porta Marina on the right

The first stop was up the path to the left, initially wanting to see the baths at the start but they were closed. It would be interesting to know the damage that was done during the 62 A.D. earthquake as most of the damage repair was still underway some seventeen years after. Vesuvius didn't do as much damage as we thought. It was still total mess though. A lot must have been cleaned up over the centuries as there was not a lot of rubbish lying around. Just what was left standing.

Almost immediately, Tom and Beau headed off ahead as they were quicker and wanted to do their own thing. The rest of us stuck together, for a while anyway. After we entered and exited Porta Marina, we noticed that the ruins of the Casa di Romolo e Remo and their neighbours, Casa di Trittolemo were still there, as they had been for millennia, so we had a look from a few angles and listened to the audio. More of a story to tell with a bit of history. It put a perspective on what it was all about.

Ruins heading up Via Marina

At the top of the path, a gate to our right led us off of Via Marina into Regio VIII (The Sacred City is the Profane City), and into a mostly cleared but interesting area, the Temple of Venus, which was being dug up ever so slowly as we watched. This place was totally ruined during the earthquake of sixty two and was probably in the process of reconstruction when Vesuvius erupted. Further inconveniences were encountered when the site was bombed a couple of times during WW2. Only ruins and foundations remain as most of the stone was removed and redeployed on other projects over time. The statue in the centre was what was still left of an artistic exhibition a few years ago.

Temple of Venus (REGIO VIII - INSULA I). Statue by recently deceased Polish artist Igor Mitoraj from his 2016 Pompei exhibition amongst the Temple of Venus ruins. Archaeologists slowly toiling away. Excavated in 1852, 1869, 1872, 1898, 1937, 1952 and 1984.

Returning whence we came, Via Marina took us to the Forum and to the Basilica. This area was under scaffold last time we were there and fenced off. This time there was better luck to be had as there was freedom to roam around. Quite impressive. The elevated stage was where judges sat dealing out punishment for the locals. Apparently, it was for their own protection, it protected them from those who were not happy. Much work has been undertaken to reconstruct what must have been. The bits that fell to the ground (and not pilfered of reused) all those years ago must have been laying on the ground where they collapsed and put back up.

Pompei Basilica prior to 1875 (PompeiiinPictures)

Basilica remnants today (REGIO VIII - INSULA I). What's left of the most sumptuous building of the Forum, used for business and for the administration of justice. Dating back to between 130 to 120 B.C., the basilica represents one of the oldest examples of this type of building in the entire Roman world. Date of excavation: 1806; 1813; 1820; 1928; 1942; 1950

Following further group separation and heading toward an area that had not been seen before, rather than going over the same stuff, the southern side was the go. On our last trip three years ago, much of the area overlooking the Sarno Valley was fenced off for safety reasons. The area has since been refurbished, if that's the correct word and made accessible. Impressive villas of the wealthy and some great mosaics were scattered throughout Region VIII. Facing Vicolo della Regina and built right on the edge of the hill, the location had great views overlooking the Sarno Valley to a distant Sorrento. Not all were open but some were. It seemed that there was not enough staff to man every exhibit so they opened them to a programme. Some were shut, some were open, but they all seemed to be open at some stage during the day if not being refurbished. Vicolo di Championnet was wedged between the southern walls of the Basilica and houses of the once wealthy. The House of Championnet was one such house and evidently one of the most sumptuous homes in the city. No much remains but they're protecting what is. The ruins extend at least four levels sloping scenically towards the sea. Vicolo di Championnet extended from the Sanctuary of Venus through to the southern end of the Forum and the municipal buildings. To turn right into the much wider Via delle Scuole and the inaccessible House of the Geometric Mosaics led to Vicolo della Regina and the similarly inaccessible gymnasium, Palestra dei Luvenes.

Scale model of Campania Regio VIII. House of Championnet to the bottom left, House of the Geometric Mosaics directly under the white label and Palestra dei Luvenes around the corner toward the top

The locked entrance to Palestra dei Luvenes (REGIO VIII - INSULA II). The gymnasium is located on Vicolo della Regina with an impressive floor mosaic in the entrance hallway, which depicts a fighting scene with two bare fisted athletes facing each other. The frescos on the walls portray athletes, wrestlers, a jumper with dumb bells, and the competition judge, known as the Ludi Magister, carrying a sash for the winner. Excavation date: 1887, 1928

Sticking to the southern fringes, Vicolo della Regina took a slight dog leg at the end of Vicolo dei Dodici Dei and continued down to the Triangular Forum and Samnite Palaestra to the left and the Sanctuary of Athena and Hercules and Doric Temples to the right. Beyond both were the two amphitheatres, imaginatively called the large one and the small one (Odeon). The Romans called the Odeon, the theatrum tectum and dedicated it to the most popular theatrical genre at the time, miming. Musical performances and singing were also popular. The large theatre put on comedies and tragedies of Greek-Roman tradition. It was also first of the large public building where the volcanic ash from the eruption was completely removed. It was probably never totally covered so an obvious starting point for excavators.  

Vicolo della Regina

Teatro Grande pre 1870 (PompeiiinPictures)

Teatro Piccolo marked the eastern most point of Regio VIII. On the opposite side of Via Stabiana, Regio I (The City Commercial) commenced. Continuing on with the "wandering" through the alleyways, the next place to drop in on was House of the Ephebe, so named after a bronze statuette of Ephebus was found inside. Evidently, a wine merchant named Publius Cornelius Tages was the owner of the place.

Just around the corner and across from some seriously scaffolded buildings was a Thermopolium or small takeaway joint and further on, almost at the vineyards and the eastern limits of Pompei was the House of Venus in the Shell, fronting  Via dell'Abbondanza but also on a side street, Vicolo della Venere. By crossing Via di Nocera, Regio I was left behind and Regio II (The City into the Green) was ahead.

The House and Thermopolium of Vetutius Placidus (REGIO I - INSULA VIII). This dude owned a property on the corner of Via dell’Abbondanza and a side lane unnamed, and sold drinks and hot food, stored in large jars and placed in the highly decorated stone counter. The well maintained news stand at the rear held a lararium to the protectors of the household, Mercury (god of trade), Dionysus (god of wine) and Genius (protector of the owner). Three kilos of silver coins (about 585 sesterces) were found in one of the jars, maybe hidden by the owner until the eruption calmed down. 89 thermopolia have been excavated so far. Date of excavation: 1912; 1939

The garden of the House of Venus in the Shell on Via dell'Abbondanza (REGIO II - INSULA III). The beautiful garden in the centre of this villa is the focal point around which the house was built, perystylium surrounding the garden. The back wall of the peristylium is decorated with a spectacular fresco with Venus, which gives the house its name. On the lower part, a luxurious garden is depicted over a barrier with exotic plants and animals. The upper part of the wall is divided into three panels with different scenes, to the right, a fountain that birds drink from and to the left, a statue of Mars with a spear and shield on a pedestal. In the centre, two cherubs accompany Venus, protectress of Pompei and the erotic sphere, lying in a large shell. The house belonged to a branch of the family of the Satrii, very prominent in the last few years of the city. Date of excavation: 1933-1935; 1951-1953

Mars and Venus in the Shell

Keeping half an eye on the time, which wasn't easy since Shane didn't have a watch, the  next area was across town rather than straight back toward the Forum. There was still well over an hour to go but with half of the ruins yet to see. Via dell'Abbondanza was chockers with people, many of them kids in school groups ranging from small, up to teenagers. They overwhelmed everything that they went near, making the place claustrophobic. This made the change of direction an easy choice, back to Via Stabiana and in turn Via dei Vesuvio, taking notice of the renovation work at the Terme Centrali, the central baths that were the largest in Pompei, covering an entire block of the ninth insulae and still under construction when Vesuvius erupted.  

A block further on and across the street was the House of the Golden Cupids. Well worth a look. From there it was through the non existent Porta Vesuvio and onto a small mausoleum outside of the city walls. Necropoli di Porta Vesuvio held four tombs, most notably that of magistrate Caius Vestorius Priscus, dated to 75-76 AD. A small rise adjacent afforded elevated views across Pompei allowing for a look back at progress that had been made thus far and an appreciation of the city layout from the northern edge. Excavated Pompei to the right and paddocks to the left.

Excavated to the right (REGIO V, INSULA I), unexcavated to the left

Terme Centrali (REGIO IX, INSULA IV). The eruption preserved the baths in an incomplete state but the ambition and intention of the architect is apparent from the façade overlooking the courtyard. The bathing rooms are more spacious and brighter than anything else around. Date of excavation: 1817; 1836; 1877-1878

House of the Golden Cupids (REGIO VI - INSULA XVI). Located on Via dei Vesuvio, this house represents one of the most elegant of the Imperial era. The building is set around the spectacular peristylium with an equally spectacular garden. Named after the Cupids engraved on two gold medallions that decorate a cubicle of the portico, graffiti and a seal ring indicate the owner as Gnaeus Poppaeus Habitus, a relative of Poppea Sabina, Nero's second wife. Date of excavation: 1903-1905

Time must have been getting on. Without a watch, Shane had been prying over peoples' shoulders to keep an eye on the time. Someone's watch said one o'clock so it was off to the brothel, right back in Vicolo del Lupanare, Regio VII, Insula XII. Vicolo dei Vetti was the street chosen for the return trip, starting off at Porta Vesuvio and running next to, but not parallel to Via dei Vesuvio. As luck would have it, directly behind the House of the Golden Cupids was another interesting one, the House of Vettii. Mistaken initially for possibly a brothel due to the paintings and statues with big dicks adorning the place, it ended up being the home of a couple of rich bastards, maybe full of their own self importance.

What's the heaviest? Priapus' bag of coins or his hanging member. Good health is worth its weight in gold.  The House of the Vettii (REGIO VI - INSULA XV), belonged to the brothers Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva libert, wealthy traders whom had the god of prosperity, Priapus, painted to the right of the door within the vestibule. Graffiti at the entrance of the house indicates that the prostitute, Eutychus, who was a slave offering herself for two Asses, carried out her affairs in the adjacent room, decorated with a number of erotic paintings. Date of excavation: 1894-1895.  

Time was certainly getting on and the brothel was getting no closer. The dead end at the end of the street forced a left turn into Via della Fortuna and next right into Vicolo Storto. A further barrier at Via degli Augustali forced a right turn. No planning went into the trip and it was showing. On the right path, the next turn should have been Vicolo del Lupinare, the brothel street and it was however there were temporary barriers in place again forcing a detour. And what a detour it was, with Vicolo di Eumachia blocked off, the next street was right back to and across the Forum, and then back down Via dell’Abbondanza. It added heaps of time on to the journey. What one will go to visit a brothel. Anyhow, we had the kids last time and didn't know what to expect so weren't too disappointed when we missed out. Not this time though. Not knowing that lupanare was brothel made the building identification more difficult than it should have been but it worked out in the end. Interesting but quite bland. A few small, bawdy frescos on the walls and a half dozen tiny rooms with stone beds. The building was quite small so there was a small queue trying to get in. Once in, it only took a few minutes to look and then it was off back to Jo and Cec around the kiosk. It was time to head off.

Bed in the Lupanare (REGIO VII - INSULA XII). For those who like it firm. The five bottom floor rooms with built in beds were located on both sides of the corridor that connected the two entrances to the knocking shop on the corner of Vicolo del Lupanare and Vicolo del Balcone Pensile. The prostitutes were largely Greek and Orientals who earned between two and eight asses per root. (One ass bought a glass of wine). They and the brothel owner lived upstairs. Date of excavation: 1862

The reunion went pretty well. We all turned up in the right place, except for the boys, and the right time. Regrouping, we headed back to the front gates, past the Temple of Giove, back through the Forum and out the front gates, handing in our handsets as were exited.

Upon leaving Jo phoned Tom and Beau and found they were in a bar at the other end of the site. They left straight away and ended up meeting at the train station. They told us that afterward that they were finished and looked for pizza down the bottom end of Pompei with the restaurant spruikers shouting across the road for business. In the end the one they chose walked to the middle of the road and stopped traffic in both directions so that they could buy their food off of him. It ended up a pretty ordinary pizza anyway.

Granai del Foro (REGIO VII - INSULA VII). The granary stretched along the western side of the Forum with eight openings separated by brick pillars and were used as for the fruit and vegetable market (Forum Holitorium). These days some nine thousand artefacts, the most important archaeological pile of terracotta crockery that was used in the last decades of life of the city for the everyday activities are stored there. Date of excavation: 1816-1822

The timing for a train was a guess, we must have just missed one as it was probably a half an hour before one turned up and when it did, it whirred along the tracks, the electric motors propelling us along as if they were about to explode. They didn't and within twenty minutes we were getting off at Ercolano Scavi and walking down Via IV Novembre to the entrance to Herculaneum, the next ancient site that was destroyed by Vesuvius we were visiting for the day.

Entry to Herculaneum

As was the case with Pompei, Herculaneum was forced to survive under the sphere of Nocera until the Social War and the domination and municipalisation process that Rome imparted on all of central and southern Italy. The city was much closer to Vesuvius, also built on a volcanic plateau but also on a sheer cliff above the Bay of Naples. As with Pompei, the city underwent a  construction renaissance during the Augustan period with many public buildings being built or done up. The earthquake of 62 A.D. shook the foundations of the city requiring repairs under Vespasian. The city is overall in much better condition than Pompei, mainly due to the pyroclastic flows that buried the place under an average of sixteen metres of volcanic rock that solidified, thus preserving the city in its original state and allowing organic artefacts as in plants, fabrics, furniture and timber boat parts to survive. The upper floors of some buildings also survived providing information of building size and construction techniques.

It is estimated that ancient Herculaneum covers an area of approximately twenty hectares, less than a third the size of Pompei however, only four and a half hectares have been excavated. Much of ancient Herculaneum lies beneath modern Herculaneum.

By the time we entered the site and walked halfway down the hill to the ticket sellers, Cec had had enough. Looking at the amount of walking ahead and the stairs and ramps involved in getting to the streets of the ruins, she decided to stay near the top and rest. We, on the other hand had an hour and a half to look around the best we could. We headed down to street level and again separated, only this time Jo and Shane stuck together.

House of Relief of Telephus. Apparently, along with House of the Gem next door, this joint belonged to M. Nonius Balbus and was the second largest in Herculaneum. Named after a relief depicting the myth of Telephus, son of the mythical founder of the city, Hercules, the house of three levels afforded scenic views down toward the marina. The house dates from the Augustan period and was remodelled after the earthquake of 62 A.D

School kids getting a lesson in one of the bath houses. The public baths were a big part of the Herculaneum lifestyle.

The Barrel Arches are vaulted rooms that provided the port warehouses and boat storage as well as supporting the terrace above. The rooms opened onto the beach and must have seemed a safe place for the three hundred odd souls that perished, many still lying in situ today. They apparently met their demise due to high temperatures created by the pyroclastic clouds reigning from above

The long ramp back to the top

The western sector of the South Terrace is a Sacred Area of varying rooms and two temples side by side, dedicated to Venus and four divinities

By four thirty we had had enough. Scaling the long path back to the entrance, picking up Cec and heading up to the station was laboured as we were all stuffed. Unlike Pompei, the train arrived as we hit the platform. We picked up all the time we lost at Pompei and more. The trip back to Naples was again cosy to say the least. So cosy in fact that Jo had an admirer in such close proximity that he was rubbing his so called manhood up against her. Her frotteur was certainly overly friendly. When she moved away he worked his way back next to her. It only stopped when she put her walking stick between them. It must have been her lucky day.

Arriving back at Garibaldi Station with plenty of time to spare allowed us to head straight for some tucker. We ended up near MacDonald's but found a place selling coffee, beer and pizza. We chose the pizza but afterward wished, regrettably, that we chose Maccas. The coffee was real good with a couple of sweets that we didn't recognise. Shane went back for another coffee but a different barista made it and was nowhere near as good. The food was crap.

Chip pizza for dinner. Yum

Vesuvius from Freccia Rossa

It was late when we arrived back at the apartment so we had a quiet one, a few downstairs and a genuine goodbye to the people that had made our time at La Biga so special.

Last night at La Biga with Giuseppe

Packing was a priority before bed as we were to be picked up by our driver at ten to head to Fiumicino Airport for the long trip home.

[anotherdoor]

The next few days in Rome were a bit more exciting than our first night there. Although Shaun was still sick for the duration, we managed to have some adventures. The first stop that morning being the Vatican City – it was pretty impressive. We went as part of our tour group. Interestingly, even though we were a supposed “skip the line” group, we were still standing in a queue (in the rain) for half an hour (while street vendors walked us up and down, trying to convince us to buy umbrellas, rain ponchos, water and other various knick-knacks – they knew we couldn’t escape them if we wished to enter the Vatican. Normally the best thing to do with street vendors is to give them a wide berth and don’t make eye contact! In this situation all you could do was stare at the ground and ignore them, or turn away from them and pretend to be deeply engaged in a conversation.). So if that’s a “skip the line” queue then I dread to imagine how long you’d have to wait otherwise (being pestered by intrusive street vendors)! But we made it in eventually.

Guys, there is so much art in the Vatican Museum, who knew? You’d walk into a room and it would be impossible to even take in all the paintings/sculptures/frescoes/mosaics/whatever that were contained within any given room, let alone examine each one individually. Seriously. You’d need to have a lot of time on your hands if you wanted to appreciate all the art there. A lot of time! (Note from Shaun: if you looked at every piece of art for 60 seconds, you’d be there for 17 years). As it was, we rushed through in about 2 and a half hours, stopping only to appreciate the most famous pieces of art. Our guide for the Vatican was an Italian women who was clearly very passionate about the art and artists, so she added a lot of value to the experience, despite it seeming rushed. We did get a whole ten minutes or so in the Sistine Chapel. Which you actually really need if you want to be able to examine it in any detail. SO many panels. Here are some photos (not of the Sistine Chapel though, because that’s a strict no-no):

That was the big event for the day. (Shaun’s note: not quite, this was the big event for the day:

This painting of a dove firing holy light into a saints head and granting him a halo at the Vatican captivated me until I was able to track down more clues at Saint Andrew’s cathedral in Amalfi town. Look forward to that blogpost because I get excited.)

The rest of the day was spent finding food and getting Italian sim cards. Just as a note, if you need a sim card in Italy go with Lycamobile – we spent nearly 3 hours going into different phone provider stores, hearing about really terrible and expensive deals, before we went back to what was essentially a tourist info store and for 15 Euros each got a sim card, 2 GBs of data, with the ability to text and call nationwide. To compare, Vodafone wanted us to pay 25 Euro each for basically the same deal, but without the texting or minutes. And 3 wanted us to pay 30 Euros for 30GB of data. Again, just the data. I don’t know why they think anyone would need that much data on their phone. Like, what are they planning on doing with it all? Watching Youtube videos all day? I mean, you’re on holiday – you should be exploring. Mostly you just need to be able to use Google Maps! 2 GBs is more than enough to get through a month. Most hotels/airbnbs have free wifi anyway!

That day in Rome we also learnt that not all gelato is created equal. If you’re going to get gelato, get it from a proper Gelateria – it’s much lighter, fluffy and made from proper ingredients. Italy has some amazing Gelato shops – the best in the world. But there are also some duds. Don’t go to a Bar for gelato, it’s not the same, as we learnt that the hard way (it was the only place that was open near us).

On our third day in Rome, we broke off from the tour at last, ready to strike out on our own. We moved from our hotel (which was near the Vatican), to a little guesthouse (the Mersede Guesthouse) that was located very near the Termini Station. 

It was nice, except for the shared bathroom. At least there was a toilet seat I suppose. It’s really weird, but in most public/restaurant bathrooms they seem to remove the toilet seats. It was so baffling that Shaun and I decided to look up why that was the case. There are multiple purported reasons – one is that people stand on them and they break so it’s easier to just remove them, and the other main one is for hygiene purposes. Either way, it’s incredibly annoying. But that wasn’t what I was going to write about.

Anyways, for the sake of convenience [mine] I’m just going to lump our last two days in Rome together. On those free days we did many wanderings around the streets, we visited the Villa Borghese, which is a lovely park up from the Piazza del Popolo, which is quite a cool Square to visit too - there’s an obelisk (stolen) and lots of churches and statues too. (Shaun’s note: please acknowledge the Chiesa of Santa Maria del Popolo, which also has a massive Samsung phone advertisement hung on the front. This encapsulates my feelings on Rome nicely.)

We also went to the Bioparco di Roma (the zoo). That was probably a highlight for me. I got to see wolves! And an adorable fennec fox. The Reptile House was pretty cool too. 

We did the obligatory touristy things – we threw a coin in the Trevi fountain, took selfies with the Colosseum, gazed on the Pantheon, drank espresso and ate gelato. I found a fantastic gluten-free bakery called Pandali and had a calzone and pastries.  It was good. We tried to avoid most of the attractions that involved long queues.

Rome has so many things to see – there will be random excavation sites in the middle of streets for uncovered ruins and artefacts, and there are statues and busts everywhere. We also found Groot.

That said, Rome does have a rather unkempt look to it that was surprising for such a touristy city. The sidewalks and cobbled streets were not well maintained at all. And it was very crowded. So we were looking forward to heading to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and its relative ‘smallness’ by the end of our time there.

Oh, I almost forgot! We got to meet Pope Francis and he gave us a parrot! We called her Sparky.

True facts.

- K

[trey-ff]

ONE.

SONYA

“Thank you.” I replied to the manager before hanging up the phone. I had just ordered something to eat from one of my favorite take-out restaurants, Sorrento. Though I was nine-months into my pregnancy, the cravings that I had developed months prior never seemed to cease, no matter how hard I tried to integrate healthier options into my diet for me and my unborn son’s sake. Losing this baby-weight would be a son-of-a-bitch.

Padding towards the front-door with a hand caressing my baby-bump, I peered out of the window at nothing in particular. The sun had set and considering I lived twenty minutes from Las Vegas, things were seemingly quiet in my neighborhood for a Saturday night. Then again, there was never that much commotion anyway.

Contrary to what most people perceived Nevada to be, solely based on the outlook that Vegas gave it, it was actually not at all like that. I mean, there were casinos and 24-hour attractions scattered everywhere, but everyday was not some big, never-ending party. At least, not to the people living there.

Just like every other place, we had careers, though, they mostly revolved around the hospitality scene provided in bars, casinos, and restaurants. While there were people who worked for these establishments, there were also people who owned them, as entrepreneurship was another big thing in Vegas. A smart individual knew that in order to be set for life in Vegas, you had to reap the benefits of the tourists, attractions, and nightlife. Essentially, everyone’s income was generated by the tourism because you would never catch a local down on the Strip, unless we were working or entertaining our out-of-town pals.

We had homes, too. Most locals that I knew worked in California, but lived in Vegas, or vice versa. I, on the other hand, both lived and worked in Vegas. Well, as of late, I had been out of a job due to my abrupt pregnancy, but before then, I worked three jobs, all circling hospitality and leisure. I worked as a bartender at a restaurant, a blackjack dealer at a casino, and a server at a nightclub. Yup, I rotated through all of these shifts, seven nights out of the week.

If someone had told me five years ago that I would be doing that shit, I would have laughed in their face. There was no way that a sheltered girl from San Diego who had dreams of becoming an interior designer and had even went to college for it, would throw away her aspirations to be consumed by Sin City.

But, shit happens.

I had first moved to Vegas from California when I was twenty-two years old; that was four years ago. The scene was way out of my comfort-zone, but that was the experience that I was aiming for. I needed an escape from what I was going through at the time and more than anything, I wanted independence. I felt that I had something to prove to my mother and older sister, who had coddled me all my life. I was an adult and could make adult decisions; I didn’t need them.

As one could imagine, being in Vegas by my lonesome at such a young, inexperienced age left me vulnerable to many things. There were times where I had gotten drunk out of my mind, partied until the crack of dawn, even tried drugs; all things that anyone who truly knew me, wouldn’t know me to do. In two years time, Vegas had swallowed me whole and I was spiraling out of control, mostly due in part to the fact that I was hanging with the wrong crowd of people. People who didn’t really want the best for me, people who my father had once warned me about. That was until, Ebony, my sister, turned her concerned visits into a permanent stay.

Growing up, all we ever had was each other so, while our friends and family thought it was insane of her to uproot from her lifestyle just to follow me to Vegas, I was the least bit surprised. She was loyalty personified; she would give up life and limb for me. She was always quite protective of me and when it had been declared that I had been too digested by my newfound life, she felt obligated to be with me and to be honest, I loved having her so close. It provided me with a sense of security and familiarity.

Just as I began slipping into a senseless daydream, my phone was blaring with a phone-call from none other than Ebony. While returning to the living-room, I answered the call.

“Hey, Ebs.” I grinned while carefully sitting down on the cushiony sofa. Grabbing the remote-control, I changed the channel to HGTV, my absolute favorite network. Anything that revolved home design and renovation fascinated me to no ends.

“Hey, what’re you doing?” she asked.

“Watching TV.”

“How are you feeling? You told Mom you were in pain?”

“Just a little,” I admitted, “I don’t know… I’ve been feeling a bit uncomfortable, like, I’m getting cramps or something. I took some Tylenol, but it didn’t really do anything so, I just figured I needed to eat.”

“That’s usually how it feels when you’re beginning labor, Sonya.” she said warningly as I only kissed my teeth. The pain wasn’t as bad as women claimed labor to be; it felt like menstrual cramps, if anything. So, that’s why I took it with a grain of salt.

“I doubt it’s that, I’m not in that much pain. It’s been going on since noon so, if it was labor related, wouldn’t I be in more pain? I told Dr. Eadon and she said that since it’s not too bad, it’s probably just my uterus contracting, which is normal. She said to lower the aggravation, take some Tylenol and if it intensifies, have one of you take me to the hospital.”

“Okay,” she said unconvincingly, “but, you’re good?”

“I’m alright.”

“On a scale of 1-10?”

“A solid seven. I’m not perfectly good, but I’m alright. Now that you got me thinking about it, the pain is starting to bother me.” I admitted. My tolerance of pain was relatively low; I could take a gang of pain, both physically and emotionally, before I finally snapped.

“Okay, let’s change the subject, then. Did you go out today?” she pondered, which made me kiss my teeth because she already knew the answer.

“Now, you know I don’t go anywhere.” I replied. I had grown used to solitude over the last growing months, only ever really contacting anyone over the phone and occasionally going out when pressured enough, mainly by my sister and best-friends. And lately, I had been turning down any and every attempt to hang out. Given the circumstances of my predicament, I preferred to be alone. That’s how it was going to be anyway, I had better gotten used to it.

“Well, I thought maybe you’d have a change of heart with the baby on the way and all. The gang told me that they were trying to throw a baby-shower for you, but you said no.” she said, referring to my best-friends, Ashley, Sasha, Deidra, and Noah.

“Yeah, I didn’t really want one. I wasn’t in the mood for being around people and stuff, you know?”

“I know.” she responded, sounding as if she wanted to add more to the conversation. To avoid her incessant nagging about my newfound introverted personality, I changed the direction of the conversation.

“So, what’re you guys doing?” I asked.

“Pretty much the same thing as you. Mom’s making dinner--it’s spaghetti, you’re not missing out. And, I’m watching TV with the kids.” she said, referring to her five-year old twins, Dedrick and Brooke.

Because I was due any day soon, my mother had taken a leave of absence from her job as a dentist and drove to Vegas to be with us. While I had more than enough space at my home to let her stay with me, I deemed it best that she stay with Ebony and her family, despite her feeling otherwise. It was just that my mother could get overbearing sometimes and I didn’t need that kind of energy suffocating me at such a crucial stage in my pregnancy. That, and I valued my personal space.

“That’s cool. Where’s Aaron?” I pondered, speaking of her husband.

“He’s still at work. Ever since he decided to start doing overtime, he doesn’t get in until about three in the morning.” she explained. Aaron worked in the pharmaceutical trade; he made the pills and liquid solutions that physicians prescribed to their patients.

“That must be stressful on you both, huh?”

“Yeah, it sucks that he’s never home and whenever he is, he’s always sleeping. Then, on top of that, I work, too. It’s just… hectic, but I’m hoping we’ll pull through. It’s an adjustment for everybody.” she explained as I nodded understandably. As long as he was providing for his family and coming home to her, that was all that truly mattered.

“See, and that positive outlook is the exact reason why it will work out for you guys.” I encouraged, hearing her small giggle.

“Thanks, sis. So,” she dragged, indicating that she was about to switch topics, “what’s been going on with you and your life?”

“Nothing really. Just anticipating the big day for when my angel gets here.” I smiled, caressing my protruding baby-bump as I did a million times a day. This would be my first child and though the beginning steps into motherhood hadn’t been the best, I was still excited to be a mother.

“Does this angel have a name yet?”

“Nope. I can’t think of one.” I replied as if it were no big deal, though, I knew she felt the exact opposite. Every time we spoke about it, she declared the importance of having a name prepared before his arrival.

“So, you’re telling me that you still haven’t figured out a name? He’ll be here any day now, Sonya.” she warned as I simply shrugged my shoulders.

“Mom said the name will come when the time’s right. The time just hasn’t been right, I guess.” I replied, gliding my finger across the pad of my purple HP laptop.

“Just don’t choose anything crazy, trying to be unique and all. This girl at my job named her daughter Neon. Neon, for God’s sake.” she complained, earning my laughter.

“People have sentiment behind every name, Ebony. Even though you don’t like it, I’m sure it meant something to her and the baby’s father.” I reasoned, but she wasn’t hearing it.

“There ain’t nothing you can say to defend a crazy-ass name like that. Neon,” she mocked, “I say you name him after Daddy. Keep the legacy alive. I would do that if me and Aaron had another.”

“No, I don’t really like the idea of naming someone after someone else. They always feel that they have to live up to those same expectations. Daddy was an Air Force pilot. He flew all these important missions and broke bread with the best of them. Too much pressure,” I explained, “plus, I would look at him or call his name and start thinking about Daddy every time. It would probably make me cry and think about the what-ifs, you know? And, how would I explain that to my son?”

Our father, Gregory Duncan, was killed in a car-accident four years prior. Some frat-boy piece of shit was driving while drunk and slammed right into him. The impact of the T-bone crash was so strong that despite the security of a seatbelt, his body violently jerked to the left and caused him to bang his head against the side window, instantly leading to his death. The young man responsible was apprehended and ordered to serve six years, though, I didn’t find that to be remotely close to what he deserved. Either way, giving that man his just-desserts wouldn’t have really mended the loss of my father.

He was still gone and severely missed.

“Now that you put it that way, it isn’t such a good idea,” she agreed before moving her mouth away from the receiver, “Dedrick and Brooke! If ya’ll don’t go sit down somewhere, I know something.”

Ebony’s threat forced them to instantly halt their loud chatter, making me giggle. She was the sweetest, most lax mother in the world until they started misbehaving. She was the perfect balance and honestly, the only one that I admired, aside from our mother, when it came to being a good parent.

“Quit yelling at my babies.”

“If your babies would learn to listen, I wouldn’t have to yell. They’re so hardheaded. Shoot.” she chuckled as my laughter continued.

“They’re just being kids,” I defended them before huffing, “I am so hungry.”

“What’re you eating tonight?”

“Well, I just ordered a pizza not too long before I started ordering the baby some clothes. It should be here shortly… I hope.”

“From Sorrento?” she asked knowingly. This wasn’t the first time that I had ordered from there throughout my pregnancy.

“You know it,” I chuckled once she kissed her teeth at my choice, “leave me alone, I had a craving.”

“Don’t cravings only last in, like, the first and early second trimester?” she pondered.

“Listen, I’m milking this thing until the moment this boy pops out.” I snickered, earning her laughter as well. Pulling the phone away from my ear once it beeped, I noticed an unfamiliar number. Shrugging it off, I returned to my conversation with my sister.

“Well, good luck with losing all that baby-weight. And, why are you ordering more things for the baby? You already have a boatload of shit and I told you I would give you Dedrick’s old clothes.”

“I know, I know. I haven’t ordered anything yet. I’ve just been putting things in the cart,” I mumbled while being redirected to the online shopping-cart, “and, thank God you said something. This crap came up to almost two-hundred dollars. Babies are expensive.”

“See? Don’t make the same mistake that I did with these two. All they gon’ do is grow out of the stuff and all it’s good for after that is taking up closet space. Which is exactly why it’s going to you.” she giggled as I closed the web-browser.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Don’t say I never did anything for you.”

“Wait,” I mumbled, kissing my teeth when the same unknown caller appeared on my screen, “I have no idea who this is that keeps calling.”

“Dun, dun, dun! Sounds like something straight out of a scary movie. Answer it.” Ebony snickered once I placed the phone back against my ear.

“Don’t even scare me like that,” I muttered, not at all a fan of horror movies, “the number isn’t blocked and it’s a local. Probably just a wrong number or something.”

“Or a killer.”

“Ebony,” I warned, breaking into laughter once she did likewise, “you’re the worst person alive, I swear.”

“Oh, you’ve encountered worse than me, sweetheart. Carter?” she said, forcing my whole mood to switch from good to bad in the snap of a finger.

“Why would you bring him up?” I asked, furrowing my brow. She knew how the topic of my son’s sperm-donor tended to make me feel and ever so carelessly, she spoke of him.

“Sonya, don’t trip. I wasn’t trying to offend. It was just bad transitioning on my part. I wanted to talk about him, though.” she explained.

“What about him?”

“Have you spoken to him lately? Mom told me about Monica’s assistance so, I was just curious to know if he knew about it, too.” she said, referring to Carter’s mother, who had been purchasing things for her grandson.

After things had gone downhill between Carter and I on account of him abandoning us, I assumed that Monica would follow suit and cease contact with me, too. However, out of undeserved guilt stemming from her son’s cowardice, she stuck around and took on the duties that should have belonged to Carter. Monica was constantly trying to compensate for his shortcomings and wrongdoings by handling the financial matters surrounding the baby. She figured that it was the bare minimum of what she could do.

While I was incredibly grateful for her assistance, I always pleaded for her to keep her money. I wasn’t a charity-case; I had the means and the support to ensure that my son had a stable and secure upbringing. Despite my pleading, she insisted that though her son neglected his role as an active father, she wasn’t going to neglect her role as an active grandmother. She genuinely wanted to be involved and I couldn’t find it in my heart to deny her that opportunity, though, I really wanted no linkage to Carter and his clan.

“She told him that she’s been helping me with the baby and he insisted that she stops. He doesn’t want any attachment to me… or the baby. He thinks that lousy two-thousand dollars that he left me would be more than enough. If any money is needed, it’ll come from him when he feels that I need it, not when I feel that I need it. He just thinks I’m using her for perks and to stay close to him.” I chuckled bitterly.

Being close to Carter was the furthest thing on my mind. It was astounding to me that someone who had once meant the world and then-some to me, could become someone that I strongly disliked, or hated even.

There was a moment in time when Carter and I were inseparable, where I imagined him being the man that I was going to marry. Despite our two-year relationship, long-term commitment was unattainable under our circumstances. My pregnancy came as a surprise for the both of us, though, we both should have been prepared for it with how careless we had become with sex. However, Carter felt ambushed, that I had trapped him. As offended as I was by this accusation, I figured that was just his defense-mechanism. He was scared and lashing out; that’s what I kept telling myself.

I expected that feeling to be temporary, but he was hellbent on believing that I had purposely wound up pregnant and wanted no parts. That was when I started believing that he wasn’t scared; he strongly felt that way and I was just in-denial.

Carter was born into money; his father owned one of the most popular casinos in Vegas, the Emerald League. Around the time of my pregnancy, his father had promised him ownership of the casino once he retired from the business. Carter had already had a pretty high-up position as the manager, but being the CEO was obviously a better fit. Knowing of this eventual monetary gain, women around Vegas threw themselves at him and everyone wanted to be his friend.

Carter was shit under pressure and his father did nothing to mend his worries, either. He constantly filled his head with nonsense about blood-sucking leeches and how it was always the ones closest to you. He wanted to be sure that his lucrative business was left in good hands and that his son didn’t plow through his earnings, or make any dumb decisions that would cause the company their money, or reputation. While that was understandable, it made Carter a lot more paranoid and apprehensive when it came to people’s intentions, including mine.

In the past, me not wanting him for his possessions had set me apart from the others. Now, I was nothing more than one of those leeches that he spoke of. So, in turn for my news on his step into fatherhood, he had his father fire me from the Emerald League, where we had met and where I had worked as a blackjack dealer for three years. To prevent discriminatory and personal accusations from me, Mr. Carson Cage, his father, simply stated that I wasn’t working up to my fullest potential and he had to do what was best for the betterment of the company. Bullshit.

Since then, Carter had tossed me two-thousand dollars and asked that I exit his life with no hard-feelings. He had only requested that I kept things amicable because he didn’t want me to cause him any drama that he knew without a doubt would boil over into his professional life. And, even though I should have wreaked havoc on his ass and dragged his name through the mud, I knew that in hindsight, I would be better off without him. After all, him not being around for his son was his loss, not ours. We were good regardless.

“Ugh, he’s such an asshole. He really makes me sick.” she expressed with distaste.

“You and me both, champ,” I sighed once I heard a knock at the front-door, “I think that’s my food. Call you tomorrow?”

“Is it because I brought him up? ‘Cause I really didn’t mean to--”

“No, it’s just ‘cause my food’s here. I’m about to eat and go to sleep. I’m not mad at you.” I assured her with a smile, hearing her sigh of relief. She hated when we were at odds.

“Okay. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” I replied lightly, still feeling some kind of way after the discussion surrounding my ex-boyfriend. I wasn’t upset with Ebony for bringing him up; I thought about him regardless. I just hated that my son would grow up without having a father because his father chose to be absent. As much as I claimed that we were fine without him, it was going to be hard raising a fatherless child.

Hanging up the phone, I checked the time on the screen, realizing that my phone-call with Ebony had almost worked in the delivery-man’s favor. He was extremely late with my food.

Arriving to the front-door, I unlocked and opened it to be greeted by a man donned in the pizza company’s attire of a black cap, a black collared shirt with the logo in the left-hand corner, and a pair of jeans. I had never noticed him before, but that wasn’t of importance to me at the moment. I was irritated with everything.

“I ordered this pizza over forty minutes ago. You’re only ten minutes away. You better not even expect a tip.” I fussed, angrily pouting my lips. He snickered and stepped to the right, allowing me a view of his damaged vehicle.

“Well, someone rear-ended me on my way here. I tried callin’ to inform you of the delay, but you weren’t answerin’ the phone.” he explained. So that’s what that wrong number was. That made me feel like a complete idiot for unrightfully snapping on him.

Sighing deeply, I sent him apologetic eyes for being so rude without having any knowledge on his mishap.

“I’m so sorry. That was uncalled for.” I shyly apologized while signing the small receipt before we exchanged the items.

“Nah, nah, it’s cool. You’re pregnant, cranky, and hungry. I get it,” he chuckled, fanning his hand as he began his backpedal down the stone steps, “enjoy your food, though.”

“Wait! You deserve a tip. I know what I said, but it wasn’t your fault and I gave you unnecessary sass.” I giggled, giving him the one-minute finger before scurrying into the living-room for my purse. While rummaging through my bag for my wallet, I felt a popping sensation between my legs, forcing me to anxiously halt what I was doing. Then, a rivulet of water had made its way down my inner-thigh, confirming my suspicions.

My water broke.

“Oh no, oh no. Not right now.” I panted with fright, trying to keep my hysteria and anxiety to a minimum. I had rehearsed for this precise moment, but never for it to happen like this. Placing my palm against my pregnant belly, I blew out a shaky breath and bit down my bottom-lip to suppress the fear.

While taking slow, shallow breaths and contemplating on what my next move would be, the delivery-man reminded me of his presence when he had spoken up.

“Um, ma’am? You can just keep the tip ‘cause I got more deliveries--”

“Wait! Come here, I-I need your help!” I shouted desperately, embarrassed that this was happening at the wrong time.

“Yeah? Holy shit, ya’ water broke.” he said, stating the well-known once he entered the living-room, his face stained with pure shock and petrification. Nodding with a pained expression, I continued to caress my stomach, which was gradually beginning to ache due to the sudden onslaught of contractions and fear.

“I need you to call 911 and get an ambulance here, fast. He’s coming very soon.” I gritted as he nodded understandably and pulled out his cell-phone. Anxiously, he dialed the three-digit number and then, diverted his attention to me with a worried, yet controlled expression.

“Can you sit down?”

“No,” I mumbled, attempting to do so on my own, but failing miserably, “I need your help.”

Nodding, he balanced the phone in-between his ear and shoulder before assisting me to the floor, where my back was placed against the couch as a means of support. While assisting me, the operator answered the phone and he frantically explained the situation. I hated that I had to be so vulnerable, especially with a man that I didn’t know. But, I was desperate and scared out of my mind.

“Yeah, she’s about to give birth, like, right now… Okay, what’re the contractions lookin’ like?” he asked, now speaking to me. While continuing to pant, I thought of my response.

“Around three minutes.”

“She said three minutes… Yeah… Oh, God.” he replied and just by the expression on his face, I could tell that the operator informed him that he would probably have to deliver the baby. Oh, God was right.

HASSAN

To think today had started off as normal as any other.

I woke up, got ready, went out to breakfast with my girl before taking her to work, and then went to my first job, where I worked as a cook. When that shift ended, I was en route to my second job, where I delivered food for this little pizza-joint down on Rainbow Boulevard. I never expected to go from delivering a pizza, to possibly delivering a baby.

“Aight, it’s unlocked.” I assured the operator, who told me that she was sending an ambulance to the home, so I would need to have the door unlocked for the EMTs.

“Okay, great. Now, Hassan, I need you to get a bucket of water and as many towels as you can, okay? Can you do that?” she asked, being as calming as possible.

“Uh, I gotta ask her where all that stuff is,” I grumbled, heading back into the living-room where Sonya, who the operator had told me to learn the name of, was focusing on her breathing, “can you tell me where your towels are? And, a bucket?”

“The towels are upstairs, and a bucket is in one of the cabinets near the kitchen-sink.” she explained, earning a nod from me. Rushing up the steps by twos, I opened the closet that appeared to be a linen-closet and grabbed about four towels.

“Hassan, I need you to also find a shower-curtain. It’ll be easier to clean up afterwards.” the operator explained as I nodded. Going into the bathroom that was positioned to the right of the closest, I simply yanked down the available shower-curtain with all my might, the decorative hooks dropping onto the titles.

Running back downstairs, I checked on Sonya, who was resisting the urge to push, as the operator had directed for her to do. She seemed fine for the most part so, I tossed down the towels and ventured into the kitchen to get the bucket. While underneath the kitchen-sink, I noticed a box of latex-gloves and snatched a pair.

Adjusting the water until it was warm, I placed the medium-sized bucket under the faucet and watched as it filled to the brim, which took approximately one and a half minutes. My phone buzzed with an incoming call; it was my boss. Under any other circumstances, I would have answered, but that wasn’t the time. I knew my ass was fired anyhow.

“Where am I ‘sposed to put the shower-curtain?” I pondered, carefully picking up the bucket and walking back into the living-room. I sat it down at a reasonable distance from Sonya before picking up the shower-curtain.

“Beneath her legs so that if the baby has to come, it won’t leave a mess,” she said, “carefully do this. Remember, she’s in pain.”

“I know that,” I said underneath my breath, tossing the phone aside and kneeling down on the carpet with her, “aight, I gotta move you up a li’l bit so, we can put this shower-curtain under you. Hold onto me.”

Doing as I said, she tightly gripped my arm, probably breaking skin. Knowing that she was in that much pain scared the shit out of me; I was trying my best not to add anymore pain or stress to the situation by being as gentle as humanly possible.

“I really think he’s coming now… more than before. I feel his head.” she whispered, tightly clenching her bottom-lip in-between her teeth. Quickly, I placed two of the towels aside, before rolling up the other two and using them to prop up either of her thighs.

“Aight, I’ma need to… lift this,” I said, referring to her clothes, “I’on wanna make you uncomfortable so, if you want me to wait for them, I’ll--”

“It’s fine.” she assured, pinching her eyes shut as if it pained her to say that. Lifting up the hem to her black nightshirt that basically swept the floor, I mentally prepared myself for what I was about to see. And, what I saw wasn’t as bad as I imagined it to be. The only thing that left me traumatized was the fact that his head was in fact peeking, which meant that he was crowning and this birth was happening now.

Picking up the phone, I decided to inform the operator that as much as we were trying to avoid the delivery from happening at home, all the preparation would not be going down in vain. Li’l Man was coming.

“Aight, I need an ETA on the ambulance ‘cause the baby is crownin’… I can see his head. She can’t keep resistin’ to push.” I grumbled, knowing good and well that the operator heard her intensified panting, indicating that the moment had arrived before they did.

“The EMTs should be there within the next twenty-five to thirty minutes due to traffic, but since you’re saying she cannot wait any longer, you’ll have to do it,” she stated while I placed her on speaker-phone and slipped on the gloves, “wash your hands with the water that I told you to get.”

“I’m wearin’ gloves,” I grumbled, watching intently as Sonya slipped off her rings and tossed them aside, making me curious, “what you doin’?”

“I need this baby out. Even if that means I have to do it myself.” she gritted, no longer fighting back the tears that I expected to see way before, considering she had no opiates, or an epidural to assist with the pain.

“Nah, I gotchu’. Just trust me, aight?” I grumbled, watching her nod and move her hands aside. Pretty much ignoring the operator, but only for the sake of Sonya, I placed my hands on his head, while hers held her shirt out of view. Guiding as slowly and carefully as possible, I encouraged for Sonya to push because I didn’t want to harm her or the baby by pulling.

“I can only do it during my contractions,” she rushed out in one breath, “alright… now.”

After getting her words out through a painful grit, she pushed as well as she could, making some progress. With the operator coaching the both us, she was able to get his head out--which was the hardest part--within fifteen minutes, However, I noticed the umbilical-cord was around his neck, forcing my breath to hitch up. Oh, hell no.

“T-the cord is wrapped around his neck. What should I do?” I asked the operator, shakiness evident in my tone. I was trying to remain calm for Sonya; if I stayed calm, she would had been more likely to. But, I couldn’t even front. This had to be the most nerve-racking shit that I had ever endured in my whole life.

“Just loop your finger underneath it, and gently loosen it until you can get his head out.” she coached. There was blood and other pregnancy potions all over the place; thank God for that damn shower-curtain. Again, the sight and the situation was stressful, but I was trying my best to stay leveled for her.

“Okay, you got it,” Sonya breathed after intently watching me hold his head up, and remove the cord, “I need to push again.”

“Aight.” I grumbled, bringing both hands together underneath his head so that I could catch him when she pushed the rest of his body out. Aside from light grunts and whimpering, she was very collected and silent while she pushed. I thanked God for that because all that obnoxious screaming and hollering would have made it more difficult for the both of us.

“That was a good push. He’s almost out, Sonya. You can do it.” I encouraged. When she felt his shoulders finally slip out, she reached down, moved my hands aside, and carefully pulled the rest of his little body out in one swing. The umbilical-cord was still attached to him as she brought him up to her chest and held him close while his cries rang off like a siren. I grabbed the spare towels and wrapped them around his back, ensuring that he stayed as warm as possible.

“He’s here,” I informed the operator through a breath of relief, “can you hear ‘em?”

“Yes, I hear him. That’s good, he’s breathing. Tell Sonya to wipe away any amniotic-fluid on his eyes and nose to help him further breathe.” she said. Considering she was on speaker-phone, Sonya followed her orders on her own. After doing so, she gingerly guided her hand up and down his back.

“What do we do about the umbilical-cord?” I asked, removing the stained gloves and tossing them on an empty spot on the shower-curtain. Falling back from my kneeled position, I grabbed the phone.

“Nothing. The EMTs have informed me that they’re on your street. They’ll be there to sterilely cut the cord. Just stay with them.” she explained as I nodded and looked over to Sonya, who was already staring at me.

“Thank you so much. I could never repay you for this.” she said genuinely, briefly tearing her watery eyes from me to stare lovingly at her newborn son.

“Well, you could always start by givin’ me that tip.” I joked, earning a round of soft giggles from her as I laughed, too. Not even a moment later, the EMTs were barreling into the house to find us seated on the living-room floor. I stood up and stepped aside so that they could tend to Sonya and her son.

While two EMTs crouched down to assist them, one pulled me aside and asked questions concerning the home-birth before showering me in the ultimate praise for my actions. Though I valued the appreciation that they were showing, I was no hero. I was just at the right place, at the right time.

[caffeconkim-blog]

Sorrento & Capri on a Budget

The South of Italy is one of those enchanting places you constantly see in pictures and mini enticing traveling videos on Facebook. It is all that, and then some. I knew that I needed to plan out a visit the second I accepted my offer here with CISabroad as the summer intern for their Florence site. From the second I stepped onto the coastal town of Sorrento, I knew I was somewhere far different than Firenze. This post will walk through my adventures through these two destinations and highlight lessons and tricks to save some extra euros for that next trip...;)

My best friend Corinne and I began our travels at the classic Santa Maria Novella Train station here in central Firenze. We purchased a 70 euro TrenItalia ticket to Napoli Centrale. The train was direct. Meaning, we never had to get off and switch trains. It was a fun three and a half hour train ride through the beautiful landscapes that the Italian countryside so effortlessly provides.

Here I am on the train!

We made it to Napoli Centrale train station and went down two escalators until we found the ticket office for the Circumvesuviana train. The Circumvesuviana is a local train that quite literally circles Mount Vesuvius’ neighboring towns. The massive volcano was easily identifiable through our window seats on this worn down train that only cost us 4 euros!

Here is a picture of the Circumvesuviana train:

The following is a picture of the inside of the train with an elderly person spacing out in it lol!

Annnnddd here is a picture from my window seat on the train of the famous Mt. Vesuvius we were circling around!

We made it off the train at its last stop: Sorrento after about an hour and a half and because it was nearly 10pm and we had all of our luggage on us we opted to take a cab to our hostel which totaled 20 euros, meaning we each spent 10 euros once we split it.

Heres a picture of Corinne, my best friend, with her massive backpack once we got off at Sorrento’s station.

We checked into our pre-booked hostel called “Hotel Londra” and paid at the front desk a total of 55 euros for two nights. This means we spent 27.5 euros a night. Our hostel room has four beds. Two of the beds were bunked and the other two were single beds tightly packed next to one another. We were lucky to have two very charismatic and respectful chefs from London be our roommates. Everything in the hostel was small and slightly uncomfortable but you are getting what you paid for! We did not mind because we barely spent any time other than sleeping time at the hostel.

It was nearly 11pm and we had not eaten dinner so as you can imagine we were STARVING.

We walked east from the entrance of the hostel and were immediately greeted by Sorrento’s Coast. The view was stunning. In the distance there was a small restaurant where we splurged a bit on our first meal in our adventure (about 20 euros each).

The Sorrento coast at night

Our restaurant right next to the water!

Our food!

We woke up at 6am the next day, showered, got ready, packed a beach bag, had breakfast and made it to the port of Sorrento which is called “Marina Piccola” after a ~30 minute walk from our hostel.

Here is a picture of the marina in Sorrento: 

By 8:30am we were on a ferry jam packed with elderly folk for Capri. Round trip the ferry cost us 36 euros. The ferry was large and very rocky since the waters were turbulent. It was a beautiful sunshine filled day though! After about half an hour we arrived on the island and hopped on another much smaller boat to see the Green Grotto, The Lighthouse of Punta Carena, the Scoglio delle Sirene, Arco Naturale, White Grotto, and the Salto di Tibero. This hour and a half boat tour that essentially circles the island would have also included the Blue Grotto but the water was too turbulent and the tide was too high to even enter the small crevice. This mini-boat tour of an hour an a half cost us each 8 euros. 

Here are some pictures of our boat tour: 

Here is the port in Capri 

Here is how incredibly blue and clear the ocean water is: 

PRO-TIP: As soon as you get off the ferry onto Capri hundreds of men will flock to you trying to get you on their mini tour boat rides that all show you the same thing. Ask to see pictures of the boat they are going to take you on, bargain the price you are paying, and don’t settle on the first person that approaches you. Always scope out your options. 

We then had lunch after walking deeper into Capri’s smaller less traveled roads to get as authentic as we could when it came to Southern Italian food. I had the best fish in my life with two sides for 6 euros accompanied by FREE bruschetta. It really pays off to walk just a bit past the tourist traps! I kept seeing meal deals for over 25 euros for minimal food. 

Here is my lunch! 

 We then hunted for a free public beach to spend the rest of our afternoon at and found one about a mile walk to the right of the port we initially got dropped off at. We had both packed shawls to use as “towels” because shawls dry quickly and also serve as beach blankets, scarves, cover-ups, and airplane blankets, etc. They are very versatile! We laid out our shawls, swam in the water, climbed some nearby rocks, all while keeping a close eye on our belongings on the shore. 

Here are some beach pics! 

We took a late ferry back out at 4pm and made it back to Sorrento around 5pm. The current was racing against us so it took the ferry a bit longer this time around. We then decided to just get lost in Sorrento. I had downloaded the offline google map of Sorrento so we could eventually find our way back to the hostel and I had a portable charger on me in case my phone died (stay prepared kids). We took so many turns and walked over such beautiful bridges. We encountered heartwarming street-art and charming bars that were set up in a people watching type of way. 

Here are some pictures from roaming around: 

and of course...... did I really travel to Italy if I didn’t have a gelato in my hand to prove it? 

So there you have it! Sorrento + Capri done right for around ~250 euros. Please message me if you have any questions! 

[worldcakecakecake]

Throwing Cellphones

                            Feliciano gets himself a sugar daddy

           Next update will be available for Monday, April 10th

                          Warning: This chapter has mild nsfw

                                                    Chapter 11

Uno di questi giorni

Ti porto via

Uno di questi giorni

Qualunque sia

Andiamo via

Uno di questi giorni

  Other than the view, they had blankets, they had pillows, and they had candles. Ludwig bought them some food to take home from the village after their next day of exploring and heading to the beach, a bottle of wine, a box of fine chocolate, even some nice plates and glasses to share them in. They placed the food on the ground before them like any feast, candles decorating and lighting the dark space (It didn’t even come with damn electricity). It was all rather wild and messy since they were still on the floor, part of their bodies resting on the sleeping bags they had brought just in case, blankets covering them well yet careful not to get them into their plates and drinks. The view offered enough wonder to enjoy, their conversations of dogs, of winter, of even cars, lively and enjoyable, Ludwig chattering just as much as Feliciano would. There was no need for clothing, their nakedness was enough, it was beautiful, it was intimate, but also free and calming.

“-you like so many dog breeds,” Feliciano grinned, taking a truffle into his mouth, a sort of reward after having his dinner. “Really, you have to choose a favorite!”

“That’s nearly impossible, you’re putting me in a harsh spot.” He was really trying to think, but every time he would focus on one breed, another would pop up, reminding him that maybe he preferred Dachshunds over German Shepherds. No, German Shepherds were definitely his favorite! But he really liked golden retrievers too…darn it.

His dedicated pensive thought to cute dogs made Feliciano chuckle. Ludwig was so adorable, so sweet, so cute, he couldn��t help but lean, taking his face, laying kisses on his cheek, nuzzling into his neck. “We can have all the dogs we want,” he promised to whatever life that could be easy to earn.

Ludwig smiled, wrapping his arms around his waist, pulling his body more into his lap, the skin of his shoulder and back there and near to kiss. “What about you? Which ones do you like?”

Feliciano rocked on his lap as he thought himself, tapping his chin, one glass of wine on the other, taking sips hoping it could help him better think this through. “I like Pomeranians, and St. Bernards, and Italian Greyhounds, and boxers, and Bolognese-” He went on with so many that that Ludwig had finished his wine drink by the time he stopped.

“Can we have all of them?” Feliciano wondered.

“That’s a lot of dogs.”

“But you want a lot of dogs."

“…true, I think we should just get a plantation.”

They both giggled and leaned for kisses, on lips, on noses, butterfly ones as well as they stared into their eyes and focused on caressing backs and shoulders.

Feliciano noticed then the camera, lying near one of the plates, from earlier as he was showing Ludwig some pictures he took of the town today. Suddenly he had an idea, smirking as he stretched and grabbed it, putting some settings and then placing it in a particular spot where it would capture them along with the glasses, the chocolate boxes, the empty plates and the candles. It was a beautiful romantic scene despite its simplicity. Feliciano wanted to remember it.

“What did you do?” Ludwig asked, not stopping his hold, remaining them as they were.

“I placed it to take a picture every two minutes for six times,” he smirked.

“Like this?” Ludwig raised an eyebrow.

They were naked, surrounded by a mess of dirty dishware, covered in dark ugly blankets, the candles not giving enough of a good light.

“Of course like this! You’re so beautiful right now.”

Ludwig turned so red and Feliciano hated he couldn’t see it well in this light. No matter, the camera took that grand smile Feliciano had when he realized it. Afterwards he leaned, giggling unto his lips and Ludwig smiled back, a kiss that was only but love and devotion that soon began to spread into the wrap of their arms. The camera took this moment as well. It captured the very beginning of heat, of tongues darting out to meet, of hands beginning to thread down in centers. It took Feliciano right in the middle of a shout as Ludwig had bitten a specific area on his neck, a well-marked one that Ludwig had attacked enough to know that it was one of Feliciano’s many weak spots. It captured Ludwig’s own arch as Feliciano threaded kisses down his chest and stomach, hands teasing up and down his thighs. The last one was of them deciding to lean down on the floor, Ludwig on top, Feliciano underneath, making his body the well comfort his lover could lay upon. They had such a dear look in their eyes, whole expressions focusing on those meaningful gazes that seemed to pour love all across the building. Sadly the camera didn’t capture the intense of their heat, as they kissed with fever, with thrusts, with shouts, with moans, naked bodies mending well with the lights in the room, truly making their skin seem like they became one. All blankets were pushed aside, leaving them free to take this air the harsher they became, trying to cool their growing perspiration but not the harsh way they both moved their hips to connect them more into amazing ecstasy. Loud releases, falling into each other for sleep, letting only the stars of this Mediterranean sky be their witness.

  Ci siamo solamente noi Solamente noi Finchè mi resti addosso Il mondo è nostro Cadremo e ne verranno Di inverni Abbracciami e dormi

  The next two days, they settled in visiting the villages of the Amalfi coast.

With its closeness to Sorrento, Ludwig settled with driving them throughout, leaving the car in parking spots to then hike and enjoy from whatever these towns had to offer. Feliciano took them to see churches, loose themselves in small picturesque streets similar to those of his own villages at Cinque Terre. They dined excellently, in expensive places with amazing views, private, romantic, and the best wine to offer, Ludwig made extremely sure of that. They went to beaches, taking the shores for only small moments if they wanted to keep exploring the other villages in the little time they had.

It had been quite a while since Ludwig took Feliciano shopping, and so they visited little boutiques and stores where Feliciano went crazy buying clothes, jewelry, shoes, coats, scarves, glasses, chocolates, gelatos, even flower crowns. It was rather reminiscent of how their relationship started, of what it had originally meant to be, just a Sugar Daddy and his Sugar Baby enjoying from any normal day of business. But even with countless of bags, they would still find a way to unite their hands, showing enough of truth, of meaning. Feliciano would suddenly stop Ludwig, take the side of his face into his hands, tiptoe and ask him if he was doing all right with all of the bags. Ludwig would always assure that he didn’t mind at all, that the weight was rather diminutive, he had the physical build to deal with harsher things than this. Once Feliciano made sure, he would kiss his cheek or his lips, earning a delightful blush, a shy smile and their hands were tied once again in their walk, loving gazes that showed to everyone that there was no business, nothing out of the ordinary, just any other couple enjoying from the walk and views.

  Noi qui Come chi arriva da lontano

  Their entire last week of this trip was meant to be spent in Capri, a little too long Feliciano thought. Capri was a small island, one that they could dedicate maybe just two or three days to, but the proudness Ludwig held as they rode their private boat towards its shores showed that there was more than what Feliciano was expecting.

They arrived to its port town, Feliciano preparing for a simple walk to find their hotel, but Ludwig rented a Vespa and they headed deeper into the island, up hills, scenic views of blue and edged mountains until they finally stopped…before a large, impressive and…oh wait, it wasn’t a hotel, it was a villa! Feliciano was so impressed and breath taken that he couldn’t even speak as Ludwig took out the keys he was given at the port town. He moved them forward, he opened the doors with those keys, ushering Feliciano inside, with their bags and everything, settling them on the pristine floors of this…mansion!

“You-you-you rented this?” Feliciano still couldn’t believe it.

“Yes um...do you like it?” Ludwig was actually starting to grow afraid that he hadn’t, suddenly paralyzed, ready to head off and change them into some small hotel in the port town if Feliciano felt uncomfortable with this.

Feliciano was silent, easing slowly into the place, wondered by its white, its simplistic tiles and furniture, yet rich, clean, organized for the occasion, extending in such widths of luxury that made Feliciano feel like he was walking in a dream.

“It’s…wonderful, and beautiful, and-” he took a deep breath, coming over to the garden, a pool, a view of the sea, of the hills, spectacular all in the distance, with the trees around them giving them a solitude that made them feel like the island belonged to only them.

“Look at this, look at all of this, I still…I still can’t believe it.” He turned, returning back inside, wanting to see more. There were still more halls, more stairs, they had this whole villa…

“It’s ours,” Ludwig whispered, a tone in his voice that had Feliciano falling into ease, of standing, of turning to him, in gentile stillness, wondered in their eyes as they always did.

Ludwig had his arms around his waist, Feliciano around his necks and shoulders, really feeling the dream now, something like this could only be happening in them.

“You’ve wasted a fortune for me in this trip,” Feliciano breathed, feeling a great settling guilt.

Ludwig groaned heavily. “We’ve been through this enough times! Stop worrying about the money I use. I do it because I want to, because I want to please you,”

“Still…sometimes it’s a little too much for just…me.” Feliciano threaded his fingers shyly on Ludwig’s shirt.

“You’re not just anyone to me, Feliciano.” He leaned closer, continuing in their sway of their holds together, silent and loving. “You’re the world, and I would use every penny in my hold to give it to you.”

Feliciano grew breathless, joining along the sudden wind that blew into the airy room that made him feel every inch of his skin. He was rather vulnerable to it, lost for words, wishing this very air could give him an idea of what he could say back.

“But if you’re uncomfortable, I could-” Ludwig was given a kiss, intense and growing, enough of an answer from Feliciano, enough acceptance and love, and the beginning of heating to love making in one of the near sofas.

  Noi Qui Come chi Fa pace col destino

  Feliciano accepted to staying in the villa and soon it was starting to get into his head. He sun tanned by the pool with expensive sun glasses on his hair, tight and short swim trunks, of course not missing the opportunity for selfies and then having a lover like Ludwig bring him drinks and snacks. When Feliciano was tanning, Ludwig would have his drink in his own lounge chair, covered well by a large umbrella, resting or reading some short romance novels he found around the house. When Feliciano had enough sun, he would jump to Ludwig’s side, cuddle beside him, rest on his chest, Ludwig would wrap his arms around him, rub them on his back and arm, but continue on with whatever he was doing.

Sure, Ludwig paid millions to rent that place for the week, but they weren’t going to spend it just there. They visited beaches, crowded or secluded, uncaring to eyes when they swam way too close together or began making out in the middle of the shores. Feliciano tried extremely hard to get Ludwig to ignore all of this, to focus on themselves, leave the rest to watch if they wanted, in the end they really couldn’t do anything.

They visited the Augustus gardens, where Feliciano went crazy with his pictures, having Ludwig and him pose as usual, spectacular images that made Ludwig question if perhaps Feliciano was actually a demi-god lost between mortals, one of love, of constant felicity, energy, or even sunshine. They dared walk along the Via Krupp, Ludwig catching a video in which Feliciano tried to look majestic with the blowing wind, but he had tripped and fallen, and all the video caught was Ludwig frantically coming to see if he was okay while all Feliciano did was laugh.

No stop was complete if Feliciano didn’t drag Ludwig to a church to stare at old frescos or paintings at small galleries and museums. They visited the ancient ruins of Villa Jovis to awaken their love in Roman history. Feliciano took some pictures on his phone to send to his grandfather, who went on with paragraphs explaining the story of the emperor who had lived there once.

They hiked around the island, finding the best views, other villas and rotundas where they sat and stared on, close, cuddling, watching all kinds of colors painting the sky. They walked through all the towns they could, visiting bars, gelato shops, stores and eating in restaurants of high acclaim. Feliciano held dearly a picture he had taken of Ludwig and him kissing in Piazza Umberto I, just as the sun set hit perfectly.

On the final day, Ludwig paid for a private boat ride around the island, getting the best views, the clearest blue, passing arches and formations like those of I faraglioni, getting them even private entrance to all three of the shinning grottos. Clearly the most impressive and romantic was the blue grotto, where Ludwig and Feliciano shared one little boat as they headed off alone, yet Feliciano found it weird that many others came behind them, with no other passengers. It wasn’t until they reached the half of the grotto that they all began singing, the familiar song by Peppino Gagliardi, serenading loud and boisterous to the couple. Feliciano liked to think it was their song after the many times he sang it while doing chores, the kind of melody that always had Ludwig coming and falling, compliant to do whatever it was that Feliciano commanded. They all sang in direction to them, swaying and dedicating, Ludwig with a smug expression, showing that he had clearly planned this. Feliciano was laughing so hard he had to cover his mouth embarrassed, glad that the dim darkness was enough to hide his intense blush. To aid, Ludwig then took out a black box, opening and revealing a golden bracelet with a golden FV and an aquamarine pendant to match well with the shinning blue of the waters below them. Feliciano held a breath, eyes widened, it was wonderful, uniquely made just for him, and as the rowers continued with their singing, he took it to wear, loving how well it lay on his wrist.

“Baccio! Baccio! Baccio!” Some of them suddenly shouted.

Why was he so nervous? Why was he blushing this much? Ludwig and he had kissed in public plenty of times, but there was something about it when people asked for it like it was a show. Still, the moment was opportune, their surroundings were beautiful, romantically adjusted just for him, he just had to lean for a kiss, both smiling into it, Ludwig of course proud of the mission he had set.

With it being their last week, of course their nights were full of them tangled in sheets, moans, thrusts, kisses over every intimate part privileged to only themselves.

One more week, one more week, both didn’t know how they could survive more days without this, without this heaven, these holds, those looks, those movements, those constant tellings of I love you. It was all raptures that they wished they could remain in forever, forget about flights back to their hometowns, to normality, to jobs, to a wife.

Only them, only this.

  E Poi Qualunque sia Uno di questi giorni Uno di questi giorni Andiamo via.

  Sadly they had to force themselves into that exit, into strong felt goodbyes at the Napoli airport, holds that didn’t want to let go, kisses that didn’t want to stop. Ludwig on his flight back to Munich, Feliciano on his to Pisa, and already they had a need for each other, a calling, starring blissfully into whatever horizons wanting those three weeks back again. They wondered how they could possibly live without each other for the next weeks or even months.

  For the first time, Ludwig was starting to accept secret phone calls and messages from Feliciano because of that longing fault. He had to be extra careful with whatever he opened around anybody, but when he would wake up each morning with Feliciano sending pictures of himself, wishing him luck on the day to later work on his paintings and other papers for new gallery exhibitions, then dam it all, he would stare for hours in secretive spots and to hell with the rest. He realized it didn’t matter whatever he had to do to open them in privacy, he at least had this, he had this new push to continue on through the day.

Sure, Ludwig did well to keep this hidden in Munich, but no matter what he did, rumors still arose, questionings grew in his company, and soon enough he was the star to many of the gossiping going around.

“I mean…three weeks in Italy!” One would say.

“He did say he was working on that Italian base.”

“But three weeks? I mean, you can’t expect him to just spend three weeks in Italy and not do anything else but work.”

“Mr. Beilschmidt is the kind to do that.”

“I read reports on the process of that opening base …his name did appear but there wasn’t really any actions or doings on his part. It’s like he wasn’t even there."

“Mph! I’m telling you, there’s something else going on!”

“What could it possibly be?”

“Maybe he actually went off and visited the country.”

“With a secret lover,” one whispered ever so slowly with a smirk, but enough to create awes and understandings through the small group.

“Maybe he has a sugar baby,” one joked.

“Mr. Beilschmidt is a respectable married man, he wouldn’t go off behind Mrs. Braginskaya’s back to do something like that!”

“You do know it was pretty much an arranged marriage.”

“And it never really was an excuse to stop someone when they want somebody else.”

“What is all this about?” An enunciated shout, Ludwig dropping a stack of papers on the center of the table the group was reunited in, shushing them enough from the conversation and leaving them all to stare with ordered gazes to their highest boss. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re all supposed to be working on a list of experiments concerning what Mr. Ramires last sent us. He’s still expecting a report so I suggest you stop these false accusations in my name and get to work instantly," he commanded, with fearsome highs that no one dared question, each rushing off to their own rooms to continue working, spread like frightened cats who didn’t even dare look up to Ludwig.

It was moments like these that reminded them that it was just unlikely for him to have some secret lover in Italy... he didn’t have the heart for it. To Ludwig, it was better they thought that before their suspicions could become any clearer. They could say all they wanted, they could think of him the biggest monster in the company, but at least he knew himself that they were all wrong and he had another wonderful being to prove him that.

There was a sudden phone vibration in his pocket, Feliciano’s number brightening the screen. He sent a picture, which meant he had to go to his office for this one. With doors locked, curtains covering the windows, he sat and finally opened it.

He did well to hide this, sometimes the pictures Feliciano sent were not innocent, as this one.

Feliciano’s phone was placed in a low spot to catch a perfect upward look of him, arms resting upon a wall, the rest of his body extending, leaning backwards, showing the well form of his back, rear and legs, cladded in simple light pink stockings and a beautiful laced panty to match. The message below read: ‘You sounded really stressed about today in our phone call last night, though I could do something for you ;)’

Not really the way to solve his problems, but it was still beautiful, it was alluring, seductive, the kind of thing that had Ludwig leaning on his chair and staring for minutes on, touching the screen, as it could give him the chance to feel the softness he knew of his skin. He zoomed in and out, exploring every part, loving his expression, how the fabric gripped, even the way his feet slightly tip toed.

This was definitely not the place to get an erection, just after having broken up a group gossiping about his lover and when he had work to do. At least he had a bathroom in his office, at least he could go and release himself there quickly, anguish some more on the fact that Feliciano wasn’t there to release these sexual pleasures on.

  Weeks later, just as Feliciano was setting a last canvas for a new series he had created, his phone rang with the music of serenading men that he had placed for Ludwig. He could already feel delightful shivers, the simple reading of his name like his very touches running up his arm.

“Lieben…” Ludwig already answered with.

“Amore…” Feliciano replied back.

There was sudden silence, only but Ludwig’s breaths as he took the way Feliciano said the word. “How’s your planning for the Paris exhibition going?”

“Wonderfully. In the end they decided to take the one I made for Matilda of Tuscany,”

“Is that the one with the woman in the blue dress, with a lot of swords at her feet,”

“Yep, that’s the one!”

“Had to be, goes along with the theme."

“Indeed, I felt like the series would be incomplete without it."

“Are there any other series you’re thinking of creating?”

“Hmmm, I’ve been thinking about making something about Hades and Persephone."

“Hades and Persephone?”

“I really like the myth and I’ve had some ideas in my head for a while. I have some time, I think I can finally work on them.”

“Would you be interested in having them exhibited in Munich?”

“Luddy, I don’t think I can submit to a gallery when I don’t even have the paintings yet.”

“I know but…they’re kind of hoping you do.”

“Do they…want to commission?” He wondered.

“I believe so, they actually want you to come over next week for a discussion about it."

“They haven’t e-mail me about it."

“They will, they just mentioned it to me while I was visiting earlier."

“Oh, you went to the gallery! What did you see?”

“They had something about glass art that took my interest, but mostly it was to see your paintings.”

Feliciano blushed, with the brightest smile, settling in his couch, with dream and interest, twirling his fingers in his hair. “Really? Luddy, you don’t have to see them so often like that, I know you like them."

“Yes, but I really do enjoy watching them. Your style is superb, I get so immersed in the hidden stories and they give me a sort of peace. There’s something about them that moves me, especially now when I…” he faltered in nervousness, clearly blushing deep red, one that Feliciano wished he could see at the moment.

After their time together, after getting to know each other in every intimate way, it was adorable how Ludwig still got so nervous when it came to admitting all the truths of his feelings.

“…I really miss you,” he finally admitted, Feliciano managing to hear breaths of freedom.

Feliciano embraced himself, pretending it was Ludwig’s arms instead, that the phone on the side of his face was his breaths and lips. “I miss you too, caro, sleeping these last few weeks hasn’t been the same. I need you here with me.”

Gott, Ludwig gripped his chair. He had to hold himself from standing, running off to his car and starting an immediate journey to Italy to give him that missing presence.

“I want to talk to you in person, and I want to kiss you, I want to cook for you, and… I really need you to touch me, my own hand isn’t enough now,” Feliciano admitted with even a little moan that held no shame, which had Ludwig reddening, lighting in energy, the grip on his chair becoming harsher, rocking, harshened feet on the floor even tapping, as if ready to take any push that would get him out.

“So…I’m going to Munich next week?” Feliciano assumed.

“Please,” Ludwig instantly answered, sudden and desperate that had Feliciano straightening back. Ludwig coughed, loudly as if trying to erase that impulse. “Yes, if you want a new exhibition in the gallery that is.”

Feliciano smiled and blushed, rolling his eyes and shaking his face. Only he could spot the evident in Ludwig. Feliciano wanted to see him, with longing, urge and awaiting love. Oh how he wanted to be in that city if it meant being in his arms, in hearing his voice clear before him, of his kisses on his head and the playful way he had of rubbing his hair. Yet going to the city meant…and he deflated once he realized, grey gloom settling and making Feliciano lose any energy to maintain this conversation as content.

“Where am I going to stay?”

“Um…you could stay in my home…”

“With your wife as well?” The poison in his voice whenever he mentioned it was never going to leave, Ludwig knew well.

“Yo-you could…sleep in the couch downstairs.”

The silence that came was enough of an answer, a chance for Feliciano to anger, free to do so when he was alone in the comfort of his home, with Ludwig not given a chance to see the flared expression in his face.

“I rather not.” He still managed to say peacefully.

“Feliciano, Yekaterina and I are not going to do anything. We don’t even sleep in the same room. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind you staying-”

“I decided that I rather not,” Feliciano concluded, standing, deciding to deal with some dishes to relieve this, the harsh clangs he gave those plates, pots and utensils enough for Ludwig to hear his infuriation and discontent.

Ludwig sighed in acceptance to his decision, having to settle with another idea.

“Well…” another person popped into mind, someone he knew he could trust and Feliciano already befriended long ago. “My brother is coming over, along with Elizabeta and Luzia. They’re renting a house that I’m sure will have enough room for you.”

Ludwig could hear the clanging lessening and Feliciano’s more peaceful breaths. He was thinking about it, and by the way everything suddenly dimmed, Feliciano was considering it, actually growing quite joyful and ecstatic about it.

“…are… you sure they wouldn’t mind?” He still questioned. It was a sudden suggestion and he didn’t want to become a bother.

“I know my brother won’t, he took an instant liking to you, and I’m sure Elizabeta and Luzia would be more than glad,” Ludwig assured with utter faith, with a perfect grin, in a way Feliciano knew was emanating rays of sun.

He sighed. He was so weak to this, he was so forgiven to him, fingers tracing the counter in wanting for him, eager for these days to come, to see him in person again, escape a kiss or two…or even a night.

“All right, I’ll message Elizabeta about it.”

“I’ll call my brother and make sure he does all the necessary arrangements."

“Don’t be so harsh on him, everything will be fine, and Ludwig…”

“Mhm?”

“We’ll we…have time to spend together alone?” Feliciano knew it was harder in a city that knew Ludwig well, with a wife and a marriage that made the newspapers, and a company of busy scheduling that ripped his time apart.

The disappointed sigh Ludwig gave next was enough to assure Feliciano that the same thoughts were haunting his mind, reminding and caging as always. “I’ll be sure to find us time, Liebling, but it won’t be easy, maybe not even enough."

“Any little time is enough, amore.”

The rest of the conversation was spent in giggles, in blushes and smiles, nervous and dumbfounded to their feelings. Ludwig had to hang up when he headed out from the privacy of his office, finalizing in blown kisses and expectations for their next meeting.

< previous chapter                                                                                                     next chapter >

[notwanderlust]

Day 040 - Adventure: Salerno to Sorrento

I’ve planned a hike that I’m certain no one else has ever done before.  And there’s probably a good reason for that, because it’s stupid.  I’ll be walking/hiking/struggling/crawling from the city of Salerno (south of Naples) through the entire Amalfi Coast park area and beyond, finishing in Sorrento.  I plan 2.5 days for it, and that it should be roughly 55km total of walking split up smartly for completion. 

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / Day One: Excessive Ambition 

I wake up, and I am briefly unaware of where I am.  It’s early, and the apartment is freezing cold; the fuse must’ve blown during the night because of both heaters running.  Fuck, it’s cold.  I deal with it. 

I finish a small amount of packing, inhale a yogurt, and am ready to leave. 

I have no idea what may lay ahead of me.  I want to go, and just as badly I want to crawl back into bed and never emerge.  I’m terrified of how cold it’s going to be, of unseen dangers, of having only a backpack to live from.  I decide that I should probably go since I came this far. 

Salerno is a great place, and I’m sad to walk away from it.  I visited Napoli with Madeleine in the fall, and I think this would have been a better choice.  It’s nearby, still have a lot of the personality and flare of Napoli, but isn’t so dirty and grungy. 

I reach the sea quickly, and follow that as long as I can.  I arrive on a beach that seems as though it’s abandoned but that maybe during high season it isn’t.  I look down the beach and realize that it might be a dead end.  There are very tall cliffs blocking my way. I bring up my map, which I’ve studied well and know the routes of.  It seems to have listed a staircase that doesn’t exist. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see something ascending.  [That was definitely an elevator] I say out loud.  The area that the elevator services is completely run down and barricaded.  I search for a few minutes and find a break in the fencing that I can squeeze through.  I’m in a micro-village of abandoned beach-side shops and restaurants.  It’s like an empty Wally World, or a setting from The Last of Us.  Creepy.  I head toward the glimpse I caught, and arrive staring up at an enormously tall elevator shaft built directly into the side of the cliff.  Not even, it’s really inside the cliff more than just on the side of it. 

It feels very much like I shouldn’t be here.  I press the button.  The elevator shows up.  I ride it to the top with a grin.  Thank you elevator.  I check my map later and realize that without the elevator, it would have been an hour or more of backtracking to get up to the same spot. 

It turns out to be a functioning elevator for a hotel at the top of the cliff.  The hotel seems somewhat functional, although it is low season here so everything likely seems more abandoned than it usually is.  That lower beach-side ghost town was definitely actually abandoned, though. 

I stop at a nearby shop to buy 4 bottles of water and some fruit, and I continue on my journey. 

I walk through many small cliffside towns, take a short rest on a beach, talk to a spanish family, and listen carefully to the familiar sounds of the sea.  The small towns give way to smaller villages that give way to single houses dotted against the hillsides. 

I run into a pack of goats, all jingling loudly with bells around their necks.  Probably 30, or more.  Wandering up a cliff side, returning from what I think was a drink of water.  They are autonomous, though they must belong to somebody of course.  They watch me as I walk past, in arms reach to touch them.  I wonder if they find me as fascinating as I find them. 

It is at this point that I realize I am not walking anymore, and have started hiking.  There are no houses up here, and the paths I’ve chosen are lightly treaded.  They are not labeled or named, although some of them are marked with the common red/white flag symbol to indicate you are at least on a path that someone else once took. 

I reach a critical point where I can clearly see two paths and can visually tell that one will be extremely easy and one will be extremely difficult.  It’s apparent from the vantage point I have.  The easy one moves laterally along the mountain ahead of me, and around it.  The difficult path attacks the mountain head on, ascending it directly and vertically.  I pick the hard path with little hesitation.  I am doing this hike for many reasons, but taking the easy way through is not one of them. 

Further down this path, I approach a massive tree that’s fallen directly on the path.  These are the kind of "paths" that don’t really contain alternate ways along them, so I must make a decision about how to proceed.  The "easy" path is still within reach of returning to.  Instead, I decide to go up and over the tree.  This is not easy.  The tree is truly massive. 

As I ascend, the weather becomes brisk, and I realize that the dots of snow I saw earlier are turning into entire blankets of it.  I find a farm full of more goats, but no one else seems to be around.  [Hi goats.]  I wave to them. 

Later, I find a sort of refuge area.  I take a short break here, probably too short, and continue upward.  Upward and downward and upward and downward, it’s difficult to determine when the path will actually begin to descend consistently again. 

On the way down, I find a massive church structure and courtyard.  It’s empty other than two horses tied up out front.  I continue past it and downward.   

Minutes later, I hear the sound of something following me, and realize that those two horses are following the same trail that I’m on.  As they approach, I let them pass, as well as a young man and a scruffy dog following him. [Buongiorno.]  This will be the only person I see on the hiking trails during my entire 2.5 day hike. 

As the sun sets, I am concerned about how much longer this path has taken me than I expected it to, and than the "easier" trail would have.  I check my map and am relieved to see that I’m nearing the village of Maiori.  As snow patches give way to small houses that give way to crude stairways, I am happy to realize that my journey is concluding for the day.  I check my tracking app and realize that it’s registering 25 kilometers of hiking already.  My original plan was to do 17 today, 25 tomorrow, and 20 on the final day. 

My right knee feels a sharp pain, and I’m concerned.  I stop to stretch it a bit, and continue down a massive set of stairs.  It hurts more with each step down.  I arrive in Maiori, and walk through.  My right knee hurts so badly that I have to stop at a bar.  I get a cappuccino, but I’m only really there to rest the knee.  When I get up to leave, it feels even worse. 

I arrive at my first stop for the night, Maiori’s little sister, Minori.  It’s an adorable village.  I call the B&B that I’m staying at.  [Ciao! Ho prenotazione… urm… Tu parli inglese?]  The woman mumbles something and puts on who I assume is her husband.  He speaks english, but he’s screaming into the phone so loudly that I can understand literally nothing he says, although I know it’s english.  Somehow we manage to communicate that I am in town.  He wants to pick me up.  He keeps telling me that.  I keep telling him that I can walk to him.  Eventually he hangs up.  He has absolutely no clue where I am, but he’s going to come pick me up anyway. 

I stand by the bus stop of the village, which is likely where he picks up his other guests from, though I obviously did not arrive via bus. 

He shows up 10 minutes later.  He’s in what is probably the smallest and oldest and saddest Fiat Panda left in the whole of Italy.  It is green and tiny and ancient and I’m honestly surprised it’s a functioning vehicle.  We greet, and he is incredibly friendly.  We speak a mix of italian and english, although his english is wonderful.  He drives us a short distance, although it’s extremely vertical which is why he wanted to pick me up.  He tells me he is 73 years old.  He drives up some of the narrowest streets I’ve ever seen with such incredible precision and speed and carelessness.  I feel like I’m going to die, and yet I also feel like I trust him.  I bet he could do this drive with his eyes closed. 

He shows me to my villa, my villa.  It’s beautiful.  He tells me that he’ll make me dinner at 7 in the main lobby area.  I peel my clothing off and practically leap into the shower.  It’s one of the best showers of my life, and the hot water never runs out. 

His dinner is perfect.  Typical of Campania.  It is one of the best meals I’ve had in Italy.  We chat on and off, and I return to my room feeling the happiest I’ve been in months. 

I relax, stretch, and hope that Right Knee is up for tomorrow’s journey.  

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / 

Day Two: The Champion Left Leg 

I wake up and feel at peace for once.  The villa is beautiful and comfortable, a nice mix between a hotel room and a small home. 

Right Knee feels rested, but not healed.  I think that today will be many times more difficult than yesterday.   

I have a sweet breakfast.  Sweet as in, it is not savory at all.  I pocket a few of the croissants for the road, thank my hosts profusely, and head out.  

It’s a beautiful day, cool but sunny with a light breeze. 

I decide I will take flatter paths today.  Right Knee feels completely normal on flat or moderately-sloped surfaces.  No stairs, and he will be just fine.  Otherwise, it will be the crucial responsibility of Left Leg to make up the difference. 

I head precisely along the coast today, taking mostly paved streets with light traffic.  I walk through some of the coast’s more famous towns, like Amalfi.  It’s nice, but touristic.  I don’t spend much time here. 

Like yesterday, I arrive at another crucial decision point.  I can continue my paved path along the coast and arrive at my final destination of Positano within a few hours, with little potential interest on the route.  Or, I can cut inward and upward, finding a way up to the town of Bomerano.  This is a bigger decision than I realize in the moment.  I cut inward and upward.  Sorry Right Knee.  

I spend a brief moment reorganizing my route.  The problem is that google maps (or, any maps) don’t necessarily indicate whether something is a skinny street or a set of stairs.  I have to guess using context and elevation maps and a bit of common sense. 

As I ascend, I skip a few staircases and take the winding paved routes up the mountain.  I realize at a certain point how slow this is.  Taking these roads will get me to my destination well after sunset.  I have to take the shorter routes up the massive staircases connecting the small villages. 

As I attack the first one, I realize that I have to use them in a way that forces most of the effort onto Left Leg.  It’s awkward to do, and probably even worse to watch, but nobody is around to notice anyway. 

Staircases lead to staircases.  I stop to pee.  More staircases, more hobbling.  Left Leg continues to look out for Right Knee. 

I reach the top, the flat plains of Bomerano, and think it honestly may have been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life.  It’s significantly colder up here.  There is a lunch place in this tiny village called Crazy Burger that I’m going to stop into and destroy a hamburger at. 

I find it will little trouble.  It’s open.  The lady inside can’t seem to understand me, even though I’m speaking in clear Italian.  She goes to get her son who speaks english, but we speak in italian anyway.  The place has no menu, so I tell him to make me the biggest burger he can, with anything he wants to put on it.  And with some sort of potato on the side, per favore. 

It is an absolutely anomaly that this place even exists.  It is 3 in the afternoon, most food places even in Italy’s largest cities are closed at this hour.  It’s in a tiny (I mean, tiny!) village.  And it’s Monday.  And it’s winter.  In the face of all this adversity, Crazy Burger still exists and is here to serve me and fuel me, physically and mentally. 

It turns out the place is open around the clock, 24 hours a day.  Bizarre. 

The chef tells me that they aren’t used to weather this cold in Campania, and that the water in his bathroom’s pipes has frozen and exploded.  Ridiculous. 

I enjoy his perfectly made hamburger, and rest for a little bit longer than I probably should.  I bundle up and head out. 

I picked this direction specifically because of the trail head of a path called Il Sentiero Degli Dei.  The Path of the Gods.  It’s the only path I will take during this entire trip that has a name or a trail head or any sort of signage.  It’s a massively famous, and incredibly ancient, path that starts in Bomerano (Crazy Burger village) and ends in Nocelle, a significantly smaller town nestled above Positano that has no modern roads into or out of.  Ok, cool. 

The path won’t be difficult, but it is long and Right Knee is still on the fritz.  The trail head signage tells me its a 4 hour path.  A few hundred meters down the path, a different sign made in the same style as the first now tells me its a 3 hour journey.  My research earlier said it was a 2 hour trek.  I have less than 2.5 hours of daylight.  I kick up the pace slightly. 

However, not so much so that I don’t enjoy the incredible views that this path offers.  It’s stunning.  A good example of one of those tourist destinations that could be justifiably touristic.  That said, it’s January.  I have not and will not see anybody on the trail this afternoon.  Just me. 

The path varies in difficulty, but in general is kind to Right Knee.  I realize the sun is setting quicker than I expected.  I gallop down some of the lengthier straightaways to save a few minutes.  Awkward.  Who cares. 

I reach a point where the path curves sharply inward and downward, into a huge patch of forest.  Although the sun is just setting, plenty of residual light remains.  However, as the forest thickens, that light diminishes quickly.  I am suddenly and quite obviously hiking in literal darkness.  The path also choses this moment to get it’s most rocky, vertical, and dangerous. 

It is moments like these when I think of my parents.  If they could only see through my eyes, they would probably ask me… 

"What the fuck are you doing?!" 

I pull out my iPhone, which happens to have been juiced up fully while I was stuffing my face with that Crazy Hamburger.  I turn on the flashlight, and it makes a difference.   

Now, I can’t help but think about Madeleine and her fear of mountain lions while hiking.  I have no idea if there are mountain lions in this area of the world, but I think that if I ran into one right now, I don’t think my Leatherman pocket knife would save me.  I check behind me cautiously and periodically. 

These thoughts push me to move a bit faster, at the expense of straining Right Knee.  She once told me that they (mountain lions) don’t like loud noises.  I begin to talk to myself outloud, mostly about how stupid this situation is. 

The forest breaks open, and I emerge onto a cliffside.  It is by no means "light" out, but there is significantly more ambient light, enough for me to put my iPhone away for now. 

Carelessness takes hold, and I slip on a rock and twist my left ankle.  It’s not bad at all, but it was very close to being bad.  I’m suddenly more acutely aware of the potential dangers of this situation.  I push forward with a precise focus on arriving in Nocelle as soon as possible, and as safely as possible. 

Despite my minor panicking state, the views are still breathtaking.  Really, I doubt many people see this trail at this time of evening.  And that’s because they are smart. 

The rocky path gives way to crude steps which give way to a beautifully brick paved sidewalk nestled at the top of what I assume is Nocelle.  The path has foot lighting, and I already feel at ease.  Back off mountain lions. 

About 20 steps into the town, I see ahead of me, emerging from a gate, a group of dogs.  They seem to be mostly chihuahuas.  Some of them turn to see me.  One barks. 

Suddenly I am being charged at by a pack of (rabid) barking chihuahuas.  There are probably 9 of them in total.  It’s terrifying and hilarious.  I continue walking as one of them grips its tiny teeth onto the heel of my boot.  I’m still unsure of if I’m in actual danger or not.  It’s laugh-out-loud funny and an appropriately metaphorical obstacle on my hiking-in-the-dark escapade. 

A lady emerges and screams at the dogs.  They all obey and abandon their efforts to eat me alive.   

I meander down the adorable village.  It’s gentle and peaceful and softly lit.  I recall that Positano, my end goal for the night, is still a few kilometers away.  I remember briefly reading about a staircase that leads down from Nocelle, allowing passage over to Positano along the sea side.  It said something about 1,500 steps down to sea level.   

I find the staircase.  Fuck. 

So much for no stairs today.  I’m sorry, Right Knee. 

It’s pitch black, so I can’t actually tell how big the staircase is.  I can feel it looming, though.  I use my iPhone and descend slowly and methodically.  It twists and turns back and forth.  I start to become delusional, talking to myself about life’s great mysteries, the beautiful constellations overhead, and how ridiculous it is that I was just attacked by a pack of chihuahuas. 

I arrive at the bottom and seconds later watch a bus drive past that I could have taken to Positano.  I wasn’t going to take it anyway, but I still laugh at the occurrence.   

I thought I would have arrived in Positano already an hour ago.  I’m not sure how I miscalculated so badly.  Oh yes, Right Knee is how.  My map says I have 40 minutes to walk until I reach my destination.  I think it might be almost double that now, with the state of my body. 

I walk up and down and up and down and up and down more flights of stairs in Positano.  It’s painful but I hardly notice at this point. 

My app tells me I did over 30km of walking today.  I’m surprised at that number.  The app also tells me I did over 300 flights of stairs.  300.  That’s like climbing to the top of the World Trade Center, and then climbing all the way down it, and then climbing all the way up it again. 

With one bad knee. 

How stupid can you get? 

My check-in at the Airbnb is eventful, as it would be.  My host, Michele, is sad that there are no places open for me to eat at.  He calls a pizza place to deliver pizza for me, but they don’t pick up.  He leaves feeling badly that he couldn’t help. 

He messages me 10 minutes later and says he’ll be back at the apartment in 5 minutes with two sandwiches and some vegetables from his house.  He arrives, with also a beer, and I am so entirely grateful I can barely express it, but I try to anyway. 

There are fireworks a block away and I watch them from the patio while I eat my panini. 

The stars above me are clear and visible and piercing.  I watch them and feel more alone than I have ever felt. 

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / Day Three: Through Pain and Perseverance  

A few Blisters have formed on my feet.  Three of them.  Maybe overnight somehow, or maybe I was numb to all pain yesterday.  They are gross and painful in a very different way than Right Knee.  I realize that I’ve never had Blisters on my feet before. 

I spend a large portion of the morning deciding whether to continue with my journey or cut my losses and head back to Salerno.  I think that although I am "debating" it, I know already deep down that I will continue.  I don’t give up midway on anything.  Often to a fault. 

I justify continuing on to Sorrento in a few ways. 

1) It’s literally why I came, to do this entire journey.  Not two-thirds of it. 

2) I can’t handle the idea of giving up on something at this point in my life. 

3) The amount of stairs that I know I need to take down from Positano to get to the bus stop back to Salerno is staggering. 

4) It’s sunny out. 

#4 convinces me. 

I leave Positano with the goal of avoiding all stairs for the day.  It should be possible. 

Every step I take is painful, in a different way than yesterday.  The blisters are more annoying than Right Knee was.  They feel like a nuisance rather than an actual problem.  I try to think of other things and each step feels a little bit better. 

I stop for some fruit at a random side-of-the-road market, and then rest up ahead while enjoying it.  I set off again, and my feet feel 10 times worse.  It seems as though today I must keep moving to minimize the pain. 

I cross inward on the Amalfi coast, heading directly toward Sorrento.  There is a bus there that will pick me up and bring me back to Salerno.   

Very little happens on this stretch of hike.  I find some peace in my head, periodically interrupted by the Blisters.  They torture me, distract me, and slow me down.  They are allegorical, and I hate them for it.  They go well with Right Knee and Chihuahua Pack and Endless Descending Staircase and Tree Blocking The Path and Crazy Burger Haven and Magical Cliffside Elevator. 

I arrive in Sorrento and it starts raining almost immediately.  It’s a dreary city, full of smog and traffic and stench. 

It’s my least favorite place in all of Italy, so far. 

It goes to show that sometimes things don’t turn out how you picture them.  Or like, the exact opposite of how you pictured them. 

I duck into a pizza place and celebrate.   

"Celebrate." 

The place is giant.  It could serve 200 people for dinner.  I am the only person here.  The loneliness doesn’t affect me.  I prefer it to the alternative, which is being stared at by half of the room while dining alone. 

I leave and catch the bus to Amalfi, where I will catch another bus to Salerno.  I don’t pay for either bus ride, and I’m not sure why.  It’s not like me, but I am so drained of energy that I can’t muster the energy to bother. 

In Amalfi, I find a bathroom to pee at.  It’s one of those that you have to pay 1 euro to use.  I pay 1 euro and it doesn’t open.  I want to cry.  I walk out, stand at the end of a nearby pier and pee off of the end of it.  Sorry fishes.  Just this once. 

I nearly get on a bus back to Sorrento, inadvertently of course.  Salerno, Sorrento, it’s all beginning to blur together at this point.  On the bus, and soon after it leaves I realize that I have to pee again.  I’m not going to suffer for 90 minutes.   

I chug my plastic bottle of water.  I hang my coat on the seat next to me to strategically conceal myself.  I pull down my pants partially, and I begin to pee very slowly and carefully into the bottle. 

This is my reality. 

Without trying to flatter myself, it's kind of like taking a garden hose and trying to empty it through a plastic straw.  I somehow manage to not spill a drop.  

We arrive in Salerno, and I feel a little relieved.  I like this city. 

My journey is over. 

I end up walking a total of 66km, or about 96,000 steps.  My body feels it.  It’s about 10 more kilometers than I planned on, and my plan was already ambitious. 

I’m not sure what else I achieved or why with this journey, but I’m not upset that I did it.  I have conflicted emotions.  I vaguely wish that after Day 1, I got on a bus back to Salerno and spent the remaining time doing something else.  But on the other hand, I’m glad I went through with it all and saw the things I saw.  

Following through with something may not always be the right decision.  But how can we know until we try?  We make choices and we do what we can with our best intentions.  It has to be like this.

[naplesdriverguide]

What are the Benefits of choosing City Car Service?

What are the benefits of using the town car services on your next business trip? For most executives, sedans have become more and more the standard, replacing the old limo driver image, or the traditional lower-management rental hassle. Here are the reasons you should consider Naples drivers service for your next business trip.

 Explore New Places With Car Services

 Growing new city has its own quirks, and interesting places. Your driver will help you out and doesn't have a large limo vehicle's hindrance, and there's just enough greater comfort in the size of the town car to encourage smoother discussion about local trends.

 Another thing to remember is that you ought to have your executive transportation service wherever you are going to be. Search for a nationally run business and save yourself the question of having to acclimatize every stop on your path to a new company.

 What makes the Limo car service Naples Italy stand out?

 Advanced car services from the executive and company town know your needs, and how to work on corporate time.

 • Professionalism: All good executive transport providers should concentrate on being professional from the moment you schedule a city car until you (or your customer) arrive safely at your destination. It refers to both the driver and the car, as the car is an extension of your business for the duration of your use.

 • Punctuality: It's of course important to be on time in the corporate world. Any reliable company of town car services should have drivers who understand this, and your timing needs.

 • Experience: The basic experience lies beyond the timeliness and expertise of the cars and drivers. Without knowledge of the region, and navigation skills, communicating with executives, and knowing the overall business needs, you can not complete your job well.

 In the end, these companies carry on the simplicity of a smaller car with the comfort of limo services' personal attention and expertise. Efficiency or usefulness can't make you go wrong.

 Operation town cars is a trendy way to save time and money

 There is a lot to consider when planning a trip out of town, and having to drive yourself to the airport is probably the last thing you want to do. Dealing with travel arrangements and luggage is hassle enough on its own, so you don't need the additional pressure so difficulty of trying to navigate the roads when you are likely to be already frazzled. In such cases it can be of great help to hire a Car service from Rome to Sorrento.

  No matter what city you're in, airport traffic can be a nightmare. For so many passengers eager to catch flights or return home, these places can be congested in a real way. Weaving in and out of traffic when your watch is continuously being tested is not the best way to spend the last few minutes before a plane trip. If you hire a car service to handle your trip to the airport, you need not worry

[stunningvacationtips]

Let`s Visit Best Beaches in italy for Lover`s Romantic Honeymoon

Italy is one of the most seen nations on the globe, particularly by honeymooners. An Italian, coastlines culture and also the charm of Italy is continuously on the draw countless site visitors to the nation every year.

If you enjoy the beach, Italy is amongst the ideal areas in the world to go to. With so numerous beaches to pick from, it can be tough to decide on just a couple of. Virtually every beach has natural scenic appeal together with a beautiful shoreline. Most coastlines offer peaceful and also tranquil surroundings that is one welcome variance from the congested feeling you might have in a few of the much more touristy places. It's likewise really good that most Italian beaches are incredibly clean, as well as deal secure showering spots.

Italy Beach Honeymoon Destinations

Italy has this kind of charming feeling in it makings it be among recommended location to opt for honeymoon. If you are planning on using a wonderful honeymoon with your cherished, Italy is mosting likely to be such a good choice. Its remarkable cities, coastlines, as well as surroundings will definitely offer you an extraordinary minute. Considering doing so? Hope these rolls below can aid you determine where to go for your Italy honeymoon.

The nation has constantly motivated and brought in romantics. The nation has been famous for its enthusiasts for countless years, from Casanova to Ovid. It has lovely beaches and also sundowns, excellent wines, captivating valleys and romantic architecture.

Sardinia - Landscape and sea

Sardinia is a region in Italy together with a huge island situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea, situated south of Corsica. Sardinia has additionally been a very well known honeymoon place with couples preferring charming sea side fishing towns as well as beaches.

The area is dotted with several gorgeous seaside towns that supply attractive views of the sea as well as great deals of middle ages fishing towns. The cities of Cagliari, Alghero and Sassari offer the modern-day facilities as well as many museums as the smaller sized locations like Budoni, San Teodoro, Gabbiani Island and Stintino provide the very best of the coastlines and many water sporting activity activities.

There is great deals to discover in Sardinia and honeymooners would discover lots of charming areas as well as serene views from the enchanting Tyrrhenian Sea.

Sicily

This could appear to be an uncommon idea on a honeymoon location listing, however after listening to an episode of The Amateur Tourist which was about Sicily, I assume it's probably the optimal honeymoon location for people who wish to experience a great deal of "actual" Italy - the much more intense Italy - and, maybe even much more important, those that wish to leave the crowds.

The Sicily podcast spoke with Madeline Jhawar, who was as soon as a tourist guide in Italy and also that invested her own honeymoon in Sicily. She highlights that it's where tourist guide in Italy continue getaway, as well as if there's a far better endorsement, I have no idea of one. Sicily could be the most significant island in the Mediterranean and also enjoys the sunlight all year long - as a matter of fact, it's downright stifling in summer, so it's a superb area for a fall or winter months honeymoon. If you would such as even more compared to just lovely beaches in your honeymoon, however, Sicily doesn't dissatisfy. The location is the home of both Roman and also Greek ruins, plus some extremely high-end resorts from which to go through everything. Resort communities like Taormina and also Cefalù happen to be inviting sun-seekers for ages, but don't anticipate traveling with these places (or anywhere else in Sicily for instance) to be as simple as traveling is within other components of Italy. Recognizing some Italian might be beneficial, as well as having a spirit of chance is practically a prerequisite. Must you go, you'll be compensated with the sunlight and also warm people.

The seaside love tale in Apulia

The obscure Mediterranean heaven that's Apulia is excellent for a charming honeymoon via the sea. With its lengthy sandy coastlines as well as crystalline waters, its numerous ancient olive groves as well as fascinating countryside peppered with interesting villages as well as fashionable resorts it is a fantastic spot to loosen up and delight in being pampered.

A scenic trip from the Amalfi Coast

One of the globe's most beautiful coasts, the Amalfi coastline includes a chain of normal Italian towns nestled among the lemon groves, winding roads and sheer cliffs that detect the sea, interspersed with sandy beaches and strange underground chambers. Utilizing its excellent weather, scrumptious food and also central position in Southern Italy, the Amalfi coast is an exceptional base to see some of the most stunning sites.

An suggestion of sunlight in Sorrento

The Sorrento Coast is renowned for its warm, warm climate, its friendly individuals, its aromatic lemon groves and it is views over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Unwind on the beaches and also take in the sunlight's rays that makes the citrus fruit of the location so renowned, and also taste the brand-new fish food and also the extreme sharp flavour of limoncello, the renowned liqueur created from the abundant lemons around the coast.

The natural beauty of Cilento

Cilento is less popular compared to the various other coasts, but is equally as stunning. A UNSECO world heritage site, it combines amazing unspoilt natural splendor with vital ancient sites in enhancement to pleasant people, authentic Italian culture pretty a lot unblemished by tourist together with a cozy, Mediterranean environment for long charming rambles and sparkling wine picnics for 2 on the beach.

Capri

Going to Capri in southern Italy and also remaining in J.K. Palace Capri will give you straight coastline access. There are lots of excellent quality coastlines for you to have your beautiful honeymoon. You'll have a great time enjoying the beach whether around the north or south side of the island. Around the north side, you will certainly have the ability to appreciate the excellent point concerning Bagni di Tiberio, while on the south side, you might appreciate Marina di Mulo. Both of them are advised for you. Enjoy!

Tuscany

Renowned for its Italian society, Tuscany is a fairly place to expend your honeymoon at its sandy white shores. There are several areas in Tuscany which have numerous wonderful beaches to stop by. Among the ideal ones is Viareggio. There you'll locate pleasing beaches where you can have a good time enjoying the impressive views. Another coastline town you are able to pay a check out is Maremma in western Tuscany. Appreciate yourself there while admiring its gleaming clear water.

Italian Riviera

Experiencing as well as taking pleasure in the bright days at the coastline in Italian Riviera with each other with your cherished will certainly leave you having a great memory that will last forever. One excellent alternative to remain at is Monterosso. A location which offers you a number of exceptional hotels to stay at, busy however nice beaches, along with numerous restaurants that will be there to conserve you from appetite. Prior to taking a retreat and going back to the hotel, you have the ability to take time to loosen up on its rough beach of Riomaggiore. It will likely be a smart idea, won't it?

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Personal Tourist Guide And Motorist.

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