9/26. Monday. Day 12. No journal entries. Today we tried to go to Paestum via train. We went to the track that our train was supposed to arrive on, and at the arrival time, got on that train. This should’ve been a warning: trains are never on time in Italy! When the conductor came around to get our tickets,  he told us we were on the wrong train. I thought he was joking! He had to get another employee to tell us that we were indeed on the wrong train. We ended up all the way down in Southern Italy. I was worried we would not be able to get back the same day. Since we didn’t have our passports on us, we wouldn’t be able to stay in a hotel. As soon as we got off the train, we rushed to the ticket station and were luckily able to get back to Sorrento. We spent the entire day on the train. We went out for dinner that night and got severely buzzed.

9/27. Tuesday. Day 13. We didn’t set an alarm today. Tired out somehow by yesterday. Woke up at 10:00 and Marc had no clean shirts. At 11:30 we went to the small cafe down the road that we’d been going to. It is called Giulia’s or “La Giuliana” on Via San Cosma. I had a cappuccino and a Nutella bun. She said “Ciao.” 3 euros for the best cappuccino and a giant roll filled with Nutella!

We decided to take the trail to Minori, stopping back at home to get water. I left Marc in the walkway for 2 min, came back and some elderly Italian woman was talking to him in Italian… We walked to the “trailhead” for Minori. There were 3 kitties hanging out here. A woman said it should take “un mezz’ora” or ½ hour to get there. We saw several more kitties along the way. It was entirely downhill. Lots of lizards scampering away. There were lots of doorways and ramshackle yards and olive trees. I wondered how many of the houses were inhabited, as the only access seemed to be the walking path. It must be difficult to go to the store and bring things home. Saw lots of giant, all-black bumblebees. Some guys on siesta by a small church “in restauro.” Marc says they whistled at me but I think they were whistling at him. Grapes rotting on the vines.

Got to Minori in about 45 minutes to a viewpoint overlooking the town. Wandered down to the town and found a strada pedonale. Most of the shops were closed since it was lunchtime. Stopped in at a father/son ceramics shop and decided to stop there on the way home.

We found the best pastry/gelateria/sandwich shop called De Riso Pasticceria. The display was filled with amazing desserts. We had our first good sandwiches of the trip, foccacia, tuna, tomato and mozzarella that he heated in a panini press. Marc had a fragola torta and I had lemon cheesecake with a berry topping and fresh berries. We ate at a table outside, by the most beautiful chiesa. 15 euros for lunch without drinks and worth every penny.

Walked along the main drag, very charming little town. Walked 1 KM to Maiori around the point. Maiori is a slightly bigger town, more touristy with several hotels but it still had a small-town feel. Both towns had beaches. Maiori had a bigger marina.

We walked all the way to “the end” of town, then back to the middle and up Corso Reggina. Went to lovely little gardens.

The church was locked up. I climbed all the steps while Marc sat on his butt. Saw a little chiesa the size of a small store. Mostly locals hanging about. Caught the bus back to Minori. Couldn’t decide if we should get off or go to Amalfi. We decided to get off if someone rang the bell, and they did. We got off and saw the same father and son in a different ceramics shop by the pasticeria. We bought a clock for 24 euros. Then had some gelato “to go” and ate by the church on a bench. A kitty walked by but wouldn’t pose.

Some kids were lighting fireworks along a wide stretch of beach. Lots of people were taking their evening strolls. “California strip.” Lots of palm trees and bathers. Old men and little kids playing. We caught the SITA to Amalfi. Wandered for a bit. Back to Ravello. Had dinner at Salvatore. Best pizza. We also ran into our “good friend” and Villa Amore host Andrea on the dock and chatted with him for a bit.

Go on the next part of the journey!