calling from some city...

Today was the most relaxing and least hectic day of the trip so far for me, but it’s also been a really enjoyable day. Sara and Scott were debating going to either Capri or Amalfi, and decided to take a day trip to Amalfi. While the town looks amazing and it would have been a fun day, I could feel myself getting burned out. It’s been 3 really busy weeks. Even in Santorini, we were up early most days and got worn out on the beach because of the sun. Anyways, while I want to go to Amalfi someday, I knew I wasn’t up for a long (nearly 2 hour) bus ride each way, so I decided I was going to stay in Sorrento for the day because we didn’t really explore Sorrento itself at all. Sara and Scott got up early and left, and I slept in until 10:15. I missed the free breakfast, which was unfortunate, so I just went to a supermarket nearby for a yogart and a box of granola bars to have as later snacks. Then I did my laundry, which was necessary- I was wearing the one clean item I still had, whic hwas a dress. Everything else needed to be cleaned. So I waited around for that and got caught up on emails and things like that while my stuff was cleaned.
Once my laundry was done, it was just after noon so I headed into Sorrento. It’s just a 10 min walk to the train station and then 3 minutes on the train, so it’s very easy to get there. The train station is also right next to the main street of Sorrento, Corso Italia, so I just started walking, wanting to just have a lesurely day. I was hungry so I found a really cute pizzeria right on the main square of Sorrento, Piazza Tasso, and ordered a marinara pizza. I read my book while I waited and people watched. This may make me seem like a loser, but I love eating lunch alone. Most days at Dartmouth I ate lunch by myself and read the paper. For dinner its nice to have company but I felt like I did have company because so many people were out and about on the streets.
After lunch I started to wander again. Off of Corso Italia there is a pedestrian only street that is lined with various shops, so I took my time going into each shop. Everyone was out shopping and it was really nice and I saw a lot of cute things to buy- too bad I cant fit them in my backpack! I then headed out for the port and eventually started walking along the water, but way high up on the streets- I then had to make my way down to get to the beach. The views from the top were really pretty. Sorrento is different from the places we have visited- its not as pretty or dramatic as Positano or Santorini, but still the view is awesome. It also was bigger and had more shops and things to do, and felt like there was more to the city than just tourists and businesses designed to cater to tourists. It would be an absolutely awesome place to live.
Sorrento does not really have a large beach like other towns on the Amalfi Coast. I looked down and saw the Grand Marina, and the “beach” was literally docks that were built on top of large rocks. Restaurants were built on top of the rocks, and sunbeds were put on on the rocks with swimming areas roped off. Instead of heading straight down there, I continued walking along the coast and eventually made my way down to the shore. There, I found a much smaller, local sandy beach. I found the beach chairs were only 4 euro to rent so I plopped down- I even got a chair right on the water. I started talking to Roberto, the guy that showed me to a chair for a little while, trying to practice my Italian. We switched to English when the conversation stalled. Im really glad I found this beach because it was filled with families, kids playing in the ocean, and virtually no tourists at all. I didnt hear English spoken the entire time I was there. It felt like a really genuine local experience, and Im glad I had that experience.
After about 2 and a half hours, I headed back to the train station. Along the way, I naturally stopped for gelato. While walking I found the “Sorrento Mens Club” which I read about in my guidebook. Its basically just like it sounds…a mens only club, no women allowed. They were just sitting playing cards and smoking cigars. Probably while their wives were busy preparing a 5 course meal for them at home. Anyways I got back to the hostel, got caught up on emails, and showered. Luckily I thought to check my email again because Sara had emailed me requesting I meet her and Scott in Sorrento. I quickly jogged to the station and caught a train to Sorrento with about 2 minutes to spare, otherwise I would have had to wait for 40 minutes. We met up and got dinner at the same restaurant from the previous night because the food was so good. We discussed our days- theres sounded like a lot of fun, but Im glad I did my own thing today. After we finished the day off with gelato. Sure it was my second helping of the day, but I didnt get any the past 2 days. Anyways, back at the hostel now and getting ready to pack. We are off to Firenze tomorrow!