Travel

This was such a great trip! Just a lot of magic happened!

I mentioned that my cousin organized, and that I was "travelled out" (i.e. ready to be a home-body for a while!) and that while I struggled with the personal dilemma of the situation --(1) wanting to participate in such an incredible event while also (2) just having returned from a hedonistic (for me) "girls trip" in Provence and Paris the previous two weeks-- my husband immediately said "you've GOT to do this! The plane tickets, rental car, and apartment were booked by they end of the day. Magic!

As I practiced my Italian, and as I shared with Michael how funny it was for me to completely misunderstand a podcast I listened to 10 x (Non Hanno Un Amico), and as Michael then said, "Sign up for Italian classes TODAY"... and as it was the first day for Italian 1010 classes up at the U taught by a stellar professoressa... and as I then did a lot of leg work to sign up... then as I realized that I would have to miss some classes, I told Professoressa after class that very same day, "I will have to miss a couple classes"... which made me sad. But! By sheer coincidence my Italian week was during Fall break! Magic!

Then, on the plane to JFK, my seatmate, right next to me!, was my awesome classmate Maggie! Crazy, huh? Magic!

The rest of the trip proceeded magically, beautifully, too! I have to say that one of my most favourite events ended up being one I had been absolutely terrified to think about: Returing the rental car I missed the little entrance... so I banged a U-y in rush-hour Naples traffic! And no one honked! I actually think, maybe, I even garnered some Napoli respect...maybe. At any rate, I was super-duper proud of myself! More Magic! Really wish I had a photo of that!

The whole trip: Magic!

Below there are only a couple flying pix of GSL (odd for me, I know).

Then, pix of my last day driving:

First stopping at Chuisano di San Domenico. See the sign with the bear picture? One photo I wish I'd taken as I walked down the steep road (after giving up on finding the waterfall this trip): a tractor backing up, up the windy steep road with a happy man driving, looking back over his shoulder, and over a HUGE vat of ripe purple grapes. I gave him a thumbs up and we both smiled! 

Ah! The signs about the bear! Read about this yearly folk ritual here. And there is a vey cute, short, film about it here.

Then, halfway through, there's a random pic (the only one) I took in Benevento. I'm in a parking lot figuring out my strategy... and there is what looks like Roman ruins tucked in an urban landscape.  

I drove to the Castle of Montesarchio and (surprise!) Piccola Lourdes! Of course I prayed for your health, well-being and fabulous success!

I drove to Naples Airport car rental lot... which, as you know was a highlight... but also talking with the attendants was fun (Throw out a "boca di Luca" by accident while the attendant's friend Luca happens to be walking by. 

The airport pod was perfect for what I needed and the BenBo attendant's recommendation for a nearby pizzaria (there was only one) ended up being Magic, too! Not shown: I chatted with two firefighters from LA who have relocated to Naples. They LOVE it! The biggest fire danger comes from electronics pruchased via Amazon from China, especially the recharging power blocks. Do NOT leave these plugged in unattended, they told me. Now you know. Oh, and they said Napoli is the most misunderstood city. .... and I told them about the TV show "I bastardi di Pizzofalcone".