Monday, April 22, 2013

Amalfi and Andrew

One of the great draws of the Sorrento and Naples area is the not-to-miss Amalfi coastal highway.  I use the term highway loosely, check out the photos to catch my drift.  So Jack the driver picked us up this morning and took us for a tour of the peninsula, along the aforementioned Amalfi road.

There are several small towns along the way, each of course, with their distinct personality.  We only stopped at two.  Well, truth be known, we stopped at Positano twice.  The first time we stopped long enough for an americano at a coffee bar and a potty stop.  It was raining, hailing, lightning and thundering, so needless to say, not the day for a stop at a coastal town.

However, after an half hour or so, as we headed toward the town of Amalfi the sun came out and it was lovely and warm.  So on our way back, we stopped in at Positano again, to see what it actually looked like.

In Amalfi, wonder of wonders, we got some more religion, with some serious Apostle Coolness at the Amalfi Cathedral, where St. Andrew, yes, the fisherman, is buried.  Amalfi at one time rivalled Venice for its trade and commerce, but now is a small fishing village and holiday town.  The Cathedral is in the Byzantine style, and its impressiveness it definitely an indicator of the glory days of Amalfi.

In the crypt, sidling up to the altar where St. Andrew's remains rest, is a couple of beautiful statues by
Bernini, one of St. Lorenzo (Lawrence) complete with grill in hand.  Fun for the professor to see, as one of his patrons.

As it was a lovely warm afternoon, the kids took off there socks and shoes, rolled up their pants and  played in the water.  Sparky slept.  I laid in the sun.  The coastal route back was the same, but coming from the opposite direction, looked completely different.

Just wandered around Sorrento this evening, enjoying the Italian air.  Everyone is winding down, tomorrow morning we head from here to Rome, via Roccasecca, to the birthplace of The Man, St. Thomas Aquinas.  Love that guy.

I will lay all of you petitions and mine at the feet of him who is awesome.  

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