busses and trains to get where we needed and then walked from there. The bus right outside of our hotel was the number 64. Our stop was the first of many as it made its way towards central Rome. So when we got on, we had our choice of any seats. The further we traveled the more crowded it got until we were literally pushed uncomfortably against the windows. We took this bus on most days and after a couple of days, I read in our tour Lonely Planet book that the number 64 bus in Rome was the most notorious in all of Italy for its pickpockets! We were fortunate not to be bothered by them.
Rowboats, Positano, Italy Photo by Barry Epstein
One night after dinner, Mimi and I took a short walk around our hotel and a small car with two elderly people pulled over to us and asked us, in English,“ could you please tell us how to get to the Hotel Devernaci.” This was the hotel that we were staying at that was directly behind us at the time. Mimi was quick to speak to this lovely couple and she walked up to the car and said,“ No Speakity English”, and so they drove off! We laughed and laughed as she realized what she had done. We still laugh about it today.
The next day we went to the St Peter’ s Basilica over the Vatican. There was a staircase leading up the dome so we followed others into it. This was a very narrow stairway that winded its way around the dome and seemed to get smaller and smaller. I was starting to feel claustrophobic and looked to see if I could return backwards but that was not possible so I kept moving up. I had broken out in a full body sweat and I was
Reflection, Pompei, Italy really in a panic when I saw a window Photo by Barry Epstein opening where we were able to climb out and see the Vatican City. It was very beautiful and I was able to calm myself for the walk down. We then visited the Vatican and it was spectacular. I did think, however, that the church used this impressive artwork that was commissioned to convince the masses to believe in this religion. Mimi was in heaven as being a Catholic, this was the penultimate experience for her and I am so happy that she was able to do it. We took the train up to Florence and stayed in an apartment for that we had booked right downtown. We thoroughly enjoyed Florence as Luke and Ryan had fun negotiating with the countless number of street vendors trying to sell them fake watches. I was able to introduce Luke to some of my favorite Italian wines during the trip such as Barbaresco and Barolo as some nights we just got breads, cheeses, prosciutto and wine for dinner and ate in our apartment.
The next portion of journey was to get to the Amalfi Coast. To get there we started with the train to Naples and the Eurorail that was very safe and comfortable. When we arrived at Naples, we took our luggage and followed the signs
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