Italy -40

***note: An evening view of Duomo Sant'Andrea (St. Andrews Cathedral).

Day 4
We decide to spend half of the day relaxing on the beach and catching some sun, and the other half of the day wandering around Amalfi seeing what can been seen. We are surprised to find it is not free to lie on the beach. You have to “rent” a beach umbrella and chairs for the day. Whatever, just as long as we can get a little color. We are soon sweating profusely, even in the morning sun, so we starting taking periodic dips in the Mediterranean to cool off. It really doesn’t get much better than this. The sand is a dark grey, and as the kids run around in between the chairs they kick up clumps of the sand which glues itself to one’s sweaty skin…which then requires another dip in the sea. We break around midday to grab a bite of lunch from one of the seaside cafes, and we order what’s become our usual: a mixed green salad with oil and vinaigrette and a cheese and tomato pizza. I grab a beer, but Jen opts for just water. It’s not long before she’s stealing several swallows from my bottle. We wander back to the hotel and up its 70 steps to shower off and head out for the afternoon. There’s not too much around town really. There are a number of shops showcasing the local pottery and lemon liquor (Limoncello) but for sights there is only the church overlooking the main square. Duomo Sant’Andrea (St. Andrews Cathedral) towers over the town square. First thing you’ll visit inside is the Cloister, which is strangely Moorish in Architecture, with aged frescoes covering several of the coves. Down in the crypt, where the remains the Apostle St. Andrew reside, we’re amazed by the ornate frescoes decorating every square inch. It’s dark, but I still try to handhold some shots to capture the beauty. The cathedral itself is stunning, even in such a small town. I wish we had churches like this here in the States. Afterwards we wander through the streets and back alleys a little more before returning to the hotel (and up the 70 steps again) to get ready for dinner. This night we eat at the Trattoria da Barracca in the Piazza dei Dogi, and once again there is a musician wandering among the tables and serenading us throughout the meal. I resist my urges tonight and do not buy a CD like I did the night before. Another aperitif of scotch, a cigar, and some gelato and we are ready for bed.

More to come!