Europe Day 25: Beach and Books

Blue blue ocean clear
Splashing on the rocks
Salty as a joyful tear
Landing on the docks.

The sun was shining today! In a blur of enthusiasm I put on my new sun dress, wished for a pair of sandals, and went to get a picnic lunch with Jade, Melissa, Kayla, Josh and Casey.  The six of us picked up cheap sandwhiches and headed to the beach.

To say Sorrento has lots of beaches is being pretty generous.  Most of the beach features large boulders piled against a cliff next to the ocean.  We had to climb down 129 steps and a long, sloping curve before we could even see the water! Another short set of stairs brought us to a spacious, concrete portico looking out over the water. 

This was not good enough for Kayla, Casey and I.  On the otherside of the railing was a ten foot wide stretch of boulderes.  So, with a hand down from Casey, the three of us decided to make this our lunch spot.  Choosing a large, flat rock by the water, we had soon taken off flip flops-or in my case formerly white sneakers and colorfully striped socks-and enjoyed our sandwhiches.  

I was so happy to be by the water!  After eating my meal, I clambered onto a rock that was barely submerged so I stood in water to my ankle.  Waves would rush towards me, hit the rock at my backside and splash me on the rebound.  I wasn't getting too wet at first, but then a ferry docked near by.  As it slowed to a stop the massive waves it created shot all the way to my waist line!  I was so wet!  But, the salty water wasn't too cold, and the sun kept me warm enough.  I stood on that rock getting wet for a very long time.  I loved it.

After a while, Kayla and I left to get gelato.  This was the absolute best gelato I have eaten since I have been in Italy.  Rich and creamy, but not too fluffy.  Plus, it was snickers and white chocolate lindt truffel.  In Europe, they do not do nutty candy, they do hazelnut candy.  It just is not the same.  Peanuts in my gelato made my day!  Even though it was a little expensive, I am definitely going back!

Yet the ocean continue called to us.  As we ate the last of our cones we walked down to the beach.  I did not bring my swim suit (for some crazy reason), so we went swimming in our dresses.  Yep, that's right.  I jumped in the Mediterranean in my new blue dress.  The water tasted very salty, and I still smell like ocean.  I have no regrets.  Just so long as the dress is okay.  I'm not sure, I haven't tried to wash it yet.

After a little bit of swimming, we returned to the hotel to shower and change.  A little while later we left for dinner.  We headed towards the main area of town, looking for something good to eat.  Half a block up we spotted our Professor, so we followed her for nearly five minutes before I couldn't keep myself from laughing and she noticed us.  We had assumed she would know of a good place to eat, so we joined her for dinner.  While the restaurant we chose was truly lacking in flavor, the six of us chatted and laughed the whole time, really enjoying ourselves.

A book store caught our eye so we popped in for a minute.  They had an excellent selection of English books.  I finally broke down and bought Pride and Prejudice.  I had meant to bring it with me, but it some how didn't make it into my luggage.  All day today I dearly wished to read a good book while my toes wriggled in the sand.  Now, the next time it is sunny, that wish can come true!

We returned to the hotel, but only for a moment before heading out to another beach. This time we resisted the urge and only got our feet wet.  After skipping rocks for a while, Kayla and I played cards.  We have decided to do a quarter long Speed tournament.  We are pretty equally competative and both love to talk smack, so it makes for a good time.

And now I sit here in the hotel lobby, on the big, fantastic, comfy chairs.  The internet is pretty sketchy, so I was afraid I wouldn't be able to post.  But I am soon to bed.  We leave early tomorrow morning for Pompeii, and after spending all day soaking up the sun and splashing in the water, I am exhausted.  Forunately, the street next to our hotel is much quieter at night than in Rome, so I'll sleep much better.  I definitely like Sorrento.