Officially half way through my vacation and as much as part of me wants to go home, part of me is so excited for this next week on the Volcano.
Robyn and I had the morning together. It rained, in Naples. This never happens apparently. They can go months without rain but this morning is rained, not hard but street venders selling umbrellas made a killing. Actually it was a nice reprieve from the heat, especially with our sunburnt bodies. It was a slow morning, needing to repack and get ready and figure out how we were going to work everything. Robyn's flight wasn't until 9pm but my ferry was at 2:30. The great people at our B&B said we could leave our stuff there in our room until 2 and they would even set Robyn up with a cab to the airport. PERFECT! She will have to wait at the airport all afternoon but better to be there then be in the city by herself with all of her stuff. We did a little bit of boutique shopping before saying goodbye. It's been a great week and MooReece and I loved her company, although I don't think she caught on to the MooReece thing so well... I don't like being in pictures, hence the cow LOL. I also taught Robyn how to Jay Walk like a pro. You see there are no rules of the road here in Italy (and France is much the same), drivers do what they want, when they want but strangely seem to be able to read each other's minds. Antonio our guide from Amalfi told us it's like an unwritten code amongst drivers here, they just know what the other is going to do and they are just very observant. Accidents are rare considering it looks like sheer madness to us North Americans. Anyways, crossing the road is much the same. Unless it's a busy crosswalk or intersection, there are no walk lights and you can't just sit and wait or you'll never cross so you just start crossing and cars will stop. Yep, cross while cars and mopeds and vespas are screaming towards you and don't you dare stop until you get to the other side, but they will stop. You will not get hit. It's quite miraculous really. I got right back into the swing of things but Robyn wasn't quite so keen on it - just follow me, I won't let you get killed. The only problem is, if you're here long enough, you need to remember that when back in Canada, you can't do that because there, cars WON'T stop! I will definitely miss my travel companion. It's been a slice!
It's been a long week so I'm looking forward to taking this next week all for myself. My ferry left at 2:30 so I needed to catch a cab earlier than her but I had a total brain fart and hailed to cab asking him to take me to Molo Beverello. When he dropped me off 2 minutes later, I thought WOW that was close, I could have walked afterall and it's really close to the one we went to yesterday to go to Capri. That's because it WAS the same port as yesterday, I was at the wrong place. I had Molo Beverello in my head but I knew that was wrong the second I stepped out of the cab with my stuff. CRAP!!! So I try to hail another cab. 2 of them yell something at me in Italian which I'm not understanding and finally a 3rd guy (who I guess could see my frustration) pulled up and I gave him the name of the right port. He seemed a little confused or was trying to ask me something in Italian about the location, but again, I had no idea so I pulled out my ticket and showed him - he got it! But now I'm pressed for time... and we're stuck in traffic of course and it seems like it's really far (good thing I didn't try to walk) but he got me there in time and was really nice trying to chat with me even if I couldn't understand him. Relieved I grab my stuff and march off to check-in. No problems there. As I walk towards the dock, people from my retreat notice me and wave me down and I finally fully relax. I made it! Everyone is super nice and friendly (again you don't generally go on these types of retreats solo if you're not at least somewhat friendly and outgoing). Got on the ferry and although it was nearly a 4.5 hour ride, it went by quickly
between reading and snoozing. YAY!
Now I need to explain where I am. I know I keep saying an island, but I'm not actually on an island, I'm on a volcano. I mean that this isn't an island with a volcano on it, it IS the volcano. The whole thing. In fact it's the only live volcano in Europe. Yes, it's safe. I believe we hike up to the top next week sometime. This place is incredible. The view from our hotel room is beyond words. Our room? Well that's a whole other story... as my new roommate Liz from Essex UK describes it - Monastic. HAHA and that's exactly right! 2 single but comfy beds in a tiny room with no room to even open my suitcase unless it's on the bed, so I unpacked and settled in before heading to our first meeting. Breakfast and dinner are included in our stay here but I have to pay for wifi which I will do every few days to post etc... Our sessions start in the morning with Chi-gong on the beach and then up to the terrace that overlooks the sea - I believe we also have an afternoon session before dinner as well.
The sand here is BLACK! It's really hard to describe but I'm looking forward to exploring more tomorrow. I don't know what to expect from this retreat and most people don't either. There are a few who are regulars it seems but I honestly have no idea what we will be doing. This whole retreat is about learning to let go and find you inner rhythm. I feel more zen just being here, I think it's impossible not to. The vibe is absolutely incredible.
More to come...
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