The region of Campania in Italy is perhaps most well known for the Costiera Amalfitana [the Amalfi Coast] for its spectacular vistas
asics gel hyper 33 womens , for Pompeii and other historical archeological sights, and for the city of Napoli, characterized by it's cultural
contradictions. More frequently than not, tourists flock to the Amalfi Coast for
its romantic vistas and hotels and renown winding coastal drive in and around
the fog-silhouetted hills and terraced crops of lemon trees. It is not often
referred to as a family destination. Ironically, however, this area of Italy is
truly one whose success has pivoted upon the strength of the families who live
there. The willingness of the locals to share that family spirit is what made
our trip there with our two young sons, among the more memorable of any of the
Italian trips we have taken. We traveled to the Amalfi Coast at the very cusp of
the off-season, late March, and so missed the spring birth of the many
incredible flora and vegetation of the region. But we also by-passed the intense
crowds and traffic that bloom along with the flowers beginning right after
Easter. This fortuitous timing also coincided with the "settimana santa," the
holy week preceding Easter. We thus experienced the pageantry of "giovedi santo"
[Holy Thursday], including "Lavanda dei piedi" '[the washing of feet] symbolic
of the day and the "Prossessione del SS.Sacramento alla Cappella della
reposizione per l'adorazione." The latter is a stunning and haunting procession
intended to remember the betrayal of Christ. On that night, we followed the
townspeople as they walked for hours up and over the hills of Ravello behind men
dressed in white robes and hoods singing the dissident lamentations that mark
the sadness of Christ's tortuous journey. We chose, as our base,
Ravello
asics gel lyte v black , a village in the hills above the Amalfi drive, which we found to be less hurried than the coastal cities of Amalfi and Positano, and one
more accessible to other destinations, such as Pompeii and Naples. We arrived at
night at about the hour of apperitivo and thus decided to take in the ambiance
of the central piazza with the back-drop of Ravello's church, La Chiesa
d'Annunziata. There, beyond the signs warning of "no ball-playing, no bicycling,
no roller-blading and no scootering" we sat outside at the local bar and watched
our children join ten year-old resident, Enrico and others, playing ball,
bicycle-riding, roller-blading and scootering. As the children got to know each
other, we began to talk to the owner of the bar, Enrico's uncle
asics onitsuka tiger ireland , Luigi Schiavo. "It's such a beautiful, tranquil setting," I said to him as he brought us a glass of pinot grigio, "All
the kids seem to get along so well." "We're practically all related," he told
me, "See that shop over there? The one that sells ceramics. She's my cousin. The
travel agent around the corner ... that's her husband. Then there's Vincenzo
..." In the following one-hour period, an explanation of their extended family,
as well as another glass of Pinot Grigio, ensued. Mario Capuano, Luigi's cousin,
owns "Wagner Tours." He specializes in planning weddings on the Amalfi coast,
but also organizes just about any other kind of tour you can imagine. "We try to
cover every detail," says Mario. We know the importance of family, and believe
me
asics gel lyte iii for sale , the first step, is a happy, stress free wedding day ..." Mario's wife is Paolina Amatruda. She's the one who owns the ceramics
store next to the bar. For 25 years, the store has offered the traditional
ceramics of nearby Vietri noted for their refined beauty and quality. "We are
always trying to renew ourselves," Paolina said, "to adapt ourselves, but
without losing the traditional quality that has sustained us all these years.
Our kids keep us young and our family memories help us to keep true to our
traditions" The family talent doesn't end with Mario or his wife. Vincenzo
Amatruda, Mario's brother-in-law, teaches cooking classes out of his private
home, situated on a cliff top, 350 meters above sea level. After many years as a
chef and owner of a restaurant in Ravello, "Vincenzino" [diminutive for
"Vincent"] developed a cooking school where he says people can cook and eat
"with the heart and not just the mouth." First, Vincenzino takes his students to
some of the little food shops located in the historic alleys of Ravello.
Speaking Italian and English, he introduces his students to the shop owners and
an explanation of how the locals choose their wine and vegetables follows.
Together
asics gel noosa tri 7 mens , they decide the menu, according to the season and tastes of all gathered. Finally, they proceed with the hands-on
preparation of the meal, from apperitivo and wine, gracefully past "il primo"
course and "il secondo" and finally to dessert and espresso. If the weather
cooperates, as it so often does in Ravello, Vincenzino's students will eat on
the terrace so that their culinary experience can be enhanced by the spectacular
view of the Mediterranean. An entire experience as a family can be had by
venturing no further than the warmth of the Capuano extended family, but one can
hardly come to this region of Italy without taking in the joys of the Amalfi
drive. Step one in this process, if you have the nerve and the inclination, [and
kids old enough to sit behind you without squirming] is to rent a scooter. When
you rent a scooter in picturesque Positano, are you just renting a scooter?
Perhaps. But if you also "fa quattro chiacchiere" [make a little chat] you may
also realize that you are renting from Pepe Mandara of Positano Rent a Scooter,
[Viale Pasitea 99, tel. 089 812 2077], cousin of Giulio
asics gel noosa tri 9 , Anna, Rosa and Rafaelle Mandara who own the Pizzeria across the street, Valle Dei Mulini, [Via Vecchia 5, tel. 089 875 232].
Or perhaps you might meet their other cousins at the Boutique Luisa, next door,
including Susanna Mandara, the designer, Luisa and Gaetano Mandara, the owner
and Susanna's mother.
