Shopping day!

Wednesday is our last full day. We have a lecture in the morning by the same English gent who did the history lecture. This time he will give us some insight into contemporary Italy. And it is seriously messed up! 

After the lecture, the group splits up. A handful of people head out on a long hike in the hills to Positano. Others take a bus to Ravello. I decided I wanted a more relaxing day and needed some shopping time so I stayed in Sorrento. 

The town's shopping is in two areas. The main street (where everyone takes their nightly stroll) is full of the regular commercial stores. These shops close for the mid day break from 1 to 4 pm and then open again until 9pm. The mainly pedestrian shopping alleys are mostly open all day. 

Before shopping, I head back to the cliffs to take some pictures of the south side of the cliffs with the better morning light. Then out to patrol the streets. Since I had plenty of time, I was able to make a few rounds, compare prices and return back to shops to purchase. The merchandise is primarily ceramics (with lemons, olives or both painted on it), leather (lots of bags, shoes and at least one jacket store), lemon goods (limoncello, candies, etc), linen (seriously gorgeous and lots on sale), marquetry (mostly boxes, music boxes, plaques), jewelry (cameos plus murano glass from Venezia). There was also the usual cheal tourist bait stuff of course. A few fruit vendors where scattered around with lemons (always!), figs and other good looking produce. I ran into John and Janice and made plans to have lunch with them. Before we did that, I went back to the hotel to drop off my merch and take a rest. 

For lunch, we went to the Bellevue Sirene, which Sally had recommended for their beautiful patio over looking the water. Truly relaxing and refreshing. I had one last pasta limone e gamberetti (one of the signature dishes in the area. Dessert was gelato from Davide, nocciola and torrone (nougat). In the afternoon, I put on my swim suit and headed up to the pool. The water was really cold but it felt good to dangle my legs in looking out over the infinity pool.

Tonight is the farewell dinner. I decide to wear the linen dress and sandals I got in Capri, plus the murano earrings from a local store. We start with drinks in the hotel bar. What a difference a week makes! The group now behaves and sounds like a bunch of long time friends. Emanuele is our handsome host in a dark Italian suit and tie. Dinner is in the breakfast room with Diego (who has been refilling our breakfast coffee) serving. We each get a certificate. Dessert is a giant cake with green and red fruit on top and a sparkler! The festive atmosphere at the bar carries over here. Afterwards, a few of us pop back into the bar for drinks or just to wind down. I'm on the very early 3:45a bus to the airport, so tonight is goodbyes, sadly.