Sorrento

2024-10-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Good morning, it’s 4 AM in Sorrento and there’s a thunder storm outside keeping me from sleep so let me catch you up.

The night before the trip was a full moon. I couldn’t sleep that night either. I was too nervous about the trip. Every time I opened my eyes that huge moon was flooding the room in light through the half-opened blinds.

The day started before sunrise and we showered, packed the remaining toiletries, vacuumed, watered the plants, unplugged electronics, emptied the garbages, and took them to the curb on autopilot.

The Portland airport has changed since the last time you visited. It has this green foliage and balsa wood look to it now. I think you’ll really like it when you come back. I want to come early next time to explore!

Chicago was difficult to navigate as usual. We were worried we would miss our transfer as the only way to reach our gate was by a bus that was so late some passengers were panicking (the gate agent was also escalating the situation and stirring them up but that’s a different rant), but we made it in time. Joe was running but stopped to admire a dinosaur installation (of course). He also traded $200 for 140 euro. For context the current exchange rate is 1:1.09 so his fee was 30%. Insane markup. I would have skipped it at that point but I was busy buying us food.

Traveling from Chicago to Zurich was my first time traveling with Swiss Air. It was a nice time overall and I got a lot of work done, but it was far too warm and I got motion sickness at the end. I think one of the few things that helps with the feeling of claustrophobia and just the general sardine tin feel of being trapped in a plane is air shooting directly in your face. They didn’t have that on this model. I’m going to buy a portable fan for my trip back. Just in case.

We had to transfer from Zurich to Napoli and nearly missed it because I was so motion sick. No phone service or WiFi so Joe just stayed close. Fortunately the flight was a little delayed. I don’t even remember the next flight. Body went into aux power mode to mitigate the pain. I love that feature. Highly recommend it.

We traveled from Napoli to Sorrento by bus with a group from Texas. Two retired teachers and a lawyer. Our driver broke out into song occasionally. It was just like traveling with you! Except he took the turns a little slower. 😃

Sorrento looks really touristy but it’s a super pleasant spot. We met Allessandra our tour monitor (not tour guide - she makes the distinction as we have a specific tour guide for each city). We also met the majority of our 35 person group, mostly Canadian. There were a lot of retirees, some couples, a family, and a few people our age just traveling for fun. They served us mini rice balls, pigs in a blankets, pizza, fruit juice for me and prosecco for Joe.

Dinner was immediately after at a restaurant down the street and we were treated to a 4 course dinner of antipasto, pizza, eggplant pasta, zucchini pasta, and lemon cake. We got to know more about the family that was visiting from Winnipeg.

Joe and I skipped out early and planned to go straight home but found a lemon-themed souvenir shop run by a sweet lady who wanted to chat with us in Italian. She gave us your mom’s speech about practicing every day. Joe was excited at how much he understood. I knew he would love it here but he is in heaven. He’s loving the food, the town, the lemon trees, the people so much. I’m looking forward to Capri tomorrow. I’m going to try to get some watercolor studies of the streets in the rain and post this then.

P.S. We like our group of tourists alot but one thing that puzzles both of us is how many people on this tour will tell us, a couple on our honeymoon, that we won’t be happy for long or that the honeymoon phase wears off. Are we allergic to saying nice things to people now? Whether we’re happy forever or not, how is that helpful advice?

P.P.S. We watched Fall Guy on the plane. It was a fun time. I think you’d like it.

I didn’t end up painting anything. I passed right out after I got back yesterday and again today. Here are some photos instead.

Dear Giuls

2024-10-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Giuls!

I’ve been working on your birthday present off and on while watching that old anime Nani by Ai Yazawa. Very dramatic but it’s kind of funny. I’m going to have to hold on any further changes to your painting until November. My next update will be from Naples!

Dear Giuliana

Sorrento

Dear Giuls