Vignettes from my Amalfi Trip
Jun 2nd, 2004, 11:43 AM
#22
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BASKETS OF WATER AND FALLING CHEESE:
After a few days hauling groceries and especially bottled water up our 139 steps got to be sort of a chore, it wasn't quite as fun as when we first arrived. On our porch was a wicker basket with enough rope to lower it down the five stories to the path by our gate, which served as an entrance to many various apartments built in random style on top of each other and also separate apartments on the hills behind us. One evening we got the bright idea to be locals and lift up our groceries in the basket.
Seashell took her post on our porch and I waited down by the path with the groceries. She lowered down the basket really well so it looked like a snap. I put in a few plastic bottles of mineral water and yelled hoist away. She started pulling up on the rope and the basket started rising on up, then just above eye level it hit a snag on the wall so she jerked the rope a little, which was enough to set the basket in full swing, as she pulled on the rope it swung in an even wider arch. At this point I saw a sort of German looking couple coming down the path, I yelled, stop, they didn't seem to understand, I yelled alto, halt, then I said, nein!!!! This stopped them. Right then the basket swooped by them just above their heads, I yelled duck, but they had already ducked in German.
They flattened themselves next to the wall by me and we watched as the basket swung like a pendulum. Finally, Seashell stopped pulling and the basket straightened up and we watched as she slowly pulled it up the five stories, wherever they had been going took a backseat to this sight. We all three waited in silence and then we all three cheered as Seashell grabbed the basket and put in on the floor. They shook hands with me like I had been part of a successful floor show and walked on.
We did another basket full of vegetables and it went a little better this time. The third time I put in loaves of bread and plunked a package of mozzarella on top and yelled ok, bring it on up. She started pulling and here comes a woman who worked in one of the shops and had not been very friendly with us (but that is another story I can't tell) . I smiled at her and she looked at me suspiciously, why was I standing in the dark path all alone? I motioned up to the basket, she reluctantly looked up and saw the basket climbing, as she was looking the longest loaf of bread struck the snag, flipped over and threw out the packet of fresh mozzeralla. Now the cheese was fresh and juicy and wrapped in butcher's paper, we both watched as it fell to the ground beside us with a splat. There are no words I could have said. She looked at me with newfound disgust which topped her already distaste, said something in Italian which I think might have been a curse and hurried on, walking through the cheese juice in her sensible shoes. Good thing she hadn't been wearing sandals, I did notice a little bit of the juice was on her heel as she hurried down the path.
Seashell pulled the basket up, I put newspaper over the cheese accident and we called it quits for the night.
Later when we would see the woman on the street we would warn each other -cheese lady - and cross the street or pretend to be looking into a shop window until she passed on by.
After a few days hauling groceries and especially bottled water up our 139 steps got to be sort of a chore, it wasn't quite as fun as when we first arrived. On our porch was a wicker basket with enough rope to lower it down the five stories to the path by our gate, which served as an entrance to many various apartments built in random style on top of each other and also separate apartments on the hills behind us. One evening we got the bright idea to be locals and lift up our groceries in the basket.
Seashell took her post on our porch and I waited down by the path with the groceries. She lowered down the basket really well so it looked like a snap. I put in a few plastic bottles of mineral water and yelled hoist away. She started pulling up on the rope and the basket started rising on up, then just above eye level it hit a snag on the wall so she jerked the rope a little, which was enough to set the basket in full swing, as she pulled on the rope it swung in an even wider arch. At this point I saw a sort of German looking couple coming down the path, I yelled, stop, they didn't seem to understand, I yelled alto, halt, then I said, nein!!!! This stopped them. Right then the basket swooped by them just above their heads, I yelled duck, but they had already ducked in German.
They flattened themselves next to the wall by me and we watched as the basket swung like a pendulum. Finally, Seashell stopped pulling and the basket straightened up and we watched as she slowly pulled it up the five stories, wherever they had been going took a backseat to this sight. We all three waited in silence and then we all three cheered as Seashell grabbed the basket and put in on the floor. They shook hands with me like I had been part of a successful floor show and walked on.
We did another basket full of vegetables and it went a little better this time. The third time I put in loaves of bread and plunked a package of mozzarella on top and yelled ok, bring it on up. She started pulling and here comes a woman who worked in one of the shops and had not been very friendly with us (but that is another story I can't tell) . I smiled at her and she looked at me suspiciously, why was I standing in the dark path all alone? I motioned up to the basket, she reluctantly looked up and saw the basket climbing, as she was looking the longest loaf of bread struck the snag, flipped over and threw out the packet of fresh mozzeralla. Now the cheese was fresh and juicy and wrapped in butcher's paper, we both watched as it fell to the ground beside us with a splat. There are no words I could have said. She looked at me with newfound disgust which topped her already distaste, said something in Italian which I think might have been a curse and hurried on, walking through the cheese juice in her sensible shoes. Good thing she hadn't been wearing sandals, I did notice a little bit of the juice was on her heel as she hurried down the path.
Seashell pulled the basket up, I put newspaper over the cheese accident and we called it quits for the night.
Later when we would see the woman on the street we would warn each other -cheese lady - and cross the street or pretend to be looking into a shop window until she passed on by.
Jun 2nd, 2004, 11:49 AM
#23
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By the way is it against some law to post pictures on the intenet of someone if you don't have their permission?
Does anyone know?
Sognatrice and nocinonut, glad you like it, I have one or two more then I'll stop.
Does anyone know?
Sognatrice and nocinonut, glad you like it, I have one or two more then I'll stop.
Jun 2nd, 2004, 02:04 PM
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<i>By the way is it against some law to post pictures on the intenet of someone if you don't have their permission?
Does anyone know?</i>
Only if you profit by it, or exploit it somehow for your gain, or if you're invading someone's privacy.
This is really a gray area as far as publishing people photos without a model release goes. But in general, it's fine as long as it's not done commercially or editorially. Basic vacation snapshots are generally not a problem.
Does anyone know?</i>
Only if you profit by it, or exploit it somehow for your gain, or if you're invading someone's privacy.
This is really a gray area as far as publishing people photos without a model release goes. But in general, it's fine as long as it's not done commercially or editorially. Basic vacation snapshots are generally not a problem.
Jun 3rd, 2004, 12:39 PM
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I work in publishing, and agree with Jim, it's a grey area, but vacation shots are usually no problem at all! I can't imagine who wouldn't want to be included posing with you! We are all waiting now for "mystery guest to appear"!
Jun 3rd, 2004, 01:22 PM
#30
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Thanks for the compliments, I have always enjoyed writing and this seems like a good place to have a captive audience. Really, almost anything can be funny if you look at it the right way and all the stories are true.
I hope to have the pics up on pbase by this weekend, the trouble is I am stuck at the office trying to make money to fund my trips!! Rats!!
I hope to have the pics up on pbase by this weekend, the trouble is I am stuck at the office trying to make money to fund my trips!! Rats!!
Jun 7th, 2004, 05:38 AM
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Hi Seaurchin-
Just back from spending the last 3 days enjoying the Italian Film Festival in NY, but I can't get enough of Italy, so I came back to see more of your great pictures and anecdotes of your Amalfi Coast trip, hope you still plan to post them!
Just back from spending the last 3 days enjoying the Italian Film Festival in NY, but I can't get enough of Italy, so I came back to see more of your great pictures and anecdotes of your Amalfi Coast trip, hope you still plan to post them!
Jun 7th, 2004, 08:08 AM
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SeaUrchin,
Loved your report..It made me laugh..i must say that you have a very colorful way to express yourself..Also a beautiful Vivid Imagination..
Keep writing, it is a pleasure to hear about your everyday life saga in AC..
Loved your report..It made me laugh..i must say that you have a very colorful way to express yourself..Also a beautiful Vivid Imagination..
Keep writing, it is a pleasure to hear about your everyday life saga in AC..
Jun 7th, 2004, 08:31 AM
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Hi seaurchin,
You certainly do have adventures.
I'd be careful about posting a pic on the net without permission. Some folks consider the act of having their pic taken a violation of privacy.
I took a pic of a street sweeper in Paris and he got all huffy.
You certainly do have adventures.
I'd be careful about posting a pic on the net without permission. Some folks consider the act of having their pic taken a violation of privacy.
I took a pic of a street sweeper in Paris and he got all huffy.
Jun 7th, 2004, 09:32 AM
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Just a thought, all of the photos I have taken in Italy have been just landscapes and streetscapes-until this last trip, when I decided to talk to everyone in Italian, and asked permission to take a picture beforehand, I was always amazed at how friendly and willing everyone was to have their picture taken. Except once, when I asked a couple on Procida if I could photograph the wife decorating a statue with flowers. A friendly exchange, but the husband disapproved, so I continued walking-then the wife came up behind me with a wink and a big smile and said her husband was gone so she really wanted me to take her picture! Seaurchin, I still hope to see your pictures, with or without other people in them!
Jun 7th, 2004, 09:49 AM
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Thanks all. I sort of got off of my writing roll for a bit, but there are more stories and adventures I can tell you about this last trip.
I think it will be ok to post the pic of the mystery guest (he really is funny and witty in person) and hope to have them up today. One of the drawbacks for that picture is "I look horrible in it", I was laughing too much and look like a mad woman...well...if the shoe fits, ha.
I think it will be ok to post the pic of the mystery guest (he really is funny and witty in person) and hope to have them up today. One of the drawbacks for that picture is "I look horrible in it", I was laughing too much and look like a mad woman...well...if the shoe fits, ha.
Jun 7th, 2004, 11:15 AM
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Hi Seaurchin- great, looking forward to it!
I know what you mean by feeling that you "look horrible" in a photo-it happens to me alot, and I finally realized that it's OK not to look like a moviestar in every shot! But I think we will be charmed by the laughter and the stories, so not to worry!
I know what you mean by feeling that you "look horrible" in a photo-it happens to me alot, and I finally realized that it's OK not to look like a moviestar in every shot! But I think we will be charmed by the laughter and the stories, so not to worry!
Jun 8th, 2004, 12:02 AM
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Thanks Sognatrice (love that name!).
DONT PUSH IT IN!!:
I was walking with Sorrentino (male friend) after a late dinner about 2AM on the deserted dark back streets of Sorrento on the way to the car.
We came upon an ATM and I was getting pretty low on euro so we stopped and I got out my ATM. He wanted to help me and since we had just finished a discussion of how I am used to being in control (control freak) (my words) and won't let him be an Italian man (my words), I let him help me.
Why does this never work out?
He didn't have his glasses and it was very dark at that ATM. He inserted my card backwards and the machine spit it back out, I bit my tongue. It happened again, I reached out very daintly and ladylike and turned the card around in his hand then looked nonchalantly at the sky.
OK, it went in the machine, I put in the amount I wanted and he pushed at a button, ah, how lovely, such teamwork.
The card came out of it's little slot. We did this again. I could see he was going to push that same button so I said "press 'ess gooey'", he held his hand above the keys, 'ess gooey' I said. He pressed something and the card came out.
I breathed deeply, be a nice little flower I told myself. We went through this again, I yelled "ess gooey" again, well, a few times, he stopped and said, Darling, listen to me, what is this you are saying? What is this ess gooey?
I pointed in the direction of the button "esgui" which must be something like "enter" or "press here" after you type your code which I had given him by this time.
He couldn't read it so I changed my translation, maybe it is called "squeegy", press "squeegy". He pressed something, and you guessed it, the card spit out, as he was getting a little flustered, he pushed it back in. I yelled "don't push it", the card was going in and out of the slot, I was yelling (well, not yelling, but when I get excited.....) "push it....don't push it...no, no, push it back!"
Two waiters came out of a nearby restaurant and stood in the doorway to get a sight of the action in the alley.
I collasped against the wall, holding my stomach in laughter, I couldn't catch my breath. My friend started laughing too and pressed one last button, now that he was on stage. That did it, the machine had had enough of us and sucked in the card for good. The waiters came over and we all tried every button, but the card was gone.
He said I'll get your card tomorrow when the bank opens and bring it to you. I thought, he is so dear, I think I will try again tomorrow to be a dainty flower when he brings me my card.
DONT PUSH IT IN!!:
I was walking with Sorrentino (male friend) after a late dinner about 2AM on the deserted dark back streets of Sorrento on the way to the car.
We came upon an ATM and I was getting pretty low on euro so we stopped and I got out my ATM. He wanted to help me and since we had just finished a discussion of how I am used to being in control (control freak) (my words) and won't let him be an Italian man (my words), I let him help me.
Why does this never work out?
He didn't have his glasses and it was very dark at that ATM. He inserted my card backwards and the machine spit it back out, I bit my tongue. It happened again, I reached out very daintly and ladylike and turned the card around in his hand then looked nonchalantly at the sky.
OK, it went in the machine, I put in the amount I wanted and he pushed at a button, ah, how lovely, such teamwork.
The card came out of it's little slot. We did this again. I could see he was going to push that same button so I said "press 'ess gooey'", he held his hand above the keys, 'ess gooey' I said. He pressed something and the card came out.
I breathed deeply, be a nice little flower I told myself. We went through this again, I yelled "ess gooey" again, well, a few times, he stopped and said, Darling, listen to me, what is this you are saying? What is this ess gooey?
I pointed in the direction of the button "esgui" which must be something like "enter" or "press here" after you type your code which I had given him by this time.
He couldn't read it so I changed my translation, maybe it is called "squeegy", press "squeegy". He pressed something, and you guessed it, the card spit out, as he was getting a little flustered, he pushed it back in. I yelled "don't push it", the card was going in and out of the slot, I was yelling (well, not yelling, but when I get excited.....) "push it....don't push it...no, no, push it back!"
Two waiters came out of a nearby restaurant and stood in the doorway to get a sight of the action in the alley.
I collasped against the wall, holding my stomach in laughter, I couldn't catch my breath. My friend started laughing too and pressed one last button, now that he was on stage. That did it, the machine had had enough of us and sucked in the card for good. The waiters came over and we all tried every button, but the card was gone.
He said I'll get your card tomorrow when the bank opens and bring it to you. I thought, he is so dear, I think I will try again tomorrow to be a dainty flower when he brings me my card.
Jun 8th, 2004, 11:18 AM
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That's a good one, Marilyn. Glad I won you over, Ira.
The next day of course I had to take that SITA bus back into Sorrento to claim my card and after alot of tape russo I got it back.
When I left the bank I saw one of the waiters who called me over and we sat and had limoncello and talked about him having grown up in Sorrento. He said it was like living in a continual party and since he had been about 14 he was out and about every night, he even was the night manager at Fauno Bar for a while when he was in his teens.
So you never know how you will meet interesting people, do you? Now I have a new friend at a nice restaurant!
The next day of course I had to take that SITA bus back into Sorrento to claim my card and after alot of tape russo I got it back.
When I left the bank I saw one of the waiters who called me over and we sat and had limoncello and talked about him having grown up in Sorrento. He said it was like living in a continual party and since he had been about 14 he was out and about every night, he even was the night manager at Fauno Bar for a while when he was in his teens.
So you never know how you will meet interesting people, do you? Now I have a new friend at a nice restaurant!
