Tyler's Mom Visits Italia!

In early December my mom came to Europe to visit Jamie (in Bavaria) and Lynne and I, in Calabria. We she arrived we headed north, to visit Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. Lucky for us, the weather cooperated and we traveled in comfort, taking in the sights and sounds of one of the most beautiful areas of Southern Italy.


Mom really enjoyed seeing the orange and lemon groves, the terraced agriculture along the pennisula, and the ramshackle layout of the cliffside villages. I really enjoyed the fact that we were in Amalfi off-season: the restaurants were pleasant, the shopping less-crowded, and the views spectacular.


We chose to stay in Atrani, a picturesque village that just happens to have one of the best seafood restaurants around (sly grin). We also managed to visit Pompeii, where we walked the ancient streets only slightly leery of mighty Vesuvius. Our time in Amalfi was relaxing. Italy is by far better in the off-season, people.

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Leaving Amalfi we traveled inland. The highway looped around stony outcroppings and seemed to move in and out of tunnels every other mile. We eventually came to Matera, a town famous for its ancient cliff dwellings - where early inhabitants lived side by side with thier donkeys and their slaves. And their donkeyslaves.







This Donkeyslave no doubt wishes he weren't.


The landscape in Matera is grey and stark, but fascinating. Unfortunately, mom was feeling none too well, as she contracted some little stomach bug (from Germany, no doubt) and had to suffer through a longer-than-planned canyon walk.



Despite feeling poorly, mom strolled the Sassi (stone valleys) like a champ. We were happy when she was able to rest and relax in our apartment in Cosenza, her home-away-from-home.








Lynne and I want to go back to Matera again. Please come visit and give us an excuse.



We concluded our vacation in lovely Cosenza, where Mom rested, went for long walks, and tried her best not to eat all the great Calabrian food being put in front of her. She also did some mighty-fine shopping. Thanks for visiting, Mom - we loved having you!