saturday morning - today's plan is all about relaxation
we are staying in a beautiful apartment in a beautiful town
the first task is to gather up some suitable breakfast goodies
such a pleasure to amble on the streets of this authentic place
the small shop next door has the usual array of food essentials
we purchase fresh ricotta cheese, marinated eggplants, prosciutto
further down the road we peruse a great selection of fresh produce
peaches, apricots, strawberries, tomatoes, figs all at their very best
there's people coming and going and friendly greetings exchanged
the universal feeling of ease on a saturday morning loud and clear
we then sit outside on our little deck and enjoy the gathered food
a plan is hatched - let's get on a boat and see the coast off-shore
we consider the options - the inter-town ferry seems the best
so down to the wharf we go and wait - and watch - lots to see
pleasure craft are coming and going and people are swimming
a real summer vibe here in this place on this hot and sunny day
on the ferry we claim positions on the top deck and head west
a good distance off-shore provides a wonderful view of the coast
we can see the snaking road we are used to driving and much more
secluded bays, derelict ruins, lemon groves, hilltop houses are in view
as are the major towns along the coast of which a couple are ferry stops
the town of amalfi is the final stop where we disembark and walk towards
we make a direct line for the old part of town surrounding small piazzas
first impression today - busy - the summer season has definitely kicked in
as have the prices - we are surprised at the costs at a small outdoor cafe
a walk then up to the top of the main street with shops on both sides
all the usual offerings, all the usual types of tourists, all a bit average
we decide our little town of cetara has it all over amalfi for authenticity
definitely a case of too much love here - still - it is a very special place
a swim is required and we all plunge into the cool mediterranean sea
it is cool and refreshing and we only emerge when told we have to
seems the place we have selected is a bit to close to the ferry action
which we are soon on board and returning to our home base at cetara
it's a relatively quick turnaround there with a need to get to ravello
into the car, along the coast again and then the drive up to the town
tonight we have another concert to attend - the rai symphonia
rai being the state owned radio/tv network - this their orchestra
we take our seats and watch as sheet music is taken by a breeze
this could be a problem but is forgotten by the time the music starts
everyone seems well in control as they play their first wagner piece
it is dusk now and the views are simply stunning in this magical place
the music actually composed by wagner upon visiting these gardens
part 2 - debussey - la mer - longer and with a loud climactic ending
as you would expect the orchestra seems to be responding to the setting
the 5 percussionists at the rear in particular putting on a great show
after an interlude the orchestra returns for prokofiev's romeo and juliet
it's a long piece and totally absorbing with darkness now upon us
some parts of this piece are recognised by this classical novice
a standing ovation by all at the conclusion and even an encore
the main motif is then repeat played with added gusto it seems
we find ourselves humming that on the coastal return journey
even at this late hour it is busy with the towns all crowded
saturday night in this part of the world is party time it seems...
