Using a Tube to Breathe on The Amalfi Coast

Started our first day post-traumatic Neapolitan mountain rally with a rather un-Italian bacon and egg sandwich in a holiday brochure blue sky beginning to the rest of our stay.  Nest, where else?  Down to the beach.  Unfortunately, my mental image of "beach" has always involved the small grain variety of carpet we call sand.  Amalfi prides itself in eschewing the small grain smooth powder that is so fond of inserting itself into every nook and cranny of the human body.  Instead, it offers us a meatier, stonier version of the sea edge.  Though I am glad these heartier grains do not insert themselves, instead, they cause sensitive soles much ambulatory pain.  Momentary paddling gave way to  4 glasses of Italian beer and plates of snacks that served as mid day sustenance.

Despite the discomfort, L and I were determined to venture across the painful pebbles to immerse in the warming sea.  After all, that's what it is there for.  And so flippers and mask in hand, suffering excruciating footfalls, I finally made it into the sea with eyes wide open and the wonders of the shallows were revealed.  I counted 6 different species of fish and took a couple of dives to search for hiding cephalopods, one of L's favorite creatures.  I didn't find any, but thoroughly enjoyed my first snorkel in many years.  I used to scuba quite a bit, but have decided the lack of paraphernalia attending snorkeling makes it so much more enjoyable.

Showered and shopped along with our companions M&D we retired to the van where I donned my Italian chef's hat to produce a simple meal of meatballs and pasta with a few green beans thrown in.  Cheese and a very palatable Cabernet Franc courtesy of LV we had a wonderful time reminiscing and sharing appreciation of parents, children, grandchildren and each other.  Most convivial and enjoyable.  Our holiday has already been a tonic for the soul.  How grateful I am to be here, now and with these wonderful human beings.  Amen