The Pope residence: Vatican City
We got here right when it opened so we could get into St. Peter's Basilica without a line and a crowd. In the morning I was asking my mother what I should wear - you know since it's the Vatican and I'm not trying to offend anyone. She's laughs and says, "Why? Are you trying to impress the Pope?". Technically if we went on a Wednesday I would be - he comes out to greet everyone. Thankfully we went on a Thursday so we wouldn't be attacked by crowds. I guess the Pope is going to have to wait to see me.
My parents spent a fair amount of time discussing the Pieta - not the way art enthusiasts would discuss it, but rather where Michelangelo's signature was (It's the only piece he ever signed -- the Sheth family has become quite knowledgable about this man). It's something we could have googled in two seconds, but Dad had to SEE it for himself and capture it on video. OH YES - I haven't discussed Dad and his video camera obsession; he takes it everywhere but never edits or watches any of the footage. Maybe it's an Asian thing, because I only ever see them carrying it around and taping people posing like a picture- but it's a video which captures movement... I don't think I'll ever understand it and I should really stop trying. I think he believes he'll watch it when he retires, but if you know my Dad, I highly doubt he has the patience for all that -- this is HOURS of footage. But also, if you know my Dad, just because I said he won't.. he will - he's going to make my kids watch it, I just know it. Poor future kids.
My sister and I spent most of our time in the Basilica fascinated by the remains of the Popes. I can't really explain it, but if you visit you'll understand.
So in St. Peter's Basilica, apparently people rub a statue's foot for blessings (I think it's like our pagay-laaging ordeal, for you Hindus). We get in there and I ask my sister, so who is that guy (the statue)? She opens her eyes widely (and if you know Priya - you know they can get super large) and responds, "That's Saint Peter you idiot." ... Noted. I then proceeded to rub his foot. Nicest basilica we saw by far - totally get why the Pope hangs out here.
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| Okay - so I know it's hard to see, but Priya and I are in the center and if you look far right - you'll see Dad in his usual pose - with a video camera, taping us standing there. |
Vatican museum: Long story short - never go here in July, it's way too crowded and definitely not a place for claustrophobic people like me. I feel it can best be summarized by my sister, "It's like Ikea. Gotta go through the ENTIRE museum before you get to the Sistine Chapel." And all I (or most people for that matter) really cares about is the Sistine Chapel. Mom was not completely thrilled to see it as she was not exactly enthralled by the Statue of David -- I think it's safe to say Michelangelo is not her favorite artist.
Moonlight: Sorrento
It's interesting to see the contrast between Mom and Dad on vacation and at home. Dad is all about site-seeing and fitting everything you possibly can into a day, even at the expense of sleep; while Mom loves to just sit on the beach, relax, and do nothing. But at home it's a complete 180 - Mom literally runs around like a chicken with her head cut off -- NO IDEA how she does what she does but she does EVERYTHING; Dad, on the other hand, claims to be working but he has his conferences for a couple hours and then he's watching cricket, youtube videos, or television and sleeping. He'll deny this, but I've seen it.
Regardless, it's easy to see why Sorrento was my mother's favorite: quiet, secluded, calm, and on the beach. Definitely a place to re-visit. Also - we found what my mother considers the BEST Italian food in Italy (she made us go to this restaurant three times in two days-- and we always sat at the same table). So if you're ever in Sorrento - definitely eat at Moonlight as per Mom's request, or better yet - just take her with you.
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| Moonlight should hire her. |
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| Sorrento - not photoshopped or edited at all. And thats taken with my little Cannon powershot. |
Sal, our driver, lived in NYC and retired to Sorrento. After we told him we were from NC, he responded, "OH - Tar Heel country!!". Sal is my favorite Italian person.
Fifteen bags: Capri.
Everyone always tries to sell you on these tours which we don't want to do- and Dad always gives in to take them because he thinks we'll get lost on our own. I hope if anything this trip made him realize that this is not the case. Against all advisement we made a day trip Capri on our own - 1. we did not get lost 2. we saw everything we wanted to, when we wanted to, how we wanted to 3. we had more fun than probably anyone who took those lengthy boring tours. And if you ask Dad, he'll tell you so himself.
We took some boat ride over - during which a boat worker came around selling various souvenirs. And just like Dad gets easily sold on tours, Mom is easily sold on young people selling souvenirs. She buys a beach bag to put her purse in so it doesn't get wet -- HOW it would get wet is beyond me, the boat held 300 people, it was not about to capsize anytime soon. And honestly, if it did- why is your main concern your purse getting wet? Oh Moms. Funny thing is - she poked me (literally) and said, "I want that bag - it's cute". So I call the guy over and I'm like seriously Mom, you don't need it - or at least get it on the ride back. The young man exclaims, "Ok I'll make you a deal. You buy a purse, Fendi, Prada, Gucci you choose (they were all exactly the same - it was his joke - Mom laughed for like 10 minutes) and you'll get me for free!". Mom is now laughing hysterically and says, "Well then, I'll take three!". Still not seeing the humor, I buy her one. For the rest of the trip - she cannot stop talking about how AMAZING this beach bag is -- seriously though, it's just a beach bag that says Capri on it -- and she decides to buy one for ALL her friends; "the Jeena will lowe it." (yea, my mom actually doesn't have an accent at all - but I just like to pretend. And "the Jeena" is a combo name I came up with for my mother's closest two friends) Needless to say - she bought 15 and yes, I have one.
Back to Capri - most beautiful water you will ever see. We had to wait on a boat in the sun for two hours before we got into the Blue Lagoon - but definitely worth the heat and tan-ness. (Mom used the infamous purse to block the sun from Priya's face... and proceeded to explain it's usefulness as more than just a bag!) Part of the boat was covered, but these Asian people were sitting basically on top of each other, hiding from the sun. They were definitely prepared - covered from head to toe in glasses, hats, long sleeved shirts, jackets, pants, umbrellas, towels etc. And then you have me - sitting in my bathing suit getting as dark as humanly possible. Weird. I have no words to explain the beauty of the Blue Lagoon - it's definitely a must see and should be on your bucket list.
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on the boat. and oh hey - the beach bag makes an appearance!
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The little boat that took us inside the lagoon - you had to lay flat so you didn't hit your head.
I'm not going to put pictures from inside the lagoon because it doesn't do it justice - you'll just have to see it for yourself!... or google it.
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OH - best Limoncello in Sorrento and Capri - definitely have some while you're here. If you know my family, you know we brought some back. I would say hit us up to try some, but I'm pretty sure it's all gone by now. Reference: the Chianti visit where we bought two bottles to take home with us - definitely finished them before we left.
Oh my trash: Napoli (Naples)
I think it's safe to say that Naples was unanimously (is that spelled right?) our least favorite. Trash piled up on the sidewalks taller than me. Gross. I couldn't have been less under-whelmed. The one great thing was the pizza - we actually went to the same pizza place (Da Michele) in Eat, Pray, Love - both the book and the movie. There's something about that pizza, I don't know if it's knowing that it is because Julia Robert's ate there or if I was just that hungry - but it was great pizza. Although I did notice that Naples makes their pizza sauce more watery than everywhere else which makes the pizza soggy -- just some constructive criticism to the Naples people. With that being said it's still one of the best pizzas I've ever tasted.
And then we flew home and had Taco Bell!! (Oh come on.. you saw that coming.)
last minute family vacation to Italy = success. Special thanks to the parents! Love you!!
shark FIN.
