GL 350

Less than two weeks in Rome...what?? Now that our time is coming to an end, it feels like it has rushed by. Where have the weeks gone? They've been spent in and out of churches, on frenzied trips out of Rome, and weakly learning the difficult Italian language. Our past weekend was spent in the small city of Sorrento, one that I have visited once before and have loved as one of my favorites! Last time I was in Sorrento, I was only there for one night so I wasn't able to see the city as much as I had the past weekend. This time we were able to wander around much more and really experience the city.

Sorrento is one of the most beautiful, quaint cities I have ever visited and when discovering that we would be traveling there on one of our weekends, I was ecstatic. I was curious to see after about 2 years if it would still appeal to me as it did before, and without a doubt it did. It was interesting to travel through Naples because I had never encountered the city before and now I knew why. Naples was frightening! We were told to be extra cautious because Naples had turned into a city with many thieves and tricksters. I was happy when we were told we would not spend much time there and we actually wouldn't even leave the train station.

It is interesting to read The Talented Mr. Ripley as we were traveling through Naples because it describes it just like other people had warned, "'Not that I minded your staying the night, but I thought you were in Naples and anything can happen in Naples'" (69). Everyone is concerned about Naples! Now I just wonder what the city is like, since we were so on guard at the train station. Naples was now just a distant memory that I try to keep as a life lesson, always be on guard!

After spending a relaxing weekend in Sorrento (apart from the constant downpour and thunderstorms), coming back to Rome is a slight shock. All the hustle and bustle of the city, while Sorrento just sits on the cliffs, just off the sea. Our return reminded me of Tom and Dickie's spontaneous trip to Rome and how they walked through the city past the Forum, Colosseum, all the fountains and I think about how we do it on a daily basis. We pass by nonchalantly because it is a part of our routinely day, but soon when we return home it will be the sights that we want to see most.