Amalfi Coast

This past Friday I headed down to the Amalfi Coast, generally agreed to be the most beautiful coastline in Europe. I took a train pretty early from Rome to Salerno, which is a little past Naples. From Salerno I got on a bus that was supposed to take me to Amalfi. It didn't - mainly because I got on the wrong bus! However, I didn't realize this until I was almost at the end of the bus' line, where I decided to ask the driver where we were. When he found out that I was trying to get to Amalfi he said, "you made large mistake." which, I had clearly already realized.. anyway, he put me on another bus that took me back to Salerno, and then I finally boarded the right bus... it was a good 2.5 hour trip. Whoops! I always make fun of people that make such dumb mistakes. looks like it came back to bite me! anyway, it wasn't a huge deal, cause it was really gross weather, and I wouldn't have wanted to be at the beach anyway. And this way I got to see some Italian countryside.. what countryside that was, I still have no idea. Anyway, I got to Atrani, a smaller town about a 10 minute walk from Amalfi, where my hostel was. And seriously.. it is an amazing coastline. Again - pictures would be nice. Anyway, its very steep and the cliffs plunge into the ocean, or sea rather, and all the pretty yellow, white and pink houses are built into the side. Its quite impressive. The hostel I was staying at was fine, but the owner was super super nice so that made everything much more enjoyable. He makes everyone free breakfast in the morning and put a smiley face in my cappuccino - too cute. He was also really helpful and excited about everything, so it was fun. However, the weather was (STILL) gross. Now we know why everyone in Europe is worried about climate change... because it rains ALL the time! anyway, I got some (late) lunch and then walked down to Amalfi to check things out - but it got kind of chilly and gross so I headed back to the hostel and hung out for a bit. I met a fellow solo traveler there and we went to get dinner and then walked around and went back to a bar near the hostel - it was "crazy hour" and all the drinks came in ridiculous pitchers with these ridiculously long straws.. Saturday I got up early, intending to hit the beach, but it was cold still, so I sat for a while fully clothed near the ocean. The beach was really just 100 meters of rocks.. there isn't actually much beach here because the mountains just go straight into the ocean. So about 11 it started to pour, so I ran to a cafe and worked on my paper, that was due today, some. Luckily after lunch, the weather cleared up and it turned out to be a super nice day. I practically sprinted down to the beach when the sun came out because I wanted to get all the sun in I could! I laid out for a while, swam in the freezing water, and then went on a hike up to Ravello, a small town further up the mountain. It turns out I hiked up the back way, meaning I had to climb up 1000000 stairs rather than down.. but it worked out. I was struggling for sure though! Anyway- Ravello! pretty much paradise.. that's really all I can say about it. There was a British group there for a wedding (i'm assuming) and all dressed up and looking classy. It would be the most amazing place to get married, (for future reference to anyone) I'm sure. The views of the rest of the coast and the beach were spectacular and you can all look forward to seeing the 300 pictures I took! Ravello is pretty touristy, but there are adorable cafes and shops all along the way. Point is - we should all go back... Spring Break 2009, anyone? The hike took a pretty long time, and I couldn't figure out how to get back down, so I just followed the road. It worked though. Saturday night I got dinner with my hostel friend. When we were in Amalfi we saw some people setting up a stage, so after inquiring, we found out that there was going to be live (free!) jazz that night. We, of course, went. It was equally ridiculous and amazing. Super super cheesy, but it was also fun. Plus I knew every song they played. When we were walking over a woman was singing "Georgia on My Mind." I thought that was a good sign. After that spectacle ended, we went to the other bar near the hostel (there were two) and chilled for the rest of the night. I came back to Rome yesterday, Sunday, and came to the school to work on my paper. Turns out its kind of inconvenient not to have a computer when the lab closes at 7 and you have a paper due the next day.. it worked out though.
The rest of this week I have class and I'm going to do some more Roman sight seeing. I think I'll head over to the Vatican on Wednesday. I've still got an awful lot on my list to see - and this is my last weekend in Rome! CRAZY! School ends June 20 and on the 21st I'm headed off to Venice for a few days, then Cinque Terre for a few days, and then home!
I hope everyone is well in the States. I miss you all and love you!