Sorrento's Travel Lesson
Sometimes you just have to laugh and roll with the unexpected moments.
Travel is a push-pull, a give-take. The totality is a mix of controlled and uncontrollable factors, hopefully culminating in more pleasure than pain. A colorful spectrum of expected and unexpected moments teetering on potentialities, some good, some bad.
An afternoon trip to Sorrento recently proved this travel lesson. Driving down there seemed easy enough; we've been there so many times the town sounds like a familiar song. I eagerly accepted the invitation of a friend to join her family even without my at-work-husband by my side. It didn't take much mental debate, especially on such a gorgeous day.
In my mind, I'd planned to catch the Christmas train, a promise to the children. I'd visualized meandering through the wooden Christmas chalets we missed last year that dotted the Italian piazza back by the water. My tummy grew excited, anticipating a return trip to that restaurant we'd previously enjoyed. The sun was out, rare for winter, and we'd all enjoy a rainless day, so I imagined.
And then *poof* NONE of it happens.
On the walk back to the grand water view, we all say "Isn't this the square where the chalets were last year? " Yes, but they aren't here. First moment of disappointment.
Walking through the pedestrian streets in the shadows of twinkling Christmas lights, I think I've imagined something wet on my nose. Is that really a rain drop? Oh no! My umbrella is in the car.
The white Christmas train pulls up, and the train's conductors exclaims "Finito!" - done for the day. Really?! We're left on the curb with a posse of sobbing kids.
As the afternoon creeps along, my friend confesses "It's only 5:30!" We have been inundated with constant wines of "I'm hungry!" We check multiple restaurants only to find them all closed. It's way too early for an Italian dinner. Duh!
My fantasy of having finally crossed the threshold where I can travel for pleasure solo with my two children minus my husband is shattered. What was I thinking?!? I spent the afternoon trying to control my anger at ill-behaving children. My apologies to our friends were profuse, probably bordering on the point of being annoying, but even I was in a bit of shock.
My two 'nuts' were just full of crazy excitement and naughty behavior. Buddy, with a newly acquired brown mustache and beard, sweet smudges from drinking a real cup of hot-chocolate, stood on a chair at the cafe and fell over. Seriously? How does this happen!?
Peanut ran ahead of me so many times, rushing through the streets ignoring my warnings, that I actually fantasized hooking her up to one of those toddler leashes. (Oh yeah! One of THOSE things. If only I had found one....)
If I stopped for a moment to photograph something, before I got out from behind my camera they'd be up to something mischievous, or just plain wrong, like tossing a clump of dried mud over a balcony (Peanut!!! You've got to be kidding!?!). Peering over, I was relieved to see only the empty wooden boat docks below.
Where did their manners go?!?!? Whose children are these?!?
In these moments, especially when traveling with children, it's easy to throw the baby out with the bath water. Some would claim the totality of the experience a failure.
It's better to laugh. Stop for a second and re-direct your mind. The simple fact remains that here I am, in a gorgeous city on a brisk December afternoon, in a place that people only dream about seeing, that, oh by the way, just happens to be less than two hours from my home.
The lights are twinkling, the spirit of giving and festivities are alive. The city is gorgeous, the Christmas tree is sparkling. The life-size nativity scene, minus a baby Jesus, found in a beautiful church offers a teaching moment. The candy-store man sings the kids songs, offers samples, and flatters them with compliments; we all leave smiling. Just seconds outside the store doors, we stop to bust into our just bought bag of yummy lemon flavored covered nuts, a speciality of Sorrento. The caffe macchiato at Bar Ercolano is delicious, and the company perfect, the three adults huddled together talking. I'm with super friends that remind me of the blessings of military life, bringing people into my world that I may never have met. And the kids are having a fantastic afternoon, laughing with each other; they too are making life-long memories. (And lessons too; they spend Sunday afternoon in their rooms alone, pondering their bad behavior.)
Traveling and exploring can be a gamble. Sometimes a place will "give it up" for you, and sometimes it will hold a little back. Either way, there is always some joy to be discovered in the moment. Find it. Relish it.
Friday, December 17, 2010 at 10:23AM
Reader Comments (3)
nice to read of your life in Italy Hope that your Christmas is wonderful (I'm hearing its very cold over therebeautiful 28 deg here today! ) and your 2011 is filled with all good things, good health and much happiness. Only 1 sleep here, now, to Santa comes!
Great writing, glad to see you back at it! Enjoy the last little bit over there. We miss it some days... not so much others. Hope the kids are behaving. Great lesson in this post. My kids drive me nuts most days but I try (TRY) to see the humor and joy. I try. !!!
A little late, but none the less your pictures are really beautiful!