Out of Action

We were basically out of action today after having slept in, sometime in the early morning two men were having a loud argument which went on for some time and only ended when we heard a car roaring off.  The garbage people were along too, making a racket dragging garbage bins or something.  All of this did not matter much as we were really unable to muster for a hike as our leg muscles are attempting to recover from excessive strain.  It was the descent that killed us, steps are far more difficult on the muscles than hiking trails.  Of course we had full sun today, perfect hiking weather and it is supposed to rain for the next two days.

We managed to grocery shop and join the Italians in their passeggiata (walk) on the sea front earlier this evening.  The great thing about this city is the foot traffic on the streets.  We have to wear hiking boots all the time as the stone street paving is brutal on the feet; however, the Italian women cruise along in decently high heels.

Speaking of Italian women, they dress fashionably with lovely shoes/boots and stylish outfits.  According to a book I read, which was written by an American expat who has lived in Rome for 40 years or so, beauty is drummed into the female population from an early age.  The clothing shops are tiny boutique-type shops and the people are always carrying fancy paper shopping bags on the streets.  There is also a lot of street food on offer.

We cut through an interesting courtyard today as it had nice columns, two elderly women stopped us and chatted on in Italian.  We had no idea, then she sort of did a bend of the knees, we figured out she was trying to direct us back across the courtyard into a church.  When we got out of the courtyard and onto the street a long line of elderly people and a few nuns were making their way up the street, we surmised that a church service was about to get underway.

There is a public elevator up the hill to where our apartment is located.  The entrance to the elevator is through a gate, then up a flight of steps to the elevator itself.  There is a room at the gate which is staffed by guards who close the elevator between 2:30 and 3:00 and it closes after 9:00 p.m.  We were rushing along with our grocery bags and although we were on time with a few minutes to spare, the guard was in the elevator ready to go up and lock the gate at the top.  Luckily he waited for us and we rushed to the elevator so we would not have to take a lot of stairs.

We plan to be off on another adventure tomorrow, rain or shine.  We figured out the train tickets we need, and we always have to look up the prior stop so we know when to get ready and move to the doors to get off, as you have what seems like two seconds to make your move.

Ciao.

 A couple of Lucanian tomb wall paintings from Paestum.  They built small houses for their dead, this was also an Etruscan and Roman practise.