Capri and Madrid

April 22:


Joel and I ran our "5K" this morning early, and that felt really good! We ran down the main street and also down some cobblestone streets as the shops were starting to open. We both ran hard and it turns out that Dawn was actually shopping as we ran. We put a lot of miles in today. A gorgeous sunny warm day to visit the Isle of Capri! We took a jet-boat there, rode the "funicular" - a trolley-type short tram up the hill to the village of Capri, then bussed the narrow, winding road up to Ana Capri, then rode a gondola up to Mount Solaro…beautiful views of the Mediterranean, Mount Vescuvius(sp?) and the coastline by Sorrento. We had a picnic of bananas and tasty pastries from the local bakery. What a great lunch!
Everyone else took the gondola back down, but we chose to hike down on a small path. We "took the road less traveled by and that made all the difference." We saw an old, small chapel and met a local Italian woman with a very friendly dog (like Uncle Jon's). Of course, Joel struck up a conversation with her (nice to have an extrovert on this trip ) and we walked down to Ana Capri with her. She told us a lot about the island and invited us to her home where we saw her amazing garden. She grew lemon, orange, fig, pear, cherry and apricot trees; many kinds of lettuce, varieties of beans, onions, strawberries, blueberries and much, much more. Then she showed us the chapel around the corner, which was over 700 years old. What a wonderful way to learn about these new places by talking to the locals! From there, we chose again to walk all the way down, rather than the funicular. She invited us to stay at her apartment that they rent. She said we are always welcome. Once we left her house we were well off the path. She gave us instructions on how to find the bus. Not very easy. We talked the best we could to folks and luckily found the bus. All part of the experience.
When we got back to Sorrento, Joel and I found another wonderful café for our café americano/ caldos... three parts espresso, glass of hot water and glass of hot milk with froth (Italian coffee is warm, not hot….so we ask for it "caldo") while Austin "siested." We enjoy just watching the children playing "football" on the street, Grandmas leaning out of windows watching the traffic, Grandpas pushing their grandbabies in old-fashioned strollers, and street vendors with their fruit markets.
Later that evening, we met our new British friends for a very enjoyable dinner overlooking the Mediterranean (supposedly the best view in town). We had fun comparing our traditions, similarities and differences. We loved their company. His father was an officer in the RAF fighting the Germans. Just fantastic memories speaking with them. I hope that our paths cross again and I think that they will.




April 23:


Early morning again for us…we're getting the most out of our available hours on this trip! We flew to Madrid and Austin showed us the metro system where at one stop a local street musician boarded and played his mandolin, the Riena Sofia Museum which showed Picasso and Dali, Buen Retiro Park and we had another fabulous early dinner(for the Spainards - late lunch!) Joel says this was one of the best meals yet…pimeinto con padron (green peppers and potatoes), steamed mussels with lemon, potatoes with roquefort dressing, Spain's prized ham and warm, fresh bread..mmm…mmm!


Tomorrow, we leave for home, and Austin goes back to Seville for another month. It has been so much fun seeing him and learning about his spanish home. We have loved every place we visited, and would love to come back!