Il Nostro Destino...Part I

Do you know the name Damon Bradley? If so, you will know what started my dream of someday seeing Positano. Way off the beaten track, we were two weeks ahead of the beginning of High Season, and wanted to go.

This dramatic city built into cliffs along the Amalfi coast will take your breath away. Nestled on the midnight blue sparkle of the Mediterranean ocean, it is nirvana for romantics.

Ron and I decided to go off-grid for our little adventure...no Netbook, no internet, no data plans on our phones. Could we do it, technology junkies we have become?

From Rome, it is a 3-hour train ride (we opted for the scenic one) to Napoli.  Then what is supposed to be another hour on a local subway-like train ...graffiti-covered, old and rusted ...with at least 30 stops in villages along the way to Sorrento. 

Those riding with the two Obvious Americans were serenaded by accordion musicians, accosted by beggars and women handing out religious solicitations while crossing themselves at every bridge. 

Add two women yelling in passionate Italian while frantically smoking in the back. I couldn't help laughing out loud.

When the conductor told everyone to get off our "no good" train, we were left standing on the platform in the ominous shadow of Mount Vesuvius, wondering if we were being featured in some twisted foreign reality series.. 

Finally, a new train came to take us to the end of the line. Are we there yet?  Hardly. 

Once you arrive in Sorrento, you still must find a daredevil willing to drive you 30 more minutes along the narrow, winding, OMG, very-high-straight-down cliff roads to reach the beauty that is Positano.   So happy we found him...

I had read on the internet about a place called Hotel California along with several rave reviews. Since the name was easy to remember and I knew to ask for Maria, I figured she could offer us a room, or would know someone who could.

By the way, if you still don't know who Damon Bradley is, RUN...(do not walk) to rent Only You with Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei...

I haven't even told you about Antonio, the homage to lemon-groves, Pepino or Diane Lane yet...