(Sorry for the delay in blogging. I hear some of you went into panic when you didn't see a new post after I said were going on the overnight ferry from Patras to Brindisi, but trust that we are all alive and (relatively) well.)
This morning we said goodbye to Athens and drove to see the archaeological site at Delphi. We had a local guide tell us about how ancient Greeks would come to consult the Oracle to ask questions about their future: "should we go to war?" or "should my daughter marry the goat herder's son?"
At Delphi
On the way from Delphi to Patras
After a brief lunch stop near Delphi, we continued towards the port city of Patras to board our overnight ferry. The boat ride was smooth--most hardly noticed even being on a boat--and we all got a much-needed full night's rest. Private showers in the cabins, too! For those that went on the tour of 2008, the cabins were much bigger, and it helped that they weren't occupied when we got on…
Goofing around on the boat
We arrived in the Italian port city of Brindisi on the eastern coast of Italy at about 9:00am, then boarded our bus with our Italian bus driver, Franco, to make the journey across the width of Italy towards Sorrento. On the way, we stopped by a truck stop for lunch.
Just outside of Sorrento, we stopped at a local farm for a delicious tasting of freshly made mozzarella and housemaid limoncello (for the adults, of course). After checking dinner in our hotel, we went to see the view from the cliffs of Sorrento.
Maria the cheesemaker
Some of the best mozzarella I've ever had...
Even Cori (who hates tomatoes) liked it!
After that, we sang a couple of songs right there, outside of the church we would be doing our "impromptu" concert. After our impromptu concert, we had some of our first gelato at Gelateria Primavera A Cafiero, where the Pope gets his gelato from. There was a little free time to walk around, do some window shopping and some real shopping.
Just outside our performance venue
Where the Pope gets his gelato
June 30
This morning we visited the ruins of Pompeii, but not before a truly Italian experience. We were delayed on the way from Sorrento because of very bad traffic. Not because of an accident, not because of too many cars on the road. Someone had decided to park in the middle of the road and just walk away. Keep in mind these are extremely narrow streets, barely enough to accommodate the width of two small cars, let alone a large coach bus. In the end, a group of people had to pick up the car and move it off to the side of the road. How silly.
At Pompeii
Very hot; Annie had to improvise a fan.
We then made our way to Cassino and the fully restored abbey at the peak of Monte Cassino. Our "performance" there wasn't quite what we expected. We were supposed to be singing in response to the monks at the abbey, but we weren't told we wouldn't have any rehearsal ahead of the vespers service or that the music would be in very old Renaissance notation. In any case, it was a very unique experience.
On the way to Monte Cassino
Just outside the church
Inside
A few hours later, we arrive in the Eternal City, Rome. We went straight to dinner, then had an evening "Illumination Tour" of some of the sights, including the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica (the Pope was in his office!), and a driving tour around town. We've got a full day tomorrow, including our liturgical participation at the 5pm mass at St. Peter's.
At the Trevi Fountain
Tomorrow's performance...
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