Sorrento

Last week we were in Sorrento, Italy. A most wonderful city, blessed with a multitude of surrounding places to visit: Herculaneum, Pompeji, Paestum (pronounced as Pestuum by Italians who have no knowledge of history, especially their own).

It was nice. It had Dutch weather (lot of rain) + about 10 degrees Celsius compared to Holland so it was very bearable.

I saw a lot of fur coats, thick sweaters, going for a simple walk, while spring is fading into summer.

I saw a lot of cripples (without the 'rollators' so well known in the Netherlands, AND without electrical appliances to move around). On the other end I saw no fat cripples, where in Holland this is mostly the rule.

Italians are super-inefficient (BUT THEY MAKE PERFECT ESPRESSOS).

They walk towards you, not knowing how to pass you, left or right, it's a mess.

They only speak italian, exceptions only a few (of the 30+ generation.

They have narrow-track Circumvesuviano lines they call trains, where metro-lines (including their internationally known grafitti appearance) would be the more appropriate word.

They have tons of restaurant staff, where half of that amount would mostly be enough.

They (in our case) promised a hotel swimming pool, where in reality there was only an empty pool (and the bar is closed at 22.00 hours). Where can I get my 21.00 hours Famous Grouse when I need it .....

They have wonderful food like 'Tagliata di filletto con ricola (rocket) e parmigiano' (12.50 euro in restaurant La Favorita, Sorrento), which should be on every italian menu in the Netherlands, it is so delicious and SO easy to make.

They also have terrible 'primo piatti' consisting of 97% pasta and 3% sauce (of any kind), which of course is a hazard to your health and especially to your body weight.

Public transport is fantastic. 1.50 Euros on the train will get you anywhere (e ritorno if needed), in super-easy trains.

The bad side:

1. No directions to world-wide known sites (Pompeji, Paestum, etc)
2. No directions anywhere
3. In Paestum no directions anywhere, but OK the temples are Greek, not Italian
4. A bus stop is/may be hazerdous to your health as it can be in the middle of a busy piazza.
5. Entry fees for a historic site are 10 Euros/p.p., excluding 'hidden' fees halfway (Capri)
6. and the 10 euro drinks/beer at the local beer joint
7. not forgetting the 10 euro sandwiches

Paestum was a very nice place to be.

It took us 7 hours of train rides (return trip)

and 5/4 hours of walking around the site

in order to see the whole thing.

But then again: it is worth it.