Processions
We woke to more grey skies and wet cobbled streets – it had been raining heavily but had stopped by the time we ventured out from our abode. After breakfast we ambled through the streets of Salerno and I was beginning to warm to it (although the weather was still refusing to warm me!) but we had already determined to head out of time and begin to explore the Amalfi coast. This had always been the plan, Salerno was meant as a base to explore from, and we fought our way onto a very full bus heading for Amalfi, although we would be getting off just short of this town, in Minori.
The journey (about an hour) was picturesque and exciting as the driver skilfully negotiated the switchbacks and hairpin bends, I definitely wouldn’t want to be driving this road myself!
Although taking about 50 minutes, it never felt a chore, the journey itself was an adventure, before stepping off the excitement of the bus into the calm of the pretty seaside town of Minori.
We began to explore the town, sucking in the sea air, before rounding a corner to see some sort of procession gathering at the top of the hill.
It was a treat and a privilege to watch and listen to the Good Friday procession as hooded men and children escorted the cross through the town and to the Basilica where, after 40 minutes of processing and singing, they entered for a service, leaving us to continue to explore the town.
Having lunched well on pizza slices and other treats bought from a delicatessen and eaten on a bench looking out to see, we decided to walk back along the road for ten minutes or so to the neighbouring town of Maiori.
We ambled along the seafront, stopping to examine a range of sculptures
I particularly liked the pink spaceman, with a face of flowers …
Before sitting and chilling in a cafe, watching the world go by,and feeling the weather beginning to warm up.
We wandered some more, taking in the essence of Italy (for me, well dressed men and battered old vehicles)
… before getting the bus back to Salerno, now bathed in sunlight, and beginning to capture my heart.
