Benvenuti Nelle Pagine Gianuzz

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When I went to Italy for a one-month Italian language class I had hoped that having that experience would give me an advantage in being selected for any possible projects my employer might have in Italy.  Well, it worked a lot sooner than I expected.  While I was on vacation, taking the class, a new project came up for work in Japan and Italy, simultaneously.  Of course, being on vacation in Italy, I didn't know anything about it.  Apparently, I was originally assigned to the Japan portion of the project.  Luckily, someone had the presence of mind to say "hey, John is in Italy right now, learning to speak the language, let's just send him back there instead of to Japan?"  (Thanks, Matt)  So, exactly two weeks aftr returning to the U.S. I was on my way to Italy, again.

The project was centered around Naples.  For some reason I didn't take any pictures of Naples.  The pictures below were taken during brief day-trips to "drive the Amalfi" and to visit the Island of Capri.  The Amalfi coast is south of Naples.  This trip included two cars and 8 people.  I had taken this drive on a previous trip to Italy so I knew what to expect.  The narrow road follows the coastline in every twist and turn so  hairpin turns are commonplace.  Not so bad when you are the only car on the road but, wait until you encounter an oncoming tour bus.  Let's not forget that the majority of the people on the road are Italians and Italians have no fear when driving!  If you ever have the chance to drive the Amalfi coast, I suggest starting from the south, near Salerno.  Be sure to stop in Sorrento for Limoncello and to buy some inlaid-wood products (jewelry boxes, etc.).

To visit Isola Capri (the Island of Capri) Jim, Yuri and I took a high speed ferry from the port in Naples.  Around the port area, on Capri, we found the typical tourist development (shops, cafes, boat tours).  We took a boat tour around the island.  I would recommend the boat tour but suggest avoiding the extra cost of the side trip into the "Blue Grotto."  The people on our boat that boarded the smaller row boats, to go in the grotto, did not seem overly impressed when they returned.  Save the money, buy the postcards.  When we returned to the island we took a ride on the "funicular" (a geared train for steep inclines) up to Ana Capri, the town on top of the island.  Ana Capri is where the nicer hotels and shopping can be found.  It is still touristy but it is much nicer than the port area.

A map to give you an idea of where I drove	On the Amalfi coast, one Saturday morning.	Me on the same rock as the previous picture. Nothing behind me but cliff.
In Positano, on the Amalfi coast, at a beach-side cafe, Yuri and Jim enjoying some cool frosty "Baffo d'Oro" (mustache of gold) beer.	In the city of Positano. The main city area is to the right. The building in the center is as you are leaving (or entering) the city.	This statue is waving to welcome all visitors to Isola Capri.
Oops, this was an accident, really.	Someone said that this was Oprah's yacht. It is anchored on the far side of Capri, away from all of the tourist areas.