Amalfi Coast Memory

The bus snaked it's way up the cliff side, stopping and going as we waited for cars to pass before we could go around the sharp turns. Getting off the bus was like stepping into the moon. This town felt like the edge of the world, I could see all the way down the cliff side, to the waves crashing into the coast far, far below.

I've never been afraid of venturing off by myself, especially when presented with an opportunity to explore a small town high above the Amalfi Coast. I ditched my classmates as they were being corralled into the church and snuck off in the other direction. My goal was to make it to the other side of the town, there had to be another fantastic view of the other side of the valley.

I wandered the streets of this quiet village, taking in the sights and sounds. And smells! My god it was the best mixture of sea air, flowers and romance! I can't specifically tell you what romance smells like, but if you go there, you'll know what I'm talking about. I only got the camera out when I thought no one was looking. It made me feel like an outsider and I felt it was disrespectful to take pictures of people just minding their business. I sure as hell wouldn't want someone doing the same to me.

It was peaceful there, and so serene. I came across a beautifully simple, stucco building with cars parked in front of it. Upon further inspection (peaking in a window) I saw it was a church and there was a wedding taking place. I quietly slipped away around the side of the building as the wedding party came out and guests were leaving. My heart ached. How incredibly lucky the couple must be, to have a wedding literally right under Heaven, together and surrounded by people who loved them... and here I was in one of the most beautiful, majestic, places on earth, alone.

I kept wandering, a strange combination of homesickness and yearning, sinking into me. Eventually I found the other side of town and another fantastic view of the valley below. I could see a couple lights from houses on the other side. I tried to imagine what it would be like to live there. How cool it would be to go hiking along the hillside...

As the sun set and shadows filled the valley, I did the only thing I could do when alone and surrounded by unparalleled beauty. I drank in the view, burned it into my memory and vowed never to come back to Ravello, by myself.