It's the Little Things

What I love about Italy in general, and Positano in particular, is the attention to details in even the smallest things. It's as if the builders approach every project with the mantra of "Beauty First, Function Later".   I think that must be why all the roads along the Sorrento Peninsula hang over the cliff's edge - to provide the best ocean views possible. And drivers are so excited to see the next vista, they can't help driving at top speed everywhere they go. 

Italians would never settle for plastic home depot pots when they can use urns with playful faun-heads sticking out their tongues

Oleander freeway bushes are replaced with charming pots overflowing with flowers along every promenade

Doorknobs on the closet are graceful and elegant

Even something as utilitarian as a closet is pretty

Plain draperies in dull fabrics are replaced with charming lace curtains 

 
The Italians are attentive in other ways too.  They really care about your safety and well being.  For example,  in every shower they have little pull cords with a sign that says "Pull in case of emergency".  No need for the Life Alert System here.  "Help!  I've fallen and I can't get up!" probably doesn't even have an Italian translation.

I put the arrow in to show the end of the cord handle.  The little white sign above says Pull in Emergency

These cords do make a person wonder, however, what happens if you have an emergency elsewhere in your hotel room?  I guess the Italian authorities only like to help you if you are naked, with water pouring seductively over you.  Assisting a fully dressed person up from the tile floor is much less interesting.  Probably the incapacited guest was either drunk or clumsy and deserves what they got. Let them crawl to the lobby for help if they really need it.

One other thoughtful gesture are these depictive road signs which show the quickest amphibious crossings for today's modern, water tight cars.  I have noticed many of them in the general vicinity of Naples, with Vesuvious, still considered a potential threat, in the background.  In the event an pyroclastic flow ensues, you can easily find an escape route across these oceanic highways.

And now to my favortite subject -- food,  The food here is so incredibly delicious,  Breakfasts, however, are usually quite basic, consisting typically of espresso, fresh bread, maybe some fruit, and ham and cheese.  Our hotel, the Poseidon, has an incredible breakfast spread every morning.  For example, we were surpised to see that the buffet line included both champagne and a make-it-yourself bloody mary bar complete with worstershire and tabasco sauces, fresh celery spears and lemon slices. 

There was a huge selection of cheeses (my favorite is the aged ricotta - it's great with fruit), smoked salmon, several types of salamis and prosciuttos, a variety of croissants including chocolate and fruit filled, fresh breads and rolls, and the typical offerings of muesli, cereal, yogurt, and for the Americans who can't seem to adapt to the good life, there are scrambled eggs and sausages. 

More on food later.  Bob and I are leaving now for our quest along the Sentieri degli Dei - path of the gods -- a 7 mile hike up a horrendously steep hillside, then across the ridge, from Positano to Amalfi.  As my hotel conceriege was explaining the route, he labeled various sections of the map with "cheeseburger and fries",  "gelato", and "tiramisu" to highlight the caloric expenditure of each particular section.  I can hardly wait....  At least I have booked spa treatments for Bob and I for this evening so a great dinner and relaxing recuperation await us.