I thought of all the different ways I could start this post.

I figured I could tell you about the huge storm (a couple days ago) that knocked out the power in the hotel at 4:45 AM (just after I woke up to get ready for my train to Salerno) and how I had to shower by the light of a flashlight app. I thought I could have mentioned that I fell asleep on the train for 15 to 20 min, missed my stop, and found myself in Napoli. Yeah, I definitely thought about telling you that the next train back to Salerno was delayed by 55 min (ritardo indeed) and the Napoli Centrale staff are as helpful as a block of cement. I could have lied to you and told you that I had a stomach of steel and the bus ride to Amalfi didn’t *almost* make me puke (which wouldn’t have resulted in my getting off early in a different town).

But then, I thought… why not tell them about the fantastic one-room *townhouse* in Amalfi, the view to die for, the fabulous staff at this *hotel?* and how the gorgeous Maria called me ‘darling’. I could have brought up the fact that I met an Israeli woman named Elewyn?? and how her trip was just as spontaneous as mine, but hers was for a charity. I could have told you about the bracelet (compassion? was written on it) she gave me for giving her a euro or the thought provoking conversation we had afterward. The group of giggly teenage girls would’ve been a chuckle worthy story, at least for me… to type it anyway. But no, that’s not really worth reading.

I could have posted about how I left to Salerno from Amalfi a little early (due to rain) and how I found what I am almost unwilling to say… quite possibly the best pizza and gelato on this trip. But it probably would’ve been more interesting to hear that I made a quick decision to grab train tickets from Salerno and head to Pompei during my 6 hour wait for the train back to Rome. For sure, you probably would’ve enjoyed reading about the excavated ruins of Old Pompei and the 3.2km walk I made around the perimeter which led me to nowhere (haha). Your heart might have melted, just a little, if I had told you about the little girl who hugged me, wouldn’t let go (she was probably trying to empty my pockets) and how giving her the bracelet that read compassion made her smile… and how she hid from her mother? when she tried to pull the same stunt on another man (funny).

In the end, I figured… all I really want to tell you right now is that I threw two coins into the Trevi fountain tonight (technicalities aside, haha).