TRIP TO PAOLA

AUGUST 30TH THURSDAY

When I woke up yesterday at 6 a.m. I decided to get on the 7:15 bus that goes by here, go to Sapri, and then look at the train schedule to see where I could go for the day and be able to return by 6:30 to get the last bus back to Battaglia.  Sicily was out of the question.  It was a 6 hr. train ride and I wouldn't be able to leave until 11 a.m., get there at 5.  So I went to Paola.  I would pronounce it like PAYOLA, the term Italians use when they have to pay someone for protection.  It's not pronounced that way.
The train would be leaving shortly so that was good and it would only take an hour and 15 min.  It was the last train station for that train.  On the way I got to ride along the coast through some really cool towns right on the beach.  Many had really big sandy beaches with many umbrellas and lounge chairs.  Unlike Sapri which has a very rocky beach-no sand.
I went through towns like Praja, Scalea, Diamante Buonvicino, Belvedere Marittimo, Capo Bonifati, Cetraro, Aquapessa and Guardia.  These were all train stops.
When I got off at the train station which was quite large, I had to walk a very short walk to the beach.  It was another one of these beaches with umbrellas and lounge chairs all set up.  So I just picked out one and claimed it knowing it probably was paid by someone to use it.  But if they came I would just move. There were plenty of empty chairs and it was already 11 a.m.
As I'm sitting there on the chair I can hear the people next to me speaking perfect English.  So of course I had to go over and tell them hearing English was music to my ears.  They were all from New Jersey visiting their sister who moved to Rome when she was 18-some 35 years ago.  They showed a lot of interest in what I was doing so we all had a nice chat.  A lady did come and claim her chair.  So I moved but ended up spending most of my 3 hrs. on the beach in the water.  It was very, very nice.  Small waves, strong undertow.  Really difficult getting out.  Kept falling and getting pulled back out.  It was a very nice day.  Still didn't burn though.
The train trip back was in a car that was not air conditioned so I could open the windows which is better because then I can stick my head out and really see the view.  Sometimes the windows on these trains are so dirty, you can't see too clearly.  But this trip back was perfect just like my day.

Today I am making roasted yellow tomato sauce and meatless meatballs made with eggplant.  Saw it on the menu yesterday and never thought of doing it with eggplant.  They came out great!
Miriam, Roberto and the girls went to the beach today at Carla's. Sometimes they tell me stuff that I've never heard before.  Like today they said they had to get to the beach early because it's when the iodine is at it's highest in the air from the ocean and it's good for the kids.  I'll have to GOOGLE it