South to Sorrento

We took a taxi to the Termini train station (didn’t want to take so long dragging suitcases again with walking, bus and subway) since we had to take two trains to get to our next destination:  Sorrento, Italy (actually San Agnello, a small village adjacent to the town of Sorrento.)  This was another place Joan wanted to go to, again from reading the Complete Book of Marvels, and also playing “Come Back to Sorrento” on her violin when a child.  (Her grandmother had visited Sorrento also and brought her back a wooden inlaid jewelry box that played “Come Back to Sorrento”)  and also the Isle of Capri and Pompeii are close to there.    

     But  …we had to figure out how to buy a train ticket.   At the termini station, we got a number to get in line to see an agent but thought we’d try the kiosk…and it wasn’t that hard after all!  Everyone had said to take the Express train to Naples, only about an hour.  But the price was between $50 and $100 each a ticket…the “Milk Run” took 2 ½ hours for $15 each.  We had time, what’s the rush…for that much $$? 

    But…once in the Naples train station, we knew we had to get on another train, a private line.  That meant another track area and to find where to buy another ticket. 

     Buying the ticket was easy – just a counter.  And it was very cheap.  But…where was the train?  There was turnstile for your ticket, but was it the right one?   Sorrento was not on the running signage any more.  But we went through and saw platforms, but which one?  And when?   We did find a Sorrento sign .. but it didn’t tell when it left, or from which platform?  There we were again --- didn’t know where or when to go….

     We saw a young lady and asked her for help.  She spoke very little English but we pointed to the sign and she indicated she was going there too and she even knew WHEN.  We waited at the top of the stairway to the platform because there were people everywhere and trains coming and going.  Still, our new friend indicated, No, not yet.

   Suddenly our train was there, and we rushed down the stairs .. we should say, “pushed” down the stairs because they were full of people coming up too.  We ran from car to car…every one was already filled.  She motioned us to go on, we continued to run down the platform (dragging our suitcases) checking every car but they were all stuffed to the brim, included the space between cars.  She showed us the final car and we pushed our way in, absolutely crushed, but at least “IN.”

The street in San Agnello we walked down
looking for the street the hotel was on

    The good thing was, at every stop, people got off. It was about an hour ride and for 30 minutes, we were so crushed, but then it lightened up and we actually found a seat.  Sorrento was the last stop and San Agnello was the one before.  We learned how the next stops were announced by running signage and we saw someone had a printed schedule and we peeked to see where our stop was.

     Otherwise……we were lost again!

     But…yes, we arrived!  And said we didn’t want to take that ride more than once.

Here's the street and here's the hotel

    The great thing about the train system though, is that each little town is served by trains and it is inexpensive…so most of the riders were commuters.

   Joan had downloaded the directions to the hotel.  It was “100 yards from the train station.”  We started along, dragging our suitcases, and yes, we found it. 

We're here!