The Matrix of World Travel: Positano

Gazing out onto the rich blue waters of the Mediterranean below, the boats floating on her calm surface, the pastel colors of the houses built into the sides of the cliffs which spring up nearly vertically from the ocean, I stop for several minutes in great appreciation of the beauty around me.

Positano and the vibrant blue waters below

pastel colored houses going straight uphill

The steep coastal mountains prevent any large population centers from forming and make traversing the area by land a slow and difficult ordeal. A single windy road snakes its way
through Italy's Gold Coast and at multiple points is simply too narrow for large vehicles to pass one another, each lane having to patiently wait its turn, as one looks out their window at the 500 foot drop below.

Tourism fills the coffers here, and the Amalfi Coast's mild climate, topography, and limited space makes any marketing of the destination extraneous.
Beaches are few and far between (literally) and all of them very rocky. Still, the small areas available are absolutely packed during the summer.

a restaurant in Positano- note the lemons

Food here is farm fresh, with most of the vegetables and fruits served from no more than a few kilometers away. The local specialty is a lemon liquor called "limoncello." It's often sold in bottles imitating Italy's boot-like shape in the world atlas.
Prices here are far more expensive than the rest of Italy as most of the consumption is touristic, coupled with the fact that commerce in the area takes more resources.

one way to get goods through the narrow + steep streets is still mules

with narrow + steep streets mules are still used to transport goods

Within each population center rests at least one ancient church, containing paintings and frescos still on the walls from almost a millenia ago. The church was what society at that time plowed its limited resources into so it's not surprising that these are the structures which have survived.

video: interior of Amalfi's 13th century church

But juxtaposed to the natural beauty and ancient relics which act as magnets for the metal coins of tourists, it's easy to spotlight a root of Italy's economic problems. In Salerno consumed by thirst and hunger after a hike, I walked down the the city's main street at 2 PM on a Thursday; all the businesses were boarded up- siesta time.

the geletaria, the caffe, and another business all shut-down during the early afternoon on a weekday

I don't blame Italy for wanting to lead a good life full of sleep and drink- it's human nature. But honestly, the expectation of the countries of Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece) to subsequently be bailed out by their better to do, more industrious Northern cousins is hypocritical and I completely understand the pushback from Germany and the Netherlands. The flip-side of human nature and why socialism on a mass scale simply is nearly impossible to make work.

Video: gorgeous views along a trail of the Amalfi Coast

Video: a tiny town above the cliffs of on the Amalfi Coast

Nevertheless, the Amalfi Coast is well worth visiting and one of Europe's most beautiful destinations. Just make sure to carry your own water during siesta time.

Video: in Italy, we have water, but we don't waste it- unlike Los Angeles

Video: Thirsty in Amalfi vs. Flint Michigan

sunset in Sorrento

"Die on the Amalfi Coast and your soul need not travel to reach heaven." -- Bishop Nokrabi Thailandino of Ravello, 1536

The most well known towns on Italy's Gold Coast are Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and Salerno, which, along with small villages and farming communities dotting the steep hills which seem to spring vertically from the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean, comprise the Amalfi Coast.

The topography and sheer verticality of the cliffs allow for only small communities, and only Salerno at the end of the coastal range could possibly be considered a city, with it's shipping port and larger population.

Below you'll find photos and a couple videos of the beautiful area for your visual enjoyment.

Positano

approaching Positano from afar
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a restaurant in Positano- note the lemons. vegetables + fruits very fresh and local

one way to get goods through the narrow + steep streets is still mules

apartments in Positano

the street down to the beach in Positano

church has beachfront property in Positano

crowded beach (albeit rocky) area in the summer

Amalfi

Amalfi- from the sea

Video: Thirsty in Amalfi vs. Flint Michigan (fun)

All towns have an ancient church, built back in the Middle Ages with art adorning their walls from the same period. It's easy to transported back in time when entering one of these structures.

St Andrew's church in Amalfi

St. Andrew's of Amalfi- worshippers gaze at their technological God

chapel of Amalfi church

Salerno

Salerno, the city coast line

the boardwalk near the ocean in Salerno

a yellow labby on his hind legs drinking from the fountain! Gosh I'm a sucker for labs!

the port of Salerno

Salerno coast beaches are very small

castle atop the hill of Salerno

the port of Salerno from higher up the hill

the ancient Salerno church from a higher elevation

the beach club of Salerno- the Amalfi Coast's beaches are all Rocky!

The Surrounding Countryside

on the hike from Amalfi to Positano

agriculture steps in the side of the cliff - almost Incan

the windy road below

hiking around Amalfi

the coastline

Ravello

Ravello interestingly sits atop a mountain, and has a fabulous view of the surrounding area. The town is famous for it's intricately decorated ceramics, which are not featured here as the stores requested we not take photos of their work.