Cetara - The town the Tourists Passed By

I asked my Untours person it there was a little fishing village along the coast which wasn't full of tourists like me, and Cetara was suggested.  It met my expectations on almost all counts, except I should never have thought of "poor fishing village" on the Amalfi coast.  I was delighted to get off my bus as the only departee at that stop, and within a few hundred meters, I found the place I was looking for, albeit a bit more upscale.

Following the sign indicating city center, leads one to this lovely, upscale neighborhood with a narrow park meandering through it.  More importantly, lots of people were out talking to each other in that animated Italian manner which is so rare in the U.S.  Rather than intrude on their privacy, I shot the buildings.

A block down the street, and I see a little different socio-economic section, and the wash-hanging-out-scene.  Wash was hanging out of may apartments, but I didn't see any "unmentionables" as was common in France or Belgium.  The guide books tell us that Italians prefer to air out their homes for part of the day, so you will see windows open part of the day year-around.  They also prefer to hang their washing instead of using dryers.  Indeed, the two place I rented on this trip have furnished very good quality washing machines, but no dryers.

The best part of shopping, however, is what we would call a Ma and Pa grocery store.  Here the distinction is more clearly defined.  This place sells fruit (and vegetables) but nothing else.  For those things, you need to go a few meters down the road.

Yes, it is a fishing village, and anchovies are their specialty.  They make a famous paste by pressing anchovies and putting it on pasta.  It's known all over Southern Italy according the the owner of the restaurant I ate in last night.

In addition to sea kayakers, there were three groups of senior-aged men who bicycled up to the local bar and had coffee al fresco while I was walking down the beach shooting pictures.  All of those "old guys" looked to be in great shape, which one would have to be, riding these steep hills.

Like every town on the Amalfi coast, you can see traces of medieval or Roman history incorporated into the local architecture.  I can't swear how old the lower building is, but you know it has to be older than the USA.

These are the little knooks and crannies which always fascinate me.  A picture should tell or cause the viewer to make up...  a story.  Here is a stairway which is probably several hundred years old, on a building with poorly patched stucco, with an ultra modern shutter and grill work, and a lace curtain.  Get your creative juices going and make up a tale.

On my way back to the bus stop, I passed into a small courtyard.  Looking back over my shoulder, I was captivated by the idea that the people living on this court, walk through this beautiful portal every day on the way to shop, work or play.

Ciao for now!