Rounding a narrow corner, a young man approaches us and immediately unzips his trousers to display what he hopes might be of interest to two strolling women.
- parked my read by the 1/2 way point ! I wanna feed my ‘up way too early 2:30 ayem eyes a fresh cup of coffee.. release the dawgs, see Anne off on her run.. & feast on this one !
Felt the same way descending the old highway downhill from Whistler BC in the back - right hand seat of an overloaded van - heeling badly on mushy tires Sharron ! I looked straight down - in the misty ABYSS - holy hell.. why did I hitchhike to save $ for a Lift Pass & beers at the Proghorn after !
I got hired for my zero fear of heights - so many times i lost count..
but my Respect for Falling is uh .. shall I say - ‘hard landing - earned..
Oh Sharron, it's fantastic to read this again! You've painted such a colourful picture of a wonderful trip, of a hair-raising ride, of wordless companionship between travellers and of, well, the idiocy of offensive wishful thinking on the part of someone who was old enough to know better than to behave in such a way! I loved that you scared him off with your camera! Fabulous writing, as always. I love your travel pieces!
Male anatomy up 'for grabs' in Italy: how apropos!
Such a tale of constant harassment which they believe, and it IS the culture of machismo in Italy and other such nations, that females are simply tantalized by anything male! How difficult to translate this part of culture! And yet you have translated that you wanted to stick with another tourist without the benefit of language.
How insightful of you. How many years in the past did this occur? Or was it just yesterday?
In all my solo travels, this kind of even happened only once. An anomaly. And I was not afraid for a minute. I found Italian men to be super respectful. But then, I was not young when I lived and traveled there. Happened a few years ago.
That used to happen to me solo traveling , especially in France, but once in a while in Italy--not quite the same, but quite nonplusing...and each was a variation on your theme.
Whew! I'll say. I always traveled alone, and loved it. I rarely had any trouble. I did take my mom Katy to Europe three times, though. I delight to travel with. She was so adventurous.
Good thinking on pulling out your camera on that guy. How roads, much less houses, can be built into the steep coastal hillsides amaze me. I suspect brake shops do well. I got as far down as Naples. Beautiful, and warm. It was late fall. Thanks for the memories, Sharron!
I love this! The man trying to thrill you with his wares, but most of all that bus ride that I have taken with my husband. I had to sit on the hill side of the bus, while my husband enjoyed the ocean side - not for the faint of heart!
Wow! I 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 reading about your adventures abroad! Your vivid descriptions of the landscape, the interesting 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, and the culture, have captured the feel of these faraway places that I’m not likely to visit, in this lifetime. Thanks for another story of your travels, Sharron!
Thanks, Sharon. I think that the two of us could have had a lot of fun traveling together. Don't you? I loved your writing this week. You are just getting better and better over there at the Gopher Farm.
We would have! And thank you! I love our writing group, and reading your wonderful Substack pieces, along with the several other great writers that you have recommended, here. It's been enjoyable, and and an important part of my learning experience.
OMG! What is it about the Mediterranian Sea that brings out the penis pride of the men? It must be all those orange blossoms and lemon trees. Sweet and tart and ....
Who knows. Maybe he was just lonely?Or just a "bad boy". Hard telling about people's motivations, isn't it. I was always treated very respectfully in Italy, except that one time.
Sorry to hear that. The closest I have been to that part of the world was Yugoslavia and Hungary. Is your time in Israel something you have written about? Or could write about?
You painted that journey so perfectly, down to the yodeling. I recall this trip vividly, though mine ended looking for a place to vomit after the chaotic bus ride. Fortunately I ended up floating in the waters around Positano happily. Didn't have the same kind of luck you had with the men though :)
Well, hmm, I would not call it luck, but it is ALWAYS the things that happen outside the itinerary that are the most memorable, right? I am so glad you had the opportunity to travel in Italy, too. Vomiting aside, it is well worth it. Thank you for reading my stuff, Bryan.
Photo exposure and death defying grip from hands singly high above million meters falling waves reach out a euro to toss a tip towards Portobello mushroom maniac ways and means to make a living. He be better off being a banister on the no hand rails stairs to see Mt Vesuvius tiny mountain tops so far away. Good gracious show and tell me Sharron.
So glad you are enjoying these little virtual journeys, Richard. Thanks for coming along with me. I hope you will write about your travels, too, sometime!
Travel log every day notes . Yule love some digs in the golf course of my life teeing off tuff grass, thrown random rocks , and music playing; keeps me singing.
The beauty of Italy revealed in the magnificent photos is exceeded by your descriptive narrative, Sharron. I receive such enjoyment from reading of your adventures abroad. So the young man exposed himself to you on two separate occasions. How generous of him.
I'm old enough to be bold. I'd do a fake delight and grab my camera: "Ooooo its so cute, so LITTTTLE, so precious! I have to have a picture to show Elinore."
hoho .. & hola eh !
- parked my read by the 1/2 way point ! I wanna feed my ‘up way too early 2:30 ayem eyes a fresh cup of coffee.. release the dawgs, see Anne off on her run.. & feast on this one !
Felt the same way descending the old highway downhill from Whistler BC in the back - right hand seat of an overloaded van - heeling badly on mushy tires Sharron ! I looked straight down - in the misty ABYSS - holy hell.. why did I hitchhike to save $ for a Lift Pass & beers at the Proghorn after !
I got hired for my zero fear of heights - so many times i lost count..
but my Respect for Falling is uh .. shall I say - ‘hard landing - earned..
Damn ! Great Photos ‼️too !
Thank you, Tinder. You had quite an adventure in Whistler. I hope you write it up someday to post on your site!
.. hardly worth mentioning .. just that I’ve shared ‘that despondent terror !
Oh Sharron, it's fantastic to read this again! You've painted such a colourful picture of a wonderful trip, of a hair-raising ride, of wordless companionship between travellers and of, well, the idiocy of offensive wishful thinking on the part of someone who was old enough to know better than to behave in such a way! I loved that you scared him off with your camera! Fabulous writing, as always. I love your travel pieces!
Thanks, Rebecca, for traveling along with me once again. You would be a fine travel companion I think. We could get into so much trouble.
Oh Sharron, I’m giggling outrageously at the very thought! We’d be SUCH a great team! 🤣
Male anatomy up 'for grabs' in Italy: how apropos!
Such a tale of constant harassment which they believe, and it IS the culture of machismo in Italy and other such nations, that females are simply tantalized by anything male! How difficult to translate this part of culture! And yet you have translated that you wanted to stick with another tourist without the benefit of language.
How insightful of you. How many years in the past did this occur? Or was it just yesterday?
Ha.
In all my solo travels, this kind of even happened only once. An anomaly. And I was not afraid for a minute. I found Italian men to be super respectful. But then, I was not young when I lived and traveled there. Happened a few years ago.
I'm ready to go there when you are!
That used to happen to me solo traveling , especially in France, but once in a while in Italy--not quite the same, but quite nonplusing...and each was a variation on your theme.
So glad you sidetracked him with your camera!
Find that young man! I need him for a steamy romance!
Joan! I am shocked! Go to Positano. You will no doubt find him. Have your camera ready, girl.
The only thing camera ready around here is my Charlotte Tilbury primer!
Ah, the adventures, you have had!
Whew! I'll say. I always traveled alone, and loved it. I rarely had any trouble. I did take my mom Katy to Europe three times, though. I delight to travel with. She was so adventurous.
Good thinking on pulling out your camera on that guy. How roads, much less houses, can be built into the steep coastal hillsides amaze me. I suspect brake shops do well. I got as far down as Naples. Beautiful, and warm. It was late fall. Thanks for the memories, Sharron!
You are very welcome, Ron. Glad I brought to mind some of your own adventures.
I love this! The man trying to thrill you with his wares, but most of all that bus ride that I have taken with my husband. I had to sit on the hill side of the bus, while my husband enjoyed the ocean side - not for the faint of heart!
Ah! I stirred up some memories, Catherine. Good! What a terrifying ride that bus trip was, right?
It was! We have many good memories though, since we were there to see Pompeii, which is unforgettable.
An amazing place. So very interesting. I am glad you had a chance to see it.
Wow! I 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 reading about your adventures abroad! Your vivid descriptions of the landscape, the interesting 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, and the culture, have captured the feel of these faraway places that I’m not likely to visit, in this lifetime. Thanks for another story of your travels, Sharron!
Thanks, Sharon. I think that the two of us could have had a lot of fun traveling together. Don't you? I loved your writing this week. You are just getting better and better over there at the Gopher Farm.
We would have! And thank you! I love our writing group, and reading your wonderful Substack pieces, along with the several other great writers that you have recommended, here. It's been enjoyable, and and an important part of my learning experience.
OMG! What is it about the Mediterranian Sea that brings out the penis pride of the men? It must be all those orange blossoms and lemon trees. Sweet and tart and ....
Who knows. Maybe he was just lonely?Or just a "bad boy". Hard telling about people's motivations, isn't it. I was always treated very respectfully in Italy, except that one time.
Israel in the 70s (if not still) was not so polite.
Sorry to hear that. The closest I have been to that part of the world was Yugoslavia and Hungary. Is your time in Israel something you have written about? Or could write about?
I'm working up to it.
Enjoyed this reminder of the Amalfi coast and Positano and the lemons and Limoncello on the rocks. Such a unique and beautiful place.
I would go back to Italy in a minute if I could. The northern lakes, in particular.
There are reasons why, at the end of the day, we always want to go home.
Exactly right. You know better than most about that.
You painted that journey so perfectly, down to the yodeling. I recall this trip vividly, though mine ended looking for a place to vomit after the chaotic bus ride. Fortunately I ended up floating in the waters around Positano happily. Didn't have the same kind of luck you had with the men though :)
Well, hmm, I would not call it luck, but it is ALWAYS the things that happen outside the itinerary that are the most memorable, right? I am so glad you had the opportunity to travel in Italy, too. Vomiting aside, it is well worth it. Thank you for reading my stuff, Bryan.
Photo exposure and death defying grip from hands singly high above million meters falling waves reach out a euro to toss a tip towards Portobello mushroom maniac ways and means to make a living. He be better off being a banister on the no hand rails stairs to see Mt Vesuvius tiny mountain tops so far away. Good gracious show and tell me Sharron.
So glad you are enjoying these little virtual journeys, Richard. Thanks for coming along with me. I hope you will write about your travels, too, sometime!
Travel log every day notes . Yule love some digs in the golf course of my life teeing off tuff grass, thrown random rocks , and music playing; keeps me singing.
The beauty of Italy revealed in the magnificent photos is exceeded by your descriptive narrative, Sharron. I receive such enjoyment from reading of your adventures abroad. So the young man exposed himself to you on two separate occasions. How generous of him.
Just lucky, I guess. Thanks for reading these little travel vignettes, KC. I appreciate your comments!
I'm old enough to be bold. I'd do a fake delight and grab my camera: "Ooooo its so cute, so LITTTTLE, so precious! I have to have a picture to show Elinore."
Oh, you are really naughty!
Love your travelogues, Sharron! 💚
Thanks so much, Jack! I appreciate your reading them!