The writer John Steinbeck was so impressed with Positano, Italy that in an essay published in Harper’s Bizarre in May, 1953, he described it as “a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”. It was after this publicity that the formerly quiet village began attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors. Karen visited there 15 years ago and enjoyed it so much that David had to look at the framed watercolor of Positano and hear of its glories for 13 years before seeing it first hand this spring.
As it happened, we arrived at Montepertuso from Sorrento on Easter Monday, via private driver, along what some call the Mama Mia road along the Almalfi coast. Named Mama Mia for being very narrow and winding with sharp drop offs to the ocean, you never know what’s around the next bend and when surprised by scare you say…….
Easter, for Italians, has the same importance of Thanksgiving for Americans. In Italy, where La Pasquetta (little Easter) is the beloved encore to the extraordinary culinary performance that was Pasqua. La Pasquetta is a springtime tradition turned national Italian holiday that takes place the Monday following Easter Sunday. In an attempt to prolong the joyful spirit of the season and celebrate one more day off from work, La Pasquetta signals a time to enthusiastically rejoice in the sunshine and fresh breezes of spring.
Le Ghiande B&B was “grandma’s house” and is currently a B&B run by an extended family: Salvador, Dimitri and Marco. It was a cold rainy day, and we didn’t want to venture into town so our hosts invited us “for pizza” at 1 o’clock — the family’s Easter Monday dinner. Well pizza was one of the six courses and 25 aunts, cousins, neighbors and friends all of whom spoke Italian very loudly. It was mayhem, and delicious and an experience we will not soon forget. Just like Steinbeck said, Positano will softly call me back again.
