50. Mt Vesuvius

I go to the bank in the morning to withdraw some euros

And stop at the City Info office to meet a wonderful couple.
Alina and Jorge have helped me out tremendously
With transportation to Capri and places in Sicily.

Michela, the darling girl at the front desk, books me a tram

To take me up to the volcano, where this all began.

A trolley car stops across the street,

The fellow is a mess, not to friendly, not too neat.

He drives the small streets really crazy

Picks up another couple at a hotel, and acts real lazy.

He drives like a maniac, I slide back and forth on the seat,

Winding around and around up the tiny mountain streets.

We stop on the side of the road and he says we must all get out.

We are here for a wine tasting but only for a short bout.

On the table are three bottles, with a sign that says free

The cups are medicine size and I try one, and then man says, ‘No, not three!”

I guess he means you only get one sip,

So I put it down, pout and stick out my lip.

Up to the top, now you have to climb to the crater

Says the driver, “It takes about an hour. See you later.”

The walk is steep, yet  quiet and peaceful

The wind is cold, the views very beautiful.

At the crater, steam is rising

I can only imagine the eruption surprising.

These people had not a clue

Of what a volcano could do.

So they were not prepared and thought the Gods were mad.

This culture was civilized, yet barbaric, so sad!

It takes about an hour and back to the top

I order an expresso at the bottom shop.

Go to the trolley to wait for the couple to return

Listening to loud music as the driver churns.

He is in a hurry no doubt and shuts the door on the man

They get into a fight and then he hurries back as fast as he can.

I tell the concierge, Vesuvius was spectacular

The driver was not one to recommend for the future.

I decide to stay in tonight and have dinner at the resort

I am glad I did, this was the nicest one I have had so far.

Just a simple salad and a seafood pasta dish,

But the service was splendid and was everything I wished.

The waiter, an older man, said I was named after a Queen

And so tonight he will treat me like I have never been.

And he did, pleasant and always on hand

He had two assistants that by me stand!

Today, I saw yellow flowers everywhere on the street

Woman were carrying them, given by fellows they meet.

The waiter explained today is the ‘Day of the Madonna”

Where women are honored and given flowers to say

“You are appreciated in every way.”

So he gives me some mimosa flowers to take

Back to my room for my day to make!