How fair is a garden amid the toils and passions of existence.
*Benjamin Disraeli*

And so we woke, some of us feeling better than other, and headed to Caserta’s beautiful Royal Palace built by King Charles IV of Napels (aka Charles III of Spain). It took us a bit to get there as we were not exactly sure where it was we just knew it was somewhere down the road. So first we come across a large gate and think maybe that was it, but finally someone said they were sure it wasn’t so we kept walking. Next we came across a HUGE gate with guards but that turned out to be an Air Force or some sort of Military Training. Luckily the guard helped us out by pointing to the large building next door. It was definitely the Palace. We walked a block or two to the actual entrance where we had to wait a few more minutes until they opened. Our prof felt compelled to um, entertain us with random information. I spaced out, I must admit, as I got into the habit of doing so when he talked.

Finally they let us in. I paid for my ticket and eagerly took off towards the garden leaving the rest of my group standing around in the entrance decided whether it was better to stick together or go it alone. I needed the alone time so I turned my iPod to some powerful Beethoven (great for the late baroque garden) and quickly turned off the main avenue where I strolled in the Bosco Vecchio (old woods). That got boring quickly as it was just a derilict park area and really cold under the large shady canopies. So I returned to the avenue and slowly walked down the expansive road through the park. I saw my friends go by on the trolley.

The main avenue was one large sight line peppered with stopping points along the way. I would stop at each pool or fountain and take a quick video. I kept walking slowly until I finally got to the top of the garden. Sadly the English Garden was closed so I sat on the steps of the overwelmingly ornate and beautiful fountain then walked back. I ended up meeting up with Kevin and Ryan. We thought about taking the trolley back but decided against it. As it pulled away the sky opened up and we were quickly drenched. Smart choice as always. So we walked in the rain back to the Palace entrance and then hauled to the hotel.

I had hoped to change out of my wet clothes but the bus driver kindly, though unfortunately for me, decided to load all of our luggage (we had already checked out) into the bus for us. And so I road the bus still wet and now really cold.

After a few hours we stopped off at Paestum which was a town that could boast of the oldest Greek ruins in Italy. And that was about it. We got some pizza and gelato then stood in the cold by the bus waiting to get going. Ruins were no longer that exciting to us. Especially ruins that were not free. So we just took a picture through the fence.

So back on the bus and off we go to Sorrento. This was the fastest I think I have ever traveled in a but. Our driver was in a hurry to drop us off and get back to Rome. And so we sped once again on the edges of the cliffs, but I didn’t notice too much because I was too busy staring at Mount Vesuvius.

Our hotel in Sorrento was really nice and we each had a balcony with a view of the infamous volcano. I quickly unpacked then met Alex, Jack, and Dillon in the lobby. We sat around a while waiting for the rain to stop then walked around town. We got cold so the guys and I stopped at this adorable though a bit silly tea house and got all sorts of coffees, chocolates, and teas. We sat and talked for an hour or so about everything and nothing (even though guys don’t really talk right? haha ). We got bored there and had spent too much money anyway, so we decided to find a place for dinner. We ended up at this small bakery and got a calzone and a beer. We continued the conversation about studio, professors, design, and life while sitting on the small patio of this place. A few of our friends saw us and joined us for a few moments, but then left. After a few hours we were tired so we returned to the hotel.