This is the four part to a multipart series about the journey I took throughout July. If you’d like to read part two, please click here: https://obriencg.com/my-july-journey-part-three/.

After a short cab ride to the center of Sorrento, we found our way towards the tour group that would assign us a boat and take us on our adventure. We popped into a nearby café for some cappuccino and a bite to eat. When we looked at the selection, one sandwich stole the show. We knew we’d be splitting a prosciutto and fresh mozzarella sandwich for breakfast. And it was absolutely the right move. If you’ve ever tasted fresh mozzarella from Italy, you know the experience. In Italy, they call it, fior di latte, which translates into the flower of milk, which is the perfect description. The mix of fresh Italian bread, salty prosciutto, and soft buttery cheese was the perfetto bite.

When they called our name, we walked across a beautiful sandy beach, onto a dock, and then boarded our boat. We met our tour guides, Luigi and Francesco. And our journey officially began. As I sat on the front of the boat, with the Gulf of Naples all around me, I couldn’t help but get the feeling that I was somehow watching a movie. It took me a few moments to find myself present in the moment and enjoy each breathtaking view. At one point, Luigi told us to look to the right of the boat and we saw dolphins swimming alongside us. He informed us that it was a rare occurrence. Instead of grabbing my phone, I simply set my gaze on their sleek grey bodies flow through the water. And I knew I was in the right place at the right time.

As we traveled toward Capri, the views continued to take my breath away. Not only was the water beautiful, but trickled in between some of the houses, there were towers built more than half-a-century ago still standing and keeping watch. While America has beautiful coasts, its structures are mere infants compared to the history of the Italian coast.

Our tour took us to the Blue Grotto, the Green Grotto, the White Grotto, the Lovers Arch, and we even had a chance to go swimming before we were dropped off on the island of Capri for a few hours to shop and peruse the island. We had lunch at a beach club and enjoyed the fresh seafood and, perhaps more, the people watching. We saw a young man slipping around on the rocky shore, a couple taking selfies, and an elderly couple who smartly kept their sneakers on to avoid the rocks stabbing into their feet.

On our way back to Sorrento, we took another swim in the gulf. This time however, we were given goggles. I can’t tell you how many times I dove into the water as deep as I could – only when the pressure hurt my ears did I return to the surface. But under the clear blue water, you could see the brightly colored Italian fish. Fish of all sizes and colors – big (grande), small (piccolo), orange (arancione), red (rosso), yellow (giallo), blue (blu), and silver (e argento). They were not afraid. They would simply swim right around me as if they were people watching me.

We ended the night with a trip to downtown Sorrento for gelato, dinner, and a walk. That night, I had mascarpone, pine nut, and caramel gelato. Then we went to Semolina Pasta Bar, where the ceilings were decorated with dried spaghetti. It was here I devoured my favorite bite of the trip, a fried shrimp wrapped in angel hair, followed by an impressive dish of squid ink ravioli.

As we walked through the town square, I felt the warm buzz of gratitude all around me. My life hasn’t been an easy or linear ride. It’s been a journey full of bumps and wrong turns. But somehow, I was granted the opportunity to walk through the beautiful streets of Sorrento, with three people who truly loved me. I was able to be my goofy, giggly, and sometimes-annoying self. I was able to feel free from the pretense of impressing others or proving my worth. I was me. In a beautiful Italian coastal town. Loved. Seen. Valued. And alive.