For those of you who have been following this blog for the past two years, you’ve read about the many … many … many walks I go on. While I do love walking and exploring the Amalfi Coast on foot, there are times when it is inconvenient—or downright exhausting—having my own two feet and the public SITA buses as my only sources of transportation. I really don’t like (and that’s putting it politely) driving manual transmission cars, and my driving lessons on the Amalfi Coast have been less than successful. My life changed dramatically a week ago when we bought … a motorino! (That’s Italian for scooter.) And could it have a more appropriate name than a Piaggio Liberty? I love it!
I’m still getting used to riding it, especially in all the curves on the Amalfi Coast. Even though I haven’t ventured very far yet, I am slowing starting to realize just how much this little motorino is going to change my life here. Yesterday was a beautiful day, and I have been wanting to get the summer herbs planted on the terrace for the past week. There is a truck that sets up every Sunday morning during the warm weather months at the crossroads of Ravello and Scala that sells plants, flowers and herbs. While I could have walked there and back like I did last year, it was such an amazing feeling to just hop on the scooter and be there in a few minutes. I just needed basilico (basil) and prezzemolo (parsley), and the men selling plants were nice enough to bag them up so that I could easily get them home on the scooter.
I put the bag of parsley plants on the hook at the front of the motorino, and the bag of little basil plants fit perfectly inside the bauletto … the little storage container behind the seat. This is the best use I’ve made of the bauletto so far!
The best part was that by taking the scooter I had plenty of energy left when I got home to get all the herbs planted for the summer on the terrace. The parsley and basil plants are new, and along with them I also have a rosemarino (rosemary) plant that is a few years old, a timo (thyme) plant from two years ago and a wild strawberry plant that was a gift last summer that I hope survived the winter. (The empty pot below has cilantro seeds!) I can already imagine the taste of the fresh basilico and prezzemolo on the summer pastas and fresh tomatoes. I’m hoping for a great summer like last year when we fabulous basil all summer long.
The photos of the motorino were taken on my phone, but they’re the first pictures I’ve taken of my new Liberty. Well, new to me! It’s quite old, but it runs well and the price was perfect. It’s a bit dirty at the moment from the rain at the end of last week, but I’ll get some proper pictures soon when it is all clean. I just couldn’t wait to share my first taste of liberty … and it tastes like summer on the Amalfi Coast!
Congratulations and best of luck with your new gotten Liberty!
Thanks so much, Gil!
Laura, your motorino is wonderful!! The italian style is truly part of you now 🙂
Ciao Giulia! I’m working on it!! 🙂 I love being able to ride around and not have to worry about parking … that’s a big bonus on the Amalfi Coast!! 🙂
great pictures
Ciao Geraldina! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comment! 🙂
Love it…have fun!
Lisa
Thanks, Lisa!
Brilliant now we just need the tour guide to take a photo of you on the motorino Laura 🙂
Ciao Linda! So true! Hum … will have to work on that. 🙂
How fun! I dare you to try that in Southern California.
Ciao Linda! What would happen to me in Southern California? Too much traffic? I’m still getting used to how close the cars come in the other direction since the roads are so narrow here. Yikes! 🙂
Wow! Enjoy your motorino!
Thanks so much, Pat!!
Oh I can just imagine you winding your way through the streets on the Amalfi Coast. Have fun and stay safe.
Thanks, Linda! Oh … it’s so fun! Right now I’m not riding in areas with a lot of traffic, so it is really nice to zip in and out of the curves. Pretty soon I want to venture to Amalfi … but it’s really busy this time of year!
Ciao Laura!
Freedom! Enjoy your new found Liberty and please drive carefully, although from what I witnessed that may be difficult!
Thanks, Mike! Yes … I’m going very slowly and staying out of the really busy traffic in Amalfi still. Taking it easy until I feel more confident!
Laura, did you do any legwork when you decided to buy a motorino? I am asking bc i remember the Vespa had a tricky manual shift on the handlebar, and it took some getting used to. But the last time I was on a Vespa was about 20 years ago! Since my family will be spending most of the summer in Praiano, we are thinking that a motorino is the way to go. Do you have any thoughts on what types to get or to avoid — Vespa, no-Vespa?
Ciao Mat! A motorino during the summer does seem like the way to go … especially if you’ve ridden before and are comfortable. I LOVE the old Vespas, but the whole reason I’m riding a motorino to begin with is because I don’t like manual transmission cars. No gear changing for me! 🙂 I’ve heard that the gears in the Vespa are a bit tricky, so I didn’t even look at those. (Vespas also cost a bit more…) By the way, I think the newer Vespas are automatic now, but I’m not sure about that. Since this is the first time I’ve ridden a motorino, my main concern was stability and safety. I had heard from many people that the larger diameter wheels, like on the Liberty, are more stable and safer. So that’s the main reason I was after a Liberty or Scarabeo type motorino. But I don’t suppose it makes much of difference if you’ve ridden before. I’m still getting used to the curves and traffic, but I absolutely love the motorino so far!! Enjoy your summer in Praiano with your family!
Fabulous! I love the name and the stories. Your plants look great. I can only imagine the tasty concoctions you create with them. We think of you often.
Hi Amber! The herbs are growing well … soon I’ll be able to make salsa with cilantro. Yum! Miss you all so much!! Hugs, Laura