

There was excitement in the air as we packed some of our belongings, each of us leaving half of our clothes behind to be safely stored. Now we headed for Ischia a island of the cost of Naples. We liked our hotel's staff and location so much that it only made sense having come to know the city of Rome so well and having falling in love with this fabulous neighborhood of Monti. We'd return here for our last two days.
The Hotel Grifo is affordable and simple, yet has just what you need, nothing less and nothing more.
The train ride was about two hours long, shorter than I had imagined. Watching the Italian country side whiz by and change from the city life of Rome to the beautiful country side I'd seen in paintings was mesmerizing. I lost track of time, but not space. We sat in a car that reminded me of the old day's. There were six seats. Three seat facing three seats. The other four car guest were Italians. One young couple, a little plump for Italian standards and two business men, one elder man dressed handsomely, the other headed to a more casual business situation.
The train made a few stops along the way, it was no surprise as we approached yet another stop. Looking out the window I was struck by how ugly this place was. I figured it was some forgotten town that produced some gross product like coal or something. The train began it's approach gradually slowing down into a snail crawl hypnotising me into waiting to see the over all picture of this town. The train conductor made his announcement in the native language and the four other guest collected their bags as I sat there expecting them to depart. Just as they left the car Laurie said, "okay let's go dog" (dog is a 20 year old nick name we call each other) "oh we're here"? "yes she responded"! Off we climbed into the city I was just hopping to by pass. We kept a paranoid eye on our wallets and luggage as warned and moved quickly to the front of the station.
Once located at the train station entrance I pin pointed the legitimate taxi zone. I turned to make sure Laurie was right behind me, when to my dismay she was no where to be seen. (This was one of many times she did this) Frantically I scanned the busy scene of fast moving foot traffic of Italian commuters to located her. Moments later she pops up with a guy in toe who is going to take us to our location. RED FLAG! instantly I know this dude is going to cost us twice the price. These rascals don't wait in lines as the taxi's do waiting their turn, they are in the train and airport terminals waiting to cheat the next unsuspecting traveler. They are harmless in most way's but they charge you way too much. I attempt my best to stop Laurie, but she refused to stop and listen, When I questioned the driver in an attempt to break the agreement between him and her by discrediting his qualification he assured me he had the documents in his car to satisfy my concerns.
The 20.00 Euro fee caused me to ask WHY? He told me the ride was far and that the fee for our bag's was included. " wow it must be far I guessed"?I figuring the ride was 30 minutes or more to the boat/fairy. With in 6-10 minutes we were pulling up to our stop. I was just sitting there in my seat as Laurie who was sitting in the back began to get out of the car. I said out loud "we're here"? Once again as on the train I was shocked that the ride was over. I knew that this dude just suckered us and that Laurie would in know way admit her wrong doing. Admitting she's wrong is the last thing this dear women can do, unless something more happens to force her to admit it. Admitting a boo boo is a sign of weakness to my friend.
We paid this kind rip rip off artist and stood looking at the port attempting to understand how to cross the road to get near our intended boat, when Laurie said to me condescendingly, "you should travel more so you understand how things work"! This comment would have sincere meaning coming from someone who traveled more than I do, or from someone who said it in a meaningful way. However none of the above mentioned values were applicable.
One thing the great spiritual teacher have said is KNOW THY SELF! I'm a man who as lived on the edge of physical reality. As a spiritual being I"ve come to know where I'm able and where I'm weak. In chaotic locations where I have never been before, such as a foreign country I"m overwhelmed by stimuli. This is where I must rely on my companion. However in the invisible, such as with the taxi thief, I know my way around in the dark like it's own hand. This brought to mind this saying
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What cannot be seen with the eye, but that whereby the eye can see: know that alone to be Brahman the Spirit and not what people here adore. What cannot be heard with the ear but that whereby the ear can hear: know that alone to be Brahman the Spirit and not what people here adore... What cannot be thought with the mind, but that whereby the mind can think: know that alone to be Brahman the Spirit and not what people here adore.