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The Capri Bus

December 4, 2009
Geotag Icon (map) Capri, Campania

capribus1 The Capri Bus Extreme bus riding. Not the first tourist activity that comes to mind when you think of a weekend getaway on the almost mythical island of Capri.

capribus2 The Capri Bus After an afternoon of sunbathing, head to Marina Grande and hop on an outrageously orange bus to begin your thrill-seeking journey. As the bus speeds along, you might believe in the island’s magic after all—how else did two trucks just pass on a one-lane road without a catastrophic collision?

capribus3 The Capri Bus Suddenly, about one foot of road and a two-foot rusty old guide rail stand between you and open space. No roller coaster can compare to this thirty seconds of stomach-clenching, terrifying beauty, where you are inches from careening into the dazzling KoolAid™-blue Mediterranean hundreds of feet below.

Once at the top, quell your nerves with a shot—maybe two—of limoncello before preparing for the ride back down.


- Contributed by Kelly Snavely, American University of Rome Student. Many thanks!






17 responses to “The Capri Bus”

  1. tamryn December 4, 2009 at 3:39 pm | | Reply

    LOVE IT! Especially the audible gasp at about the 55 second mark after a very tight pass. Didn’t think ItalianNotebook could get any better-but video just did it…..Thanks so much, Kelly!

  2. Rosemary December 4, 2009 at 3:58 pm | | Reply

    Delightful ride! Reminded me of the drive along the Amalfi Coast with its hairpin turns and buses passing each other just as you described! Thank you!

  3. Angelina Limato December 4, 2009 at 4:23 pm | | Reply

    I love these videos as well. They give a whole different perspective than a still picture (although I still love those too). I also enjoy hearing background noises of the people and things going on. It shows true life going on and I think it is neat. I haven’t been on one of these trips but I have taken a fast ride up the Mulhollen Drive (sure I spelled that wrong) in California going up the mountain. It was night time in his convertable and he was making sharp turns very fast and it made you feel you were going to go over the side of the mountain. You look down and since it was dark all you could see was the city lights below. The view in this video was quite breath taking. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Bob December 4, 2009 at 4:30 pm | | Reply

    Stupendo! This note and video are pleasant reminders of how wonderful Capri is. It’s high time I went back again! Meanwhile, when you return to Capri, please provide notes and videos from Monte Solaro and Anacapri’s shaded, mysterious alleyways. Mille grazie.

  5. Penny Ewles-Bergeron December 4, 2009 at 4:41 pm | | Reply

    Have done this a few times and as a nervous passenger never my fun part of being on one of the islands! Very compelling note, Kelly!

  6. Linda DiCrescenzo December 4, 2009 at 5:40 pm | | Reply

    Si, si e vero! I’ve been on one of these rides and all the while I couldn’t help but thinking that the skill required to drive these buses in Italy is testament to why the Italians make such great race car drivers!

  7. Valorie December 4, 2009 at 5:44 pm | | Reply

    OMG that was scary!! Beautiful scenery however! I guess if the unthinkable did happen, what more beautiful place for it to happen! Love Capri, love everyone chatting in the background. Thank you… how fun!

  8. Paula GiangrecoCullison December 4, 2009 at 5:59 pm | | Reply

    Thanks for the Memories … of an awesome ride!

  9. Roseann December 4, 2009 at 7:09 pm | | Reply

    I made the same video last year on our visit to Capri- Mine is 7 minutes long!

    And those stone walls just whiz by! What a ride!

  10. SallyM December 4, 2009 at 7:11 pm | | Reply

    Thank you Kelly !!! Like others have said it was a wonderful reminder of our trip,so many memories flooding back. Thank you so much. I am forwarding this to my friends,they’ll love it.Our trip to Positano was so brief, I loved looking at your video.I had forgotten how beautiful it was.Next time I will spend a night there. TY

  11. Michael Yaccino December 4, 2009 at 7:56 pm | | Reply

    Kelly, did you notice the the drivers always bless themselve (make the sign of the cross)before starting the trip. I did it in an open cab once. It was great. Angelina, if you see this, there is a note for you on the apples in Val di Non notebook from Nov.

  12. Michael Yaccino December 4, 2009 at 8:03 pm | | Reply

    Kelly, I am doing a piece on the Steeler Bar, but I did not get good pictures from the bar. Could you take a few and send them to me. I have the usual terrible towel with Giani but need a few outside and inside. Maybe we could collaborate on it. If this is a mystery to you, check with a Penn State student. ciaomichael@centurytel.net

    Thanks

  13. Gian Banchero December 5, 2009 at 5:47 am | | Reply

    Thank you for not only this site but the others that came along with it, I felt as though I was in Italy for sure…

  14. kevin mahoney December 5, 2009 at 11:18 am | | Reply

    Roma,
    5 dicembre

    Or maybe a couple of limoncellos before preparing for the WALK back down!

  15. Matteo December 6, 2009 at 12:35 am | | Reply

    Fond memories!

  16. Kelly December 7, 2009 at 12:35 am | | Reply

    Thank you for all your comments! Riding the public transportation in Capri will always be one of my favorite memories from my time in Italy: beautiful and exciting. I didn’t notice the drivers crossing themselves, but every bus did have a rosary dangling from the rear-view mirror. I hope you all get a chance to go, or go back to Capri.

    My roommates go to the Steeler Bar quite often, I will try to get a few pictures for you, or have them send some along!

  17. Michael Yaccino December 9, 2009 at 10:18 pm | | Reply

    Great Kelly!

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