Thursday, April 02, 2009

Basta !

Basta! I've had enough. I read on the Positano News today that a iron pergola has been mounted along the road to shade customers at Cafe Positano.

This corner of paradise, formally Bar De Martino, had already been disfigured from the simple local bar/hangout for locals and artists into a trendy restaurant for tourists. I say for tourists because since Ciro lost his lease on the bar, the locals, out of loyalty to Ciro I imagine, have changed direction. I wrote about him here.

Now Cafe Positano have abandoned their fashionable umbrellas and erected a permanent structure in its place. Permission to build anything outside on the Amalfi Coast is almost impossible to get. Yet they did. For tourism. Who do they know at the Town Hall? They obviously have friends in high places. Local parents have been pushing to get the slippery stairs leading to the local school a few metres away covered for some time to no avail.
Permission not granted.

Its election time soon in Positano. I'll be there this week and Mr. Mayor, I'm coming knocking at your door!
In the meantime I'll have to avert my eyes when walking past Cafe Positano.

18 comments:

Rowena said...

It is always infuriating when you just know that some underhanded transactions have been dealt. A shame that Ciro had to lose his lease as well.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Well even the Positano News thought this was Scandalous....If I lived over there I would join you at the Mayors door!!!!

They think that this is going to improve thing for tourism, I think not...I would much rather have local bar/hangouts for locals, that is how you get to be amongst the Italians and take in their culture...I cannot stand trendy tourist places....Cafe Positano is off my list to visit!!!!!

LaDue & Crew said...

That is terrible! I can relate. Here in Arizona there is such beauty but so much has been destroyed in the name of tourism. Another terrible thing- The Navajo Indian's purchased land 1 mile from my home. They have petitioned the Federal government to change the status of that land to "reservation land" so that they can build a huge casino there- right across the street from a High School filled with teenagers! We don't want a casino in our backyard- I would see it literally from my yard if it was built. I am so upset that this would even be considered... in such a family neighborhood. Seems like stuff like this happens everywhere!

Eleonora Baldwin said...

I'm not very fond of Mayor "Brown," I must admit. The former Bar De Martino issue is only a drop in the wide range of dodgy urban plans approved by Pos City Hall. The policy is "No building to safeguard the town's integrity" but each time I come down to visit, I see homes sprouting like mushrooms everywhere, clinging to mountain, dug into rock. And don't even get me started on the 92 odd daily aliscafi landings during summer! How is it all possible, to devastate such paradise? What a terrible shame...

Anonymous said...

Anne has got it exactly right. Visitors don't want "touristy" places. They want a taste of true Italian culture.

Anonymous said...

Its a shame, they are awful people, lowering the tone too by selling 'real English breakfasts' and all sorts of stuff geared for tourists. They also let their dogs poo on the beach where the children play and ignore requests to clear it up, saying that its not their problem.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hi Scintilla...Email me your address..we can swap...:-)

Mine is annearnott1@hotmail.com

Anait said...

Oh no! It seems like John Steinbeck's Positano is fading every year :(

Anonymous said...

As a Positanese I can only say it is AWFUL. They ruined one of the most beautiful, poetic, idillic views of Positano.
This town is dying.
And it doesn't matter at all who's the Mayor, Brown or not it makes absolutely no difference. This shite will go on forever here.
dollyna

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Good for you! Go give the Mayor some hassle! You have a lovely blog here.

Chef Chuck said...

I would be knocking on the town halls door. There are some very selfish people in this world! This is nice you care for your environment! Thank You!

Eryn said...
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Anonymous said...

we ate our very first meal in Pos at Cafe Positano...but only bc our landlord recommended it to us. The iron pergola wasn't up then and we really enjoyed the food and beautiful views.

however, i'm sure the food was just as good if not better when Ciro was in charge.

Anonymous said...

I dont want to even imagine what that would look like.. It is very unfortunate. What is happening there? Last summer weren't there problems at Fornillo because of the work they were doing?

Cleo

ps. my email is antk77@hotmail.com we can organise our catch up.

Fifi Flowers said...

Good to stand up for your rights!

Monika said...

Goodluck at the mayors office - you tell them!

徵信社 said...
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