I’m feeling a bit mentally messy today – half of my brain is busy with planning my trip home tomorrow (I know! It seems impossible that this is almost over) and the other half is occupied cataloging my experiences in Napoli.
Starting out, I was wary about going. I’d been warned by travelers and Italians alike that Napoli was one scary, godforsaken place. Pickpockets! Thieves! Miscellaneous danger! But then, I’d also heard that Napoli invented pizza. Invented. Pizza. Frankly, I think that can erase a whole lot of wrongs. Besides which, I happen to be the kind of girl who can really get into godforsaken. So I made up my mind to love Napoli – pickpockets, pizzamakers and all.
And I did. For the parts of it I was awake, anyway.
The rain followed me from Rome to Napoli and so did the cold that I picked up in Lucca. So after exploring Napoli for an afternoon, I trudged back to the hostel, and crawled into bed. With my laptop and a pizza. So far, the Napoli-haters were seeming like a bunch of chumps. What could possibly be better than a whole pizza for under 3 Euros? Nothing. Unless it’s eating it in your pajamas after spending a few nerdy hours at the archaeological museum pouring over Pompeii artifacts. Turns out, I’m kind of a sucker for mosaics.
The next day I headed out to Pompeii – I’ll probably end up writing about it more on the other blog, as it was one of those educational, touristy experiences that fits better there than here, but the moment I get back to the states, I’m renting every single documentary on that place I can find. It was fascinating. And cold. Really freaking cold. Lest I had any notions that Southern Italy might be a warmish sort of place, I was speedily corrected by the snow on Vesuvius and the wind in Pompeii. By 4:00 I was back in the hostel for pizza and another nap.
I’d booked a car tour tofhe Amalfi Coast before I arrived, thinking it’d be the best way to take in a lot of territory in a little time. In the end, it was a fantastic idea, because yesterday was the worst of them all – heavy rain and steadily dropping temperatures my capilene long-johns couldn’t keep up with. I think my guide was surprised (and totally relieved – she said her hair thanked me) when I suggested we didn’t actually have to get out of the car to see things – that if she just pointed, I’d be more than satisfied. By Sorrento, the rain had turned to sleet, and I was nodding off to the rhythm of windshield wipers. I’m sure you can guess how the afternoon wrapped up. With a nap and.. not pizza! I had a big bowl of Gnocci that an Australian hostel-mate had picked up in the market, with prawns, tomatoes, basil and buffalo mozzarella. Drool.
In the end, the only thing dangerous about Napoli, was the quantity of food I consumed there. If I don’t fit in my airplane seat tomorrow, I’m going to be really irritated with myself.
You call me when you get home!
I miss your voice!
If you’re really interested in Pompeii (and if you end up in Minnesota before January 6) you should check out the touring exhibit A Day In Pompeii. It’s a touring exhibit, so it may end up closer to you (or other readers!)
http://www.smm.org/pompeii/about/
Safe travels, Fish.
Oh how wonderful….rain, sleet, and all. I envy you!
You beat me to the punch, MelMartini. That exhibit is amazing.
I’ve really enjoyed following your travels – on both blogs. Thank you for sharing in your typical Fishy way.
Stay safe and hope you make it home stress free.
Advice for air travel with a cold, though. Take tablets to help with the congestion an hour before take off and an hour before landing, stay hydrated during the flight and sip on water during landing as well to fend off blocked ears.
Without wanting to sound like a complete perve (I have an excuse, I’m travelling soon) I am curious to know how your fancy travel knickers are holding out. I read that post a while back about you buying them – would you recommend them?
Pizza is its’ own food group. God bless Napoli
I am a Latin teacher, and the BEST video I have found to show my students about Pompeii is “Pompeii – The Last Day” by the BBC (easily found on Amazon)
i loved Napoli. it’s quite pleasant, despite the naysayers. and of course, got to love the pizza. and Pompeii is amazing. i suppose you didn’t see Herculaneum though? or did you? that’s vair vair beautiful.
Your post made me think of the book “Eat, Pray, Love” – if you haven’t read it yet, I think you’d like it – especially her time living in Rome. The author ‘ate her way’ through Italy & your account of Napoli’s pizza is similar to her love affair with it!
Have a safe trip. I enjoyed living vicariously through you in your travels.
Pizza, naps and the sound of rain on the roof. I like it!
i’m so so so jealous! my family lives in that area. just reading about your travels has brought tears to my eyes. i so wish i was there too! hope you have a safe trip home. tell the fam i said hi!
wow! I’ve been readin ur blog the whole time.. and its been jus lovely! hav a safe trip home. I’ve enjoyed both ur blogs and the pictures so much that i wanna go travel myself. thanks for the inspiration fish!
Will you be home in time to eat a Thanksgiving dinner? I would be curious to see how that compares to the culinary delights you’ve indulged in (because I was also positively drooling over Australian-cooked gnocci, prawns, tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and basil). Would you trade it in for a home-cooked meal? Or will you be pining for pizza?
Ahem. She came home FOR Thanksgiving dinner, because it will be THAT good. I’ve been preparing it all day. However, we both pine for Italy…