Napoli

Naples. A weird big city. You are walking feeling like you are in a big city, then turn the corner and suddenly you are transported back to Europe. 

In Friends, one of the swear words Joey knows that he says to Chandler is Va Fa Napoli, which means go to Naples. A term that I imagine is mostly used in the north rather derogatorily as a way to say go to hell. In a sense I understand what the deeper meaning behind this is. Glad we came to Naples but not itching to come back. I don't see the draw and street theatre and interest that others see in Naples. But a must see once. 

As Luke says, it is a stereotypical Italian big city. People out just to be out, loud & chaotic but somehow works. I am still undecided my feelings, there are many good things about it but also not my cup of tea place. I prefer other Italian places.

We started off by walking the coast. This was lovely. A good way to to start. As I said there aren't things to see in Naples, it is a big city place, with a big city feel. Only select areas have the small European feel I love. Doesn't ever have the same feeling as Rome did on the big main streets. Anyways. Walking by the water was very nice. Being Saturday there were many out on the rock beach and in the water enjoying the beautiful day. We started on the tip of the one side of the cove and worked our way to the other side of the cove. Was neat to watch the scenery change and with it the pictures. On the far tip of the cove we were walking to was this old Castel. 

 

Mount Vesuvius. This is it. Tomorrow you will see a city completely destroyed and frozen in time by the volcanoe. Cool to see it from here. Seems so normal mountain hilly looking, and nice from here. 

There are many, many churches here. And other buildings as well. The churches seem to be the most interesting looking buildings. There are other as well but mainly the churches. You can always tell when you are looking at one of the, beside the fact they have a cross usually.

 

Here are some of the side streets we walked down. The Vespas are becoming increasingly annoying as they seem to feel they are allowed to walk down any place pedestrians are allowed and they seem to feel they have the right of way. The constant beeping at you when there is no other place for you to go in really quite annoying. 

 

Now the next part of my story is one that I am writing purely so maybe you will start to grasp the seriousness of my fear of birds. You may continue to scoff and make jokes, that is fine as I understand you will never be able to truly and completely feel the fear deep inside that I do, but you must know the truth. I wish this upon no one.

Luke and I were sitting having a cold beverage, minding our own business, enjoying the legs being rested. We were sitting outside in the shade in conversation. Luke is normally very good at spotting birds when they are near and we are at a table, he gets them away. The way we were sitting was apparently a wrong way. As we were sitting and enjoying talking with one another as adults a bird JUMPED ON MY FOOT!!! I died, and went immediately into panic mode. Re-living the moment now is also terrible. It was absolutely horrifying! I freaked out kicked the bird off my foot as soon as I felt it causing it to fly upwards almost at me. Obviously I couldn't do much as I was sitting, my hands went to my face, panic attack. Not breathing, beat red face, tears strolling down. TRUE FEAR.

I won't indulge anymore, just know that as you laugh I cry. And your laughing is allowed only as long as you know my feelings are true and this is not a ploy. Don't worry my husband is amazing and eventually got me to breathe again, as I am living currently, just knocked a bunch of years off my life. Needless to say, we didn't stay long.

The only interesting thing after that was watching the people run and hide from police with their hats and scarves and sunglasses and things that they weren't allowed to be selling on the streets. One time even ran away from a client. Nice client followed the lady and her and her daughter ended up buying hats.

We had a nice day walking in the sunshine and enjoying the water, and what Naples, tried to offer us. Wandered as much as we could through the streets that were small, and eventually got frustrated with almost being hit too many times. 

Odd thing was walking around there were tons of ash pieces falling from the sky. When you look up you couldn't tell, but on the ground and on things you could tell it was ashy. It was weird. We tried asking someone and they didn't know what we were talking about. 

We did happen to run into some fish markets today. Usually I don't appreciate these, not just because of the smell, but I don't have interest in seeing guts and heads that are cut off. But today I saw a real cool head that I wouldn't mind seeing again. Walked right by it at first and stopped to take a second look. Sword fish! With its body on the table beside! Lady looked at me funny as I took a picture, he must've thought I was weird taking a picture because it is probably something that she sees all the time. Also saw what looks like an eel. And then just some fish. Well many, many other fish and clams and things but none that I took pictures of. 

 

A neat day in Napoli, with a unique day waiting ahead for us tomorrow.

The ancient ruins of Pompeii are preserved from the volcanoes eruption in 79 AD. It may be more pictures then words tomorrow, as we will be walking around and unfortunately listening to so much information that I wish I could write down. But it is a complete city. Anyways we will get their tomorrow.

And so the adventure continues...