Naples Day 1

We had our first real European coffee today. It was yummy.



Today we are in Naples, Italy. We flew from Amsterdam to Paris to here. On the flight into Paris, I saw a mansion a ways outside the city. There were acres of gardened lands and trees and bursts of color, which I took to be flower beds. From the air, it was magnificent, so I can only imagine its splendor up close. I smiled to myself wondering if Brangelina might be hidden behind those gated walls.

We arrived in Naples and took a taxi to our hotel. Stevie, let me just say this is one city where we will NOT in any way, shape or form be renting Vespas. Oh my word! The taxi was a smallish minivan. Like no American minivan to be sure. It was about the same height as me and while it was roomy inside and a bit taller than my Subaru, it was still smaller than my car on the whole. If that makes any sense. Anyway. When the driver got out of the car to help with our backpacks, I thought pleasantly, even gray-haired taxi drivers look as though they’ve just stepped out of GQ. We discussed him later and while I noticed how handsome and well dressed he was, Steve noticed how tattooed he was, which I didn’t see at all. Once inside that car, there was absolutely no discussion. It was the most exhilarating thrill ride I’ve ever been on. All of Disneyland holds nothing to that one Italian taxi driver. At one point I dared to make eye contact with Steve and it was all over. I was giggling aloud and unable to stop. I alternated between fearing my own death and feeling the certainty of death for a pedestrian just foolish enough to be anywhere near this car. The driver stayed no more than a foot away from the car in front of us at any given time. We learned that lane markings on the highway are merely suggestions and not followed by anyone. I also learned that a taxi can fit between two cars driving correctly spaced in their own lanes. I’m not kidding. It was like driving in California when motorcycles came flying up between cars. He took places barely wider than the Vespas he competed with, and almost always, we came out in first place. If the other driver happened to maintain the front position, our driver decreased driving distance to about six inches. I was terrified and we had yet to begin. The highway had suggested speeds of 70km, but, as with the lane guidelines, I never saw us below 90. Mere child’s play. Once on the tiny pedestrian and Vespa filled streets, the game was on. I do not know how no one died. Steve saw the taxi driver smile on one occasion, pleased with himself.

After being delivered to our hotel and resting in the room a bit, we ventured out into the city.



We saw a little dog staring down at us, who looked a lot like Corey. He spoke Itallian, so we knew it wasn't him.



We can see Castel Nuovo from our hotel room, so it was an easy decision about what should be the first tourist expedition for us.


Got scared to bits of crazy Vespa drivers who whiz in and out of pedestrians on crowded streets. We both laughed that it’ll be years before the sound of a scooter coming up behind us stops bringing the fear of God into our hearts.


Here we are near the port. That’s Mt. Vesuvius in the background.

We wandered around, went back to our room, dozed, and then went back out for a late dinner, well still early by Italian standards. We began at 8 and finished dinner a little after 10. It was amazing. Antipasto buffet, the owner called it. He filled a plate with everything you could think of: olives, grilled eggplant and zuchinni, those pickled vegetables we get at the grocery in a jar; carrots, peppers, etc, but these were all fresh vegetables, there were several other things we couldn’t identify but which left our mouths watering. And then. Oh, and then… caprese salad, I think we call it; sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Fresh mozzarella like we never knew existed. We both fell in love. And the olive oil drizzled over the top. Yum-o. Then he brought us spaghetti and seafood. Tiny mussels, shrimp, squid, I don’t know what else. No real sauce, like we think of, just a simple olive oil and seasonings. We were stuffed. But still there was more. Some kind of cake, similar to angel food, but soaked in liquor. It was all so simple, but so wonderful. When we stepped outside, it had begun to rain. I was glad for it, as the streets were cleared and there was no fear of being run down by a scooter on our way back to the hotel.
Here’s a link to the restaurant we ate at. I’ve not checked out the link, just saw it on the card they gave us with our bill. http://www.ilcucciolobohemien.it/


What a fun first day in Italy.