So we made it to Napoli after a 2 1/2 hour train ride south and a few metro's to the upper area that was a bit less shady... (Wed Dec 29th). We didn't have too much time before it was dark, and David's first coaching words when we arrived were: Keep to yourself, don't look at anyone in the wrong way, or provoke anyone... So, I was on my guard and a bit nervous the whole time we were there!! But he kept me in the safer areas luckily :) Here's our hotel - it was bigger than all the others and they upgraded us later too!
We walked around as the evening started and even took a ride on the Funicular - this is an rope train that goes back and forth up and down the hill and there are two that counter act and pull one up or down, etc. It is pretty awesome and there's a famous song that we all know that actually is about it! I'd have to hum it to you for you to even know that you know it...
That first night, and basically all the nights in Napoli stores closed early and we also went in early just to keep it safe, since it was close to New Years and either people were celebrating or possible fireworks :) (we'll get to that). Napoli is a crazy city. Napoli is a coastal city - it is in a valley sort of, the lower area is filled with masses of people, more of the poor area, lots of little shops, center of the city, train station etc. One side is higher up where we stayed - below is the view from the upper area - our hotel and a bit further up area too... The upper area is a nicer area with more strip mall and grocery stores rather than the small walk markets down at the bottom. The other side is actually a volcano! It erupted many many years ago and the people continue to live closer and closer to it, funny! Here's the view from the top:
Here are some Napoli views during the days - I loved finding cute buildings, or castles or the ocean! There were castles all over the place, in the top or bottom of the area.
Here's a view from the water - and even some fishermen with the freshest fish sale you can get....
Napoli is more of the bottom city. They drive crazy and honk for turn signals - they go so fast they don't care about pedestrians. The streets are dirty too - they let the trash go in the streets till either the trucks pick it up or they just burn it!
After walking in the lower areas we found a Catholic church (while in Rome I thought the Catholic churches felt "different" but it was pretty at least) - well in Napoli I actually felt the spirit a bit in this church - probably since it was such a bad area anything felt better! So here's what it looked like:
And... you can't forget the real Italian Wood Oven Pizza!!!! So we ate this at least 3-4 times, once at the place where it was first created... Here's us eating it and taking a break :)
Most evenings we came home early as the town shut down for New Years Eve events. David showed me a lovely tradition of Pandoro cake (where you buy in a bag, add powdered sugar and shake) and red Fanta :) We watched our iPod movies, played banana grams, and even napped in the evenings.
New Years Eve we headed out for the best fireworks show ever! David had brought me here at this time just for the fireworks- yep, I'm a fan! It was actually pretty scary as every person is allowed to by the huge show fireworks and let them off. We were careful as we walked to our lookout and watch the fireworks from below shooting off in all directions. The people don't really care where they aim or who they hit! (No joke people died that night and every year!).... Anyway, it was very nice of David to think and bring me there :) We enjoyed as much as we could and made it back to sleep safely too.
The next morning we were up early and headed back to Rome and to Ostia for our last night... Vacation almost over, wow, it went fast.
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