Siamo arrivati a Napoli

After the usual mad scramble to the train station in Chiusi, we boarded an intercity direct to Naples and arrived at the central station at 3:30. The taxi ride to via Sapienza was a tad hair-raising. We missed a lady with a pram, a couple of old men with canes, and a few other vulnerable folks by mere inches. I’m kind of used to crazy taxi drivers in Rome, but this was a new class of crazy. The international Napoli Network (INN) facility is in the historical center of Naples, and we are a five minute walk to the metro station, so between walking and public transportation, I hope we get to know the city pretty well in the two months we have.

We lugged our two suitcases, two back packs and guitar up what Ivan called two flights of stairs, but when the ceilings are 20 feet high, it is more like four. (we’ve since counted. 60 steps to the first floor of the apartment, another 30 to the dormitories. After checking us in and giving us a quick tour of kitchen, common room and dorms, we learned that since they are not at capacity (28 volunteers) at this time of year (only 18), we get to bunk together in our own little cell. That was a pleasant surprise, at least for this month. Come April, we will have to split up. Beds are comfy enough, though I honestly don’t think the sheets have been changed in a while. Hmm. And typically European, no top sheet. Also no toilet seats which reminded us both of the convent in Rome where we met. No toilet seats there either. And even the toilet paper is the same-crepe. Good times.

An evening walk down via Tribunale to find dinner before bed- there were lots of carnivale revelers in the street, including a French band that made us feel like we were on Bourbon St.

Finally, dinner- pizzas and beer at the one place that the staff here rolled their eyes about- a Sophia Loren themed pizza joint for tourists. But, it still beat any pizza you will ever buy in the United States.