Friday in Naples

We spent a leisurely morning in our apartment and headed out through the crowded streets of our neighborhood on the 2 mile walk to the National Archeological Museum of Naples. Having experienced the challenges of foot and vehicle navigation in Lima, Saigon, Bangkok,  Sihanouk Ville, Paris, and other major cities aside from New York City, I would rank Naples at the top of the list as the hardest as a pedestrian. The sidewalks are overflowing with couples, families, groups of teens, and the random lost soul - where there are sidewalks. Motorbikes, motorized bikes, and motorcycles dart in and out everywhere including on sidewalks, and the tiny cars (like taxis) play a dangerous game of chicken with each other and pedestrians. There are very few stop lights. Crossing a street takes focus and nerves of steel.

Many of the streets we travelled on were so congested and noisy that I felt overwhelmed and homesick for quiet Shady Side. The city is also awash in trash, with the few trash bins overflowing. 

The main attractions of the National Archeological Museum are artifacts from Pompeii, buried in ash and lava when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 killing at least 1,150 (the number of remains found), though many more have died. There are giant marble statues of guys like Hercules and a large bust of Homer. Worth the walk. 

Dinner was at a more upscale restaurant. The atmosphere was lively (all Italians as far as I could tell), but my meal was so so. Anne loved hers.

 

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