Originally written on January 30, 2008
On 27 December Francie & I decided to make a day trip to Napoli (Naples) since we heard that it is known as a place to buy handmade nativity sets during Christmas. It is only about a 2 hour train ride South from Rome, so we figured it would be interesting since neither of us had been to Napoli.
So when we arrived we went straight to the street with the nativities, which was packed with people and indeed there were nativities and things for nativities in all the shops and we even saw some people making some. As I mentioned, in Italy they sell the pieces to that nativities separately so there were all kinds of different things you could buy for the nativity. And the managers and scenes ranged from small ones to ones so big at least 2 people would have to carry them. Some shops also had statues of famous people they put in the nativities etc. It was very interesting, but in the end I only bought this inexpensive one that was one piece that later I accidentally left at the restaurant we went to for lunch. That was okay, because after I bought it realized it wasn’t handmade and it didn’t cost me all that much (although I did go back to the restaurant to try to find it, but it was no longer there).
Other than looking at nativities, Francie & I just looked around the town. Naples is known for it’s pizza as well (they make theirs different vs. Rome – Neapolitan pizza has thicker crust), so of course we had to go to a pizzeria and have some pizza. It was VERY good! Mmmm!
Observations about Napoli
I thought Roman traffic was crazy until I went to Napoli! After that Roman traffic seems calm and orderly! I’ve never been so scared that I would get hit walking as I was there. And scooters just go on the sidewalk without any notice and you have to watch out! Yes the drivers there are just insane!
And there are WAY more street vendors in Napoli compared to any where else I’ve been. Rome as quite a few, but in Napoli you couldn’t go down any street without finding someone trying to sell fake purses, some little toys you have no idea what they are, DVDs, etc.
We didn’t stray too far off the main streets because we read that some areas of town could be scary, so we just stuck to the main streets and went to some of the shops there. At first I got excited because the prices seemed so much cheaper compared to Rome, but after I started looking I realize most of them were cheap because they weren’t as good of quality. So all we ended up buying were tights (and the nativity set I lost!).
I did get to see the sea from there – even though it took me a bit to find a place where I could see it! They have a port, but when I tried to go close to the water I got stopped because they said it was a customs area. So I made Francie go all around just so I could take a picture by the sea! He! He!
One of my favorite memories from Napoli that I will always laugh about (and my sister will probably always get made at me for bringing up) is the ‘friend’ my sister found in Napoli. When we were shopping this golden lab came by my sister, started licking her hand, and then started following her. My sister doesn’t really like dogs that much, so she kept telling it ‘Go away! Get away from me!’ and instead of going away it just followed her more and then she would get more aggravated at it. Then we would go into a store and she would say ‘Good it’s finally gone!’ and as soon as we went back out there was the dog waiting for her and would follow her to the next store. This went on for about 10 minutes at least. I made her take a picture with it and then after that it went away.
So that was our quick trip to Napoli!
Here’s a link to some pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=87395&l=fd6cb&id=800405227
So when we arrived we went straight to the street with the nativities, which was packed with people and indeed there were nativities and things for nativities in all the shops and we even saw some people making some. As I mentioned, in Italy they sell the pieces to that nativities separately so there were all kinds of different things you could buy for the nativity. And the managers and scenes ranged from small ones to ones so big at least 2 people would have to carry them. Some shops also had statues of famous people they put in the nativities etc. It was very interesting, but in the end I only bought this inexpensive one that was one piece that later I accidentally left at the restaurant we went to for lunch. That was okay, because after I bought it realized it wasn’t handmade and it didn’t cost me all that much (although I did go back to the restaurant to try to find it, but it was no longer there).
Other than looking at nativities, Francie & I just looked around the town. Naples is known for it’s pizza as well (they make theirs different vs. Rome – Neapolitan pizza has thicker crust), so of course we had to go to a pizzeria and have some pizza. It was VERY good! Mmmm!
Observations about Napoli
I thought Roman traffic was crazy until I went to Napoli! After that Roman traffic seems calm and orderly! I’ve never been so scared that I would get hit walking as I was there. And scooters just go on the sidewalk without any notice and you have to watch out! Yes the drivers there are just insane!
And there are WAY more street vendors in Napoli compared to any where else I’ve been. Rome as quite a few, but in Napoli you couldn’t go down any street without finding someone trying to sell fake purses, some little toys you have no idea what they are, DVDs, etc.
We didn’t stray too far off the main streets because we read that some areas of town could be scary, so we just stuck to the main streets and went to some of the shops there. At first I got excited because the prices seemed so much cheaper compared to Rome, but after I started looking I realize most of them were cheap because they weren’t as good of quality. So all we ended up buying were tights (and the nativity set I lost!).
I did get to see the sea from there – even though it took me a bit to find a place where I could see it! They have a port, but when I tried to go close to the water I got stopped because they said it was a customs area. So I made Francie go all around just so I could take a picture by the sea! He! He!
One of my favorite memories from Napoli that I will always laugh about (and my sister will probably always get made at me for bringing up) is the ‘friend’ my sister found in Napoli. When we were shopping this golden lab came by my sister, started licking her hand, and then started following her. My sister doesn’t really like dogs that much, so she kept telling it ‘Go away! Get away from me!’ and instead of going away it just followed her more and then she would get more aggravated at it. Then we would go into a store and she would say ‘Good it’s finally gone!’ and as soon as we went back out there was the dog waiting for her and would follow her to the next store. This went on for about 10 minutes at least. I made her take a picture with it and then after that it went away.
So that was our quick trip to Napoli!
Here’s a link to some pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=87395&l=fd6cb&id=800405227
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