Gretta Gone Global

Naples.  Yes, Mafia capital of the world, but much more than that too.

For Spring Break I was too scared to go to Naples alone.  Now, it was only appropriate that I should begin my solo travels in that very place.  And it worked!  My fears were overcome: not just of traveling alone, but of Naples and of the Mafia as well (the latter only because I haven’t watched Gamorra yet…).

So what is Naples?

Yes, home to the pizza and where I had the best pizza of my life, made by the guy who’s dad invented the calzone.

Yes, mafia central, controlled by the Camorra and in the throes of a war right now, but actually much safer for visitors because of the organization.  Criminals that would otherwise be killing randomly or conducting holdups are otherwise employed and unless you get in the wrong place, as a visitor you’re fine.  So the hostel owner marked the various mafia territories on the map, and I was free to wander the city until dark.

Naples is the home of the mythical Siren that lured sailors to their deaths with her beautiful voice.  It is home to the first aquarium in the world, the first public university in the world, and the first system of running water in the world.  The problem is that most of that has not been updated since then, lol.

Naples is the perfect spot to stay and from there visit a gorgeous coast, both Greek and Roman ruins, the active volcano Vesuvius, a palace bigger than Versaille, and many gorgeous islands.  It is a city used by ancient Romans as a vacation spot, by later aristocrats on their Grand Tour, and today is avoided by most tourists because of the mafia taboo.

So, if you want to visit one place in Europe that encompasses elements from the rest of the continent and is extremely affordable, go to Naples!!

It has been a productive summer already so far:

The Hound of the Baskervilles — Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle

Fahrenheit 451 — Ray Bradbury

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe — Douglas Adams

The 19th Wife — David Ebershoff

Coyote Waits — Tony Hillerman

The Postman Always Rings Twice — James M. Cain

An Italian in America — Beppe Severgnini

Forrest Gump

Alvin and the Chipmunks: the squeekquel (in Italian)

Nanny McPhee (in Italian)

Disney’s Zorro: season 1

Harry Potter 2 (in Italian)

High School Musical (in Italian)

Mamma Mia

Strictly Ballroom

Milan

Abetone

and the list keeps going…

You know those magical moments, when everything seems perfect?  The lighting, the environment, the mood…  Well, I just had one of those,  during a stroll through the outskirts of Florence.  When I come upon moments like that, I walk extra slowly, take in every aspect of the moment, and store it all away for future recall.

Here is a picture of one of those moments, from a year and a half ago, which I can remember as clearly as the photo:

Wow, I graduated two years ago already.  Time flies when ur having fun…

This week I did a presentation on the Italian school system for sociology class.  It is SO different.  It made me re-examine our system.  Then today I watched High School Musical 3 (lame, I know, but it was entertaining).  That gave me a lot to think about.

Of course, Troy and Gabriella’s high school experience isn’t exactly what most of us had, but you have to admit that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  At no other stage in life will you be in that kind of environment: the classes, the clubs, the sports. The cliques, the drama, the relationships.  Why is it such a society within society?  How did it get that way?

And then in college we have the same scenario — a crazy, unique environment that will never be repeated in life.  These institutions are supposed to prepare us for life, form us into capable, well balanced, productive members of society.  But do they?  Or do they just teach us specific behaviors that fit that stage, and then leave us hanging once that four-year period is over.

Like I said, the Italian system is SO different…

The last comment I got on this was exactly one year ago.  So sad…

Is anyone reading this, or am I just reflecting for my own benefit?  Well, it’s worth it, either way.  So I don’t care what u have to say    lol

My all-time favorite rock band:

http://www.apocalyptica.com/

Life:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

                     from “The Read Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Culture:

Germans are white too.  They clap on the beat.

Gratitude:

I am very thankful that I am two things: Female and Catholic. 

They allow me two great consolations: Tears and the Eucharist.

Irony:

A single mothers‘ home named after Marie Goretti.

Pain:

Only those who have access to your heart can stab it.

Family:

We go through many Steps in our lives

We trip and Stumble, fumble our Dreams

Wish on our Mistakes

Wish they were never made. 

Apologize for our wrongs

but really need to forgive ourselves.

Our Sorrys, our self, our unforgiveness

How do we live with this

Our hearts become stiff when the love is Broken

Our emotional frustration leads to everlasting  Meditation

How can we make it up to others

And especially ourselves…

                        By my cousine

So I ventured out on my own into the open expanse of Europe.

I flew to London.

True, I was meeting a friend there, but I spent most of the two days wandering the city alone.  I saw all of the major attractions, including the Queen herself.  I also had the great experience of seeing a parade (with tons of marching bands, my favorite!).

It was great.

However, after being on my feet for almost 36 hours straight, I was glad to come home.  I love being somewhere that I have a place to go when I am tired, know where I am going and how to get there, am familiar with the traffic patterns, and understand the language.  My travel bug is cured for a while, at least for going out of the country.

Now I have a better packing list for England trips.  The essential elements being what I forgot this time:

• umbrella
• hat
• extra shoes