Though I had heard Greek for the entire 21 hour ferry ride (along with German, English, and Italian), it was a shock to emerge from the boat and not even be able to start pronouncing written words.  Thankfully street signs and such were in Latin letters too, so at least I knew where things were.  Well, until I was in the little village where the hostel was.  Then even trying to figure out which building was the church was a joke.  Only the chanting and incense gave it away.  But then because it was Greek Orthodox I had no idea what was going on, or even how late I was — just fifteen minutes, or an hour and fifteen minutes?  Everyone’s standing now, I guess I’ll stand.  Half are sitting, I guess I’ll sit.  They’re walking out the door, it must be over.  Thank goodness, ‘cus I’ve been in this tiny building listening to chanting for almost two hours already.

But it was a lovely town.  Touristy, yes.  But very authentic too.  I would have enjoyed it more if I had educated myself a bit, and if I didn’t have such a terrible itch to keep moving.  Well, that itch was soon satisfied.  I didn’t even want to wait one more day to catch the ferry my pass was good for.  The trip must go on…

I toured the Roman aqueduct, ate excellent pizza, pretended to be a Siren, wandered the water front, got lost.  Next day I toured Herculaneum, napped in the botanical garden, and climbed Mt Vesuvius.  Third day, I climbed the hill, got lost, toured some castles/palaces, and caught my train out.

No biggie?  That’s ‘cus you don’t know what I managed to survive.  I didn’t just get lost, I got lost on the outskirts of Mafialand at sundown.  I didn’t just climb the top of Mt Vesuvius like most ppl, but rather started from sealevel and ended at the crater.  I didn’t just eat pizza, I ate pizza with super spicy sausage.  And I lived to tell of all this.  No small victory, in my eyes.

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!!

Then, on closer inspection, I realized that the “cloud” on the horizon was really smog; that the river reflected so well because it was stagnant and polluted; that the birds were swooping to catch mosquitoes; that the streets were empty because the economic crisis has kept tourists away; and that all the locals were indoors watching the soccer game.

Well, so much for that pleasant illusion, it was nice while it lasted…

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…

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:

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…

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

Finals are next week, then everyone I have gotten to know in the past four months is leaving.  I move in a week, I started work today, and even though a new semester starts in a few weeks, it will not be the same.

But it will be fun.

After my traumatizing day, I had a great couple of days.  Deep conversations with Italians about education, raising kids, the history and geography of Florida, the veracity of the Guadalupe tilma, and the definition of faith; as well as touching moments with children, including a picture one made for me:

Kids are adorable…  Good thing I like them, ‘cus I am going to be surrounded by them for the rest of the year.