It looked like it was going to be a dangerous city. Since we entered into Italy, everyone warned us about Naples, a city full of crime, telling us to keep a close eye on our bikes and gear...
"Good luck on your journey!", one gal told us. As she walked away she whispered to her boyfriend, "If they still have their bikes after Naples..."
"I studied there and when I took the subway home, I always took off my watch and jewelry because you never know, someone could pull a gun on you at any time..."
" A friend of mine got her purse stolen at gunpoint."
"It's a beautiful city, just keep your wits about you and your hand on your wallet."
We've been hearing these sorts of testamonies since the beginning of our journey, even before. In France they told us that the people in Switzerland were cold and not very generous to street artists, they wouldn't smile or even look at us as they pass by. They couldn't have been more wrong! When you actually experience a place first hand, you realize that people talk too much and that everyone experiences a place differently, and you ask yourself if maybe these commentaries are really worth listening to.
We were tempted to pass Naples by, taking a longer route around the city to see the more quiet villages that surround it. We were eager, though, to break preconceived notions and make our own notion, based on our own experiences. So we set our course to Naples...
We were lucky to meet Roberto Balassone in Sperlonga, 100km north of Naples. We had tried to contact other Neapolitans through WarmShowers but weren't able to find anyone able to host us. He told us to give him a call when we were closer to arriving and he'd see what he could do. When we called, one day before arriving, he told us he could host us in his house in the center of the old town without a problem. And here we've enjoyed three nights in a real bed and if we don't get ourselves together it could turn into a fourth!
But we want to keep going. Sicily, our grand objective since we crossed the Italian border, is closer every day. We're already thinking about where we will head afterwards. The possibilities are endless...
We've done everything in Naples, guided by a local who has shown us the best places to eat pizza, sfogliatelle, babas, gelato, the best places to busk, we met some of his students, he cooked us dinner, told us about the best routes to take through the city to see castles, churches, overlooks, and he introduced us to some of his many friends. All of this culminating in a night of music and dancing at a community center in reclaimed school building, L'asilo.
A wonderful experience that as made Naples one of our favorite cities up to now.
Today we head south with our sights set on Pompey, The Amalfi Coast, and Sicily with its 17ºC/ 62ºF.....
Best,
Jose and Colleen
"Good luck on your journey!", one gal told us. As she walked away she whispered to her boyfriend, "If they still have their bikes after Naples..."
"I studied there and when I took the subway home, I always took off my watch and jewelry because you never know, someone could pull a gun on you at any time..."
" A friend of mine got her purse stolen at gunpoint."
"It's a beautiful city, just keep your wits about you and your hand on your wallet."
We've been hearing these sorts of testamonies since the beginning of our journey, even before. In France they told us that the people in Switzerland were cold and not very generous to street artists, they wouldn't smile or even look at us as they pass by. They couldn't have been more wrong! When you actually experience a place first hand, you realize that people talk too much and that everyone experiences a place differently, and you ask yourself if maybe these commentaries are really worth listening to.
We were tempted to pass Naples by, taking a longer route around the city to see the more quiet villages that surround it. We were eager, though, to break preconceived notions and make our own notion, based on our own experiences. So we set our course to Naples...
We were lucky to meet Roberto Balassone in Sperlonga, 100km north of Naples. We had tried to contact other Neapolitans through WarmShowers but weren't able to find anyone able to host us. He told us to give him a call when we were closer to arriving and he'd see what he could do. When we called, one day before arriving, he told us he could host us in his house in the center of the old town without a problem. And here we've enjoyed three nights in a real bed and if we don't get ourselves together it could turn into a fourth!
But we want to keep going. Sicily, our grand objective since we crossed the Italian border, is closer every day. We're already thinking about where we will head afterwards. The possibilities are endless...
We've done everything in Naples, guided by a local who has shown us the best places to eat pizza, sfogliatelle, babas, gelato, the best places to busk, we met some of his students, he cooked us dinner, told us about the best routes to take through the city to see castles, churches, overlooks, and he introduced us to some of his many friends. All of this culminating in a night of music and dancing at a community center in reclaimed school building, L'asilo.
A wonderful experience that as made Naples one of our favorite cities up to now.
Today we head south with our sights set on Pompey, The Amalfi Coast, and Sicily with its 17ºC/ 62ºF.....
Best,
Jose and Colleen