Friday, February 14, 2014
Journey ended
This blog has come to an end due to a sudden death in the family and our return to Canada.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Transportation Blues
Tuesday February 11, 2014
Well today was spent trying to figure out the transportation system here in Naples. We tried to find long term tickets to no avail, although the tourist information office and the web sit for the transportation company indicated that they should be available. After must frustration we decided that our best bet is going to be a combination of single use and all day tickets, depending on what we are doing. The bus system is really hard to understand so we have decided that our best, and least confusing option, will be to use the Metro system. You don't see as much but, based on a google search of how to get from one spot to the other, the buses will almost always take longer than walking! And that is if there are no traffic delays of any type.
I think what will be our best option is to pick a Metro station to get off at and explore the area around it. It seems like there are one or two major attractions near most Metro stops.
I have brought my GPS with me and it is updated with maps of the city, so that should make it easier to find our way, and not get lost (although GPS's have been known to take people off the track). We will see how it goes.
More walking around done today, exploring nooks and cranny's, there are lots of them. We have decided that when we explore, we will walk down wherever we plan to go and catch a Metro line back to a stop above the apartment - that ways it's downhill both ways!! Smart, huh!!
Well today was spent trying to figure out the transportation system here in Naples. We tried to find long term tickets to no avail, although the tourist information office and the web sit for the transportation company indicated that they should be available. After must frustration we decided that our best bet is going to be a combination of single use and all day tickets, depending on what we are doing. The bus system is really hard to understand so we have decided that our best, and least confusing option, will be to use the Metro system. You don't see as much but, based on a google search of how to get from one spot to the other, the buses will almost always take longer than walking! And that is if there are no traffic delays of any type.
I think what will be our best option is to pick a Metro station to get off at and explore the area around it. It seems like there are one or two major attractions near most Metro stops.
I have brought my GPS with me and it is updated with maps of the city, so that should make it easier to find our way, and not get lost (although GPS's have been known to take people off the track). We will see how it goes.
More walking around done today, exploring nooks and cranny's, there are lots of them. We have decided that when we explore, we will walk down wherever we plan to go and catch a Metro line back to a stop above the apartment - that ways it's downhill both ways!! Smart, huh!!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Naples home and neighbourhood
Well, we had a good night's sleep last night and just spent the morning vegging around the apartment. Then we went out to get our veggies, amongst other things. We found everything we will need within a block or two from the apartment, how nice.
Some pictures from our trip to Naples yesterday.
Our Naples home for the next 5 weeks
Then we went out for a walk around the neighbourhood to orientate ourselves. We got lost, then we decided to look at a map to figure out where the heck we were. Not a lot of help! Cheryl, if you thought Rome was bad for no straight streets, you should be here! They twist and turn every which way and you can hardly find a street sign to let you know where you are. The maps provided are not that good either. Your best hope is to come upon a Plaza somewhere and then maybe you can figure out where you are. We eventually found our way back home, uphill all the way!!
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| Waiting to leave Rome - that's our train - the last one on the list |
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| On the way, sunny skies, little towns everywhere you look |
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| From a moving train - rain has started - little hillside town |
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| Another hillside town, note the road zig zagging up to it |
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| looking towards kitchen |
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| looking towards living/dinning area |
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| bathroom m - note Bill's favourite appliance, the bidet |
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| bedroom - sorry the maid didn't make the bed this morning |
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| entrance |
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| from entrance towards the kitchen and bathroom area |
Then we went out for a walk around the neighbourhood to orientate ourselves. We got lost, then we decided to look at a map to figure out where the heck we were. Not a lot of help! Cheryl, if you thought Rome was bad for no straight streets, you should be here! They twist and turn every which way and you can hardly find a street sign to let you know where you are. The maps provided are not that good either. Your best hope is to come upon a Plaza somewhere and then maybe you can figure out where you are. We eventually found our way back home, uphill all the way!!
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| decorated buildings |
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| not sure what these were - they were on the hill below the building above they look like fanciful giant birdhouses |
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| Metro station entrance |
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| more decorated buildings |
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| Note the street escalator to take people up to another level |
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| No escalator here - just good old will power needed |
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| Out on our walk, Mount Vesuvius seen in the distance |
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Off to Napoli
Sunday February 9, 2014
Well our time in Rome has come to an end. And it feels like it is time to go. We have become so used to being here that we are contend , just as much, to stay home as to go out exploring. So now we are off to Naples for five weeks. That should spark some interest. We have been to Naples once before, about 6 years ago. It was a flying trip though, just two nights spent here, with one day spent visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum, and a brief walking tour of the city. This time we will explore the area in more depth.
We are renting an apartment on the outskirts of he historical center. It will prove to be an interesting time. The apartment is more spacious than our last accommodation and is in a residential area. Naples does not seem to be as tourist orientated as Rome. The city generally appears more run down and a bit on the seedy side of looking. We are near a Metro station and there are at least 2 buses that run close to the apartment, so we will soon see how easy it is to get around. Like Rome, it is a hilly city. These two old farts were huffing and puffing by the time we made the trek from the Metro to our apartment, with way too much luggage.
Tomorrow, we will get our bearings, find the grocery store and wine shop, two very important locations; get our bus passes figured out and plan how we will approach our stay here. The weather here, has been like Roma's with unusually large amounts of rain falling in the past month. Other than the inconvenience caused by so much rain, we were blissfully unaware of how much damage had been done. In Rome, I read this morning that there have been many potholes open u in the city because of all the rain. There have also been several road washouts. We were aware the river was running high. On our way out here, there was a lot of water lying in fields and I saw two instances of civil defense workers, directing traffic through areas were roads were flooded. I hope it stops soon, I have had enough!! It is supposed to be 16 degrees tomorrow and sunny, so finger's crossed, but weather forecasts here are about as reliable as at home!
Well our time in Rome has come to an end. And it feels like it is time to go. We have become so used to being here that we are contend , just as much, to stay home as to go out exploring. So now we are off to Naples for five weeks. That should spark some interest. We have been to Naples once before, about 6 years ago. It was a flying trip though, just two nights spent here, with one day spent visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum, and a brief walking tour of the city. This time we will explore the area in more depth.
We are renting an apartment on the outskirts of he historical center. It will prove to be an interesting time. The apartment is more spacious than our last accommodation and is in a residential area. Naples does not seem to be as tourist orientated as Rome. The city generally appears more run down and a bit on the seedy side of looking. We are near a Metro station and there are at least 2 buses that run close to the apartment, so we will soon see how easy it is to get around. Like Rome, it is a hilly city. These two old farts were huffing and puffing by the time we made the trek from the Metro to our apartment, with way too much luggage.
Tomorrow, we will get our bearings, find the grocery store and wine shop, two very important locations; get our bus passes figured out and plan how we will approach our stay here. The weather here, has been like Roma's with unusually large amounts of rain falling in the past month. Other than the inconvenience caused by so much rain, we were blissfully unaware of how much damage had been done. In Rome, I read this morning that there have been many potholes open u in the city because of all the rain. There have also been several road washouts. We were aware the river was running high. On our way out here, there was a lot of water lying in fields and I saw two instances of civil defense workers, directing traffic through areas were roads were flooded. I hope it stops soon, I have had enough!! It is supposed to be 16 degrees tomorrow and sunny, so finger's crossed, but weather forecasts here are about as reliable as at home!
Etruscans visited
Saturday February 8, 2014
Well today is our last full day in Rome, and there is one final museum I want to visit. It is the National Museum of Etruscan Art. I have been fascinated by the art of the Etruscans ever since I first read about them about 12 years ago. The Etruscans were the ancient Italians, some say as early as 1100 BC, but most certainly from 800 BC to about 300 BC. They were centered mainly in Tuscany and Umbria. They were a fairly wealthy civilization, as they were miners, working with iron and copper. Because of this wealth they left a substantial record of their existence. Most of it was recovered/liberated when tombs were found especially in the early 1800's. Like the Egyptian, Mayans and other great cultures, their dead were buried with all manner of worldly good to help them in their journey to the next world. We had been to two of these burial sites in Cerverteri and Tarquinna, when we were last here, but unfortunately there was little left of artifacts there. Unlike the Egyptians, the Etruscans had a more family orientated structure, with many different family members, from different generations being entombed in the same burial mound. It was great to be able to see what had been found in those sites and others.
The artifacts were beautiful and plentiful, but unfortunately, no pictures were allowed inside the museum. It is incredible the intricacy and delicateness that was able to be achieved at that time. We were only allowed to take pictures in the outside grounds. I was very disappointed, because I am sure, no I know, I would have exhausted my camera battery snapping pics! I have gleaned a few pic from the Internet to give you an idea of what I saw.
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Well today is our last full day in Rome, and there is one final museum I want to visit. It is the National Museum of Etruscan Art. I have been fascinated by the art of the Etruscans ever since I first read about them about 12 years ago. The Etruscans were the ancient Italians, some say as early as 1100 BC, but most certainly from 800 BC to about 300 BC. They were centered mainly in Tuscany and Umbria. They were a fairly wealthy civilization, as they were miners, working with iron and copper. Because of this wealth they left a substantial record of their existence. Most of it was recovered/liberated when tombs were found especially in the early 1800's. Like the Egyptian, Mayans and other great cultures, their dead were buried with all manner of worldly good to help them in their journey to the next world. We had been to two of these burial sites in Cerverteri and Tarquinna, when we were last here, but unfortunately there was little left of artifacts there. Unlike the Egyptians, the Etruscans had a more family orientated structure, with many different family members, from different generations being entombed in the same burial mound. It was great to be able to see what had been found in those sites and others.
The artifacts were beautiful and plentiful, but unfortunately, no pictures were allowed inside the museum. It is incredible the intricacy and delicateness that was able to be achieved at that time. We were only allowed to take pictures in the outside grounds. I was very disappointed, because I am sure, no I know, I would have exhausted my camera battery snapping pics! I have gleaned a few pic from the Internet to give you an idea of what I saw.
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| This is an aerial view of Cerverteri showing the burial mounds |
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| Burial mounds |
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| Burial mounds |
Some of the things seen in the museum
A couple of outside shots
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| subterranean spot that would be cool in a hot Roman summer - there were at least 12 small fountains in the center area along with the two large fountains on either side at the back |
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| Giving us the "squinty cat eye" |
Friday, February 7, 2014
Off to Market we go
Friday February 7, 2014
It's 10 AM, the temperature is 9 degrees and it is sunny - looks like a good day ahead. Rome traffic is chaotic as usual. Riddle me this, why when approaching a main intersection do you not know where you want to go. It is amazing how frequently, at least every hour if not more often, I see drivers in the curb turning lane decide that they really need/want to be in the lane, 4 lanes over, closest to the center line. All this is done 3 car length (mini cooper car lengths at that) from the lights. All of a sudden you see a car make a 90 degree turn and head straight across all four lanes, to be where they want/need to be!!! All this with the street chock-a-block full of traffic. In North America there would be road rage of the most intense kind going on - here - just a lot of horn honking.
This morning we took off for Campo di Fiori - we have not had a proper visit there since we came, It is the outdoor market. We went twice when Rheaume and Cheryl were here, getting lost both times and eventually arriving as the market was closing and the garbage men were coming in and cleaning up. Well today, we made it while the market was still on. Rheaume and Cheryl, you will appreciate this, we still got lost getting there!!! We ended up walking full circle around the market before we found our way in. Priceless!! I do not know why I have such a hard time finding it, it is just 2 blocks off the main drag, AND I know which bus stop to get off, but do you think I can find it?!? Found some nice quiet little side streets though, and about 8 more churches - LOL.
It's 10 AM, the temperature is 9 degrees and it is sunny - looks like a good day ahead. Rome traffic is chaotic as usual. Riddle me this, why when approaching a main intersection do you not know where you want to go. It is amazing how frequently, at least every hour if not more often, I see drivers in the curb turning lane decide that they really need/want to be in the lane, 4 lanes over, closest to the center line. All this is done 3 car length (mini cooper car lengths at that) from the lights. All of a sudden you see a car make a 90 degree turn and head straight across all four lanes, to be where they want/need to be!!! All this with the street chock-a-block full of traffic. In North America there would be road rage of the most intense kind going on - here - just a lot of horn honking.
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| This is just a minor example, the black car with the silver back was behind the white van as it was pulling to the intersection, suddenly it made a beeline for the right hand lane, achieving it just before the meridian. At the same time the little light blue car which was travelling straight down the far right hand lane suddenly decided he needed to be 2 lanes over and succeeded in getting wedged between the black car and the white car with the motorcycle in front of him.!! All this took place in about a matter of 30 to 40 feet. |
This morning we took off for Campo di Fiori - we have not had a proper visit there since we came, It is the outdoor market. We went twice when Rheaume and Cheryl were here, getting lost both times and eventually arriving as the market was closing and the garbage men were coming in and cleaning up. Well today, we made it while the market was still on. Rheaume and Cheryl, you will appreciate this, we still got lost getting there!!! We ended up walking full circle around the market before we found our way in. Priceless!! I do not know why I have such a hard time finding it, it is just 2 blocks off the main drag, AND I know which bus stop to get off, but do you think I can find it?!? Found some nice quiet little side streets though, and about 8 more churches - LOL.
Seen on the way to find the market
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| I don't think this was him at his best! |
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Finally we have arrived
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| Mimosa - very fragrant - trees grow everywhere here - bunches of these are given to women on March 8, Women's Day |
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| Love the little white cabbage leaves that look like roses in the center of this little arrangement |
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| Refreshment break, anyone? |
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| Cleaning up the vegetables to sell |
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| Artichoke season has started |
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| Soup anyone, veggies are all ready chopped and mixed for you |
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| How about a hat to keep your head from getting cold? |
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| Radicchio |
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| Delicious! |
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| Little wild strawberries - so incredibly flavourful |
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| Sun dried tomatoes |
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| Escarole |
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| Romanesque Broccoli |
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| Biggggg peppers |
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| Huge braids of garlic - look at the rope to hang them |
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| All varieties of squash |
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| Fresh spring purple onions |
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| Another type of escarole - this one with flecks of red throughout |
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| Onions - more flat than round |
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| Tomatoes of every colour |
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| A bike ready for market |
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| Colourful pottery |
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