RSSNov 03 2007
Italy at Last
We finally made it to Naples, after 2 long days of travel. I still feel like the ground is moving beneath me, due to the fact that getting from Athens to Naples requires the following:
- Athens metro to the Larissa Train Station
- Train from Athens to the port city of Patras
- Overnight ferry from Patras to Italian port of Brindisi
- Train from Brindisi to Caserta
- Train from Caserta to Naples
And once in Naples, it requires a ride on something called the Circumvesuviana to reach our hostel. Don’t be fooled! Circumvesuviana does sound just like a fun spinning carnival ride that will whirl you to your destination of choice. But I’m sorry to tell you that when you excitedly validate your ticket and burst through the turnstile, it turns out to just be an above-ground metro.
We’re staying in a hostel called Fabric, which is quite unlike any hostel we’ve yet seen. There’s a large common room with HDTV, free DVD rentals, free Wi-Fi, and an in-house restaurant. Inexplicably, there’s also an in-house club, which could only be called CLUB FABRIC. Since CLUB FABRIC can only be entered from inside the hostel, and getting inside the hostel requires booking a stay in the hostel, you may think that CLUB FABRIC is just a way to milk more money from its guests through the sale of overpriced beer. You may also think that checking out the local bars and restaurants would be a better way to see the real Naples, meet locals, and find cheaper drinks. But based on the commotion reaching my bed from CLUB FABRIC in the wee hours of this morning, it looks like you think too much.
Still, Fabric’s many amenities exceed expectations, and we’re happy to be here for the next few days. Also, we found a place nearby that will sell you a made-to-order pizza for 3 Euros, an unexpected coup that would make any no-tell motel seem like the Ritz to me right about now. Score!
And now it’s off to the supermercato for whatever food we can find that doesn’t require a refrigerator to keep, or a stove to prepare. Which leaves… Nutella.
HI! Bob and I are leaving on our trip to Rome/Greek Islands/Athens on Nov. 7-17. Hope we can meet up with you. I’ll e-mail you at Ben’s email to see if we can connect. I LOVE your postings. Sounds like you’re have an unbelievable experience.
Ben, this is obviously the picture of Sean and me I was telling you about. I thought instead of just emailing it to you, I would let the whole world see! I love and miss you so much!
Ok, well that didn’t work – I’m emailing it to you now
What a treat to read this great commentary. Ben, you’re a superb writer and paint wonderful pictures with words! Photos much appreciated as well. All our best to you and Brittany as you continue this wonderful adventure. Hope we’ll see you back in Richmond in the not too distant future. Love, Lois (and Hadar)
Ciao Lois and Hadar! Thanks for the well-wishes, and I can’t wait to see you both again.
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