We pull into Napoli dead on time on Wednesday, September 22. The train journey had been a quick 2 hours, and for EUR 14 I was surprised we hadn't stopped at more stations.
Napoli station blew me away, it seemed relatively new which I definitely hadn't been expecting. I asked a train man which way was the street I was looking for and he just walked off.....if only I knew enough Italian to tell him how rude he is! Unbelievable, let's hope not everyone in this city is like that otherwise I might end up in jail!
I found the tourist centre and after having to wait for a couple of minutes was on my way.
The modern train station is a tease to Napoli, outside it is extremely different!!!
Of course it would have helped if there street signs, but alas no. Asked someone and thankfully was in the right area, although in some ways I wish not - I've walked into the worldwide headquarters of Dodgy Brothers Are Us......wholly smoke!!! Made it to the hotel in one piece and with all my stuff, checked in and dropped off my bags - lunch was needed!
Walked back down the same streets I'd made it to the hotel on I came across a small place, being the only woman there was a little strange but hey ho I need to eat. Went on the waiters recommendation (given my prior history on this let's hope it's good!) of the lasagne and some vino. Aah what a score with lasagne, by far the best I've ever eaten (sorry Han your lasagne is good as well)!!
I studied my map in detail and after I used the WC (not pleasant) was off in search of the famous Duomo.
Oh my goodness me, there are groups of men for Africa (no pun intended) and rubbish like you have never seen before. There is obviously not the daily or weekly rubbish collection in this city. As long as I don't see rats I'll be ok.
In the end I asked a relativity well dressed man if I was heading in the right way.....no. Whoops I was never good at reading maps :). He set me off on my merry way, although it wasn't merry at all. I felt extremely frightened walking down the main (and very busy) street. Am crossing all my toes and fingers that nothing happens to me. Why on earth did I decide to stay here two nights, no nights would have been a much better option!!!!
I finally make it to the Duomo, the first thing I do is sit down to get my pulse down to a normal speed. I feel a lot safer here, would be great I could spend the two nights here and here alone but somehow I don't think the Duomo workers would allow it.
The Duomo is sandwiched in between other buildings on what seems like a normal Napoli street, you definitely don't spot it before arriving. The inside is huge with so much to look at - I realise I have missed San Gennaro's blood liquefaction by a matter of days. There are still celebration pieces throughout the Duomo.
Before leaving I sit down and take stock of my whereabouts and the best way to get back to the hotel. I was going back there and not leaving until tomorrow.
Walking back the streets are cobbled stones, I would love to be wandering around the side streets but do want to keep everything that's with me plus all my insides. Instead I stop off at a supermarket to buy fruit before heading off.
Made it back to the hotel alive and with everything I left with - thank you God!!!!
Chilled out for awhile before starting the hunt for where I'm going to stay in Sorrento. The hotel has wifi but not in the rooms.....such a pain!
It's now close to 7pm and I'm hungry, this shouldn't be happening. I don't want to leave the hotel! I asked the hotel for a recommendation for somewhere close-by and thankfully they sent me off on a 2 minute walk. I'd left everything in the room apart from a EUR 20 note, I'd even taken off my earrings which for me doesn't feel like I'm dressed properly. Better to feel safe than sorry! Was very strange not having a bag or even my phone to occupy me.
I got chatting to the couple next to me and in the end we combined our tables together. They are from Montreal and in Italia to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Before leaving we make plans to meet tomorrow morning to go to Pompeii together.
Arrived back to the hotel safe and sound, the search for a hotel in Sorrento continues.
Thursday morning I was up early, needed to book and confirm somewhere to stay tomorrow night - why oh why have I left it to the last minute?!!
I had arranged to meet the Canadians at 9am, so with my chores done it's time to find somewhere to have coffee.
Aah I'm back in the land of decent coffee and as an added bonus cheap coffee, ye ha. I was the only non Italian in the bar so of course everyone had to have a good look! Two coffees and a pastry later, total being cheaper than one coffee in Greece, I'm set and ready to face the day.
We meet early and within a few minutes are waiting on the platform. As we had gone through the ticket gates we were advised to watch out for pick pocketers.
There were quite a lot of people on the platform but that didn't stop me feeling uneasy. We had a short wait before our train arrived, while there were many people getting off the train there seemed to be lots getting on. We managed to get a seat and settled in for the 30 minute journey. Within a few minutes we had beggar children coming by, they asked every single person for money. I just ignored them but the man next to me just stared at the girl, think I'll be trying that if I encounter this again.
We arrive at Pompeii train station just before 10am, after following everyone else down the road we enter the main entrance and quee to purchase tickets. There are lots of Italian guides offering their services, if we were to get a guide they would need to be able to flick between English and French. We decide to explore ourselves.
I wasn't prepared for how big it was nor the scale of some of the main sites, it's so hard to explain. I would have loved to spend a day here when it as thriving.
After 4 hours of wandering we decide to call it a day and stop for a bite to eat. It had been fascinating just wandering but unfortunately everything towards the end seem the same, two hours would have been a perfect amount of time.
Before heading back to Naplio, not that any of us were keen for that!, we decided to go up to Mount Vesuvius. We were fortunate to be able to drive most of the way up, however the last 30 minutes (walking) was straight uphill. The views from the crater of both Vesuvius and the surrounding areas are amazing - on a clear day you would be able to see for miles and miles. Unfortunately as we were the mast bus to go up we only had 30 minutes at the Crater. After a 10 minute brief
history lesson we were left along. I was surprised you could see and smell the surphur, fingers crossed nothing happens while I'm up here!!!
After returning to the Pompeii train station we have a short wait for the train. I was definitely not looking forward to returning and had a sick feeling in my stomach. Thankfully it's going to be for around 14 hours and not a second longer.
We arrived back into Napoli around 6.30pm, after purchasing train tickets for Monique and Gartan we set off to find somewhere for dinner. I was pretty tired from the day but needed vino and food. I took them to the place I'd had lunch yesterday, having the lasagne again. I was not disappointed!! They walked me back to my hotel, after cleaning my feet and legs relaxed reading a couple of travel books.
Friday morning I finally got up at 8.30am feeling like I hadn't slept much, in-between the bloody mozzie, outside noise and vodafone texting me at 6.10am (what on earth they said I have no idea!!) I was in desperate need for coffee. Half packed my bag then headed to the bar I'd been yesterday. Was so nice walking in and they recognized me. Had my usual espresso and pastry then hot footed it back to the hotel to finish packing.
I had noticed on my walks to and from the train station bar/cafe staff walking down the roads with coffee, obviously taking them to shop workers who couldn't leave the shop - this is taking "takeout" to a new level.
After jamming the last things in I was set, checked out and headed to the train station. Lots of people were around yet I didn't feel safe at all, the quicker I get to the train station the better!
After yesterdays experience on the platform I decided to wait on the ground level for 10 minutes, I'd arrived early of course! I was very pleased I did as I got talking to a couple who had just been in Sorrento for 5 days. Got some tips from them before heading down to the platform.
There was half the world down there and I was feeling very nervous. I found a few people with luggage so stuck close to them. In the end I asked a couple if the next train was to Sorrento, yes it was so I stayed with them and actually spoke to them the whole journey. Nice to keep my mind off all the beggar children walking by.
Goodbye Naopli, I don't think I'll ever be returning....and if I do it will be just to pass through the train station or airport.
No comments:
Post a Comment