Naples, Italy Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Since I’ve been to Naples within the past 5 years, I didn’t take a tour today.  Shirley, Elizabeth and I went out together to explore.   I probably would have gotten on the “Hop On Hop Off” bus to go and explore, but the other 2 didn’t have any Euros on them, so we just set out on foot.  All kinds of Italian men were after us to take their taxi for a tour.  We were able to evade them, but one little man stuck to us like a leech.  He wanted to take us on a walking tour – said it wouldn’t cost us anything because he was working for the company (didn’t say which company).  We couldn’t get rid of him.  He followed us and ended guiding us to the top of the hill where we had a great view of the city.  We would have visited the museum there, but it was closed today.  along the way, we found out which company he worked for – he led us to a jewellery shop where a man was busy carving out cameos out of sea shells.     They were really quite beautiful and of course they were hoping to make a sale, but all of us had left our credit cards on the ship and non of us had much money on us, so they were out of luck.  All of a sudden the little guide was no longer interested in guiding us.  He did lead us back down to the ship and even though he had said it was to be without cost, we gave him a $15. tip.  He started grumbling and complaining that it wasn’t enough.  Fortunately, Paul, one of the dance hosts was iin the near vicinity and he soon told our guide where to get off at.  The presence of a man sent our guide on his way and we returned to the ship, happy to be back.

Wm had been warned, by the person aboard ship who gives us talks about the places we visit,  to watch out for pick pockets, so that is why we left our valuables behind. 

I was really sorry that I’ve forgotten most of the Italian I learned a few years ago.  At that time I would have been able to hold a simple conversation.  Now most of it is gone.

I was hoping to buy myself a gelato along the way, but the one place we passed and stopped in, was in the process of making it, and wouldnt  have it ready for a while.  Perhaps when Ì go to Rome on my visit to the Catacombs on Thursday, I`ll be successful.  I love gelato  ! ! !