Rain Rain Go Away...

I'd just like to foremost say that today I ate McDonalds. And it was delicious. It was my cheeseburger fix, and Im sure Ill pay for it later, but at that moment, I was "lovin it". Plus then some random teenage Neapolitan girls came up and demanded , literally by almost sticking their fingers in my food, my Monopoly game pieces. Im not joking.

This week Italy has been quite challenging. I wish that I could say that it has been a fantastic week, but challenging is more the word. It's almost not Italy's fault though. The weather has begun to change ( FINALLY) here in Italy and unfortunately it is hindering my good time. While I know everyone at home is preparing for a much bigger storm, the one here on the water this weekend was AMAZING. and scary at the same time. But also annoying since we wanted to go visit a beautiful beach town. Which we did, in the thunderstorm. A little (lot) of rain never hurt anyone. Glad I brought my boots!

Myself, my roomate Matt, and our Italian intern friend Fabiola at her friends restaurant in Sorrento


This week marks my one month of being in Italy. It truely has gone by in a flash, and I can only imagine that the next few weeks are going to fly by as well. Plans for the end of this week are to go to Florence, and hopefully next week Election Day ( YAY!! I already voted- you should go out and vote too) and headed to Berlin ( or Budapest, havent finalized yet) for a 3 day weekend. I want to take advantage as much as possible to be able to see everything, but Italy is so darn EXPENSIVE.

We got to spend some fantastic time ( in the rain) on Friday night with our friend Aldo. We intended to head out to an international happy hour at a wine bar, but were late, and felt like we missed it, so we ventured out to dinner with one of Aldo's friends. Dinner was fantastic, a fresh salmon encrusted in pistachios with fresh bread and wine. Yum Yum. I truly think the food has been the highlight of my time here in Italy. I have yet to eat something ( other than something I made on my own) that I havent liked. Im going to come back with pasta and pastry muffintop. We had such a great time just talking and having a language exchange , I learned some colorful language that I hope to use on some of the streetkids one day.

This weekend we made it out to Sorrento, a famous beach town technically about 45 minutes from Naples. We met one of our other fellow interns Fabiola, who lives there, to show us around. We got to see many little shops, beautiful architecture, and ate some delicious food. Unfortunately the weather did not want to cooperate, as you will see in many of the pictures. Luckily, it held off mostly until we got home, but boy did it pour. We were able to get a few shots by the water, but we dared not get any closer!!

Sunday we decided to venture out to the Capodomonte Art Museum, which is on the top of a giant hill in Naples. It has many famous pieces in it, from the Bourbons, the Farnese collections, and other impressive pieces of art. Most of it was religious inspired art, which is  not really my thing, but it was amazing to see these 13th and 14th century paintings. I guess its just a preview to what we will see in Florence next week. We had a heck of a time getting home, waiting patiently for an hour for a bus to get there.

Italy unfortunately got a big strike from me this weekend with the public transportation. It makes life so difficult to try to get places when THERE IS NO SCHEDULE!!!!  Its bad enough that everything shuts down on Sundays, but then you are stuck in the damp cold. Not a happy camper. Hence why I ate the McDonalds. Im an emotional eater, always have been, and always will be.  My only other complaint this week are the plethora of street performers on the train. Literally, trying to get my money while I am on the train, playing their accordion and tambourine, and not understanding why I am not giving them money for their performance. Dont they know Im unemployed too?

This is a busy week. Plans are set and tickets are bought for Florence, hopefully going to a winery, and spending some beautiful time in the Tuscan sun. 



Many Pictures today....enjoy!!

  Sorrento from the Hillside

 Some delicious ravioli

 A storm is brewing over Sorrento

 Some fresco's from the Farnese collection in Capodomonte Museum

 Persepe ( nativity figures) at Capodomonte Museum

Captains Log...

 The Naples Coastline. We took a ferry like boat out to the main Enterprise Saturday Morning. The Enterprise is the oldest ship in the US Navy, and has been commissioned since the 1960's. It holds about 5000 people on board. It was huge, and pretty darn awesome. It will port in Newport News, Virginia in December after nearly 50 years of service. 

The USS Enterprise

 This is the anchor that is holding it into port in the sea.

 

We were able to see the flight deck, the anchor, and all the awesome planes that were on the ship. I was incredibly impressed with all of it, and have a newfound respect for the Navy. They are so awesome. Every Naval person I met was kind, gracious, and pretty darn cool.

The Gardens at Caserta

The gardens at Caserta

On Sunday we headed to Caserta Palace. This Palace was built by the Bourbon family and was lived in during the 1800's. It was built to resemble Versailles. And boy, did it. The architecture was amazing and it was hard to believe that people had actually lived there at one time. In addition, this Palace was used in Star Wars Episode I as Princess Amadala's Palace. It was truly amazing. 

However, unfortunately there were people hacking stupid little goods even inside the museum. It was terribly annoying. I had asked about this to one of the Italian interns at my office, and he said they get aggressive here because they cant make any money in Naples. Well, the way they were acting, I would never buy anything from them either.

Well, its been quite a week. Between meeting the Ambassador, getting to ride on the USS Enterprise, going out in Naples nightlife, and seeing an amazing Palace, I was quite exhausted when Sunday night hit. But lets start at the beginning. This week here was crazy. I ate some delicious salmon soaked in Vinegar, got to meet some NCIS guys and learned some cool things from them, and got to work on the Ambassador's detail. Which was cool. And I was the only female. Why is that? Girls can be badass too. I think in this day and age people would know that. 

Saturday we got to visit the USS Enterprise. It was awesome. What was not awesome was getting up at 6am to do it, but its a once in a lifetime experience. I got to talk with one of the Navy guys who was from NYC and was excited to finally get home in December. My fear of heights was definitely put to the test climbing up those steps on the side of the boat with the Bay of Naples underneath me.  

On Saturday night we went out with one of the other interns who is from Naples. We got to see where all the young people hung out, and let me tell you, it made me feel old!! People just congregate in piazza's and stand around and get a drink of coffee or beer, and just talk and socialize. It was interesting, and I felt like the oldest person there. Then, some guy rode his motorbike through the crowd like it was a normal thing. It was weird. Plus, all the 22 year old boys kept trying to guess my age and then couldnt believe it when I told them. Cause thats awesome. " Oh my god, I cant believe it" Awesome....... cause 28 is super old, right! Maybe its the case of the old Christmas cake once again.

We ( Matt my roomate and I, forwardly known as the other half of we) are wishing that we knew more people in the city, but it is genuinely hard to meet people here. Luckily, we have made friends with the Italian interns and that makes life (slightly) busier. Only slightly. Trying to keep busy in a city where you hardly know anyone and everything closes at 2pm on weekends is challenging. But were trying!!

Our trip to Caserta was amazing. Plus it started out by me purchasing sunglasses. Which Ive been dying without. Apparently my sunglasses disappeared ( goodbye Juicy glasses that made it onto 3 continents)  the first week I got here. But now I have lovely Italian ones. Which help in this Mediterranean sun! Anyhow, we travelled to Caserta, which was the home of the Bourbons ( Francis, Ferdinand) and it was in one word spectacular. How someone lived here is beyond me. Its amazing how many incredibly old things are in sincere shape and are so preserved. At least on the inside. Its sad that they are so beat up on the outside.

Which leads me to my impressions of Italy this week.

Lets start with the hackers at the Palace. Literally in the Palace walls. Selling me old magnets and being really aggressive to the point of shoving the African bongo drum in your face, or as I witnessed, your kids face. ( Luckily I had my new sunglasses on so this did not happen to me) Why the conservators of the museum let this happen is beyond me. It made me angry that they let something like this happen. But I guess everyone has to make a living.

People say that the southern Italian people are very warm and welcoming. Well, I'm hoping to experience some of that soon. Very rarely have we been to places where owners of shops where you are eating will even smile back at you. Now, there have been two exceptions to this, but in general, I feel pretty crappy when I smile at someone and I get an angry face back. Someone said that is just Naples, or maybe its me, but I think its pretty crappy. Even yesterday, I was telling Matt a story at the train station and a man made a straight up face at me when I looked at him. But hey, maybe its me. 

The Napolitano food has been amazing. Everything is so delicious, so fresh, and so desirable. And so expensive. Which sucks, but its totally worth the price.  I am happy to be eating it.

Which bring me to my weekly talk about my struggles with the cobblestones. I think I have finally figured them out and have accepted their challenge. This was after I bought the 8 dollar package of band aids. But I accept this as just another thing I do for the love of the landscape. Which truly is breathtaking. I do feel very blessed and lucky for having this adventure. 

Ciao for now. Hopefully more adventures this week!

Dont get hungry on a Saturday.....

Welcome to Old Town Naples, a UNESCO heritage site.

Pucinello- the unofficial mascot of Naples,who is very naughty and always drinking eating, and general debauchery, hanging out on a "baba" a delicious cork shaped pastry soaked in rum. Literally soaked. I had to try one to see if it really was that good. Then I had to try a few more from different places just in case. Ill keep testing and get back to you......

Naples is very famous for its Nativity scenes. They are very expensive and all hand made from little shops.

A piazza in Old Town Naples

I had to remind myself to take a picture of myself somewhere....

 

Archaeological History Museum of Italy.....Most of these ruins are the originals from Pompeii, over 2000 years ago....

We called this piece " The original Tebow"

My second week in Naples. So different from the first week,and yet so much the same. Working a normal job has made my life some semblance of the same as in the States, yet it is all so much different. From huffing and puffing my way to work ( Finally, I made it up the hill without having to take a break. and frankly, I was impressed with myself) to blowing the fuse for my hairdryer ( its quite a look rocking un blowdryed hair, let me tell you) my adventure, while it has just begun, is starting to get , lets say, a little frustrating at times. But I AM in Italy, so I cant complain or try to change 2000 years of culture right? Someone find this American a Starbucks.

Dont get hungry on a Saturday.

My roomate Matt and I headed out last weekend to explore the city a little bit. Luckily, our Intern Coordinator took us on a mini tour of old town Naples on Friday night. But let me back up here a moment and say that there was a MASSIVE storm here on the bay of Naples on Friday morning. Losing power, massive flooding, and the flooding of the underground kind of flood. It probably should have been terrifying, but anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed and love storms. So it was beautiful.

Back to the exploring. It was, of course, hot as Haites when the storm was over and we ventured into the old town. Apparently in Naples there is no reliable public transportation, plus no one checks your ticket. So....we used one ticket for both the underground and the buses. Hey, if the local said it was ok, it was ok with me. This poses some challenge into exploring Naples at night. Getting home. Luckily, we caught the last bus at 9:30 (!!!!) and were able to make it home. We got to see some beautiful old churches, piazza's, and some awesome little shops where I plan on purchasing trinkets closer to Christmas. We were able to see many of the shops that the Nativity scenes are made from, with nativity figures that ranged from 200 bucks up. Not cheap. However, we did get to meet the guy who makes them for the royal family of Spain, so that was cool, and he was very very nice.

After our tootsies had rested for the night, we explored on our own a bit on Saturday. We chose to go to the National Archaeological museum of Italy, where many of the ruins from Pompeii and Herculaneum are kept. This was cool, but it was blasted hot as well. The museum is just in an old building, so it was all steps.

Let me stop here and say something. My feet are TIRED. Between the steps and the hills and the cobblestones and no easy way to get anywhere, I was not prepared for this. My once beautiful feet look like a homeless persons. I don't know how these ladies walk around in heels all the time, but I am nowhere near that adventurous. Nor should I be. I cant wait to take my shoes off at the end of the day. All I know is my skinny jeans better fit after this.

Anyway, back to our exploration. I tend to digress. After the museum, we were famished, and we wanted to get something to eat. This was about 3pm on a Saturday. Naples, being a tourist city, but still being Italian, we knew there were tricky rules about when things were open. We knew the grocery stores closed at 2pm, and dinner wasnt served until 730, but we were certain there would be somewhere that we would be able to grab some pizza to eat. Not a chance. We looked through several blocks of places near our apartment, and found NOTHING. Nothing is open on a Saturday afternoon. If you can even believe that. Finally, we found a little coffee bar where we got the "baba" ( a yummy rum filled pastry, see above) and some coffee. Now, I am like a toddler. I get cranky when hungry or tired. Needless to say, the rum filled pastry helped a little. We know better for next time, but alas, everything was open Sunday at 3:30 when we went for pizza. Go figure. 


Then it was on to the work week. I know I haven't been talking about my JOB actually a lot, but mostly because I cant. Its inner workings aren't really for everyone to know about, but its cool. Unfortunately, being the super star that I am, I tend to get through my work there quite quickly. I guess Ill have to slow my roll or something. I just like to stay busy. This weekend we are going to be able to go tour the USS Enterprise, and I am also going to get to meet the Ambassador ( hopefully) so that's cool. Other than that, I cant really share too much.

Lastly....have I talked about the dog poop? I tried to take a picture of it, but felt strangely wrong for it. Its everywhere. No one feels the need to pick it up or put their dog on a leash. But don't DARE to try to pet it. Just in case you come visit. Bring your own poop bags!

Off to try to figure out my blown converter with my hairdryer. I may just have to venture out to try to find a hair dryer here. Which reminds me. I was making comparisons with the US, and Japan, and have decided that Japan is much more western than it is here. Simple example is the stores. Everything is in a small mom and pop store. In separate stores. So to try to find a pillow or say, uh, a hair dryer, will be quite interesting...
Just a thought I had.

Until next time!~

The Adventure Begins

 The Port Of Naples. With Mt. Vesuvius in the background.

 Mt. Vesuvius view from a block away from my internship.

 Here I am!!!

 What a crazy first week it has been here in Naploli. It is a bit of a culture shock being here, because it is so different. Its funny to say this, but Japan was more like the good old USA than it is here in Italy. Maybe its just Naples. From no one knowing what little shop to buy a pillow in, to having to have someone bag your fruit for you, its definitely an experience. So I guess I should start from the beginning.

The beginning of my week has gone well. Well, sort of. A bit of a mishap with my key led me to being locked out of my apartment for an hour after a frustrating first day at work, but it all got sorted and worked out in the end. Between nervousness and a bit of, Im sad to say, homesickness, the rest of the week has gone quite well. Even my Italian was better today, as I ordered lunch for myself for the first time, and it felt wonderful! Not that Italian is easy, because it is not,especially Napolitaliano, but its ok.  

Speaking of lunch.....I love the food here. While I thought I could never get enough of pasta...unfortunately I think I have. Maybe I just need a little spice in my life. However, the pizza is so good, I could marry it. My roomate and I discovered a little pizzaria near our apartment, like not even a block away, which serves the most delicious bellisimo food you could imagine. And while I am fairly certain it is a chain restaurant of some sort, it is always busling with people and the pizza is to die for.  We also had bruschetta, which was delicous as well. While we can eat lunch at work, with a lovely Italian woman cooking for us, I got the chance to go out to a marketina with the office assistant of my department about a block from the Con. We witnessed a motorbike crash, but more on that later. I decided to purchase some Moscato grapes ( so good) and a fresh baked roll with some marinated salmon to put on it. Let me tell you, this may have been the best sandwich that I have ever eaten. Im looking forward to that lunch again. All this being said, I am craving a big juicy cheeseburger, and plan on making myself one next week. Also, there is a nice little Japanese restaurant near my apartment on the way to the Con. that looks like I need to try it. Anyone who knows me knows I like to eat my way through different places. Theres no harm in that!

Back to the motorbike accident. Walking here is dangerous. Seriously. Dont even talk about driving. I was saying to my roomate Matt today that i cannot imagine even trying. There are no street signals, so you just have to take your chances and go. Imagine the busy streets of New York, because Naples has the same density as NYC, without a traffic signal. Its insane. So on this particular lunch break I witnessed the sound before I saw the kid hit the parked car and tear the bumper right off. Totally insane. And glad I wasnt closer.

I forgot one important aspect of my walk to work here. Well, two actually. One is the weather, the other are both the giant hill and the 5 flights of steps I walk up every day. Lets just face it, Im lazy and out of shape. I dont try to sugar coat that aspect. Walking up a steep hill in cobblestones with cars flying by you huffing and puffing is very attractive, let me tell you. Don't worry, in case you need a visual I will be sure to get a picture. My feet are all torn up and there is no way I could ever wear a  heel. Ill have to change my shoes at work. As if the flights of stairs and the hill were not enough, it has been at least 80% humidity every day I have been here. Its balmy. And Im a sweater. Its a great look. Add it to my huff and puff and Im putting on a great show for the unemployed Italian men and old people who watch me every day. Its awesome.

So much to say, and I know I am forgetting many things. While my internship is definitely interesting and I have a lot to learn from it, I cant really talk about it in my blog. But there is lots of other things to talk about. This weekend the plan is to explore a bit more, as well as head to the Archeological Museum with the ruins from Pompeii in it. It should be quite exciting, although touristy, which I dont mind at all.  Next week, something exciting is happening as well. The USS Enterprise, which is retiring, is coming to port and I will get to tour it. It was the air craft carrier used in Topgun. Which is pretty awesome.

 

 More Vesuvius

 The Park in front of the consulate

Naples

Gelato...I chose Pistachio and Melon

Ciao for now. Time to make some non pasta for dinner, drink some wine, and watch a little TV before I rest up for tomorrow's new adventure. Feel free to drop me a line, or a comment, if you want to know anything more. Next post Ill have to write about the chocolate I found, but thats another story!.............

Ciao

Well I have finally arrived. After 24 hours of rude stewardesses ( I swear the nice ones are never on the big airlines) a puking child next to me, and wishing I could just sleep, Im here!  I am currently sitting at my table looking out on the balcony to the small neighborhood outside my casa. It is beautiful, and I can hear churchbells ringing. No joke there.

I arrived last night to a city full of smells, noises, and simply put an "oldness" about it. I reminded me, honestly, of Hanoi or one of the other Vietnemenese cities, but just updated. Probably because of the French influence which can be so similar to the Italian influence here. Either way, that and the use of the motorbikes tipped me off. While the taxi driver drove me through the city to my apartment, I got a wide eyed view of the good and the bad parts of Naples. There are some places that I never plan on travelling to again, but it is very hilly and beautiful in parts as well. As I arrived last night, I was introduced to my flatmate who is a very nince 20 year old guy from Ohio. We bonded over our shared love of Star Wars, Tina Fey, and pizza. Speaking of...

This is the location right to the left of the entrance of the consulate. It is the city on the left, andd the water on the right.

 

My lovely little room. I cant complain.

Our living area. There is a kitchen and also a little bathroom there. It is quite cute.

The view from outside my little room balcony

 

 

 

I ate the most amazing pizza last night. Unfortunately, I took a picture with my phone which is now not working. Ahh. Next time. It was delicious. Coupled with sitting outside on the water and some man trying to sell me a rose, its exactly what you would expect. Then, while in the grocery store, some 13 year old boys tried to get us to buy them some alcohol "for their mama" . Oh, Im serious.

All in all, so far Italy is exactly what I expected. Noisy, busy, and there is a gigantic hill I will have to walk up and down every day. I was seriously winded yesterday. Did I mention were on the 5th floor? I better fit in my skinny jeans when Im done here!

Ciao- More later