What I’m feeling on a rainy day in Naples

Buona sera!! This is Ken.

Separated from Atsushi in Rome, I am traveling by myself for a while.

I came down to Naples, about two hours away from Rome. Naples is the largest city in Southern Italy.

View Larger Map

When I was an university student, I took a graduation trip to Italy. I traveled only Northern Italy, such as Genoa, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Venice and Rome. So, I’ve decided to go to Southern Italy this time, even by myself.

Actually, I was planning to go from Naples to Isle of Capli by boat, which is famous for “Blue Grotto”. But I couldn’t make it because of my tight schedule. So, I decided to spend relaxing time in Naples for four days. 

Compared to other cities, Naples is infamous for its poor security.

However, I’ve heard that the city has become much safer, and the streets are getting cleaner step by step.

After arriving in Naples in the evening, I decided to take a walk around a hotel and station.

I name the city “Hong Kong in Italy” from the impression I got after walking around the city for about an hour.

But, don’t get it wrong! By naming so, I meant Kowloon City District in Hong Kong which still remains good-old-days atmosphere with something mysterious, not Hong Kong Island with many skyscrapers standing all around.

How can I put this… a port town has a unique atmosphere…something ‘fishy’…or should I say ‘mysterious’…

I have this perspective that Italian people are a bit dubious (oops, sorry!), but what is more, I feel that Southern Italy has gotten a more easy-going and dubious style.

Slipping into an alley, I found laundry poles popping out from flats’ windows, and the laundry was hung out even though it was raining.

There seem to be many immigrants with African background, who set up stalls in the streets. And what’s more, when it rains, umbrella vendors appear from somewhere.

An immigrant selling umbrellas in a baby stroller.

I often saw those umbrella vendors in China too.

Anyway, there are too many umbrella vendors here in Naples!! I ran into one of them every half minute.

You can see a clear imbalance between supply and demand.

In contrast, I also saw many construction sites, which may imply the possibility of the further development of the city.

Well, yes, it is raining in Naples…

Yesterday and Today were supposed to be the very sightseeing days for me… but it’s been raining all day...

Due to the weather, the event “playing football in Naples”, which one of my Italian ex-colleagues had arranged, had to be cancelled yesterday.

Moreover, Naples is among the top 3 best night views in the world…but I couldn’t see the view…

*By the way, the other two cities are Hakodate and Hong Kong. Considering this, Naples can be “Hong Kong in Italy”, though I don’t think these three cities have gotten the best night views in the world…

Although it was raining hard, I went to a harbor. But as soon as I started walking, I got soaked in the rain and couldn’t stand my wet jeans and jacket!! So I soon came back to a hotel.

I saw several cruise ships being anchored in the harbor.

*I’ve heard that FIFA is planning to locate these kinds of cruise ships in bay areas in South Africa so that they can be substituted for hotels. It is estimated that there wouldn’t be enough accommodations for visitors coming to see the World Cup games next year.

Well, when the weather is really bad, you can’t do anything, and you can’t have good memories of traveling.

In contrast, if it’s sunny, it just makes you feel good.

It’s not someone’s fault, but the weather is important factors that influence the memories and impression of the city you visit.

Anyway, it depends on your luck.

As for memories and impression of travelling, good memories occur through meeting people.

Of course, great scenery or football games can be good memories, but the best memories you remember clearly occur through meeting local people, especially when they treated you friendly and nicely.

Then, I feel that it would be great if Japanese people could also welcome people from other countries kindly and pleasantly as possible as they can.

I know it must be difficult for Japanese people as they are “shy”, but everyone can be a Japanese representative and can be one of the aspects that create the image of Japan.

I was thinking these things on the way back to hotel.

Anyway, because of this bad weather, I can only retreat into a room or eat…

Then, here it comes, gourmets!

OK, this is a “by the way, did you know that?” series.

“Naporitan” does not exist in Naples, even in Italy.

It seems that Japanese people made up the word.

So, instead, I ordered “Penne all’Arrabbiata” on the menu.

It was good, but a bid different from Japanese one

And,

“Pizza Margherita”,

as Naples is the birthplace of pizza.

Once upon a time, Queen Margherita (the house of Bourbon) 
held a pizza competition, and this pizza won the first prize.

Therefore, this pizza is called “Pizza Margherita”, huh!

I found a Yogurt named YOMO, which is my last name, actually.

Well…this one looks like… hahaha

And… look! These various color and flavor!!!

I feel that I’ve been uploading naughty pictures these days…

OK,

That’s enough for today!

I’ll fly to Barcelona tomorrow!!

Follow us on Twitter!! 
http://twitter.com/2010Libero 


We appreciate if you would publicize our blog and Twitter within your circle of your soccer friends or acquaintances.