Napoli Road Rules

Driving in Naples is a hazard and an accident waiting to happen. The most dangerous road in Italy is in fact the Naples' Tangenziale (it is our main spine highway). You have to be on your toes all the time because you never know which direction they'll be coming from.
Here are a few rules:

1. It is common practice that if you should whizz by your exit it is no problem -simply go in reverse!
2. Speaking of whizzing -that is also an acceptable and common view on the side of the highway (I like to call it al fresco peeing). Though now they say it is illegal I've never seen anyone get ticketed.
3. Brace yourself when approaching an exit because you never know when someone will be passing you on the left to cut you off to make it to the exit on the extreme right.
4. When approaching a red light slow down and determine whether you can beat the traffic, the cop, or the old lady crossing the street and in all likely if you can STEP ON THE GAS AND GO
5. If there is a police car flashing lights behind you let them through (they need to get to mama's asap because they told her to "buta la pasta")
6. If a cop sticks out an over sized lollipop on you then you must stop or he'll shoot you (really)
7. During traffic hours there are double the amount of lanes than are drawn on the road so be prepared for full contact with scooters too

Remember: show no fear -they can smell it and use it to their advantage against you!

Photo is of an actual taped up Fiat going full throttle down the highway. If you look closely the driver's side door is taped to the passenger side to keep it closed. So does this mean those people won't be able to get out?

So what's there to see in Napoli?

What do you show an Adorable Friend from Paris when she comes to visit? Tough question but my answer was to take her to Spaccanapoli! It literally means 'split Naples' because it splits this ancient city in two, this street is also called the Decumano. This area was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

There is a lot to see and do in this area including great shopping for presepe/creches, good luck charms, great pizza, good museums and a really good look into the chaotic streets that I have become immune to.
Adorable Friend was amazed by the amount of everything and I was amazed by the things she pointed out that I don't even notice anymore. I don't notice the laundry hanging from everywhere, the stay animals, the trash piles, the dodging of the scooters, the level of noise, the amazing fall sunlight and sky, the rich smells of the ragu cooking, the pungent fruit stands with melone, kaki (persimmons), melograno (pomegranate) and all the other fall fruits. So here are a few pics for you to enjoy the short tour full of saints and sinners.

All countries beginning with an "I"

Do all countries beginning with an "I" have crazy roads? I've been to India and I can vouch for them when I say 'YES!' India is a wonderfully chaotic place and not one that you would necessarily go to for a completely relaxing holiday. You can find cows, camels, monkeys, children, peacocks, dogs, mules, elephants etc. on any street on any day. You learn to expect it really.

The roads are crazy enough here in Italy that I don't expect this sort of ménagerie. When I lived next to a dog breeder here it was usual to see him running his dogs by holding the lead from his scooter(!). Since I've moved more into the country now I see horse breeders running their horses from the comfort of their cars whilst holding out the reins. Is this even safe?

One of my favorite parades here is when they move the sheep to other pastures. I love that the entire road is clogged up with these bleeting white clouds. It is also a good chance to "fill the pockets with money." As they say here, "I'm not superstitious but it doesn't hurt to follow superstitious traditions." When you see sheep the tradition is to pantomime picking the sheep and putting them into your pocket for future wealth. Does it work? Who knows but it is worth a try -no?