Family Visit - PART III

The country side was gorgeous, green terraced hills, small mountains, and the sun piercing through the clouds to spot light portions of what could be seen out every window in the car. Driving through Napoli was interesting. The roads were worse than Oklahoma roads, bouncing and jerking us all around. More modern buildings and skyscrapers here than most of the other Italian cities I have seen. We parked in the moat of an old castle, which Davide convinced us we should check out. It was massive and by far the most unexpected sight I have seen here in Italy. Afterward we walked some of the main streets where Clement warned me about all the side streets to these main streets. They are not safe for anyone not even those who live there. I found my horoscope sign in the floor mosaic of the gallery. An indoor mall that had most of its shops closed for Sunday but that did not stop people from using the space. There were kids roller blading on smooth stone floors around the other kids playing tag, while the parents sipped their espresso at the tables out side the only open café. It had the feeling of an outdoor park on the weekends. There was more classical well kept style in the historical buildings around, similar to Benevento just less colorful. As we walked through a Piazza with a governmental building on one side and a Pantheon inspired building on the other was free of cars but full of people. They were walking around town, socializing, playing games, etc. There I was bought extremely small lapel bouquet of yellow baby’s breath looking flowers which symbolizes an international holiday, Woman’s Day. It was the next day, Monday the 8^th. Then we decided it was time to feed our hungry bellies with fresh seafood. We went to a local restaurant right by the water. You walk in smelling the sea and being greeted by live sea creatures waiting to be killed, cooked and eaten. It was buzzing like an IHOP on a Sunday morning. Families were everywhere, talking, eating and drinking white wine. The style of the restaurant was served family style with a small menu for the day that was given verbally by the waiter. We had pasta, shrimp, clams, squid and any other little seafood creatures you can imagine and fillets of fish. To finish it off I had some fruit and lemon cake. My grandfather loves lemon tasting things which now I understand better because lemon trees are all over the place, therefore a specialty of the area. Then it was time to say good bye but not before we got a shot of espresso. I had an amazing, relaxing and comforting time with them. I felt like I was at home with family minus the Italian English language barrier. It just goes to show that actions and gestures can be a powerfully universal.