After several days of exploring and relishing the cliffs of Cinque Terre, I awaken to a determined drizzle and decide NOT to rent a bicycle and do the loops I had planned. Instead, I buy a train ticket to Pompeii...it is time to explore some volcanic history!
My train from Levanto is 20 minutes late, but not to worry, as my connection to Naples...the birthplace of pizza and center of the Italian mafia (there is your answer, Jordan)is late as well. I feel I can relax! As the train drones on through the drizzle and heads south towards the heel of the boot, it seems to lose time and I realize I will need to spend the night in Naples. I have done a bit of reading and even before now, I know that I DON'T want to arrive here at night! I am unable to stop the speeding train and now will have to deal with somewhere I dont want to be at a time I don't want to be there.
Aaaahhhh, but all is not lost. I discuss my predicament with the man sitting next to me and in his wonderful Italian way, he leans across me to ask the man on the other side of the aisle about taxis and hotels. This man has no answer, so he proceeds to go up the aisle and ask others on the train. This is so wonderfully typical of the people here! Before I know it, he has found someone who is going to Naples who has volunteered to help.
I still feel a bit of unease about the whole situation....whether it is my new found helpers body piercings, his Elvis sideburns, or his riveted white outfit with matching bracelet...I don't quite know.....
All is not lost! As the train stops in Rome to pick up more passengers, Sister Katerina sits next to me and speaks perfect English! We have a wonderful chat, as she worked in Calcutta with Mother Theresa for several years and is a delightful nun from Pakistan. She chuckles when I ask her if the Pope goes to confession....she supposes so! We get to Naples and 4 more nuns are waiting for her. She introduces us and we all walk out towards the taxis together. The head nun warns me about Naples and finds me a taxi.......
Safe at last...the smell of pizza wafting into my 7th story window from somewhere below! And....are those fireworks that I hear or Guido taking care of business?
