Touted as the birthplace of pizza, I had the best pizza of my life in Napoli. I really enjoyed Napoli and found it to be laundry-across-the-alley authentic Italy. And, as with Rome, I really enjoyed walking around and exploring the various alleys and walkways around this old historic city.
It was common to see these shrines on street corners. Big, small, fancy, simple...
Napoli was inches away from winning the Italian soccer championship while I was there. I think it happened just a few days after I left. It was practically a done deal. So the celebrations were already starting well in advance.
L'antica Pizzeria da Michele. Oldest pizzeria in Napoli. They've been at the current location for about 100 years, and making pizza for about 150.
I was sitting alone at a two-person table. The hostess came in and asked if I was ok with someone joining me. The American in me wasn't crazy about the idea, but given the long waits and, I guess wasted table space, I obliged. As I thought about it, I realized it would be an opportunity to meet someone new. That it was. Alessandra approached with her luggage and an out-stretched hand introducing herself pleasantly. We talked while eating our world-renowned pizza. We then hung out until her train was ready to leave a few hours later. Fun times!
Crossing streets in Italy can be scary. They won't stop to let you cross until you've started walking out into the street. Then they will stop. You will sit there all day if you are waiting for someone to stop and wave you across.