Oh, Naples
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Wednesday evening, my plane touched down in the city of Naples. Naples is the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. This is where I would stay until early Saturday morning. What can I say about Naples? It is definitely the most unique city I have visited. I have to admit honestly that Naples was not my favorite place in Italy. An Indiana boy will feel very at home in cities like Milan or Turin. These cities are planned, organized, very clean, and seem to have rules. People from Indiana like such things. People from Naples would probably tell you that this is a boring way to live! On Friday, I wasn't really sure I wanted to leave the hotel and spend the day walking around the city. But I told myself that I had to have a positive attitude and find some things to enjoy. (How many times my students have heard me say, "We're going to keep a positive attitude.") Fortunately, I did.
First, the food. You can say nothing bad about the food in Naples! Did you know pizza was invented in Naples? It's true, the first pizza ever was invented in this Italian city.
First, the food. You can say nothing bad about the food in Naples! Did you know pizza was invented in Naples? It's true, the first pizza ever was invented in this Italian city.
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I also visited the National Museum of Archaeology. This is one of the best museums I have ever visited. Here, there are tons of artifacts that were collected when they dug up the ancient city of Pompeii. It's amazing how well the volcanic rock preserved these items. It's also amazing how much skill they used when uncovering these items so as to not damage them.
Naples' waterfront features some great views of the Bay of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, and the Isle of Capri.
I told you before that Naples was not my favorite place in Italy. But I learned a few things there.
You do not have to like everywhere you go. But you also should try to remember that every city is someone's home. And most people love their home. The city you don't like is also a place someone else loves deeply. This invites us to be reverent and respectful. I told you I did not feel very at home in Naples. But this is the point of traveling places: not being at home! And that's not always a bad thing.
I also thought about my great great grandparents there. In 1896, Saverio Albano and Filomena Del Genio left from the Port of Naples for their new home in the United States. Still today, people leave their home countries in search of a better and happier life in a new country. Those who do so today are no different from my own family in 1896. How well do we welcome people who are new to our country, our community, and our school?
You do not have to like everywhere you go. But you also should try to remember that every city is someone's home. And most people love their home. The city you don't like is also a place someone else loves deeply. This invites us to be reverent and respectful. I told you I did not feel very at home in Naples. But this is the point of traveling places: not being at home! And that's not always a bad thing.
I also thought about my great great grandparents there. In 1896, Saverio Albano and Filomena Del Genio left from the Port of Naples for their new home in the United States. Still today, people leave their home countries in search of a better and happier life in a new country. Those who do so today are no different from my own family in 1896. How well do we welcome people who are new to our country, our community, and our school?