Saturday, June 19, 2004
You can tell the academic year is coming to a natural end, as the posts to this blog increase in frequency. Today, being a Saturday, I took myself off to the sea, not the epic journey from London to Brighton, but a leisurely ten minute stroll through the city centre.
It was at Santa Lucia, famous courtesy of Dean Martin, that the rash decision to hire a boat was made. I am not a natural sailor. I got severely sick on a hovercraft from Pegwell Bay to Calais in the 70's. It was Swift or Sure, I cant remember which. Today I small row boat was hired, and rowed out over hte choppy waves to tie to a buoy a couple of hundred metres out. From that point till the return leg of the journey, I hung over the side of the vessel hawking bile up from my empty stomach and turning a delicate shade of mushy pea.
Back, almost, on dry land and feeling no ill effects whatsoever, on leaving the boat I missed my footing and fell into the harbour, losing my sunspecs which were recovered by a Neapolitan to whom I am forever grateful, and to whom I shall leave most of my possessions in my will. When it comes to the sea, I turn into Mr Bean. The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to find a comfortable position on black lava rocks and only managing to sear my scalp. Don't you love weekends.
It was at Santa Lucia, famous courtesy of Dean Martin, that the rash decision to hire a boat was made. I am not a natural sailor. I got severely sick on a hovercraft from Pegwell Bay to Calais in the 70's. It was Swift or Sure, I cant remember which. Today I small row boat was hired, and rowed out over hte choppy waves to tie to a buoy a couple of hundred metres out. From that point till the return leg of the journey, I hung over the side of the vessel hawking bile up from my empty stomach and turning a delicate shade of mushy pea.
Back, almost, on dry land and feeling no ill effects whatsoever, on leaving the boat I missed my footing and fell into the harbour, losing my sunspecs which were recovered by a Neapolitan to whom I am forever grateful, and to whom I shall leave most of my possessions in my will. When it comes to the sea, I turn into Mr Bean. The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to find a comfortable position on black lava rocks and only managing to sear my scalp. Don't you love weekends.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Well, England have just won against Switzerland, I was watching in a deserted bar. The Italians only come out when Italy is playing, remarkably partisan for a sports loving people. Just look at the Olympic television coverage when they only show the Italian athlete in isolation during the race. Until the last 10 metres you would never know there were other athletes running. Anyway, imagine my joy as i walked down to the bottom of my road and heard the youngsters playing football in the piazza shouting 'Rooooney' as they took penalties.
Apart from that, Naples is in its usual mire of scandals. After the elections last week there is an official investigation into one party who paid householders 30 euros each to vote for them. There have been electricity bills paid, and Xmas boxes given out. Of course nothing will happen, because everybody says, 'Well, they've done worse'.... An Englishman's sense of fair play is outraged.
Meanwhile I spent the weekend in Sicily which was a wlecome break, but failed to remember that the national rail company had an offer this weekend. Prove that you voted in the elections and you got 60% off your train ticket. It meant that the usually deserted night train back to Naples was packed.
Apart from that, Naples is in its usual mire of scandals. After the elections last week there is an official investigation into one party who paid householders 30 euros each to vote for them. There have been electricity bills paid, and Xmas boxes given out. Of course nothing will happen, because everybody says, 'Well, they've done worse'.... An Englishman's sense of fair play is outraged.
Meanwhile I spent the weekend in Sicily which was a wlecome break, but failed to remember that the national rail company had an offer this weekend. Prove that you voted in the elections and you got 60% off your train ticket. It meant that the usually deserted night train back to Naples was packed.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Another month slipped by, and nothing to show for it. Least of all a suntan. Spring has resolutely refused to arrive this year, which only means that there will be no water shortages in summer. It's all very displeasing. The city is geared up for sweltering long days, and all that arrives is a stiff northerly breeze, cloud cover and heavy, frequent showers. I blame Donald Rumsefeld, and why not?.
May of the Monuments came to a natural end, at the end of May (unsurprisingly). The papers denounced it as a failure; hotel bookings down, museum attendance down and so on. The reasons were probably more to do with the weather and the threat of terrorism rather than the hundreds of people who gave up their time and money to organise and run the events. However, it is difficult to do anything other than on a Saturday or Sunday morning, which means one is limited to two events a week.
The European elections are approaching and Naples is smothered in posters for a myriad of parties. Nobody knows what they stand for or why they should vote for them. The photos of the candidates look like bad modelling photos; man in thoughtful pose, chin resting on fingers; man in stern but confident pose; and worst (or best depending on your point of view) of all, a man standing for the far right party headed by alessandra Mussolini, who has donned specs to make him look like a man of the people. Unfortunately, they contain a reflection of the camerman and assorted flunkies.
Of course it's not all fun. A centre left candidate in pompei, stronghold of the Camorra, went to work last Monday, failing to come home again. He was found, headless on Wednesday. His head is yet to be found. The police suspect foul play.
May of the Monuments came to a natural end, at the end of May (unsurprisingly). The papers denounced it as a failure; hotel bookings down, museum attendance down and so on. The reasons were probably more to do with the weather and the threat of terrorism rather than the hundreds of people who gave up their time and money to organise and run the events. However, it is difficult to do anything other than on a Saturday or Sunday morning, which means one is limited to two events a week.
The European elections are approaching and Naples is smothered in posters for a myriad of parties. Nobody knows what they stand for or why they should vote for them. The photos of the candidates look like bad modelling photos; man in thoughtful pose, chin resting on fingers; man in stern but confident pose; and worst (or best depending on your point of view) of all, a man standing for the far right party headed by alessandra Mussolini, who has donned specs to make him look like a man of the people. Unfortunately, they contain a reflection of the camerman and assorted flunkies.
Of course it's not all fun. A centre left candidate in pompei, stronghold of the Camorra, went to work last Monday, failing to come home again. He was found, headless on Wednesday. His head is yet to be found. The police suspect foul play.
Online Degrees