italiafile

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.