italiafile

Back from Blighty, and the Pope promptly dies. I was expecting a universal wailing and gnashing of teeth, but Naples has remained untouched by the event. Flags are at half mast, and neon signs remain unlit at night, otherwise life goes on. Part of me thinks that had he died in the week people may have taken to their beds, but as he expired at the weekend, there were far too many pressing reasons to ignore the fact. cinemas and theatres are closed for three days of mourning, which means that even more people than usual are walking up and down Via Toledo eating ice cream and window shopping.

Other hot news is that the Vigili are considering industrial action. Apparetnly they feel they are being spied on.. and object to be told told that they can't got for a coffee in groups of five. They also dont like the fact that people take photo's of them while they stand around chatting and not implementing the law. Can't think why.

After the Easter holiday there seems to be no let up in just how excited the young people are. It's the thought of approaching summer apparently, the mediterranean equivalent of teh last few days before Xmas in the frozen north. I am joined at their southern European hip.