Today I Nearly Lost an Eye

As you travel further south in Italy, you are warned that the cities become more dangerous. People tell you to be very careful. Don't keep anything in your pockets. Use a purse that goes over your shoulder. This is where the Mafia originated, and organized crime is still prevalent. So far on this trip we have been quite careful and certainly lucky. Well, I was thinking, I have been to Nairobi, Kenya! This can not compare to Africa! I will be careful, but I know what I am doing.

The talk of bribery and corruption, the garbage on the street, mopeds zooming around everywhere carrying three people and/or Cat-in-the-Hat like stacks of goods--Naples sure seems a lot like Africa. But I was not prepared for the danger that was in store here.

Today I nearly lost an eye.

Michael and I discussed tonight how, as we travel through Italy, our stereotypes have become more and more fulfilled as we move south. Both of us have Italian grandparents, and we learned that our ancestors came from the south. Turns out most Italian emmigration originated in the South, so I guess that makes sense. The people here look like we imagined they should; they sound like we imagined, and they gesture like our mothers! The dangerous issue here is...the hand gesturing! So far we have even seen extremely theatrical hand gesturing by people having conversations on their cell phones, while driving and conversing with the person on the back of their motorcycle, and as if that is not enough, today I ran into a giant tree branch on the crowded sidewalk to avoid being jabbed in the eye with a cigarrette by a lady walking down the street telling a story. I have made it through allright, but a little shaken.

If you are headed to Southern Italy, consider yourself warned.