The universe can toss you a curve ball when you least expect it. Certainly, riding a “hop on hop off” bus would be one of those places where you would least expect it. Least expect to fall in love. Least expect to find me. I’ve always striven to be the non-tourist and even thinking about riding the hop on hop off bus would give me hives. My hip friends, Mike and Lori, insisted that I would truly enjoy it – no matter what city I was in. Well, I didn’t know if I would enjoy it but Jack and I had four hours to kill in Naples.
Who knew the hop on hop off bus would have such an impact on my life. Maybe it was the Neapolitan songs. Maybe it was the sun shining over the bay of Naples. Maybe it was the 30 children on the upper level of the bus who were excited to be going to an art museum. Maybe it was the architecture or the feelings that the people of Naples sling at your soul. Who can ever really tell you why you fall in love with someone or something. Love is a strange emotion. It pieces your heart, turns your brain into mush and forces you to do things you never thought you would. Today, I fell in love with the turbulent, bad boy city called Naples.
Historically, I have found Naples crowded, a driving nightmare and the train station full of obnoxious faux cab drivers. My eyes have been opened to the incredible parks, interesting neighborhoods and wealth of theaters and museums. Tomorrow, we are going to Teatro San Carlo to see Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Sigh…my love may deepen.
Nonna's Mulberry Tree 