The picture we had of Naples, of narrow streets with washing strung across, was in front us as we took a walk around the old part of the city this morning.
Naples teems with life – it’s said that Neopolitans live life on the streets and if you can catch a glimpse inside a typical home you can see why. Here, in the old city, everyone lives in apartment blocks. Through the open doors of ground floor flats you can see a single room with sink, washing machine, stove, fridge, chairs and tv. The people have very little space. The doors, like stable doors, open in two sections and means people inside can stand and chat to people outside while containing small children and animals.
This weekend marks the beginning of Carnevale, which seems to be an excuse to have some fun before the start of Lent. Lots of children were out in fancy dress (a lot of shop-bought costumes representing Disney characters). I read that it is a time when children are allowed to play little tricks on grown-ups, but the most I saw them do was to throw confetti around or use the cans that spray out streamers.
Understandably, scooters are popular here, petrol ones driven by adults and electric ones driven by seemingly anybody. I saw several children, no older than 11 or 12, riding electric scooters (apparently they are termed as ‘electric bicycles’) with another child on the back. This is quite alarming when you consider they are capable of travelling at 20 mph.
Tortoise Travel 