Thursday, June 12, 2008

Discovering Elizabeth Gilbert's EAT Place


Today we ventured up to Naples with two objectives: seeing the treasures of the National Museum of Archaeology and eating the pizza popularized by Eat, Pray, Love. With a lot of luck both were accomplished and we’re now heading back home on the Circumvesuviano train.

As we arrived at the museum, this sign caught our eye.

It was just fortunate we put off Naples for a day to go hiking yesterday.

The museum was a great way to follow up visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum, seeing the things they discovered when the two towns were unearthed.

The mosaics were the finest I have seen anywhere, almost resembling needlepoint in their intricate detail.



The collection of X-rated material in the room restricted to those 14 and older showed the ancient civilizations of Pompeii and surroundings to be fully aware of sex and its various possibilities.


The villa of Papiri in Herculaneum yielded some of the best pieces in bronze, representing the upper class at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius.


From the museum we took a walking tour through Naples with the goal of having pizza for lunch.

Unfortunately Naples is drowning in trash because of a garbage strike.

It was interesting to see the added stress of a big city: more honking horns, more cigarettes, more scooters ready to run you over.

The pizza at the L’antica Pizzaria “da Michele” was more than worth the 20-minute wait to get a table. It’s a simple choice: either with or without cheese. I’m embarrassed to say I ate the whole thing.

We’re heading home to our little town, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. It was a good day to visit Naples, despite the 5 hours of travel time to get there and get home -- 67 kilometers!

7 Comments:

Blogger GEWELS said...

You're lucky it was just the garbage collectors on strike this time.
Isn't it hysterical that you had to be only 14 to see the x-rated stuff? The Italians definitely have a different view of sex than our puritanical forefathers here in the states.
Your photos have been fabulous!

8:18 AM  
Blogger Reya Mellicker said...

Excellent posts this week. God I love that cyan blue sky. Wow.

8:36 AM  
Blogger Aileen said...

Oh Barbara- you're making me long for a vacation! Your pics are simply amazing!

I'm using this as motivation to bring in some big contracts so I can take a trip!!!! :)

10:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Barbara, thanks for the report on the museum. How fortuitous that you didn't go on Tuesday! I would love to see the mosaics. Tunisia has an amazing collection of mosaics, too.

I'm in full agreement with Aileen; your pictures are amazing and have given us a full view of your trip.

2:27 PM  
Blogger Pauline said...

never, ever be embarrassed about eating something delicious!

5:58 PM  
Blogger Squirrel said...

am enjoying your photos and descriptions!

6:47 PM  
Blogger Barbara said...

It's going to be a real shock to get back to DC summer heat, driving a car, and my usual routine. I must say part of me is ready to go home when I realize my clothes all smell vaguely like the inside of a suitcase and I am almost out of toothpaste. It's been a great trip!

4:57 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home