Finally!

Yes I am finally in Italy! I am having the experience of a lifetime and mildly jealous that my kid and her man get to continue this adventure for another 2 years!! Pics are on flickr; Jessica and Greg and eventually debcolomb.
Naples hits you in the face. It is raw and intense, yet there are snapshots of beauty and tenderness there too. There is beauty in the rows of antennas on top of the buildings or the gently waving awnings in their striped wonder. The sadness is in the dogs, languishing and uncared for, yet gentle. J&G home is lovely, quiet in a way even though the dogs and nightly fireworks are interesting, you get used to them quickly. The constant burning or trash is more disconcerting and I am sure not good for people.
Tuscany was a lovely respite from the city yet so much beauty can lull you into a duldrum of wanting to do nothing but sit in the town square and watch the tourista. The cities are ancient with construction on top of construction, 12th century just under a 16th century addition. Or, as with the churches in Sienna and Montepulciano, no further construction.....we have just stopped.
I got to see Civita de Bagnoreggio. When we asked the owner of Antico Forno if his building was old...."No, just 1300, just 700 years". Every town here has substantial walking and hill climbing but I am holding out well and hopefully not holding the kids back much. The churches are opulent, gold and marble, workmanship of such beauty. Even today there is intense pride in good workmanship, no matter the end product. The people are so pleasant they enjoy talking to tourists and the Italians themselves love stuff with English writing on it. The agrituismo was nice and convenient to everything, I am so glad that we decided to home base and drive out from there. I am also thankful to be a good backseat rider as I don't get car sick, even on the winding Tuscany roads. Food and wine have been exceptional here, no surprise there either. Best get ready as I don't know what I am doing today. More catch up later.