Sunday, January 19, 2014

A Day Trip to Naples...

The trip to Naples with Luigi and Anna was one of the highlights of the entire trip!! While Guardia is calm and serene, Naples is an explosion of the senses!! A bustling port city full of sights, sounds, and delicious food!

Luigi knew the back way to get into everything and knows Naples (and it seemed like everyone in Naples!) like the back of his hand. 

Anna & Luigi Orso 


We started our day walking through the market in Naples and weaved our way through miles and miles of specialty shops, street vendors and little cafes and restaurants.  

mmm the bread, the pie!


"Everything for the Baker"

Really interesting antique shop.. not sure if I went in I would ever be able to come out!

Every kind of seafood 


It was a nice sunny day.. so laundry day in Naples


Next we went to the Via San Gregorio Armeno to the mercado del presepe.  This is the Christmas market in Naples where they have beautiful hand crafted manger scenes.  The region is famous for its very intricate and elaborate mangers.. far beyond what we have in our typical manger scenes .. the "cribs" include very detailed scenes of entire villages.  I imagine you build your own a little at a time, adding a few pieces each year. 

Anna & me in front of one of many beautiful presepes

One of the more elaborate presepes.

Entering Via San Gregorio

 

Luigi!! always adding a laugh!

The small start of our family presepe

 After all that walking and shopping.. we were hungry and Luigi knew of this little place where we could eat the best pizza and the freshest seafood.. sooo good!!!  My mouth is watering just thinking about that meal!!

The cook came out to show me how fresh the seafood was.. it was still jumping!!

And 45 minutes later .. Wallah!!!


and its Naples so you have to eat Napolean style pizza!!

At this point my phone died so sadly I have no more pictures but I can tell you all about it.. After pranzo, we headed over to the port side and ate a gelato while looking out into the Gulf of Napoli where you can see the Isle of Capri in the distance as well as the Amalfi Coast .. all the way to Salerno.  It's a stunning view!
Next we went to the Castel dell Ovo, which is a 12th century fortress, surrounded by some of the nicest hotels in Naples as well as little shops and restaurants.  It's really a lovely area to take a stroll and soak in the sites.
Stock photo of Castell dell Ovo
..and this finished up our day in Naples.. we made a few stops on the way home because Luigi knows a place that has the best fruit, and another place that has the best cheese and so we made our way back to Guardia, everyone laughing and smiling about the memories we had made that day. 

Thank you Luigi and Anna for a most wonderful day!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Tanti Auguri!!

Buon Natale and Capodanno Everyone!

I've been in Guardia for a week.. I'm not quite sure where the week has gone, I know I've been busy but it has been leisurely and restful at the same time. Mostly spent catching up with old friends, celebrating the Holidays and birthdays and getting a few things done around the house.It seems like there was something to go to every night...

Christmas Festivities in Guardia


I think what I enjoy the most about being here in Guardia is that I feel that I'm really living life as its supposed to be..la Dolce Vita!! . new tastes, touch, sounds, sights. I've been back 4 times now and every time I am amazed at how people take the time to talk and enjoy life!! (It seems like a bit of a lost art at times in my daily life back at home!) 

Dinner with friends in Casa Kestler


I have somehow gone through most of my time here and forgot to take hardly any pictures!  but I thought I would share a bit of the trip ..


New Years Eve Pre Party at the Tanna Del Orso.. Champagne Toast!!



Followed by 6 hours of eating a 6 course delicious meal and drinking wine, singing and dancing at the White House Restaurant..

Course #1 -- and then 1 forgot to take pictures of the rest



Our great Italian neighbors in Gropola Groche!!
Francesco and Gigia who are always there with a friendly welcoming smile!



New Canadian neighbors and friends in Guardia .. Happy Bday D!!


 The parties are always so much fun!! but I think this is what I love the most.. sipping a giant american mug of espresso while looking out of my kitchen window... followed by a nice walk through the piazza.






Or learning how to make Gnocchi with Anna Orso... yum!!



I finally went to visit the Palace in Caserta.. It was amazing!!  It went on for forever!! and I feel like I would like to go again in the summer and see the gardens







and went on a personal tour of Cerreto by my wonderful neighbor Gigia!! We saw a beautiful art exhibit by the talented Luiza Muzi from Rome at the Commune



El Commune de Cerreto





Concert at the Church in Cerreto

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I'm off for a personal tour of Naples tomorrow with Anna and Luigi Orso.. I can hardly wait!  

Buonanotte from Guardia!!