Travel Diary. Naples.

My first impression of Naples is one of chaos and anarchy. This is raw Italy. Cars rule.
This is a busy seaport used for cargo and ferries to capri. Local fishermen bring in their catches of fish, octopus and shellfish to be bought on the quayside by local traders. There is no beach, so the rocks of the sea barriers are used for sun bathers and swimmers. The evenings serve up an explosion of street traders selling everything from leather to phones, fruit to fake Armani.
To understand the Neopolitans you need to look into the history, the politics, and the location into further depth. Naples is a City that is over-populated and the people need to make a living in anyway that they can. I felt a real tension to survive exists here out on the streets.
( There is a strong under-current of a black market economy in a country run by a Prime Minister who owns several TV stations, glossy weekly mags, not forgetting A.C.Milan football club, the peoples reaction is to avoid paying tax at all costs.)
There are poor areas of the city, but surprisingly, few beggars. I was warned by an Italian friend to check my life insurance, and not to wear a watch, when I asked for advice. I am on my guard, but I do not feel threatened. I am aware that whatever I do, I am annoying someone. Whether trying to cross the road, asking for a train ticket, buying food, I do not see a friendly face staring back. After a while you expect this and adapt to become more assertive. Now this city is in my blood and my adrenaline is pumping, it has become exciting . There is a belief with the people that they are overlooked everywhere by a strong protective " Mother " that brings them hope, prosperity, and fertility, but make her angry and she will seek her revenge. And they are right, because wherever you are Naples you are aware of the outstretched arms of the "Mother" - Vesuvius.