Another Day Not To Go To Naples

The press of the buildings around me is isolating as the darkness of the Neapolitan night envelops my thoughts. The buildings reach up, seeming to blot out the tiny stretch of sky that can be seen. The crowds do nothing to abate my isolation as I comtemplate what a trip this has been. From Rome, […]

The Post In Which We Spend A Night as Troglodytes

I stood at the top of the hill, perched on the side of a gorge, and held my breath musing on the town below me. I have an affection for historic places, and the city around me is one such place. Actually it isn’t just one such place. It is perhaps the place. I am […]

The Post In Which We Eat To An Extreme

Puglia is fantastic. The food here is ridiculous, the country is beautiful, and the people are warm and welcoming. If you haven’t booked tickets to Puglia, you really must do so now. Last night, as dusk encroached on the waning hours of day, we visited the nearby town of Ostuni. It is called La […]

Into the Mezzogiorno

We pressed on through the lonely streets of Brindisi, the noon hour approaching, the sun high in the sky, and I wouldn’t stop, driven maniacally forward on my mission. The variegated pavers passed below our sore feet in alternating hues, ranging from glistening white marble, to cracking aged stone, to black rock. At intervals the […]

The Post In Which They Are Serious About Snacks

More conference today, so not much time in Rome. The conference is good. They are providing us with lunch, and it is one of the better conference lunches I have had. It isn’t great, but it’s decent. Speaking of conference food, the coffee breaks are interesting. At most meetings, as the designated break time approaches, […]

Trying to Talk Local

My hotel room is bad. It’s right over the kitchen, and at night I can hear them washing dishes and in the morning I hear loud banging noises. It is very frustrating. I told the receptionist this evening immediately upon returning, and she told me she couldn’t do anything because I hadn’t complained first thing […]