Outsiders looking in

This is an extract from an update sent by Glenn and Jennifer, recent visitors to Naples. It's always interesting to read other people's perceptions of this place that will now forever be a third (after Thailand, sorry Gigi) home to me.

Naples: Our first full day was spent exploring the ruined city of Pompeii. This is a very sombre place and as you walk around, you feel very aware of the tragedy that befell the inhabitants of this city. If you have the opportunity to visit, find a quiet corner (shouldn't be too difficult, the place is much bigger than you would expect - and getting bigger, as excavations are continuing) and try and imagine the horror the citizens experienced, most suffering death by suffocation from inhaling hot ash, the remainder drowned in molten lava. Just horrible! I found myself glancing towards Mt Vesuvius, the cause of all the devastation, and wondering what the effects will be on the 2 million or so inhabitants in the surrounding area next time this things erupts. Apparently it's overdue - hope it waits until we are long gone!We also made it to the Isle of Capri, Positano and enjoyed a day of exploring Naples itself with our host, Jenny.Naples itself operates at a frenetic pace, with anywhere up to five cars and/or scooters’ competing for every centimetre of road space as it becomes available. There seems to be few, if any, road-rules and it seems to be necessary, almost obligatory, for road-users to honk their horn every ten seconds! Beggars; street stalls; rubbish-lined streets; noise; smell; confusion; all contribute to give the impression that this is more like a third-world city, rather than one of the major cities, not just of Italy, but of Europe. Walking down the street, locals seem reluctant to give up any space to allow you to pass, meaning that a simple walk down the pavement becomes some sort of primitive dance as you zigzag along trying to avoid bumping into people. Understandably, the charm of this activity wears off quite quickly, and I found myself bearing the wrath of one local 'lady' who gesticulated and verbalised wildly after we collided, neither of us prepared to deviate from our chosen path. We were probably both lucky that I couldn't understand a word she said!