Eric on the Constellation (3)

The day of my first show arrived as ship ported in Naples, Italy. I had been practicing in my cabin the last few days and felt well prepared so I took a walk out into the city in the morning. I was determined to sample a real Italian coffee and after applying sun-block factor ‘never’ (my pasty white skin always burns) and revealing my legs for the first time in a long while, I headed out. The weather was really hot and it felt good to get some vitamin D. One thing that took me by surprise about Naples was not its interesting architecture or the throngs of people, but the level of pollution. As I got into the small streets and alleyways there were cigarette butts everywhere, on the pavement, on the roads and clogging up the drains which is a shame as some of the streets were lined with olive trees and in the sun looked quite picturesque. And I really hate scooters! They are noisy, smelly and the drivers have no manners! And in Naples, scooters are everywhere!! I equate them to motorised bees, as they seem to swarm. The difference is that I really like bees, bees make honey and honey is tasty! Plus Winnie the Pooh likes honey so bees are alright by me. Maybe scooters are more like wasps. So as they pass by, which inevitably they do like it or not, one looses one’s breath, has to cover one’s ears and hope they stop as you cross the road. Anyway, I’ll get off my soap box. (Other opinions are available elsewhere!)

I was looking for a good coffee. In the end I found myself in a beautiful marble building with an incredible glass roof and a zodiac mosaic in its centre. I stood for a while and took photos of all the tiles and trying to avoid getting other tourists in my shots. Selfies were very popular at this location. The building must have been something high-status in its past but this one had come to house luxury boutiques and restaurants, one of which being a well-known fast-food chain, known for it’s golden arches logo. Next door, however, was, what I assume to be, a traditional Italian cafe with its multitude of biscotti and pastries laden with chocolate and cream.

Galleria Umberto I, Napoli, Italy

Galleria Umberto I, Interior, Napoli

My Italian is limited to ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ so ordering was interesting! fortunately the waiter was quite forgiving and I managed to order a cappuccino and berry pastry… mission accomplished! They were so delicious! While I was sitting in this lovely space, I heard a voice opposite me that was very familiar… I glanced up and I thought - I know that person! After a brief few seconds, I realised it Was Tia, a dancer whom I met on the Sapphire Princess some 5 years earlier. Who’d have thought?! So I called her name and she looked round in surprise and she explained “Oh my god, FROSTIE!”. It was great to catch up with Tia again, who was meeting a couple of her dancer friends from the Constellation. We sat and chatted for a while, talked over old times and I made some friends on my new ship. Nice people!

Look at that! Berry pastry and a proper Italian Cappuccino. Mmm mmm mmm

Time seemed to fly and I suddenly realised I should return to the ship, so we said our goodbyes and I headed off to make ready for my first rehearsal…