When we arrived last night, there were already two calls waiting for us at our hotel. Neapolitan hospitality.
Giovanni, the proprietor of Giovanni’s Hostel where Benita stayed two years ago, invited us for dinner. Being too tired, we opted to wait until today to meet him. Before we left our hotel, these were the morning’s colorful views from our balcony.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
It’s clear in the moments after we met Giovanni why he’s rated the #1 hostel in Napoli. His love and knowledge of this historic city, as well as his devotion to his guests, was evident immediately. “No one should leave Napoli without savoring fresh mozzarella,” he said, and so we joined him and two of his departing guests on his large deck for deliciously fresh, just made mozzarella.
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Just after those guests left, Tomas from Argentina arrived. Since Giovanni was going to give his “desk tour” of Napoli to Tomas, he invited us to join. As we might have guessed, it was incredible in interest and detail. He walked us through many of the “must do” sights and activities, pulling various books, maps, charts, etc. from desk drawers and shelves. Here’s a copy of the color coded map we left with.
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After our tour planning, Giovanni decided it was time for lunch, so he pulled some of his homemade Genovese sauce from the freezer, (slow cooked onions and beef), and made pasta Genovese for us. Smiles all around!
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During lunch, we talked a lot about Napoli and the fact that so many only know it as a train station they use to pass through to other parts of southern Italy. Unfortunate indeed, as there is truly so much art, history and culture here. Giovanni showed this CNN clip he recently found, and I pass it along to you. It really gives a wonderful view of Napoli, a city well worth a visit.
As for my other call at the hotel, you’ll have to wait a day or two to learn about it. In the meantime, suffice it to say that we are delighted we are finally experiencing Napoli, its history, culture, food, treasures and people.
Grazie mille, Giovanni, for your friendship, food and hospitality!
©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy and Leonardo
Blogging In Italy 
Glad to see that you are off to a fast and informative start
_____________________________
Vincent J. Connelly
Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-4637
312-701-7912
email: vconnelly@mayerbrown.com
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The photographs were well done
Your subject material lends a personal touch
Much appreciated
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Sounds like a wonderful start to the trip!
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Judy
As usual you always get to the centre,the heart, of the area you are visiting . Well done.
Hope to see you in Cortona this fall.
Rudy and Sandra
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Thanks and same with us, spero che ci vediamo!
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I love southern Italy. I was always interested in the difference in culture with the north. I just finished rereading a favorite Italian history book that defines the north as the part constantly invaded by the French and the south as the part constantly being invaded by Spain.
It makes the whole country a fascinating combination.
Looking forward to more of your discoveries. Hi to Len.
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