Che bella è la vita italiana

Being back in Naples has so far been amazing. So much time had passed that I had forgotten how delicious the food here is. After arriving home from 42 hours of travelling, I dined on a "simple" lunch of prosciutto cotto with some bread, and a ginormous, juicy peach before going shopping with Lina and Afrodite. Then later in the evening, I went with Lina and Gino to a pizzeria where I had my first margherita in just over three years! And it was definitely worth the wait.

Before

After

Since it was saturday night, there was a man playing the guitar and singing neapolitan songs, and everyone in the restaurant was singing along, clapping and enjoying the entertainment. Then all of a sudden the voice of the singer changed, and we realised that at the table next to us there was a blind man with the most incredible voice had taken over the singing. Everyone was so astounded to hear this man singing at the top of his lungs, not just for one song, but about four in a row. It was amazing! This is what I've missed about Italian culture. They are so vivacious and really proud to be neapolitan. Every single person in this restaurant was joining in, and it was hard not to because it's so contagious.

We got home around midnight, and then had to deal to the oil I spilt all over my dress because it turns out I'm not such an expert at eating la pizza napoletana anymore. But when I finally got to sleep, it was sooo goooodddd. I then spent this morning chatting with Afrodite before she reminded me about the kittens downstairs. I didn't need to be told twice. We were down there subito, look how cute they are:

I now have little tiny paw prints on my camisole.

We have since had our Sunday lunch which was the ultimate in deliciousness! We had spaghetti alle vongole, followed by ginormous prawns with a mixed salad, then we had freshly fried zucchini flowers (all accompanied by homemade sparkling white wine). These courses were finished with fresh peaches, plums and caffè. Che buono!

Spaghetti alle vongole

In this bottle is homemade sparkling white wine

Above: i gamberoni e l'inslata mista
Below: Zucchini flowers, waiting to be fried, the finished product in the background

I can't wait for tomorrow. We're going to a relative's house near the sea with a pool to drink sangria and have a big lunch! Basically a festa for no reason - because it's the first of August. I will no doubt have more to tell tomorrow! But for now, au revoir!