Napoli Adventures: Expectations vs. Reality
A spontaneous trip to Italy, as I was “forced” to take a 2 weeks holiday due to summer shutdown. You know, I am that kind of person who only wants to take leaves when I really feel for it, and not because the workplace decides to do so 🤣
But as an employee, you can’t decide everything, and as a manager, you have the right to force your employees to take vacation. So you have to respect that. Without a doubt 🫡
I thought that I could easily manage 2 weeks in Denmark, but as I approached the weeks, I actually became more and more annoyed, so I spontaneously decided to book a trip to Italy. I thought I would travel to Napoli and Rome this time. I have, in 2006, been to Rome in connection with a study trip. a study trip, and it was really cool. I fell in love with Rome! So of course I had to see this beautiful city again! Napoli was another gem on my bucket list, dating back to my childhood when I loved watching Tom & Jerry. There was an episode where the two crazy characters end up in 🤣Napoli, so I had to do that too. Fun, right? Then, at the age of 35, I thought “well, there was Naples too”, especially now that my brother has also been to the city and seen some things. So why not? 🙃
The day before I was to fly from KBH, I had a friend date with 4 other girls in Herning. We had the most fun day of city-escape play in our own childhood city. Then A and I drove back to Randers, where I live, and had a really delicious dinner at Det Glade Vanvid with delicious food and wine.
The next day, I left for KBH while she had an errand in Aarhus. It suited me quite well, as I could get some alone time in KBH again. There is something about traveling alone. Honestly, there is. I love it!
So yes, I embarked on a journey from Copenhagen to Rome, and then hopped on a train to the mystical land of Napoli. Ah, Napoli! The land of history, culture, and apparently, surprise heat waves. But wait, was it all sunshine and roses? Far from it!
Expecting beauty and neatness galore, I was greeted by a city that seemed to have a love affair with dirt. And who could forget the unexpected welcoming committee? Not tourists, but a gang of thieves seemingly aiming to outnumber the visitors! Now that’s what I call a ‘thief’ty rivalry.
After a struggle to find a hotel that didn’t seem straight out of a “Cleanliness: Where Art Thou?” brochure, I landed at Sant’Angelo Suites, after a research on TripAdvisor, Google and Insta. This was apparently one of the best hotels in Napoli. Unfortunately, the room wasn’t ready upon arrival, turning me into a frustrated explorer. Ah, the joys of a not-so-grand entrance! That was all one of Napoli’s top rated hotels could offer! 🥲
And I have to disappoint you. Not even a single blog-worthy picture of my room in Napoli. How sad 🥹😅
Lunchtime arrived, and what better way to dive into Napoli’s culinary delights than with a pizza? But alas, the pizza gods seemed to be on a day off, leaving me with a tasteless, snooze-inducing pie. Note to self: pizza passport stamp – still pending.
However, the freshly made orange juice was far better. Probably because, the oranges are not handmade 🤭
As nightfall descended, hopes soared for a magnificent dinner at Vesuvio Rooftop & Bar. The view? Astounding! The food? Well, let’s just say it was on a level playing field with the day’s other culinary expedition. Napoli, famed for its cuisine, seemed to have taken a sabbatical from impressing.
In conclusion, I might have expected Napoli to whisper sweet nothings of charm and flavor, but alas, it turned out to be a day of surprises – mostly of the eyebrow-raising variety. Maybe the following days will bring the fabled Napoli everyone raves about. Stay tuned for more adventures in the land of unexpected realities!
