Ish Meets World

Napoli, let’s be frank, has a strong mafia presence and constant problems with crime and garbage. These are just some of the reasons why it is not really one of the most visited Italian cities. Luckily for me, in an odd quest around Europe one winter, a friend convinced me to come to Napoli during a break from school. Ever since that lovely winter several years ago, I have never failed to come back to Naples whenever I’m in Europe. I have made the best of friends in this city and and found my true love, Da Michele Pizza. Apparently, Pizza was invented in Napoli and Da Michele was one of the first (if not the first) restaurants to make the world famous dish. The recipe has changed very little in over a hundred years. Here, they offer only the classic Margherita (fresh tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and basil) and the Marinara (tomato sauce, oregano, garlic) pizza. No other toppings are on offer. Most known for its appearance in the film Eat, Pray, Love where Julia Roberts h...

One of the most memorable sunsets that I have witnessed in my life was in Positano on the Amalfi coast in Italy. I was on a break from school and a friend convinced me to join her in Italy. We took the bus from Naples and along with a bunch of backpackers, went on a day trip to Amalfi and Positano. I am hardly the romantic but one does not need to be one to be truly moved by this place. This is the setting for a part of the movie “Only You” with Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei. This where Tomei’s character supposedly finds her soulmate “Damon Bradley”. After visiting the idyllic town nestled on the rock face overlooking the sea, I can imagine why this place is pegged to be the place where magic happens and the impossible is achieved. It really is a picture perfect little town where one is compelled to write poetry, paint or make love all day. Il Dolce Far Niente. This place embodies just about everything that I love about Italy.

While walking around the Acropolis complex in Greece, I found my way to the Acropolis museum where the entire entrance to the building features an extensive display of underground excavations. The walk up to the entrance is composed of transparent corridors where various levels of excavations can be seen. The picture above is a well in the center of one such excavation that was left open and surrounded by walkways. It always makes me wonder why people all over the world are compelled to throw coins into open wells and make wishes. 🙂