The hotel overlooks Piazza Municipio, a grassy area with trees and a fountain and is surrounded by many shops, a McDonalds (where you can order a "McToast" or grilled cheese & proscutto, and "Potata Fritte" or french fries), bus stops, policia, and public benches. The main attraction seems to be the small drinking fountain in the middle of the piazza. While walking Lily daily, and watching the Italian people in this park, I have observed this fountain's use. Mostly it's used for an occasional drink by bending over and taking in the water as it pours out of the spout. Italian men will wet their hair with it and clean their hands. The homeless fill up their daily water jugs and place them in their bags for later usage. An old, stooped woman spent much time one morning early washing her laundary meticulously in a garbage bag in the fountain's sink area, scrubbing with soap and pushing the faucet for water to rinse her wares. Children play in the water and dogs refresh themselves by lapping up what's left puddled on the old pavement below.
Jamaican men surround the piazza on the sidestreets with their fake designer purses and wears, layed out on sheets in case the polizia seize them, and then they move quicker than you can imagine -- all the goods are wrapped up immediately in that sheet and they are gone!
Laborers often gather here to yell chants around the Municipal Building HQ, which is at the head of the piazza, and often the media sits closeby, ready to film. This must be a place where they feel they can be heard. There is drama everywhere when they begin to chant -- it becomes contagious and soon throngs of italians are chanting their union woes in italian. I wish I could understand the language better -- but I feel their meaning without knowing.
Last night teenagers raced vespas along the street next to the piazza, popping wheelies for the entire length of the courtyard, their friends yelling in italian to urge them on. Socializing in the piazza is what the Italian people do - hands waving, the smiles and laughter and music of their language filling the air. It's pure entertainment. These people use the piazzas to socialize and rest - it's their form of relaxation. We as americans tend to hide in our homes, with TV being our form of relaxation and entertainment, not even talking to each other, but solely fixated on what station to watch. Not the Italians -- they watch each other -- they play with the children, they walk their pets, they are layed back in a way that Americans don't know how to be. I often wonder what makes our cultures so different and determines our actions and social norms. I have to say I was a bit disappointed, and also a bit happy that a McDonald's is close by. Just when you want something other than pasta or pizza - you can get the American meal - full of grease and American sized portions. It's always crowded with Neopolitans! They love it - and Troy and I have both noticed a slight weight gain overall since we were here before..... perhaps the culture is changing.... becoming more "Americanized"......
This piazza has become home for us right now..... the smells are starting to become familiar, and people are recognizing me and my little white maltese, which often stirs up conversations for a quick pet and smile. Lily has brought so much joy for us, and now we are sharing her with the people of this piazza every day.
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