A Trip to Procida

Island of Procida
Many islands are accessible by ferry and hydrofoil from Naples.  Of course there is the well known island of Capri, and then there’s Ischia with its legendary Roman spas and baths which we went to many times before (heavenly!), and the Amalfi Coast (Sorrento and Amalfi) are both accessible by ferry boats.  One island not often heard of is Procida.  Some of Troy’s Italian staff have rented two wonderful vacation villas on this island for the summer, and invited us to join them.  We went first in early July for a day, enjoying the beautiful beach and serene views and were treated to homemade mozzarella di buffala, fresh tomatoes and basil (caprese salad) and spaghetti alle vongole’.  Such a simple dish to make but so fresh and wonderful right out of this little kitchen and onto our plates.  I wonder if it will taste the same coming from my own kitchen (I took notes!).

We promised that if we returned, we would bring American food – and that we did!  A suitcase, and 3 bags full!   Hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken with BBQ sauce (specially requested) and wedged potatoes/chips/dip and all the fixings.  Chips Ahoy cookies for dessert!  You would have thought those BBQ Lays were a delicacy!  There were many “Mama Mias!!” being thrown around as all 9 of us dug in….  it was great to see their Italian version of potato salad and a wonderful peppers and olive oil side dish as well – wonderful!  Cooking outside with charcoal drew a crowd as Troy showed them his BBQ skills on the grill! 
The rest of the day was spent with the women at the beach (with lovely views of Ischia and the coast line) and the guys tulled around the island in a motor boat.  The sand is almost black due to the volcanic ash that is part of the soil and rock content.   Italy is the land of the bikini – and even grandmas (old ones) and little girls go topless at times, and are always in a bikini.  The men, for the most part, wear speedos.  People watching is a favorite past time of mine here ….. as I continue to discover and learn from this culture.  I practiced my Italian with these families, and tried to discern and pick out words as they spoke to each other.  The language is like music, full of long tones and up and down rhythms.  It’s beautiful to listen to.

After dinner, we walked around this island where the streets were not made for cars, and the philosophy is that if you have an inch to spare driving up and down these ancient roads, there is plenty of room.  The taxi drivers are experts and can race down these streets that I would be inching my way down, expecting to scrape the sides of my car all the way.   Families were out walking along, there are few or no cars as they are really not needed – taxis can get you where you cannot walk to.  Seaside restaurants were full of patrons at 10:00 p.m. and the gelato and café bars were full – the summer excitement was in the air.  The sun had set a beautiful pink and blue, and the lights of the city lit the ancient pavers in the streets.  Flowering Bouganvilla, lemon trees, lime trees (limes the size of oranges!!) and vining ivy and other floral wonders decorated the ancient walls at every turn.  Musicians were playing in the distance, and laughter sprang up from every corner.  Noone was in a hurry to do anything but relax.
The ferry ride alone is full of beauty and discoveries.  Not a bad way to spend the weekend! J