Final thoughts

Ferdinanda, Danillo, his father, and Guest

Well, before I leave, a few thoughts and tips:

Italy is chaos. Literally. Fun to visit, but I don’t think I could live here. It is volcanic in the character of its people.
If any of you decide from this blog that you’d like to visit here, I definitely think it’s worth it. However, you might want to come later in the year than me. First of all, global climate chaos meant that much of the time I was cold . . . in the south of Italy. Second, you’ll have more options in the form of transport. It might be more crowded and hot, but you’ll have flexibility.
Expect nothing. Assume nothing. Double-check everything. Assert yourself.
Learn at least a few words of Italian. They appreciate it, and it’ll help you to get around better.
Bring lots of cash and definitely an ATM card. The Italians, at least in the south, prefer cash to credit. It may be because of the exchange rate, but if you don’t happen to have very much cash on hand, it can be a little annoying. In Reykjavik and Paris I was able to use my credit card for pretty much anything.
Italy is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And Pompeii and Paestum were transcendant.
And now—I come home.
Next stop: merrie olde England in ’09, with family . . . that is, if the dollar doesn’t continue to slide.

Ciao,
John

P.S. I don’t know why there were so many movie references in this blog.
P.P.S. Yes, that is sunburn. I didn't expect to go out on a boat.