Elsien's Traveblogue

Naples, 10th June 2010
I find being a tourist much harder than being an art historian, or a traveller. It's the aimlessness that gets me: as an art historian or a traveller I have a plan, a programme, things I must see and do, information I have to get; as a tourist I just wander about looking at pretty views, buildings, shops ...
Having said that, I did have a nice day yesterday. I took the boat from Naples to Capri, packed full of tourists, most in groups, most extremely badly dressed, taking pictures of the views and each other constantly. I say that, because I almost felt sorry for the rich people who have made Capri their own. Every day their beautiful little island with its expensive shops gets invaded by these hoards of daytrippers who can only afford to buy an icecream at a stall. I sat down in the Piazzetta for a bit, with the most expensive glass of ordinary white wine I've ever had – got a bowl of olives with it, mind – and watched it all. I got tired of the Salvatore Ferragamo shops – at least half a dozen of them; it was quite fun watching a model being photographed in a little road off the beaten track – no idea if she or the photographer were famous or not. Anyone recognise them? There was another couple being photographed on the steps of the Piazzetta, but they didn't look glamourous enough to be famous. Was this all about the 'male gaze'? Or was it 'masquerade'? What was my position, anti-feminist?
Then on another boat, an air-conditioned car ferry this time, very comfortable and without many people – from Capri to Sorrento, where I treated myself to an extensive lunch in a nice garden. Couldn't eat more than the antipasto mixto followed by gnocchi alla napoletana – in tomato and mozzarella sauce, nice, followed by espresso. Wandered the picturesque streets of Sorrento for a bit, looked at some shops, bought some presents, then back on ferry to Naples, along the coast with an excellent view of Vesuvius. Was I tired when I got home!
Leaving this morning, back to UK for quick turnaround, back in Brussels Saturday morning where I'll stay until the end of the month, when I start work in Docklands. Oh, and back to the Art History and its feminist art historians ...