Can this be true? The end of the excessively long-running rubbish crisis in Naples is in sight? Sorry if I sound sceptical: it’s because I am. I seem to remember reading the same sort of thing this time last year. Yes, there have been reports of an imminent “end” to the Neapolitan nightmare for many months now, with no end actually eventuating. But the government recently weighed into the debate in a big way, and things (including rubbish bags) are beginning to move. Here's the proof.
Photo by Argenberg
If you're heading to Naples, you might like to keep up to date with what's happening there, and, as a matter of fact, this isn’t particularly easy. Let me know if you have any more luck; my searches on the internet have been largely news-related with very little practical information for visitors.
So, should you go to Naples or not? Well, good question. But I’d take my chances; after all, who wants to be deterred by a load of old rubbish? It does look as though Silvio Berlusconi has got things on the move, and anyway, there’s just so much to see in and around the city.
Photo by lyng883
Which raises another point: here’s a bit of good, bad and/or astonishing news (depending on your viewpoint) about Pompeii. This place - just outside Naples - is one of the world’s top sights; an eerie look at life, circa 79AD. It really is a “must”, but its popularity has proved almost too great for its own good. For ages now, Pompeii has been deteriorating (the bad news), despite restoration work that began 30 years ago (the astonishing news). But, finally, something is being done about it (the good news). The Italian government has declared a state of emergency, and rescue work is imminent. This will probably mean some restrictions to visitors, but you'll be too busy gaping at the incredible colours of the frescoes, the exquisite mosaics, the houses, streets, ancient townscapes and the terrible, poignant, preserved bodies to care about anything else. SBS has a news report on the situation at Pompeii. The photo, above right, tells the story - 2000 years old and fading far too fast.
And that brings me to yet another point. Just a friendly tip: when you're in this region, don't miss visiting Herculaneum. It's Pompeii's lesser known and much smaller (but equally amazing) sister city, and is usually a lot quieter in the tourist season. It really is worth visiting (about 8km from Naples, take the "Circumvesuviana" train; one stop from Pompeii). The mosaics, buildings and frescoes are worth putting up with any amount of rubbish to see. That's one the courtyards on the right.
Photo by phault
Meanwhile, trains have been hauling Naples’ rubbish to Hamburg (lucky Hamburg) and the garbage crisis is said to have eased, though it has by no means ceased. But, Berlusconi has vowed to end it by the end of this month. So, fingers crossed everyone. Let’s hope he’s a man of his word – and not given to talking trash...