September 5 already! We are well into our fourth week!

On our last day in Napoli we were still figuring out the bus/metro system there. They publish absolutely no maps nor bus schedules! It's all a big secret. We never give up though. It may take us a little longer and we may see a bit more scenery, but we have yet failed to make our destination. We packed our luggage in preparation for our evening flight, and made a lite lunch of the last tidbits in the kitchen and found our way to the Museum of Archeology. Before entering we had our bread, cheese, and fruit in a nearby park and fended off the quite ordinary-looking people begging for "just a few pennies". Here's the story: Wearing nice clean, pressed clothes, good shoes, and a recent and stylish haircut, she, yes she, well into her 40's, worked her way through those of us trying to enjoy the park. The moment one whole Euro was collected, she sent one of her male compadres off to the nearby grocery to buy a carton of vino--oh, let the party begin until the carton is emptied, then, it's the sob story and eye to eye pleading for just a penny once more. Naples is Naples.

The museum was actually really good. Naples has many museums but this one presented the true artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other locales in the region. Statues and artifacts removed from these areas were on display there. We found it more engaging than the dust, rocks, and shells of buildings at the actual site of Pompeii. Yes, in case you have heard, people of Pompeii really did have a fascination with the phallic symbol. They believed it warded off evil spirits. Children were even armed with necklaces with phallic-symbol charms to keep them safe. Hmmmm, I think that the belief was only a ruse to legitimatize their fascination with sex! They did it all the time, anywhere and with anything, and then painted pictures, sculpted and created mosaics depicting it. Once discovered by outsiders, the erotic art of Pompeii was held under lock and key for centuries because of the embarrassment to the rest of the empire. Later the items were redefined as art but viewable only to those persons of highest moral character. Finally, the collection was made available to the public to persons over the age of 14 in 2000, and sometimes still requires reservations to enter the Secret Room where it is housed in the museum today.

On to Venice in the afternoon . . . we flew into the city and had great plans to finally take the traditional gondola ride with serenade. In the past, when in Venice, we looked at the rides as mere tourist traps, not something of much value. Later, however, we wondered, what were we thinking??? Where else can you ride through the canals of Venice in a gondola and be serenaded by a young Venetian in a striped shirt?? Missed it again! By the time we made it to our hotel at 10 pm, quite far from the Grand Canal, hungry, tired and a bit dusty from Napoli, we had to forgo the Gondola ride yet once again. Maybe next time . . .

In case you are having difficulty keeping up, we boarded the cruise ship in Venice about Noon on Saturday, the 3rd of September and as of this posting, we have now been on ship two days. And it is just what cruises are promised to be, the very best of service, a lovely pool, nice people everywhere, relaxation, great facilities and lots of decent food. Add to that a good book, my favorite handsome and entertaining travel partner, and a sunny spot on the pool deck--who could ask for more?

The Greek Isle of Corfu tomorrow -- I've heard about it all my life. I don't think it will be a disappointment.