Allow me to backlog a little bit. The holidays in Napoli were fantastic. The following were some of the highlights:
1. Celebrating Christmas day with our little family
This Christmas was the first Christmas I’ve ever spent away from either my parents or Justin’s parents. Because we were away from our families, in some ways it didn’t even feel like Christmas. But it was a great day, nonetheless. We bought ourselves a little artificial Christmas tree and colored lights at the store on the corner that sells a rotating supply of random junk. I made origami ornaments from grocery store ads as decorations. On Christmas morning, we exchanged a few small gifts. Later that morning four missionaries from our church came over for an American style breakfast of eggs, pancakes and home fries. In the afternoon we had the pleasure of eating Christmas lunch with some friends. At night, we capped it off with video calls to our family. It was a wonderfully festive and fun Christmas.
This Christmas was the first Christmas I’ve ever spent away from either my parents or Justin’s parents. Because we were away from our families, in some ways it didn’t even feel like Christmas. But it was a great day, nonetheless. We bought ourselves a little artificial Christmas tree and colored lights at the store on the corner that sells a rotating supply of random junk. I made origami ornaments from grocery store ads as decorations. On Christmas morning, we exchanged a few small gifts. Later that morning four missionaries from our church came over for an American style breakfast of eggs, pancakes and home fries. In the afternoon we had the pleasure of eating Christmas lunch with some friends. At night, we capped it off with video calls to our family. It was a wonderfully festive and fun Christmas.
2. Neapolitan Family Meals
Neapolitans really know how to eat. On each of the many holidays during Christmastime, Neapolitans get together with their families to cook and eat large festive meals. A couple of families from our church generously allowed us to join their families on Christmas Day and New Years Day. Both meals were a complete delight. At the first meal, there must have been a hundred different dishes passed around. After the meal we sat and talked for about fifteen minutes until we were surprised to find that the meal was not over! There were big bowls of pasta for us to eat. After the pasta we chatted for another ten or fifteen minutes before feasting on traditional Christmas desserts. At the next meal, we were more prepared, but we were still surprised by the quantity of courses that were served. We had friarielli soup and then spinach calzone and then vegetable salad and then sandwiches and then potatoes (with meat, for the non-vegetarians) and then fresh fruit and then a huge plate of sweets. The Christmas dolci were the highlight. We got to try struffoli, pastiera, cassatine, cannoli, mostaccioli and roccocò. It was incredibly filling and absolutely delicious. Above all, it was so kind of these families to let us be a part of their celebrations. We felt so welcomed and loved.
Neapolitans really know how to eat. On each of the many holidays during Christmastime, Neapolitans get together with their families to cook and eat large festive meals. A couple of families from our church generously allowed us to join their families on Christmas Day and New Years Day. Both meals were a complete delight. At the first meal, there must have been a hundred different dishes passed around. After the meal we sat and talked for about fifteen minutes until we were surprised to find that the meal was not over! There were big bowls of pasta for us to eat. After the pasta we chatted for another ten or fifteen minutes before feasting on traditional Christmas desserts. At the next meal, we were more prepared, but we were still surprised by the quantity of courses that were served. We had friarielli soup and then spinach calzone and then vegetable salad and then sandwiches and then potatoes (with meat, for the non-vegetarians) and then fresh fruit and then a huge plate of sweets. The Christmas dolci were the highlight. We got to try struffoli, pastiera, cassatine, cannoli, mostaccioli and roccocò. It was incredibly filling and absolutely delicious. Above all, it was so kind of these families to let us be a part of their celebrations. We felt so welcomed and loved.
3. Puzzles
One of my family’s Christmas traditions is to do jigsaw puzzles. We are a little bit fanatical about puzzles. I particularly love them. Justin’s family got me two puzzles for Christmas and my birthday this year. Justin isn’t much of a puzzler, so he kindly kept Noelle from eating the pieces while I worked.
One of my family’s Christmas traditions is to do jigsaw puzzles. We are a little bit fanatical about puzzles. I particularly love them. Justin’s family got me two puzzles for Christmas and my birthday this year. Justin isn’t much of a puzzler, so he kindly kept Noelle from eating the pieces while I worked.
4. Bridget and Matt's Visit
My dear friends Bridget and Matt came to Naples the day after Christmas to spend some time with us. We really enjoyed having them here. During the holidays there were many unpredictable closures, but we didn’t let that stop us from having a spectacular time. Together we visited Napoli Sotteranea, Castel Sant’ Elmo, the San Martino Certosa and the Pedimentina. We also saw Herculaneum and the National Archaeological Museum and…
My dear friends Bridget and Matt came to Naples the day after Christmas to spend some time with us. We really enjoyed having them here. During the holidays there were many unpredictable closures, but we didn’t let that stop us from having a spectacular time. Together we visited Napoli Sotteranea, Castel Sant’ Elmo, the San Martino Certosa and the Pedimentina. We also saw Herculaneum and the National Archaeological Museum and…
5. Presepi
Presepe literally translates as “crib,” referring to a manger scene or nativity. While Matt and Bridget were here, we saw many beautiful examples of these. The history of the Neapolitan presepe goes back hundreds of years and the tradition is still alive today. One of the things I like most about presepi is how they insert the birth story of Jesus Christ into the center of traditional Italian life. Scenes sometimes show pizza makers and fruit stands operating right next to where the baby Jesus lays. I also like the “Where’s Waldo” aspect of them. The scene most often includes the workings of a bustling city and then somewhere hidden in the chaos is the Christ child and his parents. I like the emphasis this puts on the humbleness of the circumstances. The greatest person to ever be born on the earth had come, but no one in the surrounding city realized it and so life continued on as usual. The perspective really helps me to appreciate the reality of what is now considered such a significant day.
Presepe literally translates as “crib,” referring to a manger scene or nativity. While Matt and Bridget were here, we saw many beautiful examples of these. The history of the Neapolitan presepe goes back hundreds of years and the tradition is still alive today. One of the things I like most about presepi is how they insert the birth story of Jesus Christ into the center of traditional Italian life. Scenes sometimes show pizza makers and fruit stands operating right next to where the baby Jesus lays. I also like the “Where’s Waldo” aspect of them. The scene most often includes the workings of a bustling city and then somewhere hidden in the chaos is the Christ child and his parents. I like the emphasis this puts on the humbleness of the circumstances. The greatest person to ever be born on the earth had come, but no one in the surrounding city realized it and so life continued on as usual. The perspective really helps me to appreciate the reality of what is now considered such a significant day.
6. My Birthday
I was lucky to have friends and family here to celebrate my birthday. We ran around the city sightseeing all day and then in the evening we all met up with our friend Jenny for dessert. At the café we went to, I got my dessert on the house. I know what you’re thinking, but no, they do not commonly give complimentary desserts to people on their birthday here. Rather, one of the workers was enamored with Noelle. She came up and asked to hold her and cooed at her for a while. It turned out she was the one who operated the cash register and she wouldn’t let Justin pay, apparently because our baby is so great. A special thanks to Noelle for a great birthday gift! She’s so thoughtful.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!
I was lucky to have friends and family here to celebrate my birthday. We ran around the city sightseeing all day and then in the evening we all met up with our friend Jenny for dessert. At the café we went to, I got my dessert on the house. I know what you’re thinking, but no, they do not commonly give complimentary desserts to people on their birthday here. Rather, one of the workers was enamored with Noelle. She came up and asked to hold her and cooed at her for a while. It turned out she was the one who operated the cash register and she wouldn’t let Justin pay, apparently because our baby is so great. A special thanks to Noelle for a great birthday gift! She’s so thoughtful.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!