1. I’ve always wondered why I never see any avocados or limes growing in Italy. Since so much of what’s eaten in Italy has eminated from distant lands, I find this perplexing.

2. Relative to strikes, I seem to have a penchant for being in Naples when there is one or another going on. However, when the funicular (and other transpo modes that day) was out of service due to un sciopero, my up-hill walk from my hotel to the funicular station was disapppointing - less so for the strike. Once again, my hotel didn’t think it at all appropriate to inform its guests about the need to make other arrangements. They were aware of the strike and even after my suggestion to post this info in the lobby, they still neglected to do so. If only the puffed-up and self-important (and granted, often handsome) desk staff could offer more than window dressing in the lobby! These peacocks were more irritating than the strike.

On another occasion in Naples, there was a strike that took to the streets at the very moment I instucted a taxi to take us to the renowned Da Michele for pizza. When the taxi driver said he knew of an equally good pizza place (”Why must you go to Da Michele?”), my instincts told me otherwise. Too often cousin Mario’s pizza shop, B&B, restaurant, etc. turns out to be a disaster due to an unqualified recomendation. Instead, I said, “Get around that mess and get me to Da Michele; or I’ll find another taxi to get me there.” We got there and the street sciopero we had to get through was rather entertaining and educational. BTW, Da Michele was delish and something I’m happy to say I didn’t miss.
Tom
Boston (USA)