SUNDAY
Parts smell like urine wrapped around a dirty diaper. They seem to have a street sanitation problem.
Loads of what appear to be poor African immigrants standing idly on the streets. By day, people hustle. I actually got to see the shell and pea game being played - classic. Many people selling stolen cell phones. Little bit of a Moroccan feel there but honestly this city reminds me a LOT of Hat Yai from Thailand. I am (again) close to the train station, in a fairly grotty room in a city that I wonder 'why on earth are people interested in coming here'.
Seriously, I'd pair the two cities.
The hotel room I am staying in is within the low end of the spectrum for costs. It's about $33 or so per night and best suited to people who are out wandering around all day. Or sitting and crying in. Either way. How the fuck did it get two stars and why isn't someone docking them one and a half?
Was very happy I left some of my crap at Matt's. My bag is only 26 KG this time - lightest it has been by about six kilos in quite some time. If I could make it lighter, I would.
So happy I only booked it for three nights (they call that four days because people are dim) because I sure don't want to stay here any longer than I have to. This is the kind of place you stay in while you research a better place to stay. For normal tourists, they're not here long enough to really care.
The part that really baffles me is that all of the low end places (this is one) in the area seem booked up. WTF.
Due to my failing physical health, it's becoming more and more important to find a place with an elevator in it. Was wondering if I'd have a heart attack and die after humping my case up three long stories. So happy it is down in weight from the norm. If you are expecting people to help you with your case in hotels, chances are excellent you are paying over 100 euros a night! Under that, nobody gives a fuck.
Interesting stuff while I was out and about. As I have seen in other countries, there are black guys (always black guys) selling things on big pieces of cloth. Every now and then, a police car with it's lights on slowly drives toward them. They sellers gather up their stuff within the big cloth - like Santa - and take it away. The cops are sure to turn on their lights and give them plenty of time to go away. The sellers don't even run.
It seems to be an ongoing game they play and the cops don't want to do the paperwork of catching someone who will be out very soon anyway.
I'm a bit disappointed with my travel abilities. I honestly think for the money I can do better. I just need to do a bit more research - which I honestly hate having to do.
The internet where I am staying is fairly good - if rated against dial up.
Today is the hated Sunday - many things I want are closed. Despite that, I managed to pick up a couple things I discovered I needed and a nice man at a more expensive hotel (over 100 euros per night for a room where they give a fuck) gave me a map and showed me the street I can find a lot of places that rent rooms. He said they generally go for 300 euros or more per month. If I can get into one of those (perhaps not in gang land territory) then that will put me on a different footing than the legions of tourists here. And the suspicious people who want to check in to a hotel by themselves with no luggage. Like the guy last night. Was wondering what was up with him.
So if I can't find a place tomorrow I will begin working on renting a different place.
MONDAY
Well, some of the stuff was open but not what I was looking for.
Made a foray out into the rain (lots of rain) to attempt to find some real estate offices. The one I was looking for on the internet was closed but I found two others.
They don't do one or two month rentals.
This sort of thinking is why Airbnb is taking over.
Did an assload of walking to discover that.
After doing a bunch of research on the internet, I found two different possible places. I'm going to try to check them out tomorrow to see what I think. I'd really like to find something better but it seems money has limited me.
Oh, to be rich!
If possible, I'd really like to view the places before booking. I booked sight unseen at the place I'm currently at. Although the water is hot (hurrah) it has a lot of stairs to reach the room. And it's a bit small and grotty. And worst of all, the wifi really sucks ass. So, I'm hoping for better.
To throw an extra spanner into the works, Paypal now wants me to own some sort of old fashioned phone in the USA under my own name in order to flag my account saying I am traveling if I want money out of Paypal. I know it's to prevent fraud but it is really a behind the times way of doing it. So, money might be an issue for a bit. Going to try to work on that as well.
We'll see tomorrow. I felt like today was a bit of a waste.
TUESDAY
There was one place about 3km away that - on the website - looked really nice. I hiked my ass out there to find that not only was it in an area that was all hilly but you had to go up three really long stories to get up there. Every damned day.
The interior of the building also seemed to have construction going on inside and didn't look like it had ever been cleaned.
Whenever you find construction going on near where you are to be staying, run. Run like you know an earthquake is coming.
So I went back to the second place I'd looked up. Easy walk from the place I was staying. Talked to the owner "Josephei" - forgive my guess at spelling - as in "Josephei - go for the eyes" from the Simpsons. Yes, that is how I remember his name.
Never try to cut a deal with anyone who isn't the owner. They usually don't really have the authority to do so and the owner may end up rolling it back.
Fortunately, Josephei is the owner. I explained I was looking for a place for a month, possibly as long as three. Wanted to try this place out. He suggested 25 euros per night. It's not bad for the area I'm in though I'm thinking I could probably find a place further from the center if I wanted to. Paid him for a two night trial.
Due to my other place not having internet or working electrical outlets, I just turned in the key and left. Still had one night in that depressing turd of a 'two star' if I wanted it. Didn't. One of the workers was trying to be helpful when he repeatedly warned me that evil black men would be snatching my bags and running off. Sadly, I do have experience with knowing what the analyzing 'would this guy be worth robbing' look and must admit I got that several times from both black and white in that neighborhood. Not a great look to get. Especially since I dress like I am poor and strange. That is super odd.
I'd rather be in a bed and breakfast as the washing machine is usually included and this place is a bit claustrophobic. It's essentially half a room that had some water damage come in from the roof. Probably why I'm getting a better deal on it.
I don't think this will be the place I end up spending a great deal of time at. I'm going to keep looking but may end up here after all. I don't want to get caught out in 'suburb hell'. The downside of this place is that it is super small and noisy. The more I travel, the more I become convinced that rich people pay for silence. I don't mean in the way Trump pays porn stars for their silence - I mean literal silence. That's why rich people eat at places with very very softly playing music in the background, poor people with blaring crap.
It's my working theory.
After that I found that the last place I'd been staying in seems to have messed up my plug converter. Went and got lucky finding more. Bought a bunch - fuck being without one.
Went out looking for food. Everything here seems to be fucking pizza - my least favorite food. Did get lucky and found one that I didn't mind much but it is still my least favorite type of food. Actually - least favorite vaguely American type of food. My all time low point for food is probably anything I ate in Moldova.
Using one of my back up methods, managed to get some money from the ATM's. Paypal is still on my shit list.
Seems like everything is a struggle thus far. I am winning through but it's a bit of a pain in the ass trying to find my way.
MY THOUGHTS ON NAPLES THUS FAR
Honestly, I've not yet had time to go see historic shit. To me, most of what I see looks like 'standard European town'. Bit dirty in some places but not noticeably different than other places.
My plan is to continue struggling to find a better place to stay. While or after I get that taken care of, I shall 'deign to notice the town more'. Yeah, that's right. I used 'deign' in a sentence. Give me some sort of prestigious writing award, chop chop.
Overall, not very impressed thus far. It's 'meh' here. I just want to find a comfortable (and fucking quiet) place I can afford to stay then hunker down for a few months. Going to see stuff, neat.
The costs here are making me very much miss Ukraine. Probably one of the reasons I go there every couple of years.
COSTS
Claustrophobic not super nice hotel room within walking distance of city center - low end stuff is around 30 EUR.
Laundry (one load), 5 EUR. (At first I was like 5 EUR? But then I thought about it and it is probably 3 KG. Normal price is 1-2 USD per kilo so this is a bit higher but not freaky high for the area.)
Cheap meal out - dreaded pizza or some shit, around 5-10 EUR. Note that restaurants don't seem to open until 1PM here for reasons. Before that only office and cake places are open. Which I find super irritating.
Parts smell like urine wrapped around a dirty diaper. They seem to have a street sanitation problem.
Loads of what appear to be poor African immigrants standing idly on the streets. By day, people hustle. I actually got to see the shell and pea game being played - classic. Many people selling stolen cell phones. Little bit of a Moroccan feel there but honestly this city reminds me a LOT of Hat Yai from Thailand. I am (again) close to the train station, in a fairly grotty room in a city that I wonder 'why on earth are people interested in coming here'.
Seriously, I'd pair the two cities.
The hotel room I am staying in is within the low end of the spectrum for costs. It's about $33 or so per night and best suited to people who are out wandering around all day. Or sitting and crying in. Either way. How the fuck did it get two stars and why isn't someone docking them one and a half?
Was very happy I left some of my crap at Matt's. My bag is only 26 KG this time - lightest it has been by about six kilos in quite some time. If I could make it lighter, I would.
So happy I only booked it for three nights (they call that four days because people are dim) because I sure don't want to stay here any longer than I have to. This is the kind of place you stay in while you research a better place to stay. For normal tourists, they're not here long enough to really care.
The part that really baffles me is that all of the low end places (this is one) in the area seem booked up. WTF.
Due to my failing physical health, it's becoming more and more important to find a place with an elevator in it. Was wondering if I'd have a heart attack and die after humping my case up three long stories. So happy it is down in weight from the norm. If you are expecting people to help you with your case in hotels, chances are excellent you are paying over 100 euros a night! Under that, nobody gives a fuck.
Interesting stuff while I was out and about. As I have seen in other countries, there are black guys (always black guys) selling things on big pieces of cloth. Every now and then, a police car with it's lights on slowly drives toward them. They sellers gather up their stuff within the big cloth - like Santa - and take it away. The cops are sure to turn on their lights and give them plenty of time to go away. The sellers don't even run.
It seems to be an ongoing game they play and the cops don't want to do the paperwork of catching someone who will be out very soon anyway.
I'm a bit disappointed with my travel abilities. I honestly think for the money I can do better. I just need to do a bit more research - which I honestly hate having to do.
The internet where I am staying is fairly good - if rated against dial up.
Today is the hated Sunday - many things I want are closed. Despite that, I managed to pick up a couple things I discovered I needed and a nice man at a more expensive hotel (over 100 euros per night for a room where they give a fuck) gave me a map and showed me the street I can find a lot of places that rent rooms. He said they generally go for 300 euros or more per month. If I can get into one of those (perhaps not in gang land territory) then that will put me on a different footing than the legions of tourists here. And the suspicious people who want to check in to a hotel by themselves with no luggage. Like the guy last night. Was wondering what was up with him.
So if I can't find a place tomorrow I will begin working on renting a different place.
MONDAY
Well, some of the stuff was open but not what I was looking for.
Made a foray out into the rain (lots of rain) to attempt to find some real estate offices. The one I was looking for on the internet was closed but I found two others.
They don't do one or two month rentals.
This sort of thinking is why Airbnb is taking over.
Did an assload of walking to discover that.
After doing a bunch of research on the internet, I found two different possible places. I'm going to try to check them out tomorrow to see what I think. I'd really like to find something better but it seems money has limited me.
Oh, to be rich!
If possible, I'd really like to view the places before booking. I booked sight unseen at the place I'm currently at. Although the water is hot (hurrah) it has a lot of stairs to reach the room. And it's a bit small and grotty. And worst of all, the wifi really sucks ass. So, I'm hoping for better.
To throw an extra spanner into the works, Paypal now wants me to own some sort of old fashioned phone in the USA under my own name in order to flag my account saying I am traveling if I want money out of Paypal. I know it's to prevent fraud but it is really a behind the times way of doing it. So, money might be an issue for a bit. Going to try to work on that as well.
We'll see tomorrow. I felt like today was a bit of a waste.
TUESDAY
There was one place about 3km away that - on the website - looked really nice. I hiked my ass out there to find that not only was it in an area that was all hilly but you had to go up three really long stories to get up there. Every damned day.
The interior of the building also seemed to have construction going on inside and didn't look like it had ever been cleaned.
Whenever you find construction going on near where you are to be staying, run. Run like you know an earthquake is coming.
So I went back to the second place I'd looked up. Easy walk from the place I was staying. Talked to the owner "Josephei" - forgive my guess at spelling - as in "Josephei - go for the eyes" from the Simpsons. Yes, that is how I remember his name.
Never try to cut a deal with anyone who isn't the owner. They usually don't really have the authority to do so and the owner may end up rolling it back.
Fortunately, Josephei is the owner. I explained I was looking for a place for a month, possibly as long as three. Wanted to try this place out. He suggested 25 euros per night. It's not bad for the area I'm in though I'm thinking I could probably find a place further from the center if I wanted to. Paid him for a two night trial.
Due to my other place not having internet or working electrical outlets, I just turned in the key and left. Still had one night in that depressing turd of a 'two star' if I wanted it. Didn't. One of the workers was trying to be helpful when he repeatedly warned me that evil black men would be snatching my bags and running off. Sadly, I do have experience with knowing what the analyzing 'would this guy be worth robbing' look and must admit I got that several times from both black and white in that neighborhood. Not a great look to get. Especially since I dress like I am poor and strange. That is super odd.
I'd rather be in a bed and breakfast as the washing machine is usually included and this place is a bit claustrophobic. It's essentially half a room that had some water damage come in from the roof. Probably why I'm getting a better deal on it.
I don't think this will be the place I end up spending a great deal of time at. I'm going to keep looking but may end up here after all. I don't want to get caught out in 'suburb hell'. The downside of this place is that it is super small and noisy. The more I travel, the more I become convinced that rich people pay for silence. I don't mean in the way Trump pays porn stars for their silence - I mean literal silence. That's why rich people eat at places with very very softly playing music in the background, poor people with blaring crap.
It's my working theory.
After that I found that the last place I'd been staying in seems to have messed up my plug converter. Went and got lucky finding more. Bought a bunch - fuck being without one.
Went out looking for food. Everything here seems to be fucking pizza - my least favorite food. Did get lucky and found one that I didn't mind much but it is still my least favorite type of food. Actually - least favorite vaguely American type of food. My all time low point for food is probably anything I ate in Moldova.
Using one of my back up methods, managed to get some money from the ATM's. Paypal is still on my shit list.
Seems like everything is a struggle thus far. I am winning through but it's a bit of a pain in the ass trying to find my way.
MY THOUGHTS ON NAPLES THUS FAR
Honestly, I've not yet had time to go see historic shit. To me, most of what I see looks like 'standard European town'. Bit dirty in some places but not noticeably different than other places.
My plan is to continue struggling to find a better place to stay. While or after I get that taken care of, I shall 'deign to notice the town more'. Yeah, that's right. I used 'deign' in a sentence. Give me some sort of prestigious writing award, chop chop.
Overall, not very impressed thus far. It's 'meh' here. I just want to find a comfortable (and fucking quiet) place I can afford to stay then hunker down for a few months. Going to see stuff, neat.
The costs here are making me very much miss Ukraine. Probably one of the reasons I go there every couple of years.
COSTS
Claustrophobic not super nice hotel room within walking distance of city center - low end stuff is around 30 EUR.
Laundry (one load), 5 EUR. (At first I was like 5 EUR? But then I thought about it and it is probably 3 KG. Normal price is 1-2 USD per kilo so this is a bit higher but not freaky high for the area.)
Cheap meal out - dreaded pizza or some shit, around 5-10 EUR. Note that restaurants don't seem to open until 1PM here for reasons. Before that only office and cake places are open. Which I find super irritating.
