About Andrew Phelps
Andrew Phelps is a WBUR reporter and the host of Hubbub, a new blog about Boston.
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Naples & Uncle Cyrano
I have finished my stay in Naples, Italy, a cradle of history for my family. It is where my father spent so many of his early years, a Navy kid who cried when he came to the United States because he didn’t speak any English.
This was a trip to meet the Vittoria family — my grandmother’s brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. It was a trip meant to be taken with my father, but that could not be done. So I went alone.
Sunbathers, fisherman, rowboat, and Mount Vesuvius.
It was important for me to go. I have always wanted to see the places about which I have heard so many stories. The crazy traffic, the old apartments, the Neopolitan dialect, the delicious food. And of course the beauty of the Amalfi Coast — Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano. My aunts and uncles and grandparents know these things very well.
I understand things better now — why it was funny when my dad called me “louie”, why my uncle likes Peroni, and why my entire family is so enchanted with the south of Italy.
Uncle Cyrano and the Amalfi Coast
I stayed with my Uncle Cyrano and Aunt Lina in their apartment for several days. Uncle Cyrano knows English better than any other person family — and still communication with my loved ones was not easy. At 83, his jumble of Italian, English, and Neopolitan can be quite a challenge to understand. (Fortunately, as my grandfather pointed out, the Italian hand gestures make things easier.)
The view from my bedroom every morning
I had a thrill ride through the city on the back of my cousin’s scooter. I bought roses from Cyrano’s favorite florist. I ate real margherita pizza at the best family restaurants. I experienced Naples as travelers should — which is not in the back of a tour bus. I am grateful for the love of my family.
Cyrano in Positano
12 Comments on ‘Naples & Uncle Cyrano’
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Andrew,
Very well done. Your Dad would have been
very proud of you. Thank you for taking the time to honor the family.
Love Nonna and Grandad
tthats awesome, just arrived in london, its bloody hot here! but i love it , hello to eveyone, peace David
Yo Andrew:
Its Jack Turner fearing and loathing in the Heart of the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego in sunny California. Hope you are having fun going back to your roots. Great articles!!
Keep up the good work as we all set our own standards and right now yours are where they should be.
Ps. Im not an uncle or even Italian.
Enjoy
JRT
Andrew,
I’ve been trying to phone you, but it won’t go through. It just rings and rings. Could I be doing something wrong?
Anyhow, I’m glad you’re having a lovely time. I don’t know what your schedule is EXACTLY, but the G8 Summit starts on July 6th in Scotland, if you’re around the UK. You can look at all the protestors and lend a hand in issues you care about.
I don’t have time to make this long, but I send you love and well-wishing (and the info that Tristan’s “Love, Love, Love” is now on mainstream American radio).
Love, Allie
Andrew- I left a message on your phone- I’ll be in Scotland covering the G8 conference and the Live 8 concert on Wednesday— as a journalist, so if you are in Scotland, or can get there, leave a message at my hotel- Old Waverly 43 Princess Street, Edinburgh, PH: 131 556 4648. It’s crazy I know, but damn exciting. Hope to talk to you soon.
Candice
Hey everyone – sounds like those meetings around the brunch table (more blueberry blintzes, anyone?) have panned out. Know you’re having a great time. Hope you’re taking care of your mom; I miss her. Tell her to email me if she finds herself in an internet cafe in some charming 600-year-old city with nothin’ but time on her hands. Love to you all from our Nations Capitol. – Sandi
Hi Andrew-
You don’t know me. And this post has nothing to do with Italy and would be much better suited for an email. But alas “ap AT andrewphelps DOT com” is not recognized a viable email address by hotmail. My name is Katie McKay. I am trying to make and sell this calendar type thingie and I am interested in using your picture of the SLC temple on it. Would you be williing to sell me the rights to use it? I am a poor student and this is just a little side project. So I couldn’t offer much–like $100 or $200? What do you think?
Thanks!
Katie McKay
Katie,
I use the AT and the DOT to prevent spam… You have to change them to the @ and . signs manually for it to work.
Give me your e-mail address so we can talk! E-mail ap@andrewphelps.com.
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for sharing your trip to Naples. I spent 5 years there during the 70′s as a military brat with you Dad and his Sister. I am very happy for you that you were able to experience Napoli and to meet your famiglia. You are very lucky indeed. I’m sure you felt your father there with you. It is a pleasure to live it vicariously through your journey, your scapbook. Thanks again, Kevin
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for sharing your trip to Naples. I spent 5 years in Naples during the 70′s as a military brat with you Dad and his Sister. I am very happy for you that you were able to experience Napoli and to meet your famiglia. You are very lucky indeed. It is a pleasure to live it vicariously through your journey, your scapbook. Thanks again, Kevin
Napoliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
yeah im totally smitten with the city im not sure theres something about it and i met real special ppl there too, im 16 and its the first time 4 me there no wait its the 2nd time, anyway i wanna go again this October i hope i can its good you met your family and learned about your origins!
Maya
tthats awesome, just arrived in london, its bloody hot here! but i love it , hello to eveyone, peace David