We have officially been in Avellino for about 2 weeks now. We have not been that impressed with the city, but the more I explore the more I like it. It is about 30 minutes from Naples and about 2 1/2 hours from Rome. I am looking forward to making a day trip to Rome on a day off, whenever that may be. The hotel that we are staying at is snuggled in the mountains in a village called Mercogliano. Most of the team have apartments here. We are hoping when we finally get one we will stay near everyone.
So, as mentioned, we have been staying at a hotel since we arrived in Avellino. I am anxious to have some more space, we have all of our bags in a little European hotel room. This is Drake with the owner Antonio. He is a huge basketball fan, and takes great care of us, speaks near perfect english. A good chunk of the team normally eats lunch and dinner here, so it has been nice getting to know everyone better.
Yesterday practice wasn't until 8, so we took a drive up in the mountains. Here we are overlooking Mercogliano.
Mercogliano
At the top of the mountain we were driving is a big cathedral, MonteVergine where someone important had been mummified. It was kind of pretty, we were the only ones around so that made it kind of eery.
Drake trying to be a photographer.
Apparently there are a lot of cows wandering the mountain?
Drake liked this red building
Ok so I have mentioned to some of you that there is so much smoke around here, and it bothers us. Gives me a headache, makes Drake's eyes water. We thought it was the Camorra (mafia here in Avellino), burning garbage. However I guess people here collect chestnuts for money and then burn the outside of the shell. This is a picture of what the outside of a chestnut looks like. FYI one kilo (2.2 lbs) of chestnuts goes for 1 1/2 euro. Drake is encouraging me to collect some and bring in some extra cash for us. 
I have never had such problems with motion sickness. Since I have been here I have gotten sick 4 times on the side of the road! I think it is a combination of curvy roads and the smoke in the air.*Disclaimer: Drake is usually more empathetic when I am feeling bad.
2 comments:
Thanks for the update Gini! Love the pics. I hope you can find some nice digs soon. I'm thinking about ya!
Kel
Yay! You have a blog! Someone emailed this link to me. His username was "dirtyItalianstalker" I think... j/k! My mom got it from your parents. The more I looked at this blog the more I liked Drake. First "Drake trying to be a photographer" made me laugh. Then "Drake says I should collect and sell chestnuts" really made me laugh, then his picture of you vomiting really, really made me laugh. (And feel a little sorry for you, but mostly I laughed) I hope you two are liking your life as newlyweds! Keep the updates coming! I have a blog too. It is gaberbaby.blogspot.com. Email me your email address to bes02001@yahoo.com and I will give you permission. You can see my wrecked car! But we are okay so that's good. I will also be posting pics of our new house soon! Take care!
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