They offered champagne and remarked that it was a symbol of celebration
rich in traditions, and I said "bring it on" (note to you-know-who: that is a good context to use such a phrase, not when talking to terrorists). I glanced over at the person in the seat next to me and he was reading articles entitled "Micro tubules made tracks for cellulose" and "Can a fraction of a Quantum be better than a whole one?" Call me intuitive, but I knew then that this journey was going to start off on a pretty interesting note. Lucky for me he was also very chatty and it took us no time at all to get into an electric, inspiring, and interesting conversation on unified field theory, Jesus, miracles, love, family, children, you name it. We lingered for a while on speaking about the early Church and on the Pope's recent remarks. I tested my op-ed out on
him, and to my surprise he agreed. You guys can tell me what you think
tomorrow.

Upon meeting me he told me he was a conservative. I looked at his magazine and said you look like a man smart enough to be a real conservative, "a man who wants to conserve all the good things from the past." He replied, yes of course, "the political definitions of today are silly indeed. First and foremost the best thing form the past we should conserve is the environment", wow, I thought, I like this guy, take out your notebook because you are about to learn a lot.

Man did that hunch pay off. After our talk I had filled a legal pad - granted my writing is big and all over the place, but still.

So the first Italian thing was the Caprese they served us, mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil, for those who don't know. (If this gets too detailed let me hear it and I may comply with changing the style, or I may not :) We'll see. These travel blogs will probably be more casual.)

I am sitting in a castle that I just explored and admittedly I am distracted by the light streaks being made by a radiant sun across the blue sea and the view of all of Naples is in the background. The helicopter and the many fishing boats out are not helping the concentration factor either.

Onto the main course. Swordfish or steak. Now, at first I did not consider the steak, as I did not bring any animal products, leather etc. on the trip nor any things with animal byproducts. Did you know a lot of candles even have that? I will have more for you guys on that later.

The steak was hard to resist though, "Texas Cowboy Chili Barbecue Spiced Filet Mignot", does that sound like something you could turn down? Well, the answer for me was, heck no! I love cowboys, barbecue and Texas, and filet is not so bad.

I had been listening to Willie Nelson, George Staright, and TK (Toby Keith for you country music haters) on replay for two hours while waiting for the plane so it sounded just about right. I love country, but I was trying to get a lot of it out of my system since I packed my iPod with Andrea Bocelli, lots of other great Italian singers and all my favorite gospel (Yolanda Adams, second to none). So far Yolanda came in very handy on my morning run and Chaka Kahn has had a strong showing, along with U2.

Arrivederci for now. I have to get back to my room to get ready. We are going to the Church where the San Genaro miracle is expected to happen tommorow, and I heard from the guy at the Pizzeria that tonight, the older Italian ladies start praying for it all through the night.

Dio ti bendica.