Quartieri Spagnoli (the Spanish Quarter), the area that’s said to be the most dangerous in Napoli. But it’s also the heart-and-soul of the city, according to others.

We “survived” our first morning in Quartieri Spagnoli (see our last post). In the following week, we combed through narrow streets, checking out a plethora of palazzos, chiesas, and museo. While there are many things that we can look back in our photographs, what stayed with our mind and gives us a pretty smile once in a while is what happened when we were immersed in their daily life.

One time, a family had to share a piece of birthday cake with us when celebrating in a restaurant. Despite a full belly, we had no choice but to oblige.

Another time, a vendor grabbed us by the shoulder so we could have a photograph with him, and his fish.

Oh, did I mention in the same restaurant where I was scolded for not being careful with my cell phone (see the post here)? It was our first meal in Italy and everything seemed new and interesting. While we were eyeing over the dish that two gentlemen had on their table, they had the waiter bring the exact dish for us. And to ensure that we tried their national beverage, we were treated to our first coppa di caffè in Italy after dinner.

Some say food leads to sense of happiness. I will certainly not argue with it. All this food that we were treated to in Italy may have contributed to this amore I feel towards it’s people. Maybe, the ubiquitous Virgin Mary that seems to be watching over us in every corner of the city has a hand in it as well?

Napoli maybe the first city that we visited in Italy. It was only the first of many that we would enjoy in the years to come and be surprisingly touched time and again by its people, the heart and soul of this beautiful country.