WE'D just ordered our meal - vermicelli con vongole (baby clams) followed by roast chicken - when it began.
First we heard some tannoyed music. It sounded like hymns. Before long we noticed the police arrive. Then came the procession led by some sort of banner, followed by the band, then the nuns dressed in white. After them came what looked like a hearse with no coffin in it, followed by the black of priests & finally the good people of Pompei. The staff of the restaurant all quickly went out of the garden restaurant gates to watch the procession.
When the food was served we tried to ask what was happening. As far as we could gather from what Mario said (in Italian), it was the day for celebrating Pompei's patron saint. The hearse must have carried the relics of the saintly man.
We continued with our meal.
After we'd had our fill, Mario deceded we really wanted some ice cream, banana, lemon sorbet & strwberry. We'd just sorted out the flavours when there was an all mighty bang. With our fellow diners, we hastily got to the gates. The fireworks had begun. One of the best displays I think I've ever seen. By the time we got back to our table the ice cream was well on its way to melting.
It is with relief that no limoncello arrived. I have to confess I've not felt very bright the last couple of mornings since that fiery liquid appeared on the scene. Today I felt considrably better even though we had a bottle of wine in our room after we got back to the hotel.
1 comment:
really enjoyed following your travel blogs but, sadly, the reports have done little to change my resistance to travel! All in all though, it does sound like you've had arewarding experience.
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