circumvesuvius trains
Aug 17th, 2006, 04:55 PM
#21
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We've ridden the Circumvesuviana several times Naples-Sorrento and back and also from Sorrento to Pompeii Scavi and back without incident. However, we have been accosted by some toughs, and also the guys who grab your bags and carry them to the platform, despite your objections, and then demand an exhorbitant amount of money.
Now, when we arrive in Naples, we have made arrangements with DriveAmalfi and there's Salvatore waiting on the platform for us. He drives us to Praiano, 90 minutes, in a Mercedes Minivan for 110 Euros for 4 of us. We just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride and views. Contact him at [email protected] and he'll quote you.
[email protected]
Now, when we arrive in Naples, we have made arrangements with DriveAmalfi and there's Salvatore waiting on the platform for us. He drives us to Praiano, 90 minutes, in a Mercedes Minivan for 110 Euros for 4 of us. We just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride and views. Contact him at [email protected] and he'll quote you.
[email protected]
Aug 17th, 2006, 04:55 PM
#22
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Hi bellastar,
If you will trouble yourself to read my second post I clearly make the point that I don't think the NYC subway is a bad system, unsafe, etc. etc. Shall I SHOUT it? ;-) I ride the subway every time I visit NYC just like I ride the Circumvesuviana every time I am in that area of Naples-Sorrento. I think BOTH are great systems! It's just been my own <b>personal</b> experience to witness two (hence the plural) pickpocketing episodes in NYC and none in Naples. One was in 1997 and the victim was a fellow choir member (high school church choir). The girl, a 10th-grader, whose purse was snatched received a nasty hit in the face when she held onto her bag (which probably was not the wisest decision), resulting in a broken nose. The second was in 2001 and I was in the same car with a woman when she discovered that the wallet she had with her in her purse on the platform was no longer in her purse. I don't know her personally so I cannot vouch that she didn't lose her wallet on her own, only that she was very upset and convinced it must have been lifted.
Satisfied?
Good grief, I truly do not understand why people are getting so upset over my posts as I've now repeatedly made it clear I am not criticising the NYC subway! Just drawing a comparison that pickpocketing can happen to anyone, anywhere if you are not careful.
If you will trouble yourself to read my second post I clearly make the point that I don't think the NYC subway is a bad system, unsafe, etc. etc. Shall I SHOUT it? ;-) I ride the subway every time I visit NYC just like I ride the Circumvesuviana every time I am in that area of Naples-Sorrento. I think BOTH are great systems! It's just been my own <b>personal</b> experience to witness two (hence the plural) pickpocketing episodes in NYC and none in Naples. One was in 1997 and the victim was a fellow choir member (high school church choir). The girl, a 10th-grader, whose purse was snatched received a nasty hit in the face when she held onto her bag (which probably was not the wisest decision), resulting in a broken nose. The second was in 2001 and I was in the same car with a woman when she discovered that the wallet she had with her in her purse on the platform was no longer in her purse. I don't know her personally so I cannot vouch that she didn't lose her wallet on her own, only that she was very upset and convinced it must have been lifted.
Satisfied?
Good grief, I truly do not understand why people are getting so upset over my posts as I've now repeatedly made it clear I am not criticising the NYC subway! Just drawing a comparison that pickpocketing can happen to anyone, anywhere if you are not careful.
Aug 17th, 2006, 04:56 PM
#23
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P.S.
<b>bellastar</b>,
I have always known you to be a delightful poster and one whom I respect and admire. Please do read what I have said carefully and I really don't think you will be offended!
<b>bellastar</b>,
I have always known you to be a delightful poster and one whom I respect and admire. Please do read what I have said carefully and I really don't think you will be offended!
Aug 18th, 2006, 04:10 AM
#24
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Hi Texasaggie-
Thanks for your compliment, and I am happy to make peace now. Your claim that you witnessed muggings is now more clear- these were a purse snatching incident and a case of a missing wallet-likely pickpocketed, but not a mugging. A mugging is when a person is targeted and physical harm is done, such as a beating followed by being robbed.
It's a very important distinction.
We New Yorkers take alot of "stuff" being said about our city on many levels which is not usually based on reality, so you caught me at one of those "I've had it up to here" moments!
Regarding missing wallets- I once discovered that my wallet was missing in Positano and started freaking out- I was traveling alone and it contained all my ready cash, credit card, etc- I had just gotten off the SITA bus. Was I pickpocketed?
I called a driver I knew, and he called the busdriver, who had retrieved my wallet from the seat on the bus where a local had found it- he passed it along to the driver coming back in the opposite direction, and the bus made a stop at the trattoria where I was waiting- and returned it to me-completely intact- all while I was sitting enjoying a coffee kindly offered to me by the barista to help me calm down. As you might imagine, my opinion of the local people, not to mention the busdrivers of the Amalfi Coast was formed that day.
As travelers, we need be careful, but also to consider the daily realities of life in our destinations, rather than form abstract and often alarmist opinions based on single incidents or overheard stories.
Thanks for your compliment, and I am happy to make peace now. Your claim that you witnessed muggings is now more clear- these were a purse snatching incident and a case of a missing wallet-likely pickpocketed, but not a mugging. A mugging is when a person is targeted and physical harm is done, such as a beating followed by being robbed.
It's a very important distinction.
We New Yorkers take alot of "stuff" being said about our city on many levels which is not usually based on reality, so you caught me at one of those "I've had it up to here" moments!
Regarding missing wallets- I once discovered that my wallet was missing in Positano and started freaking out- I was traveling alone and it contained all my ready cash, credit card, etc- I had just gotten off the SITA bus. Was I pickpocketed?
I called a driver I knew, and he called the busdriver, who had retrieved my wallet from the seat on the bus where a local had found it- he passed it along to the driver coming back in the opposite direction, and the bus made a stop at the trattoria where I was waiting- and returned it to me-completely intact- all while I was sitting enjoying a coffee kindly offered to me by the barista to help me calm down. As you might imagine, my opinion of the local people, not to mention the busdrivers of the Amalfi Coast was formed that day.
As travelers, we need be careful, but also to consider the daily realities of life in our destinations, rather than form abstract and often alarmist opinions based on single incidents or overheard stories.
Aug 18th, 2006, 04:34 AM
#26
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I was born in New York and have lived here most of my life. A "mugging" is getting robbed. Period. You are "mugged" even if somebody only intimidates you into giving up your money.
People should be careful, especially at night, riding the NYC subways, especially outside the core of Manhattan. They should be careful entering the station and exiting it at night, and they should move to another car if they ever are the only person in it.
Bellastar is speaking only for herself about New Yorkers. Many are proud of the city's reputation for toughness and danger, and even get a kick out of it.
It takes all kinds.
People should be careful, especially at night, riding the NYC subways, especially outside the core of Manhattan. They should be careful entering the station and exiting it at night, and they should move to another car if they ever are the only person in it.
Bellastar is speaking only for herself about New Yorkers. Many are proud of the city's reputation for toughness and danger, and even get a kick out of it.
It takes all kinds.
Aug 18th, 2006, 06:59 AM
#27
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nessundorma,
yes, it absolutely takes all kinds.
Having also lived in NY most of my life, and having been mugged, I will again say that the definition of mugging is:
physical assault with the intent to rob.
It's the physical assault part that makes it a mugging.
I am proud of being a New Yorker, but I also strongly believe that:
A) not all New Yorkers are pushy and rude, as is sometimes reported, and
B) based on personal experience, yes you should be careful on the subways and streets of New York, taking the precautions necessary in any urban environment. Though you may be proud of New York's "tough, dangerous" reputation, we are no longer on the top three most dangerous US cities list!
yes, it absolutely takes all kinds.
Having also lived in NY most of my life, and having been mugged, I will again say that the definition of mugging is:
physical assault with the intent to rob.
It's the physical assault part that makes it a mugging.
I am proud of being a New Yorker, but I also strongly believe that:
A) not all New Yorkers are pushy and rude, as is sometimes reported, and
B) based on personal experience, yes you should be careful on the subways and streets of New York, taking the precautions necessary in any urban environment. Though you may be proud of New York's "tough, dangerous" reputation, we are no longer on the top three most dangerous US cities list!
Aug 18th, 2006, 07:39 AM
#28
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I think a lot of cities get a worse rep then they deserve, including many cities in Europe such as Rome or Naples. I'm sure there are plenty of muggings in NYC, but my own city, St. Louis, ranked as the 3rd most dangerous city in the US last year. We are a fairly small midwestern city, so many wouldn't think that. Still, I never feel unsafe because most of the problems happen in places that most tourists, or many citizens for that matter, would travel to.
I think its more important to practice precaution in any place you visit. I think that, overall, places that attract tourists are places that one should be the most careful in.
Tracy
I think its more important to practice precaution in any place you visit. I think that, overall, places that attract tourists are places that one should be the most careful in.
Tracy
Aug 18th, 2006, 02:14 PM
#29
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