Here's an article that appeared in the L.A. Times (8/30/08):

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,1579890.story

It just gets sadder.

Hello Jean, yes it does get sadder. About a month ago I was having a phone conversation with an Italian friend in Italy. She lives in the north. She started to get chocked up and almost cried as she talked about what the residents in the south are having to deal with, how the it seems the situation will never be resolved and the shame she and others felt for their country.

Thank you for posting the uptodate information.

Appalling. What can we do?

What can we do? I'm not sure anymore what even the nation of Italy can do. As the activist Del Giudice said in the article, this is Italy's Chernobyl ... without the evacuations.

If you haven't already, I would recommend you read "Gomorrah" by Roberto Saviano
(Publisher: Macmillan, Pub date: 2007, ISBN: 9780230703674).

The journalist Roberto Saviano gives an horrific account of the Camorra and its role in the global economy. His book became a bestseller in Italy and after it was published he needed police protection after the Camorra threatened his life. He writes about the Camorra's infuential hold over the construction, fashion, drug and rubbish industries. He also writes at length about the Camorra's ruthless methods which have resulted in Campania having the highest murder rate in all of Europe.

I found it a real eye-opener. A movie has been made about the book but I haven't seen it yet.

It is a strange quirk in the Italian culture. Look at the Olive oil scandals; where fake oil is colored and flavored to look, smell and vaguely even taste like the real thing. Also, the wine labeling hoaxes. This Camorra control of Campania is a tight strangle hold; much like the Mafia in Calabria, the Ndrangheta, and its huge public works scams and outright theft of government funds that were supposed to build hospitals and schools. Now, the Ndrangheta is so powerful it is said to control the drug traffic and immigrant smuggling trades in all of Italy. Ruthless "secret societies" in Italy are as entrenched as a biscotti spuntino with un cafe!!!

I can second the recommendation of "Gomorrah," but it too is very depressing reading. I normally keep books I read, but this one I donated to the local library. I didn't think there was any way I'd want to open it up again.

Yes, Jean. I totally agree with you. I borrowed the copy of Gomorrah that I read from the library and, although my hubbie and I read it, I didn't pass it on to my 16 year old.

We were initially considering staying in Naples for 3 to 4 days and doing day trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum. I have lived in very dangerous, corrupt, and sometimes polluted places for many years of my life, and didn't give staying in Naples a second thought until I read this book.

Now we are going to do a day trip from Rome, rather than stay in Naples!

I read Gomorrah when it came out in English and went to see Roberto Saviano when he made an appearance at the PEN Writer;s conference this year in NY. He had an onstage with Antonio Monda and gave a lengthy Q and A, filled with anecdotes about the effect the publishing of his has had on his life. The audience was standing room only, with lines going out into the street, and many People from Naples were there. He was given an intense standing ovation when he came on stage, and I noticed some people had tears on their eyes.

I agree that this book, while it contains depressing information, is a very important one to read for anyone truly interesting in knowing something about Naples and how it fits into the larger picture of modern Italy.

I believe people should feel ashamed in the North, since much of the toxic waste being illegally dumped in the landfills around Naples is industrial waste trucked in from places like Tuscany under secret deals with the Comorra-to be dumped in the backyards and near the schoolyards of poorer Neapolitan neighborhoods.

sorry for all the typos- hope the sense of what I wanted to say is clear enough.

I would also like to mention that there were several guards accomanying him when he appeared, provided by the FBI, because of the threats to his life resulting from this book.

Ozziez, of course it depends on the rest of your itinerary, but I would never deter someone from staying in Naples (or the surrounding area) for the 3-4 days you originally planned. IMO there are too many treasures and gorgeous scenery to be seen in a day-trip from Rome. We needed more than one day for Pompeii alone.

Hi bellastar, my friends in the north of Italy have nothing to do with the situation. Just want to make that clear.

Yes LoveItaly, I am clearly referring to the industries in the North of Italy who have these practices. I am so glad your friends aren't connected to that, but also glad they have such a concern currently for the people of Napoli, because we both know of the histroical divide between North and South!

I would also not advise against visiting Naples. We stayed for a week, found it so fascinating we still haven't made it to Pompeii or Herculaneum and can't wait to go back.

That was 2 years ago when the uncollected rubbish was already supposed to be a problem; but neither then nor when passing through during each of the years since, have we noticed any problem. I'm not saying it doesn't exist but I'm not sure how likely it is to affect tourists.

I'm really not sure why people talk this up so much. We don't seem to see postings about the similar problems which undoubtedly exist in other countries - I wonder why ?

Thanks for the link.

No question it is very sad. We were there in May and they had just started to train the garbage to Germany.

Unfortunately, I worry about the bufala mozzarella, limoncello, olive oil and tomatoes. It is truly disgusting - sadly the food supply in the US is no better.

Nevertheless, for the traveler to Italy who wants to learn about ancient Romans and Greeks, the Magna Grecia, see some of the most beautiful landscape in the world and live among some of the most vibrant people in the world, Naples is a must visit in Italy. I suggest you not be deterred from Naples because of the garbage in the surrounding areas. Here are some wonderful videos to introduce you to this wonderful region of Italy, Campania:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=104

Here are the cute Bufala:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=205

And Torre de Greco coral jewelry:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=205

and made in Campania fashion:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=103