La Casa di Heide a Via Solferino

Ciao to all Family, Friends, and interested bloggers!

Jenny and I have finally finished our move into our new house in Monte di Procida, a little village on the sea that is about 25 km from the Napoli airport.

For those of you who were at our wedding, or those who have viewed our pictures, you will understand when I say that the view from our rooftop is almost exactly like the Villa views in Ravello. It's beautiful with a perfect panorama of the Med, La Isola Procida and La Isloa Ischia--all from our roof top! However, the very best part of the move is this: Jenny, Harley, Bella, Gus, Buckets and me are feeling much, much better. We are no longer getting sick from the burning trash and garbage.

Procida is one of the few villages that conscientiously elects to recycle and separate trash in a way that is sustainable and environmentally sound for the resident citizens. Additionally, trash is hauled to the local dump each day. Sadly, the dump is nothing more than the town below the mountain top on which we live. While Napoli itself still suffers from the social travesty of negligent waste management, we seem to have found one of the few places where money and influence prevent (or rather divert) impovershed living.

Confessedly, we live now live one of Naples wealthiest areas--possibly the most wealthy aside from downtown Napoli proper--which often makes me wonder how much of a vacuum we truly will find ourselves living in. Speaking and thinking about the majority of public issues that face the larger population is a social responsibility for every concerned citizen of his or her town, however in Procida we seemed to be very removed from the 'dark side' of Napoli. Having very little personal history here in Naples, I cannot say what vacuum living will be like at the end of our time in Compania Region. What I do know is this: the money and wealth that exists in Monte di Procida demands good stewardship of the local mountain and village. Therefore, one result--the most important result--of vacuum living is that Jenny and I will be much, much healthier than if we elected to stay in Quarto. And, of course, without our total wellness in good standing, what else do we really have?

It is no doubt difficult for many of you to completely understand and comprehend the environmental travesty that has developed here in Napoli. However, suffice it to say that we will write and post pictures in the next few weeks so you all can gain a better understanding of how Napoli is truly a third-world land surrounded by first-world nations.

Best to all,
Nate&Jen