I do believe in faeries

so I have traveled all over Naples now... well almost all over Naples, all UNDER Naples to be more precise. The metro here is wonderful. Where else can you be serenaded by gypsies playing the accordion, witness a conversation between italians that resembles a boxing match, watch teenagers 'make out', and pleasantly ignore the female voice over the loudspeaker (which always seems to be near the seat I choose no matter which seat I choose) ALL at the same time. I am very entertained by the particular people that I see on the metro. Often I recognize the commuters. But more and more I am learning the particular trains that the gypsy beggars use and what time they frequent what line. There is one particular boy, probably early 20's that works solo. Enters a the train at the Museo stop, line one toward the Policlinico (where Brandie works) As soon as the doors close he begins his speech about being from Yugoslavia, and how he can't get work... etc. I point him out for several reasons. First he is kinda cute. Second, he is from Yugoslavia, but speaks perfect Italian. And finally he works alone. The last point is the most interesting. All the other beggars work in, at least, pairs. One plays the accordion while the other walks around with a tambourine collecting coins. If not collecting with it, the second person is rattling their tambourine to the beat of the music. If the beggar is young, say... under 10, he or she is always accompanied by a guardian of some sort, often 2. There job is to watch out for the police, or more often, irritated commuters. I have witnessed several altercations between those that beg and those that are commuting to work. I even witnessed a "sting like" operation where one commuter sought out the police and identified the crew of beggars after which the cops waited until the music started and then promptly shut the operation down. (to the delight of most of the passengers) But back to my topic. Everyone works in pairs. Not only the beggars, but the Italians in general. Young girls walk arm and arm, older women walk arm and arm, boys men, everyone walks arm and arm with someone else. If not actually linked "wedding style" through the arms, then holding hands, and finally for the pure rebel, just hanging on to a piece of clothing, like a jacket or scarf. Regardless of how it is carried out, the buddy system is alive and well in Italy. You remember the buddy system from elementary school? Each student is given another student from the same grade to hold hands with, and watch out for while on field trips. If you were lucky, and it was a big field trip with more than one grade level going, you would get an older student as your buddy. That was great! (my last name being Wirth, and everything in school being set up in alphabetical order, I often did not have a buddy of my own grade level)

So I wonder... should I have a buddy while in Italy? Where do I find my buddy? Should someone have already assigned my buddy to me, and I was just absent that day? OR do I have to find my own buddy? Now the obvious answer to my questions, to all my questions is Brandie. She is always my first choice in all situations. But, she is working whilst I travel the metro tunnels. So, as of yet, I am buddy-less. Yet another thing that no one told us we needed before moving to Italy.

-Bart