Unlike most other countries where people vary their vacation times throughout the year, almost all Italians take their vacations in August. As early as the end of July, I started seeing shops closing up and people heading for the train station or port.
"Vacation month" culminates in the Catholic celebration of Ferragosto (Assumption Day) on August 15th. I have been warned to do my grocery shopping early and just plan to stay at home since Naples will apparently resemble a ghost town on this sacred holiday. Even in the weeks to come, the city will remain at half capacity and many shops and restaurants will simply be boarded up with a sign stating their reopening in September. For an American, who is used to a capitalist society where you find most places open even on our most celebrated holidays, it is a bit of a shock to me.
The fun-loving, free spirit in me admires the Italians for taken their vacations so seriously. I've often lamented that part of source of many Americans' unhappiness and discontent is our inability to take time off, have fun and relax. Well, having seen it firsthand, one thing Italians do like clockwork is take breaks (a long "siesta" lunch every afternoon, not working on the sabbath, and, of course, the vacation month of August.
The more practical, business-minded side of me, however, yearns to explain to these Italian business-owners what income they are losing by closing shop. Especially in the midst of tourist season, it amazes me that so few Italians want to capitalize on it!
Nevertheless, for the next few weeks, I will be one of the few "working" people in Naples and will welcome a slightly quieter and less-crowded Naples.
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1 comment:
maybe they have better priorities in enjoying life.
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