Passigiata

So there’s this tradition in Italy (every place we’ve ever been) that weather permitting everyone goes out at night and strolls the streets and chats and eats and window shops (shops are all open).  This goes on from 6 in the evening until 1 in the morning.  We’ve seen this from the smallest hill town to Rome. This is called the Passigiata.  My initial theory was TV sucked so bad in Italy you were really left with little else to do, but experience is changing this theory.

We joined Tonight’s Passigiata in Sorrento about 19:00.  As always there were lots of people, vespas and even a parade.  I didn’t quite get what the parade was about (seemed a marching band followed by a bunch of the walkers) – probably locals celebrating the return of tourist season, but it was a great first night none the less.  We use the Passigiata as an excuse to scope out restaurants (some of you may be aware of Ken’s rules for choosing restaurants – but that’s a post for another time) and spend time with locals.  It’s just a giant party and impossible not to be happy while participating.  Italy is so festive.