Sounds of an Epiphany

Lovely thing about a vacation, you can continue to enjoy it after you return via photos and video and stories. Naples and Sorrento were a quiet part of our trip between our classic Italian bookends Venice and Rome. At least, I thought they were quiet. Kevin’s videos reminded me of the rich cacophony of:

a Sorrentine marching band, (I love when they break into a run.)

Neopolitan African musicians singing, (They’re flanking the Cardinal, exhausted from passing out presents to children)

and a small choir processing out of Cattedrale di Sorrento. (Outside the church they circled the large nativity scene or creche carrying a statue of the baby Jesus.)

All of these were from one day- January 6th Epiphany. There were also fireworks on the balcony of our little pensione.

Epiphany is often the gifts and candy holiday for Italian children. La Befana comes and puts presents (candy for the good, coal for the naughty) in their stockings (sound familiar?) when she can’t find the baby in the manger.