N.099 - La Vesuviana

An old wise man once said the human spirit can overcome any obstacle. That wise man had clearly never taken the Vesuviana trains. For those coming from the towns at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, the Vesuviana is not just a train: it’s a test of endurance, a daily rite of passage toward Naples, filled with sighs, shoves, and resigned silence. In winter, a hint of rain turns the carriages into pools on rails. In summer, it becomes a full sensory experience: heat wraps around you like a damp blanket, while smells blend into a pungent mix. And then there are the delays: constant, unpredictable. It doesn’t matter when you leave, on that train time is relative. If you take the Vesuviana, one thing is certain: you know where you start, but everything else is up to fate.