by Ernesto Lella
This time it would be appropriate to say "Wet lady, lucky lady", because after a week of still summery sunshine and before another week of wonderful weather, the only day in which it rained for almost the whole morning, was Sunday, October 5, the day of our long-awaited gathering in Naples, the organization of which, having started a long time ago (the first requests for authorization were received in January), did not allow us to postpone everything. The chosen "location" was the space of the new layout of Piazza Municipio, with the port and the sea in front, the splendor of the Castel Nuovo (for the Neapolitans the Maschio Angioino) on one side, and in the background, after the gardens with the majestic Bernini fountain, Palazzo San Giacomo, seat of the Municipality, surmounted by the splendid panorama of the Vomero hill with the Certosa di San Martino and Castel Sant'Elmo (still one of our 7 Castles present in the landscape) which “watched” at us from above.
We continue to select large spaces in our city where our little ones can enjoy a spectacular view. These spaces should be centrally located, popular with families and tourists, so they too can enjoy our show. They should also allow our rally guests to explore the city's characteristic cultural and scenic attractions.
As always, the main meeting in Naples is organised also because "we like to go in the 500 and look in the mirror at who goes... slower", therefore in collaboration with the Associations "I Sedili di Napoli" and "Progetto Uniforme": this year too we have started a fundraiser for the soup kitchen of the Basilica of Carmine Maggiore, which has been providing hundreds of meals a day for over 40 years and, as the "patron", the very friendly Father Francesco, proudly states, has never closed a day, not even with Covid.
When we from the Coordination team arrived in the square early in the morning, with a light drizzle that allowed us to set up gazebos and equipment, we found the beautiful 500 Camioncino of our sponsor "Supermercati Piccolo" and gradually the cars of the members who came to lend us a hand, sacrificing the parade through the city streets. Then we began to battle the rain: we managed to calmly manage the highlights of the morning, registration and bag delivery (which we try to make, thanks to our sponsors, much more than the entry fee). In addition to the artisanal pear panettone from Piccolo Supermarkets (a true gourmet specialty), we've revived the ancient tradition of "Tarallo e Birra" with the classic Neapolitan artisanal tarallo from Leopoldo Infante's "Taralleria," grandson of the founder of the city's most famous "tarallari" company, washed down with the new non-alcoholic craft beer (excellent for a quick bite in a Fiat 500) "N'Artigiana" from Enzo Caso's Birrificio Artigianale Napoletano. To finish off in style, artisanal chocolates from Gay Odin, the world-famous Antica Cioccolateria Napoletana, which this year joined our sponsors and with whom we've immediately activated an online shopping deal. But we can't just eat! For our little ones, there were bandanas from “Affari Sbullonati,” very useful spare light bulbs from “Autoricambi Ugon,” a Mafra product donated by the Piscopo brothers of Pro.Tec srl, a beautiful straw Panama hat and a water bottle branded Fiat 500 Club Italia by Si. Lan. and All Service, as well as all the other gadgets provided by the Club.
Numerous tourists coming from the cruise ships anchored in the port who, regardless of the bad weather and walking around the city, found themselves faced with our spectacle: over 120 cars lined up in two neat rows in the center of the square, with a few gems like the aforementioned "van," the 500 competition of Team Nicola D'Aniello, our very nice member and "head physician" of his hospital for our little ones, the constantly dried Bianchina convertible, the famous 500 "Del Napoli" with two Lupin and Margot dolls inside by Gabriele Navarra (sorry not to be able to open the sunroof for photos with the children) and many others.
Moments of respite from the rain allowed us to do our usual, crowded farewell toast (with even a few gatecrashers…). At 13pm everyone in the car towards the splendid panoramic location of Villa Posillipo in Pozzuoli (Except for a few of us who, under a "nice" rainstorm that greeted us, had to dismantle our equipment and clear the square.) The ritual lunch, photos, farewells, a "tammurriata" offered by the Sedili of Naples to accompany the "almsgiving" for those who had forgotten to make a meal offering, the last toast of the day, and everyone went home, especially those furthest away who had come from Tuscany, Lazio, Puglia, Molise, and Basilicata braving the bad weather. Because, as we all know, Not even water can stop us!
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