Mar 13Dear Feis,
Excuse the paper - I'm at the lab & don't have anything else handy. Laboratories are fine, but sometimes I think what I need more than anything else is to go and build a flat! Well, you can't have everything, I guess!
Thanks for your note at Christmas - though I waited in vain for the promised "letter following". Maybe now that spring vacation is coming around ...
Naples is wonderful, once you get over the initial shock - just now two Italians came breezing in with a feather duster on a long pole, and swept about three cobwebs down off the ceiling onto my clean glassware. Then they left, singing a song about ivy, because I have some in a jar on my table. Oh well! I am learning Italian out of necessity - hardly any of the Italians speak English (although they are all learning from us!)
There is quite a group of young people here at the station - I am rooming with a girl from Oxford, and there are various Italians, Dutch, Germans, Americans and such so there is no lack of people to do things with!
Sunday is TOUR DAY - so far I have been to Pompei and to an old amphitheatre nearly where they fed Christians to the lions in the first act and followed it with a play - Pat, the prints & pictures have nothing on the originals - I am just overwhelmed by the architecture of these places - and the instinct for beauty and strength at once. And the wall paintings in Pompei are lovely - must go back there.
For two Sundays we have attempted to get through the National Gallery, in an old castle on the hill overlooking all Naples and the Bay. But you just have to go so slowly to see everything it's impossible - the special feature of the place is a roomful of wonderful Titians - - - but don't I sound like the gaping tourist!
If this isn't Theatre Year for me, it certainly is Opera Year - the opera here is quite good (usually) and we usually get a gang together & go every week or so. The biggest Big Name is Renata Tibaldi - we have seen her once in an insignificant opera about the Comédie Française and will see her in Tosca and LaForza del Destino - she is magnificent and a great stage personality, so it should be exciting - especially since Naples turns out in droves and cheers and throws flowers like Spaniards at a bull fight (or Americans at a football game?)
"Quest è la paese del sole" - HA! For the last week we have had rain, snow, hail and wind, tastefully blended to chill the heart (and bone) of even the most warm-blooded. They say spring will come, however!
A note on pizza ... what is called Italian pizza in America is more Italian than Italy! Also mozzarella is quite different!
It always seemed like such a long time between Christmas & Easter - hard to believe you are just about at One-Acts time. I must be getting old! What's going on, by the way? Haven't heard a word about the new technical director - are you still working at L.T.? [Laboratory Theatre] And how is everybody in DC? I heard from a non-theatrical grapevine that M'Lou was fabulous as the nurse in Romeo & Juliet, but it neglected to say where - Lab Theatre or Amherst, I presume?? And what are you doing, anyhow? The only person at Holyoke I hear from is Miss Voorhees!! And that's not exactly news.
For the first time in my life, I find myself socially acceptable - even - I hesitate to say - slightly popular! It's a nice feeling ... perhaps I shall not be an old maid after all!
My sea urchin embryos are turning out rather well, on the whole - although the last bunch or two have been rather overenthusiastic in the skeleton dept, so it sends out sprouts like a raspberry runner or something - I think they're allergic to the detergent I've been using!
Give my love to everyone, and write soon! Have you plans yet for next year, by the way?
Love,
Molly