Entering the narrow lane paved with square slates, overhung by balconies, overhead walkways and lined with craftsmen’s shops, they were once again delighted by the colorful array.
Even in the shadowy dimness, the flowers and painted wares on display shone brightly.
As the sisters walked deeper into this special street there seemed to be more illumination from the crowded shop windows than from the sky above.
While Taffy haggled with a vendor over the holy family she wanted, Bunny browsed among the souvenirs near the doorway.
Looking out, her attention was caught by a couple of rough-looking characters who seemed out of place in the crowd of tourists and shoppers, as they moved purposefully from vendor to vendor, pausing only briefly to exchange a few words before passing on to the next.
They started to veer in her direction after visiting the stall across the lane, when a guided bicycle tour blocked their path.
One of the cycling tourists hit a crooked tile and began to wobble, as she fought valiantly to remain upright, eventually losing her contest with gravity and crashing to the paving.
Just then, Taffy completed her purchase and hurried Bunny away from the confusion in front of the shop.
She had finally decided on a set of wise men seen in a shop window earlier in the day.
She bustled off quickly to one of the stores already visited by the men Bunny had been watching when the accident occurred.
Bunny followed behind at a more sedate pace.
That evening Bunny and Taffy were limp with fatigue, but agreed this had been another successful day.
The two were sitting at a table just inside the little café where they had eaten on the first night, enjoying restorative cups of cappuccino.
Before joining the tour to Pompei that afternoon, Taffy found a full cast of traditional Nativity figures to populate her presepio shell.
She ferreted out each perfect character by rummaging around in almost every vendor’s shop and stall on the famous street.
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