Religion Is Everywhere In Naples

Nobody does religious icons like the Catholics in Italy. OK, maybe Hindus in India bring it. Iconography is all over Naples, in churches, street side, alley shrines, in glass cases, everywhere. Don't even throw in the biggest saint, football star Maradona.

Everybody puts their favorite saint in a box. Here's Santi Domenico Soriano e Nunzio Sulprizio.

The Virgin Mary, getting dramatic. Upward lighting and plastic flowers do the trick. The handmade, casual shrines tucked into walls along streets are great. They are always a hodgepodge installation, a mix of icons, candles, offerings, and pics of those lost and remembered.

Another box, another saint. Looks tough. And cramped.

Jesus in a box details, gotta get the stigmata right.

No place is inappropriate for a shrine. Here is a little one, plopped on the retaining rocks in the harbor.

Naples And Its Religious Dioramas

It's kind of creche gone wild in Naples with dioramas on display in churches, figurines and set dressing available for sale on the streets. Everyone and their mother, probably especially their mother, must have a special creche set up somewhere. No matter the place, always good details.

The classic theme, baby Jesus' reveal party. "It's a God!"

Jealous onlooker. Snoozing with a live sheep blanket.

Leading a gaudy procession.

Expressive animals. Fowl and dogs are easily startled.

Back to that big party, alternate version. How about a silver doily to go with your nakedness?

Details Of Naples, Italy

Naples is a riot of big attractions and bustle all around. People, cars, food, churches, trash. In yo' face. Crane the neck, dip the head, look a little deeper and some details emerge.

Historic district apartments open right to the small streets. They spy on you, you peek at them.

Always renewing the old, a church in a Christo-like covering. A priest delivering joy and death, flowers and skull.

It's always raining at the butcher. Actually, the dripping water is a tank, keeping the offerings moist.

Overwhelming curio shop. Good luck. Levitating laundry.

The seafood stall, Jesus always watching.

About that trash. Breeding and piling. Religious body parts for sale at a street market.

Alley shrine, well lit.

Sinning And Getting Saved In Kota Kinabalu

There's a curious merchant juxtaposition in Kota Kinabalu: an old pool hall next door to a religious icon store. Hustle some billiards and then absolve your sins with a Jesus figurine.

The pool hall, up a set of stairs, open air.

Small requirements, a fan, cue and old chalk scoreboard. One big requirement: No spitting.

Next door, the Jesus army is waiting.

Young or showing his big heart, there are options.

Or maybe Mary can help you out.

Our Lady Of Lourdes In Hat Yai

It's always surprising to see a Western religion stick its toe in a Far Eastern country. In Hat Yai, the Catholic Church has a big toe, running one of the major schools in the city. Of course, a church is attached.

The church has a funky mid-century modern design with a little pagoda nod thrown in.

Inside looks, church and a classroom.

Saint behind glass. Serious.

Jesus and his flock. Eating area, trying so hard to be one with nature. Epic fail.

Mary and child, drifting through the school hallways.