A PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT THROUGH TIBETAN MEDITATION – OR A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ITALIAN SOCIAL RULES
What I discovered when trying to organise the party was:
It is perfectly acceptable to:
- not bother answering an invitation even when asked repeatedly, and in advance;
- declaring that you will only come if there is really nothing better going on;
- cancelling on the day;
- inviting several of your own friends – also on the day – with a couple of them not even bothering to turn up even though there was a mad scramble to accommodate them – oh and not needing to apologise about it either; and finally,
- I also found out that it is ok to not bother to say bye to the hosts, let alone thank them for the party…
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Venice, do not do like the Veneziani. Why? Because it is impossible to figure out what they do anyway because they are so diluted by tourists, and it would certainly not be recommended to do like the foreigners do.
Pigeons might pooh on you whilst you are having your romantic gondola ride, but it is even more likely that some laddy from up north is going to spit on you. The Japanese carry their parasols around for a reason...
The teachers were happy for some peace and just watched as the kids spat out lumps of gooey stuff. Nice. Great to be on top of the bridge as opposed to under it.
In Venice (breathtakingly stunning, even after the millionth visit), you also don't expect to receive beautiful rings, find cool places to celebrate and get the time to catch up with good friends Rocio and Piero.
I always love the bit where he wiggles around in his jeans and asks Rocio if she has any space in her handbag. They are getting married and she is unruffled by the idea of carrying a pistol to the altar. A bit of gangsterism -- in my mind only!
Some very cool people were hanging out on the Rialto Bridge.
Piazza San Marco and its gondolas.
Classic shot - filmlike!
When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Venice, do not do like the Veneziani. Why? Because it is impossible to figure out what they do anyway because they are so diluted by tourists, and it would certainly not be recommended to do like the foreigners do.
Pigeons might pooh on you whilst you are having your romantic gondola ride, but it is even more likely that some laddy from up north is going to spit on you. The Japanese carry their parasols around for a reason...
The teachers were happy for some peace and just watched as the kids spat out lumps of gooey stuff. Nice. Great to be on top of the bridge as opposed to under it.
In Venice (breathtakingly stunning, even after the millionth visit), you also don't expect to receive beautiful rings, find cool places to celebrate and get the time to catch up with good friends Rocio and Piero.
I always love the bit where he wiggles around in his jeans and asks Rocio if she has any space in her handbag. They are getting married and she is unruffled by the idea of carrying a pistol to the altar. A bit of gangsterism -- in my mind only!
Some very cool people were hanging out on the Rialto Bridge.
Piazza San Marco and its gondolas.
Classic shot - filmlike!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
TUBES AND ACID
Just when we thought we had it all under control and that I finally managed to get to the hardware shop and purchase a bottle of anti-blockage, the sink gave way... Talk about medieval plumbing. The tubes below the sink have disintegrated. Ok, the blockage has gone and the water now flows freely - onto the floor.
Fancy popping round to sort it out? Oh and the oven is still not working!
Domestic paradise.
(and still not a picture in sight)
Just when we thought we had it all under control and that I finally managed to get to the hardware shop and purchase a bottle of anti-blockage, the sink gave way... Talk about medieval plumbing. The tubes below the sink have disintegrated. Ok, the blockage has gone and the water now flows freely - onto the floor.
Fancy popping round to sort it out? Oh and the oven is still not working!
Domestic paradise.
(and still not a picture in sight)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
THEN AND NOW
This really is today (as opposed to the retroposts I have been cheating you with). As I look back on the past months, I feel like I need to sit in a bubble bath for a day or two and ponder rather than keep up the juggling act. Maybe that will be my new year's resolution?! Take a bath.
A couple of weeks ago I was covering the Stockholm Convention committee meeting on Persitent Organic Pollutants - as a last minute stunt for IISD whose main writer had broken her shoulder. Which reminds me that maybe it is not such a good idea to sit in chemical baths?
Somewhere along that line there is also a great AlItalia travel story, but I will spare you for the time being, just adding that next week Gioia and I are back off to GVA using Easyjet.
You have been warned!
This really is today (as opposed to the retroposts I have been cheating you with). As I look back on the past months, I feel like I need to sit in a bubble bath for a day or two and ponder rather than keep up the juggling act. Maybe that will be my new year's resolution?! Take a bath.
A couple of weeks ago I was covering the Stockholm Convention committee meeting on Persitent Organic Pollutants - as a last minute stunt for IISD whose main writer had broken her shoulder. Which reminds me that maybe it is not such a good idea to sit in chemical baths?
Somewhere along that line there is also a great AlItalia travel story, but I will spare you for the time being, just adding that next week Gioia and I are back off to GVA using Easyjet.
You have been warned!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Our visitors hit a new dimension when Anna and Graham came and stunned us with their artistic and creative skills.
It was bliss to wander around and just gaze at menus and the countryside around Cortona. A relaxing weekend for all of us I would say.
The picture will be on the wall soon to prove it!
Our visitors hit a new dimension when Anna and Graham came and stunned us with their artistic and creative skills.
It was bliss to wander around and just gaze at menus and the countryside around Cortona. A relaxing weekend for all of us I would say.
The picture will be on the wall soon to prove it!
Monday, November 20, 2006
SANDRA, MICHELA, IL CONTE, LA VAL D'ORCIA
How could I not be totally cheeky and set up a meeting between Sandra and her husband to be?! He was restoring their future home which will also include a school for her to teach in (when she is not organizing tea parties :-)
Then we just had to go off to Montalcino to celebrate with delicious wine and bruschette. Michela and I gazed over the walls of Pienza too whilst Sandra darted about with her new digital camera.
We managed to try out most of Cortona's restaurants and then hit Route 66.
Photos will give you more of an idea...
How could I not be totally cheeky and set up a meeting between Sandra and her husband to be?! He was restoring their future home which will also include a school for her to teach in (when she is not organizing tea parties :-)
Then we just had to go off to Montalcino to celebrate with delicious wine and bruschette. Michela and I gazed over the walls of Pienza too whilst Sandra darted about with her new digital camera.
We managed to try out most of Cortona's restaurants and then hit Route 66.
Photos will give you more of an idea...
Saturday, November 18, 2006
COMING AND GOING
The visitors have been and gone, confirming that October was 2006's most popular visiting month. With mum we whizzed around, giggled, shopped for food and cleaned up. Whilst at the Coop I managed to get my purse stolen :-( with everything in it, especially the Italian driving license it had taken me sooooo long to get hold of. On the upside, it did mean that I got to meet the Maresciallo of the Carabinieri (did I say up side?! - that might still need confirming!!) who told me that it was far to early to do an official "denuncia" and that it would be better for me to wait a bit longer to see if anyone actually sent my documents back.
No sign of anything yet - and it has been a month - so maybe I will do that dichiarazione anyway now rather than driving around document-less?
Mum also prepared lots of delicious G&Ts for everyone whilst I went to my course in Arezzo.
Need her here full time!!
The visitors have been and gone, confirming that October was 2006's most popular visiting month. With mum we whizzed around, giggled, shopped for food and cleaned up. Whilst at the Coop I managed to get my purse stolen :-( with everything in it, especially the Italian driving license it had taken me sooooo long to get hold of. On the upside, it did mean that I got to meet the Maresciallo of the Carabinieri (did I say up side?! - that might still need confirming!!) who told me that it was far to early to do an official "denuncia" and that it would be better for me to wait a bit longer to see if anyone actually sent my documents back.
No sign of anything yet - and it has been a month - so maybe I will do that dichiarazione anyway now rather than driving around document-less?
Mum also prepared lots of delicious G&Ts for everyone whilst I went to my course in Arezzo.
Need her here full time!!
Friday, October 20, 2006
FRAZZLED
You may have noticed a lack of posts recently?!
Like during the whole month of September?!
And now it is mid October and I still haven't got my act together...
Forgive me again. This running race is giving me little time to catch my breath, pause, and eventually realise that posting is fun and that all those pictures do in fact need to go somewhere.
So watch this space, I will be publishing stuff hopefully some time soon as you still need briefing on JJ and Lennard's wedding, their honeymoon with us in Cortona, the Ferrari moments, Sabine & Todd's new pad, my first meeting with Joanne, the latest poulettes' night out in GVA, training with IISD, Valerie, JP and Robin visiting Pozzuolo/Cortona, etc. Tired already? Well mum is coming tomorrow then Sandra and Michela, then Anna and Graham, then who knows - Cortona in a crystal ball might help us find out ;-)
Everyone's must have.
You may have noticed a lack of posts recently?!
Like during the whole month of September?!
And now it is mid October and I still haven't got my act together...
Forgive me again. This running race is giving me little time to catch my breath, pause, and eventually realise that posting is fun and that all those pictures do in fact need to go somewhere.
So watch this space, I will be publishing stuff hopefully some time soon as you still need briefing on JJ and Lennard's wedding, their honeymoon with us in Cortona, the Ferrari moments, Sabine & Todd's new pad, my first meeting with Joanne, the latest poulettes' night out in GVA, training with IISD, Valerie, JP and Robin visiting Pozzuolo/Cortona, etc. Tired already? Well mum is coming tomorrow then Sandra and Michela, then Anna and Graham, then who knows - Cortona in a crystal ball might help us find out ;-)
Everyone's must have.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
VEGETARIAN PANINO - AN OCTOBER RETRO-POST
- "Avresti un panino vegetariano?"
- "Ma certo, ho salame piccante e pomodoro, cotto e mozzarella, crudo e funghi."
- "No, intendevo senza carne..."
- "Ah certo, c'ho verdure alle griglia e speck"
...
welcome to the land of the carnivores (who incidentally frequently drive nice cars!)
Raduno di Passignano - via Cima di Tuoro and Mercatale.
- "Avresti un panino vegetariano?"
- "Ma certo, ho salame piccante e pomodoro, cotto e mozzarella, crudo e funghi."
- "No, intendevo senza carne..."
- "Ah certo, c'ho verdure alle griglia e speck"
...
welcome to the land of the carnivores (who incidentally frequently drive nice cars!)
Raduno di Passignano - via Cima di Tuoro and Mercatale.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
PRINCES, FOXES AND DRAGONS
Predictably, because I wanted someone to get married on Monday so Alessandro could see a prince and a princess under the dragon, they are coming out of the commune now, holding hands and catching rice on their heads. Hang on, the husband looks like the father… maybe I cannot see right… will have to ask the dragon. Going down in a mo anyway to catch up with Marzia who is doing her mosaics exhibition but who refuses to let me do another one since I did my bird last year (am very sad that there will never be a little mongoose to go with it…).
Ale where the bride and groom are now standing, below the dragon.
Digressing. So the Fox-Principis dashed over from Ancona to spend a couple of days with us. In a mad attempt to tire Ale who had spent all morning trying to devise ways to kill himself (base-jumping from the living room window parachuteless, ingesting the cupboard key faster then Copperfield, putting wet fingers in the plug – oh no, that was Juju – the baby who never cried) we walked all the way up to Santa Margherita, with Luigi carrying the kids, the pram, the backpack, Kate and I. Then we played in the park where Kate had to be bullied off the swings by a 5-year old who had been waiting for her turn for hours.
Dinner at La Grotta passed in a flash with no baby-phone incidents and then it was already time to visit Castiglione del Lago’s castle, where Ale tried to absail down the walls without a rope before having lunch with Cristian.
Thankfully, the kids stayed alive and did not even get squashed by a Giardini lorry. So I hope they will all come back soon and stay for longer as I know there are plenty more castles to visit and dragons to seek out!
Manicure? Fox girls relaxing at a cafe in Castiglione del Lago.
Spaceship Luigi with Commander in Chief Ale by Lake Trasimeno.
Where bad kids are made into meat balls.
Green and soggy, that was Cortona after they left.
Predictably, because I wanted someone to get married on Monday so Alessandro could see a prince and a princess under the dragon, they are coming out of the commune now, holding hands and catching rice on their heads. Hang on, the husband looks like the father… maybe I cannot see right… will have to ask the dragon. Going down in a mo anyway to catch up with Marzia who is doing her mosaics exhibition but who refuses to let me do another one since I did my bird last year (am very sad that there will never be a little mongoose to go with it…).
Ale where the bride and groom are now standing, below the dragon.
Digressing. So the Fox-Principis dashed over from Ancona to spend a couple of days with us. In a mad attempt to tire Ale who had spent all morning trying to devise ways to kill himself (base-jumping from the living room window parachuteless, ingesting the cupboard key faster then Copperfield, putting wet fingers in the plug – oh no, that was Juju – the baby who never cried) we walked all the way up to Santa Margherita, with Luigi carrying the kids, the pram, the backpack, Kate and I. Then we played in the park where Kate had to be bullied off the swings by a 5-year old who had been waiting for her turn for hours.
Dinner at La Grotta passed in a flash with no baby-phone incidents and then it was already time to visit Castiglione del Lago’s castle, where Ale tried to absail down the walls without a rope before having lunch with Cristian.
Thankfully, the kids stayed alive and did not even get squashed by a Giardini lorry. So I hope they will all come back soon and stay for longer as I know there are plenty more castles to visit and dragons to seek out!
Manicure? Fox girls relaxing at a cafe in Castiglione del Lago.
Spaceship Luigi with Commander in Chief Ale by Lake Trasimeno.
Where bad kids are made into meat balls.
Green and soggy, that was Cortona after they left.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
CONDENSATION
First I dashed over to Cesena for a couple of days – one that turned into two as I could not refuse a meal with mio cugino Luca – to catch up with Robi and Nath on their way back from Croatia. We walked down memory lane, reminiscing about places we had not seen for ages and eventually re-discovering Bertinoro and Cervia. Since, it has been a bonus to have Pasini Wine on the table and tons of piadina in the freezer!
Did you hear me scream when I finally realised that Robi and Nathalie got engaged in Venice – with the intention of getting married somewhere down the line rather than just for the ring!!
The triplets are going to University... how OLD am I???
I got back just in time to catch up with Cris and the vet from Milan. Whilst they were rolling around in dung and analysing diarrhoea, we girls dashed to the outlet where Christina became the happiest person on earth with a sales pair of Puma shoes for only 10 Euro. Needless to say that they did not have my size, otherwise we would have been competing for the retail queen award.
In the meantime, whilst our guard was down, Izzinia from Portugal and her man Bjorn from Copenhagen turned up in Cortona. We dashed back in time for some local fare at the Trattoria Toscana followed by doses of all the liquors we have in-house.
The following morning.
A bath towel was what I nearly wore to go to my friend Bianca's wedding. She arrived one hour late. If I had have been the groom, I might have been getting a bit sweaty by then. The Madonna del Bagno church performed the miracle it is famed for, and no one honked.
Bianca and her husband from Cortona, Luca.
Fernanda is the one who comes to gym wearing gold high-healed sandals and manages to run around without falling!
First I dashed over to Cesena for a couple of days – one that turned into two as I could not refuse a meal with mio cugino Luca – to catch up with Robi and Nath on their way back from Croatia. We walked down memory lane, reminiscing about places we had not seen for ages and eventually re-discovering Bertinoro and Cervia. Since, it has been a bonus to have Pasini Wine on the table and tons of piadina in the freezer!
Did you hear me scream when I finally realised that Robi and Nathalie got engaged in Venice – with the intention of getting married somewhere down the line rather than just for the ring!!
The triplets are going to University... how OLD am I???
I got back just in time to catch up with Cris and the vet from Milan. Whilst they were rolling around in dung and analysing diarrhoea, we girls dashed to the outlet where Christina became the happiest person on earth with a sales pair of Puma shoes for only 10 Euro. Needless to say that they did not have my size, otherwise we would have been competing for the retail queen award.
In the meantime, whilst our guard was down, Izzinia from Portugal and her man Bjorn from Copenhagen turned up in Cortona. We dashed back in time for some local fare at the Trattoria Toscana followed by doses of all the liquors we have in-house.
The following morning.
A bath towel was what I nearly wore to go to my friend Bianca's wedding. She arrived one hour late. If I had have been the groom, I might have been getting a bit sweaty by then. The Madonna del Bagno church performed the miracle it is famed for, and no one honked.
Bianca and her husband from Cortona, Luca.
Fernanda is the one who comes to gym wearing gold high-healed sandals and manages to run around without falling!
Monday, August 21, 2006
CASTLES, KNIGHTS, VINO AND CHEESE
Somewhere along the line, I was destined to be stunned by the beauties of Tuscany - and the people beside me stuffed with ohh and ahhh and exclamation marks. On Sunday evening we went to a jazz concert in Castello di Sorbello, a privately-owned castled at the top of a hill, at the other side of the mountains. The weather was grey so we wondered who would be there, only to find a field full of cars and jam-packed minibuses going up and down. At the top of the cypress-lined drive, stood a gigantic structure, full of free wine, cheese and cold-cuts, swinging to the sounds of Glenn Miller. Complaints? None at all!
Somewhere along the line, I was destined to be stunned by the beauties of Tuscany - and the people beside me stuffed with ohh and ahhh and exclamation marks. On Sunday evening we went to a jazz concert in Castello di Sorbello, a privately-owned castled at the top of a hill, at the other side of the mountains. The weather was grey so we wondered who would be there, only to find a field full of cars and jam-packed minibuses going up and down. At the top of the cypress-lined drive, stood a gigantic structure, full of free wine, cheese and cold-cuts, swinging to the sounds of Glenn Miller. Complaints? None at all!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
STICK AND CARROT APPROACH
When Cristian said we needed to go to Viterbo on Saturday to meet up with two sales reps, he added on the end that we could visit the town, la Citta dei Papi, where many popes are buried. He did not mention however that we would also visit Civita, “the town that is dying”. Viterbo was nice but not amazing, and it was totally empty. Views of Lake Bolsena from Montefiascone on the other hand came as a surprise and anticipated the beauty of Civita that was to follow. Perched on the top of crumbling calanques, it’s an astounding little town about to drop into nothingness. I liked it so much, I actually bought a postcard! Check out this chaps website to get a better idea.
When Cristian said we needed to go to Viterbo on Saturday to meet up with two sales reps, he added on the end that we could visit the town, la Citta dei Papi, where many popes are buried. He did not mention however that we would also visit Civita, “the town that is dying”. Viterbo was nice but not amazing, and it was totally empty. Views of Lake Bolsena from Montefiascone on the other hand came as a surprise and anticipated the beauty of Civita that was to follow. Perched on the top of crumbling calanques, it’s an astounding little town about to drop into nothingness. I liked it so much, I actually bought a postcard! Check out this chaps website to get a better idea.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
EXPERTISE: MINI-BREAKS
Latest adventure: 5 Terre - Ligura
Fun: 120%
Weather: Mixed
Food: Intoxicating - literally
Highlight: Walking between Levanto and Monterosso, via Punto Mesco, in the pouring rain without being hit by lightening or slipping off the cliff. Second best: Mohito and Caipiriniah on the beach!
Participants: Undisclosed.
... ma che voglia di arrivare quando ci sei tu...
Doing business from Vernazza.
Monterosso - Vernazza - Corniglia - Manarola - Riomaggiore
Latest adventure: 5 Terre - Ligura
Fun: 120%
Weather: Mixed
Food: Intoxicating - literally
Highlight: Walking between Levanto and Monterosso, via Punto Mesco, in the pouring rain without being hit by lightening or slipping off the cliff. Second best: Mohito and Caipiriniah on the beach!
Participants: Undisclosed.
... ma che voglia di arrivare quando ci sei tu...
Doing business from Vernazza.
Monterosso - Vernazza - Corniglia - Manarola - Riomaggiore
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
PAMPER ME PLEASE, I AM THE GODMOTHER!
My blood pressure was flying as I nearly missed the plane again... Geneva welcomed me with open arms and as soon as Cynthia arrived, the pampering began. One stop in Collex to drop the bag, hug the mother, steel the car and off we were, heading for Rue Pestalozzi and a champagne brunch. I nearly fainted when I discovered the main action for the day revolved around having my feet refelexologised but recovered quickly in aromatherapy vapours and the soothing sound of the lake. More more more, please, at my age, my feet quite like being prodded!
Bains des Paquis - ahh - shame I cannot move into a cabin there on a more permanent basis. The rest of the weekend revolved around cramming in as many friends as possible and christening fab Loulou who spent most of the ceremony playing and trying to scare Xavier, the godfather. Alyssa has become a fish and I am now taking Cris over to check the whole situation out!
The church in Duillier where Laurine was Christened - check out www.pasini.ch for more pics and details (my memory card was full...)
Birthday Brunch time, the best way to start the mini-break!
Ducks, Dole Blanche, Relax and lots and lots of chatting!
In style, Cynthia painting at the Bains.
My blood pressure was flying as I nearly missed the plane again... Geneva welcomed me with open arms and as soon as Cynthia arrived, the pampering began. One stop in Collex to drop the bag, hug the mother, steel the car and off we were, heading for Rue Pestalozzi and a champagne brunch. I nearly fainted when I discovered the main action for the day revolved around having my feet refelexologised but recovered quickly in aromatherapy vapours and the soothing sound of the lake. More more more, please, at my age, my feet quite like being prodded!
Bains des Paquis - ahh - shame I cannot move into a cabin there on a more permanent basis. The rest of the weekend revolved around cramming in as many friends as possible and christening fab Loulou who spent most of the ceremony playing and trying to scare Xavier, the godfather. Alyssa has become a fish and I am now taking Cris over to check the whole situation out!
The church in Duillier where Laurine was Christened - check out www.pasini.ch for more pics and details (my memory card was full...)
Birthday Brunch time, the best way to start the mini-break!
Ducks, Dole Blanche, Relax and lots and lots of chatting!
In style, Cynthia painting at the Bains.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
WHERE WERE WE?
Back to square one, Rocio and Piero never made it up to Santa Margherita and I am now sure they will never visit again because they know that if they set foot in Cortona, they will immediately be dragged up the hill ;-)
Rocio, my birthday sister, and Piero, the brave husband to be, come back, its not that difficult!
They fled after Pienza and made it to the Isola del Giglio. Did they make it back to Este on the moped? Who knows?
In the meantime, I am sipping mate like a true indios, only I am lacking the straw so getting it all over the place...
Rocio and Piero at the well behind Montepulciano, before the hike up to the Piazza.
Pienza overlooks the Val d'Orcia - we collapsed on a bench in the heat.
Back to square one, Rocio and Piero never made it up to Santa Margherita and I am now sure they will never visit again because they know that if they set foot in Cortona, they will immediately be dragged up the hill ;-)
Rocio, my birthday sister, and Piero, the brave husband to be, come back, its not that difficult!
They fled after Pienza and made it to the Isola del Giglio. Did they make it back to Este on the moped? Who knows?
In the meantime, I am sipping mate like a true indios, only I am lacking the straw so getting it all over the place...
Rocio and Piero at the well behind Montepulciano, before the hike up to the Piazza.
Pienza overlooks the Val d'Orcia - we collapsed on a bench in the heat.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
AT IT AGAIN
Somewhere down the line, I think I forgot to mention that before the Robbie Williams Concert (yes, it is fast becoming an obsession!), Cynthia and the boys got handed some free goodies. Chewing gum? Crisps? A free can of beer? NO. Lacta something. Breastfeeding solutions? A closer examination of the packet revealed that they were FANNY WIPES. For heavens sake, this country has totally lost the plot.
Clearly part of the "must haves" - even before a concert...
But who cares when he is around?! Pic courtesy of Sabrina Bove!
Somewhere down the line, I think I forgot to mention that before the Robbie Williams Concert (yes, it is fast becoming an obsession!), Cynthia and the boys got handed some free goodies. Chewing gum? Crisps? A free can of beer? NO. Lacta something. Breastfeeding solutions? A closer examination of the packet revealed that they were FANNY WIPES. For heavens sake, this country has totally lost the plot.
Clearly part of the "must haves" - even before a concert...
But who cares when he is around?! Pic courtesy of Sabrina Bove!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
A TRIBUTE TO THE ONES IN BED
They got here last night after a 7 hour bike ride from Este (324 km away) in time to try the “how many elephants fit in the phone box” exercise with plates and our small table. A fine reward for hiking half way up the hill! Now they are in bed and they don’t realise that I will attempt to get them alll the way up to Santa Margherita today ;-)
Rocio and Piero doing the macarena dance.
They got here last night after a 7 hour bike ride from Este (324 km away) in time to try the “how many elephants fit in the phone box” exercise with plates and our small table. A fine reward for hiking half way up the hill! Now they are in bed and they don’t realise that I will attempt to get them alll the way up to Santa Margherita today ;-)
Rocio and Piero doing the macarena dance.
Monday, July 24, 2006
ULTRASONIC ROBBIEEEEEE AND MUCH MORE
There were blokes, straight ones at that, proudly wearing t-shirts with “RW” printed on the front, back, arm, etc. I just sat there and gazed. Watching Robbie Williams from the top of San Siro was an out-of-this-world experience. The whole stadium was moving, not just the people, the actual concrete structure too – and all that for one little bloke! Wow.
Other endeavours during that time included bird-spotting and Mexican food on Corso Como (cranes and flamingos mostly – i.e. models) with Sabrina and Andrea who also put us up in their flat in San Donato after having taken us to the Navigli to check out huge plastic lemons. On Saturday we were moved from Hotel Ariston (the ecological one – “that means no toilet roll,” said Lynda) to Hotel Mentana (plenty of air con to contrast the 40 degree outside – I will plant a tree to compensate) in time for the arrival of Cynthia and Laurent who miraculously managed to get from the train station to the hotel in under two hours. From there we literally shopped until we dropped, saw the lady at the table behind us get her bag snatched, walked past a punch up in the Arab areas, then dashed to the concert.
Sunday involved surviving mayonnaise sandwiches – that was at 3am but Italians are experts in preservatives, so there were no real fears; watching Cristian and Cynthia fall asleep over a cocktail – that was 3.30am; making a racket at breakfast – 10.29am; out in the heat again and training home in time to find that the guard dog who was in heat had been let out and had spent the afternoon with the small black thing of the opposite sex. Anyone want a puppy?...
The Duomo is being cleaned. By the time they have finished the second part, it will be time to redo the first bit...
Andrea and Sabrina at the Mexican restaurant on Corso Como.
Whip me in front of the lemon.
Cinzia e Lorenzo dealing with the heat.
He was down there somewhere!
It only took the pina colada to arrive for Cristian to wake up.
There were blokes, straight ones at that, proudly wearing t-shirts with “RW” printed on the front, back, arm, etc. I just sat there and gazed. Watching Robbie Williams from the top of San Siro was an out-of-this-world experience. The whole stadium was moving, not just the people, the actual concrete structure too – and all that for one little bloke! Wow.
Other endeavours during that time included bird-spotting and Mexican food on Corso Como (cranes and flamingos mostly – i.e. models) with Sabrina and Andrea who also put us up in their flat in San Donato after having taken us to the Navigli to check out huge plastic lemons. On Saturday we were moved from Hotel Ariston (the ecological one – “that means no toilet roll,” said Lynda) to Hotel Mentana (plenty of air con to contrast the 40 degree outside – I will plant a tree to compensate) in time for the arrival of Cynthia and Laurent who miraculously managed to get from the train station to the hotel in under two hours. From there we literally shopped until we dropped, saw the lady at the table behind us get her bag snatched, walked past a punch up in the Arab areas, then dashed to the concert.
Sunday involved surviving mayonnaise sandwiches – that was at 3am but Italians are experts in preservatives, so there were no real fears; watching Cristian and Cynthia fall asleep over a cocktail – that was 3.30am; making a racket at breakfast – 10.29am; out in the heat again and training home in time to find that the guard dog who was in heat had been let out and had spent the afternoon with the small black thing of the opposite sex. Anyone want a puppy?...
The Duomo is being cleaned. By the time they have finished the second part, it will be time to redo the first bit...
Andrea and Sabrina at the Mexican restaurant on Corso Como.
Whip me in front of the lemon.
Cinzia e Lorenzo dealing with the heat.
He was down there somewhere!
It only took the pina colada to arrive for Cristian to wake up.
Monday, July 17, 2006
WHAT HOPS, WEARS LEATHER TROUSERS AND A TABLECLOTH ON ITS HEAD?
A folk dancer of course. And they drove me round the bend too with their incessant accordion music!! Things like that happen all the time in Cortona. One minute you think it is just going to be another one of those boring evenings out, the next they are setting up a stage and have got projectors all over the main square in preparation for the European Championship of Folk Dancing (who knew there was such a thing in the first place?).
Indeed!
The drummers were wearing no tights. A novelty. I tried to get a picture and check under the skirts, but they moved on...
He went blonde. Why?
A folk dancer of course. And they drove me round the bend too with their incessant accordion music!! Things like that happen all the time in Cortona. One minute you think it is just going to be another one of those boring evenings out, the next they are setting up a stage and have got projectors all over the main square in preparation for the European Championship of Folk Dancing (who knew there was such a thing in the first place?).
Indeed!
The drummers were wearing no tights. A novelty. I tried to get a picture and check under the skirts, but they moved on...
He went blonde. Why?
Friday, July 14, 2006
HOLLAND VS ITALY
No, not another football match, just Noor and Gijs (Kreiss for those who would like to know that he is in fact not called “Gis”) who came to spend some time chilling out by the lake and walking down memory lane in Perugia. Noor went to l’Universita per Stranieri and lived with Cristian last century. It was in fact a good excuse to go shopping and have a nice couple of evenings out here and at Umbria Jazz.
Noor, Cris and Gijs: the beginning of a nursery rhyme.
Karaoke paradise at the Ciao Ciao, Tuoro sul Trasimeno.
Luca e Barbara, Corso Vannucci, Perugia, relaxing between two shops.
Getting us grooving!
Happiness is...
No, not another football match, just Noor and Gijs (Kreiss for those who would like to know that he is in fact not called “Gis”) who came to spend some time chilling out by the lake and walking down memory lane in Perugia. Noor went to l’Universita per Stranieri and lived with Cristian last century. It was in fact a good excuse to go shopping and have a nice couple of evenings out here and at Umbria Jazz.
Noor, Cris and Gijs: the beginning of a nursery rhyme.
Karaoke paradise at the Ciao Ciao, Tuoro sul Trasimeno.
Luca e Barbara, Corso Vannucci, Perugia, relaxing between two shops.
Getting us grooving!
Happiness is...
Sunday, July 09, 2006
DID ANYONE NOTICE THAT WE….
WON THE WORLD CUP????
Since it has just been one big party, from the pool to the piazza and back, several times. I pounced on the barman, kissed the wine seller and waltzed with the plumber. Cristian got the hangover of the century on just three pints (ohhh the Brits would not be proud) (but there were other things involved too) and the rest of Cortona was just as alive… but I notice that I have said all this already ;-)
Italian Fans.
The Molesini Empire uncorked a huge magnum of wine!! We need to win more often.
What the square looked like.
The street was teeming with naked men!!
WON THE WORLD CUP????
Since it has just been one big party, from the pool to the piazza and back, several times. I pounced on the barman, kissed the wine seller and waltzed with the plumber. Cristian got the hangover of the century on just three pints (ohhh the Brits would not be proud) (but there were other things involved too) and the rest of Cortona was just as alive… but I notice that I have said all this already ;-)
Italian Fans.
The Molesini Empire uncorked a huge magnum of wine!! We need to win more often.
What the square looked like.
The street was teeming with naked men!!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
MASS HYSTERIA
My eyes are still glued together, in fact, I think I will not leave the safety of my sunglasses today. Got home at 4 am after celebrating Italy’s victory against Germany. It was supposed to be a 4th of July party but it was dramatically gate crashed. Cortona went berserk, people running around everywhere with flags, singing, bouncing up and down, exploding the horns of their cars as they drove past rugapiana for the 20th time in a row. Even the landlord who had the bad idea of turning up at 7.30 this morning had no voice. Last night reminded me why I just love this place!!!
My eyes are still glued together, in fact, I think I will not leave the safety of my sunglasses today. Got home at 4 am after celebrating Italy’s victory against Germany. It was supposed to be a 4th of July party but it was dramatically gate crashed. Cortona went berserk, people running around everywhere with flags, singing, bouncing up and down, exploding the horns of their cars as they drove past rugapiana for the 20th time in a row. Even the landlord who had the bad idea of turning up at 7.30 this morning had no voice. Last night reminded me why I just love this place!!!
