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)