The less I write the more difficult it becomes… It is like baking a cake with a broken oven. So excuse my entries, I need more practice.
The entrance to a school in Pisa. Put my name down please!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
HOT HAMBURG
Cris entered a new decade this year. A leather work bag was nice, but not quite as exciting as a trip to Hamburg to see the World Cup! I did my usual winging about getting out of this place as we got stuck on the motorway the minute we left town and had to buy a map of the local roads to try and get past the accident. We eventually made it to Pisa Airport where hoards of fans were staking up in the departure lounge, blasting songs out on their megaphones (until the airport officials got cross…). From there it was but one hop to Lubeck, supposedly a gorgeous town, but where we caught the first bus to Hamburg. Down to the Red Light district we cruised, crossing both Czech and Italian fans, and lost of Germans wearing football shirts. The Reeperbahn street where our hotel was located was the longest red light strip I had ever been down. One sex shop after the other, not to mention kinos and shows, for all tastes and needs! We met up with the boys from Geneva and thrashed the Czechs 2-0!!
No ambiance at all...
Some found alternative transport to come to Hamburg.
How many milions were spent on getting it straight?
Welcome back to la Bella Italia.
Cris entered a new decade this year. A leather work bag was nice, but not quite as exciting as a trip to Hamburg to see the World Cup! I did my usual winging about getting out of this place as we got stuck on the motorway the minute we left town and had to buy a map of the local roads to try and get past the accident. We eventually made it to Pisa Airport where hoards of fans were staking up in the departure lounge, blasting songs out on their megaphones (until the airport officials got cross…). From there it was but one hop to Lubeck, supposedly a gorgeous town, but where we caught the first bus to Hamburg. Down to the Red Light district we cruised, crossing both Czech and Italian fans, and lost of Germans wearing football shirts. The Reeperbahn street where our hotel was located was the longest red light strip I had ever been down. One sex shop after the other, not to mention kinos and shows, for all tastes and needs! We met up with the boys from Geneva and thrashed the Czechs 2-0!!
No ambiance at all...
Some found alternative transport to come to Hamburg.
How many milions were spent on getting it straight?
Welcome back to la Bella Italia.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
SEVERED DOWN THE MIDDLE
It cannot possibly be a good start to the day to sever a “maialino” in half, using Robi and Nathalie’s postcard of Morocco, by mistake… It was walking across the floor past the bedroom door, in the direction of the clothes rack. I was supposed to go from the wardrobe to the rack and back, effectively stepping over the little creature. As per usual, I got the card (now my prime anti-maialino device) to collect it and then throw it out of the window. Unfortunately, being a young one, it attempted to accelerate. I caught up with it again, then it turned left, sharply and skidded off the card. At the third attempt, I was starting to get back ache (age again) so plunged down, only to jab the poor thing in the back, rather than scoop it up as planned. Because it was in the crack between the tiles, it literally squished in half. I leapt back in horror… card in hand, eyes firmly set on the segments of maialino… The hoover had to come out next. And no, it did not matter if it was not yet 8.00 am and the neighbour was asleep…
It cannot possibly be a good start to the day to sever a “maialino” in half, using Robi and Nathalie’s postcard of Morocco, by mistake… It was walking across the floor past the bedroom door, in the direction of the clothes rack. I was supposed to go from the wardrobe to the rack and back, effectively stepping over the little creature. As per usual, I got the card (now my prime anti-maialino device) to collect it and then throw it out of the window. Unfortunately, being a young one, it attempted to accelerate. I caught up with it again, then it turned left, sharply and skidded off the card. At the third attempt, I was starting to get back ache (age again) so plunged down, only to jab the poor thing in the back, rather than scoop it up as planned. Because it was in the crack between the tiles, it literally squished in half. I leapt back in horror… card in hand, eyes firmly set on the segments of maialino… The hoover had to come out next. And no, it did not matter if it was not yet 8.00 am and the neighbour was asleep…
Friday, June 09, 2006
…
Time for the world to know… I had my second 29th birthday this week… It was Wednesday so I thought I would throw caution to the wind and spend all day hiding under the pillow. The plan was to burrow down the bed and stay stuck to the futon, pretending nothing was going on outside. Cris was up by half six. By 7.30 I was out of doze-mode. By 8.00 my back was killing me. By 8.20 I had to get up. So much for my cunning plan; my bones had reminded me of my age. The numerous phone calls, messages, skypes and cards knocked the nail in. Chatting to all of you made the day whisk by in a breeze. Thank you. It was certainly better than shutting myself in the wardrobe, although I am still in denial, so do not bother asking me what year I was born in! Now lets focus on the world cup!
Ps, I am now macerating in anti-wrinkle cream and nobile di montepulciano wine (not a bad way to start this fresh year…)
The bouquet from Deborah and family are stunning.
Pretending to blow out the first set of candles.
Time for the world to know… I had my second 29th birthday this week… It was Wednesday so I thought I would throw caution to the wind and spend all day hiding under the pillow. The plan was to burrow down the bed and stay stuck to the futon, pretending nothing was going on outside. Cris was up by half six. By 7.30 I was out of doze-mode. By 8.00 my back was killing me. By 8.20 I had to get up. So much for my cunning plan; my bones had reminded me of my age. The numerous phone calls, messages, skypes and cards knocked the nail in. Chatting to all of you made the day whisk by in a breeze. Thank you. It was certainly better than shutting myself in the wardrobe, although I am still in denial, so do not bother asking me what year I was born in! Now lets focus on the world cup!
Ps, I am now macerating in anti-wrinkle cream and nobile di montepulciano wine (not a bad way to start this fresh year…)
The bouquet from Deborah and family are stunning.
Pretending to blow out the first set of candles.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
UNA COZZA
Mussels are filter-feeders, they are the wastewater treatment plants of the oceans, they suck in all the gunge and deal with it – and some people eat them… yuck! The debates during the long weekend in Castiglione della Pescaia revolved around the role of bivalves. It was also sprinkled with shopping tips and the best ever ciaccina. Jo, Deborah and Pam eventually arrived after getting themselves lost in some national park and faffing round the Argentario! A weekend to be repeated.
The weather was GREAT of course... :-(
Jo and Cris, happy at the beach.
Deborah and Pamela in paradise over their bowls of mussels.
Why is Massa Marittima nowhere near the seaside?
Mussels are filter-feeders, they are the wastewater treatment plants of the oceans, they suck in all the gunge and deal with it – and some people eat them… yuck! The debates during the long weekend in Castiglione della Pescaia revolved around the role of bivalves. It was also sprinkled with shopping tips and the best ever ciaccina. Jo, Deborah and Pam eventually arrived after getting themselves lost in some national park and faffing round the Argentario! A weekend to be repeated.
The weather was GREAT of course... :-(
Jo and Cris, happy at the beach.
Deborah and Pamela in paradise over their bowls of mussels.
Why is Massa Marittima nowhere near the seaside?
Friday, June 02, 2006
WANDERER
I hardly thought it was going to be fun. It was something I had always said I could not quite see myself doing. Who would want to travel alone. Even during the world tour, I marvelled at those who backpacked solo. I wondered with whom you would share the emotions, the joys of seeing new things, the hassle of moving from one place to the next.
On Thursday I dropped Cris off at Colle Val d Elsa, somewhere near Pisa. I like leaving Cortona in the early hours. There is no one around between five and six and the town seems to be trapped still in the middle ages. Breakfast with the lorry drivers at the only open café brought me back to earth. By 8.30 I had exited the false sense of security and was on my own. Up the hills and down to Volterra. This area is why people dream of Tuscany. The hills and the different cultivations are part of the jewels of Italy. Hair-pin bends with views over the towers of San Gimignano, steep walks that take you to the hidden joys of medieval towns. Volterra was waking up by 9. People were out having breakfast and going to work, but few were playing tourists. I had the churches all to myself and my squeaky trainers. From there I turned back to Colle Val d Elsa and headed off towards l Abbazia di San Galgano, the church with no roof and the chapel where the knight planted his sword in a stone. Magical countryside and an even more enchanting valley where San Galgano stands proudly. The Germans and Dutch were out, but not quite in force, so I had my peace and quiet time anyway and managed to travel to another age.
The road from Roccastrada to Grosseto was mostly in the forest with the occasional stone village perched high up on the hills. Plenty of areas to explore and walk through around here.
I got Cristian back in Venturina after having found that its castle was private.
This will remain one of the great days of living in this part of the world and having the freedom to wander when the rest of the world has its head behind a computer – or behind a cow’s bum, as was Cristian’s case…
San Galgano should be approached on horseback!
Entering from the side of San Galgano.
The towers of San Gimignano in the distance.
Where a very strong knight dug his sword deep in a rock!
I hardly thought it was going to be fun. It was something I had always said I could not quite see myself doing. Who would want to travel alone. Even during the world tour, I marvelled at those who backpacked solo. I wondered with whom you would share the emotions, the joys of seeing new things, the hassle of moving from one place to the next.
On Thursday I dropped Cris off at Colle Val d Elsa, somewhere near Pisa. I like leaving Cortona in the early hours. There is no one around between five and six and the town seems to be trapped still in the middle ages. Breakfast with the lorry drivers at the only open café brought me back to earth. By 8.30 I had exited the false sense of security and was on my own. Up the hills and down to Volterra. This area is why people dream of Tuscany. The hills and the different cultivations are part of the jewels of Italy. Hair-pin bends with views over the towers of San Gimignano, steep walks that take you to the hidden joys of medieval towns. Volterra was waking up by 9. People were out having breakfast and going to work, but few were playing tourists. I had the churches all to myself and my squeaky trainers. From there I turned back to Colle Val d Elsa and headed off towards l Abbazia di San Galgano, the church with no roof and the chapel where the knight planted his sword in a stone. Magical countryside and an even more enchanting valley where San Galgano stands proudly. The Germans and Dutch were out, but not quite in force, so I had my peace and quiet time anyway and managed to travel to another age.
The road from Roccastrada to Grosseto was mostly in the forest with the occasional stone village perched high up on the hills. Plenty of areas to explore and walk through around here.
I got Cristian back in Venturina after having found that its castle was private.
This will remain one of the great days of living in this part of the world and having the freedom to wander when the rest of the world has its head behind a computer – or behind a cow’s bum, as was Cristian’s case…
San Galgano should be approached on horseback!
Entering from the side of San Galgano.
The towers of San Gimignano in the distance.
Where a very strong knight dug his sword deep in a rock!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
DOLCE VITA
Armanis travel. Between Paris and London, they stopped in Cortona. Cappuccinoed in the piazza, bought up the salame al tartufo in the shops, drank all the chianti then had a horrific journey back to Geneva.
There was no void, no time to post, only time to enjoy and have fun! From Pienza we gazed into the Val d’Orcia before heading for the Val di Chiana outlet. Perugia we did not quite manage but jeans were purchased anyway.
Che vuoi?
La Val d'Orcia from behind cool shades.
Peace my friend, this is Camucia on ONLUS (ie NGO) day. (Culture shock step 1)
Apero at Bar 500 before culture shock step 2 at La Gabola.
Waitress, coffee and biscuits please!
Armanis travel. Between Paris and London, they stopped in Cortona. Cappuccinoed in the piazza, bought up the salame al tartufo in the shops, drank all the chianti then had a horrific journey back to Geneva.
There was no void, no time to post, only time to enjoy and have fun! From Pienza we gazed into the Val d’Orcia before heading for the Val di Chiana outlet. Perugia we did not quite manage but jeans were purchased anyway.
Che vuoi?
La Val d'Orcia from behind cool shades.
Peace my friend, this is Camucia on ONLUS (ie NGO) day. (Culture shock step 1)
Apero at Bar 500 before culture shock step 2 at La Gabola.
Waitress, coffee and biscuits please!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
ONE OF THOSE DAYS…
Today has just been one of those days, I have been stuck like the light between the two buildings, in some kind of void microspace. Work went well until I got over excited about sending in a report. From then on it was cappuccino and avoidance. Anything as long as it was not constructive. The olive trees are fine, the weather has been changing, the washing is done, as is some of the filing. How to rate satisfaction?!
No pigeons in sight.
Today has just been one of those days, I have been stuck like the light between the two buildings, in some kind of void microspace. Work went well until I got over excited about sending in a report. From then on it was cappuccino and avoidance. Anything as long as it was not constructive. The olive trees are fine, the weather has been changing, the washing is done, as is some of the filing. How to rate satisfaction?!
No pigeons in sight.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
BORING BY COMPARISON
When Brigitte gets a break from work, she ploughs through millions of guide books and figures out where she is going to take her next vacation, with and without Marco. This year, she decided it was a sound idea to catch the Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Ulan Bataar, not in the tourist cabins but with the locals. Seven days later, she had befriended her three Russian militry mates and used up their tea bags whilst they finished off the vodka. Un-raped and quite happy, she made her way through Mongolia with an only-native-speaking guide, sleeping inside yurts and eating lots of the cheese she hates… For their next trip together, they are returning to China, the place Marco has disliked the most on their many many many trips!
Errr, and we took them to La Grotta in Cortona!
When Brigitte gets a break from work, she ploughs through millions of guide books and figures out where she is going to take her next vacation, with and without Marco. This year, she decided it was a sound idea to catch the Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Ulan Bataar, not in the tourist cabins but with the locals. Seven days later, she had befriended her three Russian militry mates and used up their tea bags whilst they finished off the vodka. Un-raped and quite happy, she made her way through Mongolia with an only-native-speaking guide, sleeping inside yurts and eating lots of the cheese she hates… For their next trip together, they are returning to China, the place Marco has disliked the most on their many many many trips!
Errr, and we took them to La Grotta in Cortona!
Monday, May 01, 2006
IN YOUR FACE STYLE
In a hurry to get ready, Cristian delved into the bathroom cabinet and extracted an orange tube of hair gel. He squirted some on his wet hands and rubbed it all over his head. Moose. Strange. But he pressed on with his styling. By evening, his Beckham look was still unruffled. Before going to bed, he enquired what brand this new orange gel was. Face wash was the answer…
In a hurry to get ready, Cristian delved into the bathroom cabinet and extracted an orange tube of hair gel. He squirted some on his wet hands and rubbed it all over his head. Moose. Strange. But he pressed on with his styling. By evening, his Beckham look was still unruffled. Before going to bed, he enquired what brand this new orange gel was. Face wash was the answer…
Friday, April 28, 2006
…THEN MUM CAME AND IT ALL WENT PEAR SHAPED
From being gorgeous it became horrific. It poured down with rain and went bitterly cold. They did not like the house they came with the intention of maybe purchasing and finally they got food poisoning. Caipiriniah, chianti, salami, birthday cake and veal liver saved the day! The sun returned the moment they left.
Just before his 17th B-day, Damian was caught on camera with his eyes open!
Mate, Teresa, Ann and moi outside Sofy - Gabolandia.
Riccardo taken aback by the beauty of local calves on the way up to Santa Margherita.
From being gorgeous it became horrific. It poured down with rain and went bitterly cold. They did not like the house they came with the intention of maybe purchasing and finally they got food poisoning. Caipiriniah, chianti, salami, birthday cake and veal liver saved the day! The sun returned the moment they left.
Just before his 17th B-day, Damian was caught on camera with his eyes open!
Mate, Teresa, Ann and moi outside Sofy - Gabolandia.
Riccardo taken aback by the beauty of local calves on the way up to Santa Margherita.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
THE RETURN OF THE COLOURED TROUSERS
In a special post to Sabine, I confirm the flourishing abundance of colourful trousers. Ranging from shades of yellow and orange, all the way to deep pinks, men’s bottom parts hit you from afar, they catch the eye like the rainbow, or maybe more like a tube of toothpaste that has been open for a while. And most have been around for some time judging by the cut – put me right if the tight above-ankle length is back in fashion.
In a special post to Sabine, I confirm the flourishing abundance of colourful trousers. Ranging from shades of yellow and orange, all the way to deep pinks, men’s bottom parts hit you from afar, they catch the eye like the rainbow, or maybe more like a tube of toothpaste that has been open for a while. And most have been around for some time judging by the cut – put me right if the tight above-ankle length is back in fashion.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
KNICKERS GALORE
On the night of the football evening, where the girls were not invited, Federico decided Federica should go, so I got taken along too to make up the numbers. I nearly abdicated before dinner as the prospected of getting my head blasted in (again) at the taverne di Castiglione del Lago was tough, but I stuck in there and managed to make the most of it. After several rounds of pici al ragu, I borrowed someones “Si” moped and raced up and down the main street. I thought the highlight was realising how shocked everyone was that I would actually do that… but then I got the boys from the team to show me their underwear!!
La squadra!
L'allenatore - prima.
L'allenatore - dopo.
Le fans - durante.
Meet a new friend.
Me on Si.
Portatori di boxers fashion.
Traditional knickers.
Groovy knickers.
On the night of the football evening, where the girls were not invited, Federico decided Federica should go, so I got taken along too to make up the numbers. I nearly abdicated before dinner as the prospected of getting my head blasted in (again) at the taverne di Castiglione del Lago was tough, but I stuck in there and managed to make the most of it. After several rounds of pici al ragu, I borrowed someones “Si” moped and raced up and down the main street. I thought the highlight was realising how shocked everyone was that I would actually do that… but then I got the boys from the team to show me their underwear!!
La squadra!
L'allenatore - prima.
L'allenatore - dopo.
Le fans - durante.
Meet a new friend.
Me on Si.
Portatori di boxers fashion.
Traditional knickers.
Groovy knickers.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
RACING UP HILLS WITH PUSHCHAIRS
When Luca and Stefania brought their friends and kids over from the coast, we took them up all the worst hills, until it was our turn to push the chairs. Man, kids can be heavy, and it seems like mother’s bags are huge by default. Not sure who made it up Montepulciano or Cortona in the least possible time, but it was fun, especially when we tried to go down without using the brakes…
Gioia, Cri e Alba
A lovely face by Nicolo!
Outside the cantina, happily clutching the vino.
asleep
awake
When Luca and Stefania brought their friends and kids over from the coast, we took them up all the worst hills, until it was our turn to push the chairs. Man, kids can be heavy, and it seems like mother’s bags are huge by default. Not sure who made it up Montepulciano or Cortona in the least possible time, but it was fun, especially when we tried to go down without using the brakes…
Gioia, Cri e Alba
A lovely face by Nicolo!
Outside the cantina, happily clutching the vino.
asleep
awake
Sunday, April 16, 2006
HUNTER WITH NO GUN
He knew his fate, it had been sealed in Migros some months earlier. It had spent weeks, looking out from behind the cards on the bookcase, hiding behind the flowers, yet fully aware that it could not escape. On Sunday the 16th, after 40 days without chocolate, it was sacrificed on Hotel Atlantic’s breakfast altar.
Now I am feeling sick….
Yumm!
The guys in Rimini were rather attractive ;-)
And a happy easter to you too! Piadina paradise, that is what the Riviera Adriatica is all about!!! This was in Casa Zanni at Villa Verucchio.
He knew his fate, it had been sealed in Migros some months earlier. It had spent weeks, looking out from behind the cards on the bookcase, hiding behind the flowers, yet fully aware that it could not escape. On Sunday the 16th, after 40 days without chocolate, it was sacrificed on Hotel Atlantic’s breakfast altar.
Now I am feeling sick….
Yumm!
The guys in Rimini were rather attractive ;-)
And a happy easter to you too! Piadina paradise, that is what the Riviera Adriatica is all about!!! This was in Casa Zanni at Villa Verucchio.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
SCALPEL PLEASE
Why does it have to be so complicated? I expected little bits of pre-chewed stuff, even out of a can would have been fine. In retrospect, oil and salt would have been more suitable. In a grand moment of self control, I even managed to nibble on the chelae – see, have changed lots!
Bon ap...
Cafe Pascucci in Gabicce Mare tries to make you believe this is coffee.
The Easter Group: Andrea e Sabrina, Antonello e Monica, Cristian and the photographer.
Il Castello di Gradara was totally rebuilt - we noticed.
Why does it have to be so complicated? I expected little bits of pre-chewed stuff, even out of a can would have been fine. In retrospect, oil and salt would have been more suitable. In a grand moment of self control, I even managed to nibble on the chelae – see, have changed lots!
Bon ap...
Cafe Pascucci in Gabicce Mare tries to make you believe this is coffee.
The Easter Group: Andrea e Sabrina, Antonello e Monica, Cristian and the photographer.
Il Castello di Gradara was totally rebuilt - we noticed.