My first experience abroad! May-June 2004

---

(entry added Jan. 28, 2006)

I had never been on an airplane before.. much less flown alone to another country, but I found myself adjusting to everything quite quickly. I was to spend part of the summer in Aviano, Italy with my boyfriend at the time. It's a region in the north around an hour drive west of Venice. It's an American Military area, so while the base was in Aviano, the house I stayed at is in Giais, the next town over.

It's not a populous area - instead it's rather calm and relaxing. The house sat at the base of the "pre-alps", so looking out the window offered a dramatic view. The kitchen was quaint and even had a spiral staircase up to the next level... and the CHICKENS! I will never forget them, they even had little babies while I was there. While he was at work, I'd sit on the second floor balcony and write in my journal overlooking the area the chickens roamed, it really was a beautiful area.

Attached to the house was another house that a married military couple lived in (This is how my boyfriend had found the place), they had a cute little boy and I got along great with them as well. Janel was a great mom to that little boy.

One of my favorite memories of the area was a little bar called "Boobe's" (Boobies) that everyone went to. It was the owner's last name, lol. It was a little hole in the wall type of place with a combination of American military, Africans, and Italians there, I loved it. 😊 The music was mostly a reggaeton type of genre. One of my favorite things about Italian clubs is that they stay open as long as people are there. It's nothing to leave when the sun is starting to rise!

Ultimately, I was here for 6 weeks or so.

---

Photos

Aviano/Giais
Nearby home.

Aviano/Giais Mountains
Flat land.. and then these coming up from it. Nothing like this where I'm from!

On the road
In the area. You can see the mountains in the background that I loved so much.

Old old buildings
In the area.

Aviano city area
Near this was a little gelato shop with macedonia (mixed fruit) gelato. My favorite!

Along the road to Giais
Peaceful roads to drive along.

House
Where I stayed

Balcony View
So peaceful! That part of the yard is also where the chickens roamed.

Rooster!
It never shut up!

Chickens!
The rooster in the backyard made sure to crow.. in the middle of the night.

Comments

[Cleve Nelson]

My uncle Boobe's club
Could you tell me more about the club and do you know the owner's first name and are you sure Boobie is his last name or is it his nick name?

[Jena]

response to Cleve Nelson
I was told Boobe was his last name, but I do not know for sure.

[sifumoung]

Homesick
I read your blog and it made me homesick. I grew up there until I was ten yr. old. I wish I could go back and experience it gain a an adult. Maybe next summer ...great blog, thanks.

[Plexy]

Found this Blog accidentally! I leave few miles from this area and I know it since I was born in Aviano, Despite the high influence of a NATO base the villages around still keep the old traditions still well alive! The Mountains trails are few minutes from the town and this as always made me so glad. On summer days I can spend an hour or two with my dog and my girl right after work. Boobes is not the name of the owner, is just a funny name, an atraction for the young airmans from the nearby US base, actually this is now a club with some disputable reputation, there are many other places were you can spend your time and have fun with friend (sorry to ruin your dream) and yes chicke is quite popular arond here, we love to have fresh eggs every morning :D

[Gary]

Thanks for the Memories
Wow - those photo's brought back fond memories. I was stationed at Aviano for 4 years in the early 80's. The Royal Hotel in Giais was one of our favorite restaurants. We lived in Vigonovo about 5 miles from the base. It is a well kept secret and I miss the Alps! Thanks for sharing that part of your life.