l'Italia Don - Once more I am dazzled by your vivid descriptions of your Italian adventures. Can't wait to see your photos!
Vorrei una vacanza similare! Andiamo al'Italia 1 settembre, ma voglio andare oggi!
Ci vediamo subito a Bloomsbury. Con abbracci, Diana
Hi Kippi Your comments were fancy enough in English and do me more justice than I deserve ("master of the art of living" and all that). But, in any case, glad you enjoy the entries. Arnica says to send her love back to you. (Sara's not here at the moment -- she's visiting with the two gals in their room, right now. We just arrived and checked into a hotel in Rome for the last couple of days. Perhaps Sara and I will make it up your way for a visit this summer. I ran the idea by her a day or two ago, and she was enthusiastic about that possibility. Donny
Hi Kippi Your comments were fancy enough in English and do me more justice than I deserve ("master of the art of living" and all that). But, in any case, glad you enjoy the entries. Arnica says to send her love back to you. (Sara's not here at the moment -- she's visiting with the two gals in their room, right now. We just arrived and checked into a hotel in Rome for the last couple of days. Perhaps Sara and I will make it up your way for a visit this summer. I ran the idea by her a day or two ago, and she was enthusiastic about that possibility. Donny
Ciao Donny,
Sounds like it might be difficult to return home? Such great times and learning over there! Lucky guy. Looking forward to having you back with us on Sundays. I'll be gone the first domenica you are back, but hope to see you on the 13th.
Abbraccia, Lina
You are the Master Dear Don,
Your blogs are always a delight to read. What a great adventure you are having! I have always respected your ‘walk’ through life, but now I have come to see you as a master in the art of living. You are an inspiration and my hero. I wish I had something fancy to say in Italian. Love to Arnica and Sara.
Donny, I really loved the description of Max's driving techniques! We both laughed when we read the related paragraphs. And, by now, having spent so much time in Italy, you will have observed that it's an integral genetic or learned part of being a Latin male both to prove oneself by one's driving/survival skills on wonderfully engineered Italian highways or by racing along the narrow one-way streets common to most European cities. Why walk, when you can have the fun of driving, is one of Max's favourite dicta.
Ciao Donny, C'e la prima volta che leggio un Blog. Molto interessante. Allora, questa scuola anche la città di Reggio Emiliano potrea (?) una possibilità piacevole per me in novembre. Eh, beh, ciao,ciao.
WOW, I'm on my way! Who knew about this nice spot? But you didn't mention the food!! You're in the heart of the best cooking and foods, if you were to ask the Reggiani, si?? I have always thought I'd like to see Bologna. Loving the reports. Grazie, Lina
Wowie! Again! Hi Don, (Don't bother with an individual e-mail back to me - notes to the family will do.) I admire your nerve and adventuresomeness, taking yourself to so many places in the world. I have neither the nerve nor the energy. Good for you! But - withstanding the cold, indoors and out - that would be the final straw. Then again, you're getting to share the local culture. Enjoy! Love, Helen
Info about Reggio Emilia Hi Donny,
I'm enjoying your travel blog. I've done a bit of research on Reggio Emilia and found on Wikkipedia some interesting info about their world-famous education system: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach
Seems like you've taken my advice about "total immersion." Bellissimo!
Roger
Ciao, Lena I'm really curious about the new teacher you guys are working with. Sounds neat. Enjoy your trip. Parlano italiano i tuoi cugini? Sorry you're going to miss the Skype call Sunday. Abbracci
Hi again, Dami. It snowed two days ago!?! Wow. Neat that you're rowing. Seems like a great thing to do. Wonder if I could fit it in... (like I need something else to do)
Hi Dami I stayed in Monterossa. It was the only one I was able to get a room in on-line at the last minute. But, it was fine especially since it's so easy to go back and forth to the other towns by trail, train or boat.
ah, cinque terre Which one of the five towns are you staying in. What a lovely place it is indeed!. I love that there are no cars, takes you back in time. Enjoy, especially the fresh pesto!
Dami
Florence, my favorite You are in my favoritye city. So much art to see and enjoy, great restaurants, I wished I could remember the small, very Italian place in a narrow street down-town. My daughterr's host took us there. Leela lived here for a year and went to school. Good luck, your italian will get smoother. Spring has a hard time coming with warmth here. I rowed while it snowed two days ago. I will be spending the evening with Georgia to morrow.
Ciao!
Dami
Greetings from Ashland Dear Donny,
We're all enjoying your news and follow your adventures with interest. Can't wait to see where you land next. More schooling, eh? You'll be teaching the class soon! All is well here. Michele just had a new granddaughter. The three of us are enjoying work with our teacher, Linda. I'm going to Rochester, NY to visit with cugini and see what family stuff can dig up! Stammi bene, Lina
Ash and Italy Don - I was worried about the ash-filled sky, when in fact pollution was an internal matter! Good grief!
Where are you going next? I look forward to your travels and observations, while I study at home with a tutor who attended Italian schools from 1st through 11th grades. I think your idea is much better than mine.
Abbracci, Diane
it's all a dance! I wish every teacher could read what you wrote about the differences in styles and their effect. So true. Most of all, I loved seeing that you' ve stumbled onto some opportunities to keep dancing. I used to love to dance.... did it as often as I could from 6th grade on. It lightens the heart and tones the body -- and it's a wonderful way to meet new people and friends. You're my hero of the dance.
Costa Rica suicide drivers alive and well Hola Don - You'll be glad to know the tradition of refusing to lift one's foot off the gas pedal even a millimeter lives on! However, we do see less insane driving in general - our only theory being that they are killing themselves off.
Firenze! Florence -- noisy, busy, bustling, beautiful, breathtaking, a favorite haunt. Have you ever wandered through the Boboli Gardens? They are located next to the Pitti Palace---worth the walk across Ponte Vecchio and up the hill -- statues everywhere. We found a little inexpensive trattoria with wonderful food "Osteria" Via Guelfa, 94/r - 50129 Florence..."i'tozzo...di pane...con giardino" (the giardino is a hidden courtyard in back of the tiny restaurant.) We always recognized it by the retro (mid-30s) stove situated on the left side of the door as you enter. I am amazed by the ease with which you find apartments, schools, etc. Wow! We will visit Firenze in September...wonder if you'll still be there! Saluti, Diana
I love that you are keeping a blog this time. It creates a real sense of what you are experiencing and allows me to feel like I'm somehow part of it all. Rina sounds like a sweetie! Thank her for providing a nice, homey place for my papa...
So, Donny moves on! I was a little surprised that you got out of Sicily so quickly. Apparently not hitting all you pleasure buttons, huh? Allora, Firenze. Next entry, tell us how long you'll be there and if you're studying the subjunctive in all tenses!
Glad to know you're healing up. Hope you enjoy the Firenze experience! Lina
Diana, Ciao Thanks for bringing me up to date. Sounds good what you guys are doing back home. Yes, immersion is good, però a volte mi fa molto stanco. Riguardi a tutti.
Italy calls. First purpose of this trip: To get more fluent in the language. People ask, "Why Italy?" and I answer, "Because that's where the Italians are!" Others ask, "Are you going alone?" and I say, "Not really; I assume there'll be other folks there -- like Italians, for instance". Purpose #2: To get on the road again. It's been awhile. It's time...... full info
Diane
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l'Italia
Don - Once more I am dazzled by your vivid descriptions of your Italian adventures. Can't wait to see your photos! Vorrei una vacanza similare! Andiamo al'Italia 1 settembre, ma voglio andare oggi! Ci vediamo subito a Bloomsbury. Con abbracci, Diana