Blogs from Italy, Europe - page 1589

Motorhome News from Europe 17. Italy/ Sicily. February 2005 A week in Sicily visiting the land of wine, lemons and the Godfather Delayed by an unfortunate accident shortly after leaving Paestum on the coast where we had spent the previous night, we didn’t get to Sicily on Monday as previously planned, but camped few miles short to await the morning ferry. Stopped in traffic in the main street of Agropoli, a lady in the car behind fell asleep (or was she on the telephone which most of them are, most of the time?) and drove straight into the back of us. A local policeman helped with the exchange of details. ‘Buon giorno, buon giorno, buon giorno’, he said, rocking gently back and forth on his heels. ‘Wassa goin on ere-a eh?’ We later discovered he had ... read more

On the road again... well, more like in the air again, then on the road, followed by the rail… whatever. This time, off to Italy. While there I was to meet up with two people I hadn't seen in many years. Samantha was my first girlfriend in High School here in the States. Over on a one-year exchange program from Italy, our paths crossed in the School Library, and before long I was her English Boy and she was my Italian Girl in the middle of the California desert. We hadn't seen each other for 12 years, recently reunited via an Alumni site I run. Ali was also to meet me while in Italy... we had attended Primary School and High School together back in England some 16 years earlier. Again, like Japan, my trip started ... read more

February 12, 2005 San Bonaventura-Roma Hill overlooking the Foro Romano Central, gorgeous, ancient Tourists take turns peaking in the church minutes before the ceremony, curious and full of romantic thoughts Chilly, light rain Elegant young guests Family in fur coats and radiating smiles Alessia is 8 months and shining, expectant Zia Chiara is nervous and proud The groom is greeting his guests Flower tucked in the label Brothers-in-law Peers, childhood friends, aunts, uncles And Zio walks his second graceful yet humble daughter down the aisle…Zia weeps silently at the second wedding in 4 months... The reception took place in a restaurant called Baba, who grow all their own food and cook without using any preservatives and the healthiest of ingredients. Dried flowers, antique pots and pans, hanging plants, an old white piano and plaster and ... read more

On the train to Venezia! We're passing through the countryside outside of Milano, which is eerily beautiful in the winter. The frosted fields are full of stubble, and are criss-crossed by rows of elegant bare trees, canals full of silvery ice, and hedges protecting stubborn bits of snow from the weak sun. This morning, a mist hangs over everything, and the new rays transform the scene into a study in pastels. We're sitting across from three people who seem to be going home to Venice. Their Italian is softer, full of sussurating z's, not the hard explosions of Milanese. Erika gets a text, and they smile at each other, indulgent of the American students, when I whip out my dictionary to translate "augorio." (Wish, as in "best wishes.") ... Morning after arrival. Yesterday: Stopped at a ... read more

A few glimpses at sketches, designs, ideas primarily inspired by design and decorative styles I've been observing around Florence-an iron gate (the same one in front of the bank, or to the gate of the Medici palace) of intricate, vine-like curls, everending depictions of Madonna and child, iconography on every street corner, window frames high above the passers-by carved with care and interest-styles and symbols repeated all over the city...if only you look UP. Also, a few more random observations of my Florentine environment: -In the mornings bars are lusciously profumed of capuccino, the sweet smell of " le paste"- freshly baked bomboli (donut-like), foglie (filo dough crusted with sugar), filled croissants (cornetti di marmelata, crema, riso dolce, ricotta) and other fruit or creme filled pastries. From about 7:00-8:30 am bars (here they are cafe's) are ... read more