Tuesday morning, each of us fell out of bed whenever we felt like it. After showers, I walked them around Budoia, stopping for cappuccino and to check out our church. We then grabbed a train to Venice. It was a little cool, but not very crowded, so we stepped up the pace to keep ourselves warm.
When we got to St. Mark's Square, we had the opportunity to go inside the Basilica, something I've never done because it's either closed or too crowded. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but we got to walk out on the balcony.
There were some amazing views of the square.
And different perspectives of the Basilica I'd never seen.
I thought this statue was equal parts beautiful and creepy.
After checking out all the main sights, we took the water taxi over to Murano, the island famous for its glass making. But by the time we got there, everything was closed, so we went back to Venice for dinner and laughter.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Reunion of Sorts
Ben and Jacob flew in last night, along with their friends Sarah and Melissa. We're all staying in my house, which at first, I thought would be a little cramped, but instead, it's nicely cosy. Their main goal is to have a few relaxed days in Italy, so we slept in this morning. We'll make our way to Venice, and tomorrow, Florence is on the agenda. It's great to see Ben and Jacob again, and Sarah and Mel are keeping me in stitches. More to come in the next few days.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Pure of Heart
I've always been a Momma's boy. When my brother was riding motorcycles with Dad, Mom and I were shopping. She's always been very supportive of me, even during the times when I wasn't making such great choices. She cries when I get off the plane, and she cries when I get back on. She can fall asleep on the sofa with a cup of tea in her hand and not spill a drop. She's probably the classiest person I know, never speaking ill of anyone and always treating people with kindness and respect. She's probably going to kill me for mentioning this, but what kind of son would I be if I didn't wish my Mom a Happy 60th Birthday? Love ya.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Expatriate Discrimination
One of the things I like to do on lazy Sunday evenings is check out the SNL website and see which skits they've posted from the previous night's broadcast. But a few minutes ago, when I tried to check out a short featuring Paul Rudd and Andy Samburg, I was met with the message, "We're sorry, but the clip you selected isn't available from your location. Please select another clip." Even more unfortunately, this message shows up with every clip, even ones I've previously watched. What's up, NBC?
Hat City
Johnny and I stayed in Milan Friday night. Saturday morning, we were joined by Jenny and Daniel, who'd taken the early train. None of them had seen much of Italy outside of the Aviano area, so we didn't really have a major agenda. They just wanted to see the big stuff, so we basically walked around the whole city. After checking out the Duomo, we decided to head toward Santa Maria della Grazie to see if we could see da Vinci's The Last Supper painting. On the way there, we stumbled into a random church decorated completely with frescoes. It was pretty amazing.
Unfortunately, when we got to where the painting is, we found out we needed reservations, and it was booked for the rest of the year. From there, we walked down to Wok, the store where Brian's opening was last month, and got to chat with Frederica for a few minutes.
It was getting late, so we headed back to the Milano Centrale to get tickets back home, stopping for dinner. We had a great time walking and walking and walking some more. And last night, I slept like a rock.
Unfortunately, when we got to where the painting is, we found out we needed reservations, and it was booked for the rest of the year. From there, we walked down to Wok, the store where Brian's opening was last month, and got to chat with Frederica for a few minutes.
It was getting late, so we headed back to the Milano Centrale to get tickets back home, stopping for dinner. We had a great time walking and walking and walking some more. And last night, I slept like a rock.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Headbanger's Ball
I'd never really been to a metal show before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, exactly. For all I knew, we'd be in a crowd of people sacrificing virgins and carving things into our chests. Luckily, it wasn't that drastic.
The event was called The Unholy Alliance Tour. The venue, right outside of a metro station in northwestern Milan, was called Palasharp. We got there before the doors opened, so we walked around amongst the Italians, who were all dressed in their denim vests and black t-shirts. I hadn't seen that many pony tails since the last time I was in Kentucky (where they were actual tails...on ponies).
The first band was already playing when we got inside. They were an Italian metal band with eight members. Since they were singing in Italian, I couldn't understand what they were saying; I later learned it didn't matter what language they were singing, I couldn't understand regardless. They only played five or six songs before Amon Amarth came out. They're a Swedish metal band, and between songs, the singer would yell, in his most monstrous voice, "Grazie mille, Milano!" I thought it was kinda funny.
The next band was Mastodon, whose lyrics deal mostly with mythology and folklore. After them was Trivium. They were a much younger band, and Johnny's favourite of the evening. It was the only band for whom we left the stands and went onto the floor.
Before we went to the show, Johnny gave me a brief history of Slayer and their influence on thrash metal. When they came out on stage, the crowd went crazy. Their set was full of satanic symbols and songs about the devil. It was so over the top, I found it almost humorous.
Johnny and I left before the show was over. We weren't sure when the trains shut down, and we didn't want to get stuck in the crowd. On the way back to our hotel, we discussed the show, and how all the satanic stuff is probably an act, something the band members don't really believe. Regardless, I'm not going to miss Church tomorrow morning.
The event was called The Unholy Alliance Tour. The venue, right outside of a metro station in northwestern Milan, was called Palasharp. We got there before the doors opened, so we walked around amongst the Italians, who were all dressed in their denim vests and black t-shirts. I hadn't seen that many pony tails since the last time I was in Kentucky (where they were actual tails...on ponies).
The first band was already playing when we got inside. They were an Italian metal band with eight members. Since they were singing in Italian, I couldn't understand what they were saying; I later learned it didn't matter what language they were singing, I couldn't understand regardless. They only played five or six songs before Amon Amarth came out. They're a Swedish metal band, and between songs, the singer would yell, in his most monstrous voice, "Grazie mille, Milano!" I thought it was kinda funny.
The next band was Mastodon, whose lyrics deal mostly with mythology and folklore. After them was Trivium. They were a much younger band, and Johnny's favourite of the evening. It was the only band for whom we left the stands and went onto the floor.
Before we went to the show, Johnny gave me a brief history of Slayer and their influence on thrash metal. When they came out on stage, the crowd went crazy. Their set was full of satanic symbols and songs about the devil. It was so over the top, I found it almost humorous.
Johnny and I left before the show was over. We weren't sure when the trains shut down, and we didn't want to get stuck in the crowd. On the way back to our hotel, we discussed the show, and how all the satanic stuff is probably an act, something the band members don't really believe. Regardless, I'm not going to miss Church tomorrow morning.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thrash Man
Johnny is a big metal head, and last week, he asked if I'd be interested in going to see Slayer in Milan. Truth be told, few things would interest me less than going to see Slayer; however, Johnny really, REALLY wants to go, and he's not yet familiar with how to get around Italy anywhere outside of Aviano. So I told him I'd go with him, and now I'm getting kinda excited about it.
This will be my first true hardcore heavy metal show, and I'm not sure what to expect, especially since it's in Italy. I doubt I'll have the balls to get down in the pit (if there is one). I'll probably be the only one wearing ear plugs, but I don't care.
We haven't yet decided if we'll come back Saturday or Sunday, but rest assured, you'll hear all about it.
This will be my first true hardcore heavy metal show, and I'm not sure what to expect, especially since it's in Italy. I doubt I'll have the balls to get down in the pit (if there is one). I'll probably be the only one wearing ear plugs, but I don't care.
We haven't yet decided if we'll come back Saturday or Sunday, but rest assured, you'll hear all about it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Il Dolce
I've become a little adventurous in the kitchen lately, and developed a passion for making cheesecake. The first, a chocolate cheesecake with a layer of caramel in the middle, was about six weeks ago. For Scott's visit, I made a straight-up New York cheesecake. Yesterday, I attempted a white chocolate raspberry. All three have turned out fairly well. The raspberry swirl in yesterday's effort didn't swirl too well, and ended up melding with the crust. I took it to work today, and nobody seemed to care (or notice).
Making a cheesecake from scratch is rather time consuming. Putting the whole thing together takes about an hour. The baking requires near constant supervision. Plus, there's a certain way they have to be cooled in order to avoid cracks in the surface. Then they have to chill for several hours. It isn't any kind of instant gratification, but the gratification that does come is amazing.
I'm debating over a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving. I'm not a fan of pumpkin-flavoured anything, but it might be cool to bring to the home of whomever invites me over (if someone invites me over). If so, I'll just make a second one of my choosing.
Making a cheesecake from scratch is rather time consuming. Putting the whole thing together takes about an hour. The baking requires near constant supervision. Plus, there's a certain way they have to be cooled in order to avoid cracks in the surface. Then they have to chill for several hours. It isn't any kind of instant gratification, but the gratification that does come is amazing.
I'm debating over a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving. I'm not a fan of pumpkin-flavoured anything, but it might be cool to bring to the home of whomever invites me over (if someone invites me over). If so, I'll just make a second one of my choosing.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Long Lost Friend
An amazing thing happened today. After an extra-long run and a quick trip to the Commissary, I decided to go by the Shoppette to grab a sixer of beer. I didn't even make it to the beer isle. As soon as I walked in the door, my eyes immediately focussed on the liquor isle where I saw the most wonderful sight:
Maker's Mark.
Not only was it in stock, but it was $18 a bottle. (I paid $24.50 in Utah.) I bought two, and they go nicely with the bottle I picked up in the States that I've been saving for a special occasion. If there's a better way to celebrate Veteran's Day, I don't know what it is.
Maker's Mark.
Not only was it in stock, but it was $18 a bottle. (I paid $24.50 in Utah.) I bought two, and they go nicely with the bottle I picked up in the States that I've been saving for a special occasion. If there's a better way to celebrate Veteran's Day, I don't know what it is.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Freeze Out
I'm seeing how long I can go without turning my heat on. I don't have a problem paying my bills, and I'm not a masochist. I just haven't really needed it yet, so why not try to save some money? It hasn't gotten that cold yet (the low tonight is 48 degrees), so it's not too big of an inconvenience. What's strange is that, after my Mom, I'm probably the most cold-natured person on Earth. I have an extra blanket on my bed, and when I get home from work, I shower and throw on some sweats. In a way, it's almost more comfortable.
Ben and a few others are visiting from Germany next week. We don't plan on spending much time at home anyway, so unless they ask why my house feels like a Frigidaire, I'm still not going to turn it on.
Ben and a few others are visiting from Germany next week. We don't plan on spending much time at home anyway, so unless they ask why my house feels like a Frigidaire, I'm still not going to turn it on.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Century Club
I was looking at some numbers yesterday, and found out that "Dashboard" by Modest Mouse is the first song to reach 100 plays on my iPod. I guess it's not surprising since I was totally obsessed with this album for nearly all of 2007.
I'm sure there have been other songs I've heard more than 100 times. A few that come to mind include "Vogue" by Madonna and Hole's "Celebrity Skin." It's just that this is the first one since I've had my iPod. A contributing factor was getting my iPod hooked up to my truck--probably the best money I've ever spent.
There are a few other artists who have songs nearing the "100 Plays" achievement. Among them, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, We Are Scientists, The Distillers, Peaches, Luscious Jackson, the Arcade Fire, and of course, Sleater-Kinney.
Occasionally, I'll listen to an album non-stop and get tired of it after a few weeks; but some albums never get old. If anyone has the formula for a timeless record, let me know.
I'm sure there have been other songs I've heard more than 100 times. A few that come to mind include "Vogue" by Madonna and Hole's "Celebrity Skin." It's just that this is the first one since I've had my iPod. A contributing factor was getting my iPod hooked up to my truck--probably the best money I've ever spent.
There are a few other artists who have songs nearing the "100 Plays" achievement. Among them, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, We Are Scientists, The Distillers, Peaches, Luscious Jackson, the Arcade Fire, and of course, Sleater-Kinney.
Occasionally, I'll listen to an album non-stop and get tired of it after a few weeks; but some albums never get old. If anyone has the formula for a timeless record, let me know.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Take only what you need from it.
A few nights ago, I was hanging out at Shaun's house with a few people, including Keena, who's just spent the past two months in the States. He brought back a snowboarding DVD called "That's It, That's All." We put it in, and as soon as we saw the beautiful white peaks, our eyes glazed over in anticipation of what we'll be doing all winter.
Snowboarding videos are pretty cool because you get to see all these professional boarders tackling huge slopes and landing crazy jumps. Plus, the scenery is amazing. But perhaps the best thing about them is the music. You can put just about any type of music with snowboarding footage, and it somehow fits. Punk, electronic, hip-hop, ambient, doesn't matter. Often, I'll hear a catchy new tune that would go nicely on my iPod.
On the video the other night, one such song caught my ear, and I couldn't get it out of my head. I did some internet research, and found out it was called "Kids" by MGMT. Their album was only $7.99 on iTunes, and I've been listening to it ever since.
Back in the day, there were songs I would hear on commercials or in movies and then obsess about for weeks. That's the great thing about the internet. Sure, it's good for e-mail, online shopping, and, ahem, other things; but it's probably the most useful tool I have. (Sorry, hammer. You were this close.)
Snowboarding videos are pretty cool because you get to see all these professional boarders tackling huge slopes and landing crazy jumps. Plus, the scenery is amazing. But perhaps the best thing about them is the music. You can put just about any type of music with snowboarding footage, and it somehow fits. Punk, electronic, hip-hop, ambient, doesn't matter. Often, I'll hear a catchy new tune that would go nicely on my iPod.
On the video the other night, one such song caught my ear, and I couldn't get it out of my head. I did some internet research, and found out it was called "Kids" by MGMT. Their album was only $7.99 on iTunes, and I've been listening to it ever since.
Back in the day, there were songs I would hear on commercials or in movies and then obsess about for weeks. That's the great thing about the internet. Sure, it's good for e-mail, online shopping, and, ahem, other things; but it's probably the most useful tool I have. (Sorry, hammer. You were this close.)
Friday, November 07, 2008
Life Imitates
Whenever I have a little extra cash to spare, instead of splurging on something wasteful, I try to spend it on something for my house. Since my travels with Scott came in under budget, I decided to purchase some artwork for my guest room.
I did some research and looked around for something modern by an Italian artist. I finally decided on a piece called "Essenza" (Essence) by Maurizio Piovan, who happens to be from Padova, a town just west of Venice. I picked it up from the framing shop yesterday, and I'm really happy with how it looks on the wall. And no, I'm not posting pictures. You'll just have to come see for yourself.
I did some research and looked around for something modern by an Italian artist. I finally decided on a piece called "Essenza" (Essence) by Maurizio Piovan, who happens to be from Padova, a town just west of Venice. I picked it up from the framing shop yesterday, and I'm really happy with how it looks on the wall. And no, I'm not posting pictures. You'll just have to come see for yourself.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Let Down and Hanging Around
I think I'm suffering from post-election blues. It's kinda like the post-Christmas blues; but instead of being depressed because all the holiday build-up is suddenly over, it's because Prop 8 passed. (I might expect this out of Florida, but not you, California.)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
So, that happened.
I'm not disappointed, but I'm not thrilled, either. It's definitely an historic day for our country, and I look forward to seeing what the next four years have in store.
Now I'm going to try to resist going back to bed.
Now I'm going to try to resist going back to bed.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Quadrennially, The First Tuesday After The First Monday In November
Election Day excitement ran throughout my shop today--it's all we talked about. Ironically, when I took a poll to see how many out of the 14 people in my shop voted, I was disappointed to find I was the only one. So, if any of them start complaining about the outcome, I'm going to tell them to shove it.
It's barely 10 AM on the west coast right now, and it's tempting to pull an all-nighter to stay updated. But I'll probably hit the sack, let democracy take its course, and, barring any 2000-ish debacles, wake up to a new President-Elect. Whomever it is, I pray they'll take our country in the right direction.
It's barely 10 AM on the west coast right now, and it's tempting to pull an all-nighter to stay updated. But I'll probably hit the sack, let democracy take its course, and, barring any 2000-ish debacles, wake up to a new President-Elect. Whomever it is, I pray they'll take our country in the right direction.
Monday, November 03, 2008
A Little Late For Halloween, But...
Thursday night, I was hanging out with Shaun, Alec, and Ruben. At the last minute, we decided to see the movie on base, Quarantine. It's a horror movie about people trapped inside a building with aggressive zombie-like people. It had plenty of jumpy scary parts, but it wasn't the kind of movie that sticks with you after you leave the theatre. It didn't help that Shaun kept texting the whole time.
I think the first real horror movie I ever saw was The Amityville Horror (1979 version). I was maybe 5 or 6 and we were at my grandparents' house in South Carolina for Christmas. My grandparents had HBO, and when the movie came on, for some reason the whole family sat around and watched it. (Fine holiday fun, eh?) I don't know what my parents were thinking letting my brother and I watch that. My Mom had to take me in the other room to look at the Christmas tree to get me to calm down. I'm sure I had nightmares, but I don't remember very well.
The first horror movie that had a real impact on me was Halloween (1978 version). My brother and I were home alone one night, and it came on television. It was the edited version, but it was still incredibly scary. I was probably 10 or 11, but I couldn't sleep for months without seeing that horrible face.
Since then, I've had a fondness for the horror genre. I don't see many in the theatre because most of the ones that come out now are total shit. They confuse sudden loud noises with fear, and they're just not very realistic. Instead, I do research and add the classics to my Netflix queue. Most recently, I watched Suspiria, an Italian horror classic. Sometimes, the older movies seem cheesy, but they're also the ones you can't stop thinking about long after they're over and you're laying in bed in a dark, empty house wondering why the dog next door is barking.
I think the first real horror movie I ever saw was The Amityville Horror (1979 version). I was maybe 5 or 6 and we were at my grandparents' house in South Carolina for Christmas. My grandparents had HBO, and when the movie came on, for some reason the whole family sat around and watched it. (Fine holiday fun, eh?) I don't know what my parents were thinking letting my brother and I watch that. My Mom had to take me in the other room to look at the Christmas tree to get me to calm down. I'm sure I had nightmares, but I don't remember very well.
The first horror movie that had a real impact on me was Halloween (1978 version). My brother and I were home alone one night, and it came on television. It was the edited version, but it was still incredibly scary. I was probably 10 or 11, but I couldn't sleep for months without seeing that horrible face.
Since then, I've had a fondness for the horror genre. I don't see many in the theatre because most of the ones that come out now are total shit. They confuse sudden loud noises with fear, and they're just not very realistic. Instead, I do research and add the classics to my Netflix queue. Most recently, I watched Suspiria, an Italian horror classic. Sometimes, the older movies seem cheesy, but they're also the ones you can't stop thinking about long after they're over and you're laying in bed in a dark, empty house wondering why the dog next door is barking.
Ornaments Of My Home
I was thrilled when Scott told me he'd be visiting. Finally, someone I could host and play tour guide and show all the wonders of Italy. But as his arrival got closer, I became a little nervous.
For starters, Scott and I didn't really know each other that well. We'd only met in December, and I left Utah in February. Granted, we'd e-mailed and chatted online quite a bit, but once he arrived, there could have been a total personality conflict.
On top of that, two weeks is a long time to spend with someone non-stop, even if he or she is a good friend. The first night he was here, I told him not to be shy, and if he needed some alone time, it wouldn't hurt my feelings.
Luckily, we didn't encounter any problems at all. There have been house guests I've been happy to see walk out the door, but I was really sad Scott had to head back home. Maybe it was because we had such a great time. Maybe this house is too big for me. Maybe I just miss Utah. Whatever it is, I'm already excited for my next guests, Ben and his friends, who'll be arriving on the 17th.
For starters, Scott and I didn't really know each other that well. We'd only met in December, and I left Utah in February. Granted, we'd e-mailed and chatted online quite a bit, but once he arrived, there could have been a total personality conflict.
On top of that, two weeks is a long time to spend with someone non-stop, even if he or she is a good friend. The first night he was here, I told him not to be shy, and if he needed some alone time, it wouldn't hurt my feelings.
Luckily, we didn't encounter any problems at all. There have been house guests I've been happy to see walk out the door, but I was really sad Scott had to head back home. Maybe it was because we had such a great time. Maybe this house is too big for me. Maybe I just miss Utah. Whatever it is, I'm already excited for my next guests, Ben and his friends, who'll be arriving on the 17th.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Sunday Blues
You know how on Sundays, you try to appreciate your day off, but the fact that you have to work the next day is looming overhead? I've got that feeling of dread right now, only it's three times as bad since I've been off for three weeks.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Monster Mash
Last night, Joann and Jake had a big Halloween party at their house. They'd been planning it for weeks, and I was pretty excited about it. I spent most of yesterday working on my costume (zombie-tastic!), and rode over with Jenny and Johnny. We were disappointed at how few people dressed up, but Joann made a pretty good Pocahontas.
Jake had gotten a keg, something of which Steven took full advantage.
Jenny and Johnny had both ordered costumes online, but neither of them fit, so they did some last minute improvisation and went as football players.
I think Jo came as a Hot Topic employee or something. We all sat around the bonfire and told stories, and I met some cool new people. It wasn't a super wild party, but it was fun nonetheless.
Jake had gotten a keg, something of which Steven took full advantage.
Jenny and Johnny had both ordered costumes online, but neither of them fit, so they did some last minute improvisation and went as football players.
I think Jo came as a Hot Topic employee or something. We all sat around the bonfire and told stories, and I met some cool new people. It wasn't a super wild party, but it was fun nonetheless.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Putting the Die in Diet
I went to the gym today for the first time in over two weeks. Running wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, probably because we did so much walking. We also did so much eating, and (I know I'm going to sound like a girl right now, but) I gained four pounds. I wish somebody would do something about how fat I am.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Lessons Learned
1) Don't expect Scott to stay awake in moving vehicles. This includes trains. When we were road-tripping, every night I'd be ready to hit the sack, and all he wanted to do was walk around more. Well, gee, Scott, maybe if I'd had a two hour nap in the car, I'd be ready to party, too!
2) You can get away with wearing the same underwear two days in a row, but always make sure you have enough socks. They don't come cheap in Switzerland.
3) If a European asks who you voted for, tell them Obama, even if it isn't true. They'll be nicer to you. There are no McCain fans in Europe, and if you mention Nader, they'll just look at you funny.
4) Hostels are totally the way to go. I'd never stayed in hostels before, but if I'm ever travelling by myself, I'll never try anything else. They're much cheaper than hotels, and usually have good information for people travelling on a budget. Scott and I never made reservations, and only did a little online research for each place we went. The only minor bad luck we had was in Cinque Terre. Our first choice was booked, so we had to walk around looking for another room. We ended up finding a really nice room for a good price, so it was little more than an inconvenience. So yeah, if you don't mind staying in a room with seven other people or sharing a bathroom, look into hostels.
5) Bring a book.
2) You can get away with wearing the same underwear two days in a row, but always make sure you have enough socks. They don't come cheap in Switzerland.
3) If a European asks who you voted for, tell them Obama, even if it isn't true. They'll be nicer to you. There are no McCain fans in Europe, and if you mention Nader, they'll just look at you funny.
4) Hostels are totally the way to go. I'd never stayed in hostels before, but if I'm ever travelling by myself, I'll never try anything else. They're much cheaper than hotels, and usually have good information for people travelling on a budget. Scott and I never made reservations, and only did a little online research for each place we went. The only minor bad luck we had was in Cinque Terre. Our first choice was booked, so we had to walk around looking for another room. We ended up finding a really nice room for a good price, so it was little more than an inconvenience. So yeah, if you don't mind staying in a room with seven other people or sharing a bathroom, look into hostels.
5) Bring a book.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Little Italy
Monday night, after we got back to Milan, Scott and I met up with Brian, Simona, and Frederica for dinner. After that, we went to a party with some of their friends. Again, Scott and I felt a little out-of-place, not just because we couldn't communicate very well, but because we're not exactly in the artsy crowd. Our pants didn't fit too tight and we weren't wearing scarves indoors. Still, they had a pretty kickin' DJ and more free beer.
Frederica dropped us off at our hostel, and on the way there, we discovered Frederica's parents live in Budoia. We had a nice conversation about our travels and how she got involved with Simona's store. She said next time she's in Budoia, she'll take me to some places for "great fun." I can't wait.
This morning, I made sure Scott and Brian made their flight, and then took the next train home from Milan. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and fun and adventure. Luckily, I have the rest of the week off to relax.
Frederica dropped us off at our hostel, and on the way there, we discovered Frederica's parents live in Budoia. We had a nice conversation about our travels and how she got involved with Simona's store. She said next time she's in Budoia, she'll take me to some places for "great fun." I can't wait.
This morning, I made sure Scott and Brian made their flight, and then took the next train home from Milan. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and fun and adventure. Luckily, I have the rest of the week off to relax.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Five Lands
Sunday morning, Scott and I caught an early train headed for the Cinqe Terre. It's an area on the Italian Riviera where five little villages are built right on the coast line. Geographically, it's not far away from Milan, but we had to switch trains twice, so it was mid-afternoon by the time we arrived.
We found a room in Riomaggiore, the southernmost town. We spent the evening walking around and eating some of the local cuisine, including pesto.
Since the town is so compact, many of the main roads are little more than alleyways. If it weren't so quaint and adorable, it would almost resemble a ghetto.
We woke up early Monday morning, and headed north. All five villages are easily within hiking distance, though some areas are a little steep.
When we started our hike, it was sprinkling a bit, but we didn't care. It kept the temperature a little cooler and made for better photography.
Normal people would see this rocky, treacherous coastline and maybe use it for hiking or diving. But the Italians, who've never been accused of doing things the easy way, decided to build entire towns along it. I'm sure glad they did.
We hiked all the way to Vernazza, the fourth town. We decided to take the boat to Monterosso, not because we were tired, but because we wanted to see the town from far off.
Monterosso has a pretty nice beach, and by the time we got there, it had cleared up somewhat. The water was warm, and if we would have had our swimming trunks, we would have gone for a swim. After a stroll along the beach, we had a late lunch, and then took the next train back to Milan.
We found a room in Riomaggiore, the southernmost town. We spent the evening walking around and eating some of the local cuisine, including pesto.
Since the town is so compact, many of the main roads are little more than alleyways. If it weren't so quaint and adorable, it would almost resemble a ghetto.
We woke up early Monday morning, and headed north. All five villages are easily within hiking distance, though some areas are a little steep.
When we started our hike, it was sprinkling a bit, but we didn't care. It kept the temperature a little cooler and made for better photography.
Normal people would see this rocky, treacherous coastline and maybe use it for hiking or diving. But the Italians, who've never been accused of doing things the easy way, decided to build entire towns along it. I'm sure glad they did.
We hiked all the way to Vernazza, the fourth town. We decided to take the boat to Monterosso, not because we were tired, but because we wanted to see the town from far off.
Monterosso has a pretty nice beach, and by the time we got there, it had cleared up somewhat. The water was warm, and if we would have had our swimming trunks, we would have gone for a swim. After a stroll along the beach, we had a late lunch, and then took the next train back to Milan.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Art, Fashion, and Love
One of the reasons Scott came when he did is because of his friend Brian. Brian is an artist, and a few months ago, Brian was in New York and met Simona. Simona owns a boutique in Milan and was looking for artists to show their work in her store.
Brian's opening was Saturday night, so Scott and I took the early train to Milan to do some sightseeing beforehand. Milan is different than most cities in Italy, in that it has a modern feel to it.
The most famous building in Milan is the Duomo. With over 100 spires, it's the largest gothic style cathedral in the world.
The inside was equally impressive. It's probably one of the most extraordinary pieces of architecture I've ever seen.
Milan is one of the fashion capitols of the world, and it seemed like there were models everywhere. We walked through a few stores, but everything was way out of our price range.
Brian's opening was really fun. There were tons of artsy Italians there. Very few of them spoke English, so Scott and I just stood around and drank the free beer all night.
Brian's work is rather explicit, often dealing with sex, from a very pop cultural perspective. His work will be on display (and for sale) until November 25th, so if you find yourself in Milan, check out Simona's store, Wok. Did I mention there's free beer?
Brian's opening was Saturday night, so Scott and I took the early train to Milan to do some sightseeing beforehand. Milan is different than most cities in Italy, in that it has a modern feel to it.
The most famous building in Milan is the Duomo. With over 100 spires, it's the largest gothic style cathedral in the world.
The inside was equally impressive. It's probably one of the most extraordinary pieces of architecture I've ever seen.
Milan is one of the fashion capitols of the world, and it seemed like there were models everywhere. We walked through a few stores, but everything was way out of our price range.
Brian's opening was really fun. There were tons of artsy Italians there. Very few of them spoke English, so Scott and I just stood around and drank the free beer all night.
Brian's work is rather explicit, often dealing with sex, from a very pop cultural perspective. His work will be on display (and for sale) until November 25th, so if you find yourself in Milan, check out Simona's store, Wok. Did I mention there's free beer?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Into Thin Air
We kept Friday as a free day, just in case anything came up; however, we didn't want to waste it, either, so we took a drive toward the Dolomites, the section of the Alps nearest to my house.
We basically took random turns toward what looked the coolest, and, through amazing luck, ended up at a trail head.
We hiked through a canyon, up the side of a mountain, and took in the wonderful scenery. It was a gorgeous day, and there wasn't another soul in sight.
We were hoping to reach some kind of peak, or at least a clearing where we could have a wider view; but after hiking for a couple of hours, we had no indication of where we were, so we decided to turn back. Plus, we were really, really hungry.
We'd only driven 45 minutes to the trail head, and I had no idea there was such great hiking so close to my house. I'll definitely be going that way again, if only I can remember how to get there.
We basically took random turns toward what looked the coolest, and, through amazing luck, ended up at a trail head.
We hiked through a canyon, up the side of a mountain, and took in the wonderful scenery. It was a gorgeous day, and there wasn't another soul in sight.
We were hoping to reach some kind of peak, or at least a clearing where we could have a wider view; but after hiking for a couple of hours, we had no indication of where we were, so we decided to turn back. Plus, we were really, really hungry.
We'd only driven 45 minutes to the trail head, and I had no idea there was such great hiking so close to my house. I'll definitely be going that way again, if only I can remember how to get there.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Birthplace of Italian Renaissance
Thursday, we woke up and took the train to Florence. I'd been to Florence before, so I didn't take too many pictures, but it was no less interesting this time around. We also ran into Clint and Jimmy, two guys from Boston who we'd met over breakfast in Interlaken. We walked around together for most of the day, checking out the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and, of course, Michelangelo's David.
Something new I saw this time was a group of university students sitting in the middle of the street outside an administration building. They were chanting and shouting and holding up signs. I asked around, and found out they were protesting the privatisation of their school. It was cool to see them so passionate about their cause.
After that, we did some wine shopping, and caught the late train back home. Originally, we planned for two days in Florence, but I'm glad we cut it down to one.
Something new I saw this time was a group of university students sitting in the middle of the street outside an administration building. They were chanting and shouting and holding up signs. I asked around, and found out they were protesting the privatisation of their school. It was cool to see them so passionate about their cause.
After that, we did some wine shopping, and caught the late train back home. Originally, we planned for two days in Florence, but I'm glad we cut it down to one.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Between Giants
Wednesday was basically a travel day. It was a six hour drive home, but again, we took our time, making sure to stop wherever we wanted to take in the scenery.
The GPS took us through a mountain pass, on which we crossed paths with only two or three other vehicles. We even went above the snow line. We kept seeing roadblocks on the sides of the road that would be set up for winter in a few weeks. I'm glad we made it through when we did.
Driving through the Alps is an experience like no other. You know how when you're in a big city and you stand between two huge buildings and you look up and it's really cool and overwhelming? Well, imagine doing that, but instead of buildings, it's mountains.
The GPS took us through a mountain pass, on which we crossed paths with only two or three other vehicles. We even went above the snow line. We kept seeing roadblocks on the sides of the road that would be set up for winter in a few weeks. I'm glad we made it through when we did.
Driving through the Alps is an experience like no other. You know how when you're in a big city and you stand between two huge buildings and you look up and it's really cool and overwhelming? Well, imagine doing that, but instead of buildings, it's mountains.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Scenes From A Painting
The last stop on our European road trip was Interlaken. It's not far from Zurich, but we took our time, stopping whenever we wanted to take pictures. We passed through several little mountain villages that each seemed like their own little paradise. (Unfortunately, I'm a bonehead and accidentally deleted a few of my pictures on this part of the trip.)
Interlaken (literally, "between lakes") is a tourist haven which caters to water sports in the summer and winter sports when there's snow. Since we were there in October, there weren't a lot of people, but the scenery was no less spectacular.
It was mid-afternoon by the time we arrived, but we still managed to fit in a few short hikes before it got too dark.
One of our hikes was to a place called Truemmelbach Falls. The waterfalls are made of glacier water, and are actually inside the mountain. We hiked through little caves to see them. Definitely not for the claustrophobic.
After hiking, we headed back to town for dinner. Like I said, there weren't a lot of people around, so after a few beers at the hostel bar, we called it an early night.
Interlaken (literally, "between lakes") is a tourist haven which caters to water sports in the summer and winter sports when there's snow. Since we were there in October, there weren't a lot of people, but the scenery was no less spectacular.
It was mid-afternoon by the time we arrived, but we still managed to fit in a few short hikes before it got too dark.
One of our hikes was to a place called Truemmelbach Falls. The waterfalls are made of glacier water, and are actually inside the mountain. We hiked through little caves to see them. Definitely not for the claustrophobic.
After hiking, we headed back to town for dinner. Like I said, there weren't a lot of people around, so after a few beers at the hostel bar, we called it an early night.
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