tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2467477318810154442024-03-19T05:38:47.844+01:00Travellers:here I am!!I travel therefore I amAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-39562911267136938352015-03-17T12:46:00.001+01:002015-03-17T12:46:51.637+01:00The word meParaphrasing a song I can't get out if my head today I've had it easy you don't know how easy I got it...
This is the reflection I am making in the last few months, in the most wonderful yet the most difficult time of my life. This is not going to be a post like the other ones: it will be about a journey but of a different kind, a journey like no other with no suggestions but only observations.
I was saying that I have had it easy and I realized to what extent only lately: my life has always been full, I have made it very full and I have always tried to live it as if there was not tomorrow. I managed to do most of things I wanted, travelled around rhe world, have been a dancer,have studied acting, have been on the stage a few times, have become a yoga teacher, have made experiences of all kind, have met thousands of people, have had my fair share of romance, learnt languages, have had some professional satisfaction being a lawyer, I have taught courses and worked at Universities, watched thousands of movies, been to many concerts around the world, lived in different countries: I have even been a drag queen. My attention was focused on me and what was going around me, my family, my friends, my experiences and years have flown by so fast and so fully. Yet up until not so long ago I had regrets on what I could have done differently or better to have made different choices in particular as far as work was concerned. I never had room for anything different in my life let alone for a family and I was one of those who were never crazy about children, or better I liked them but was not too excited. My mom, who had never lost hopes kept telling me that if I had any children of my own it would be different. Also when I saw my friends with kids I never understood fully their feelings, their worries, their happiness or pain.
It was exactly a year ago when I was standing in the corridors of the hospital holding the results of my blood test which said I was six weeks pregnant and when I met the woman who turned out to be my guardian angel during the pregnancy. I had been told that for my age and other hormonal issues I had at that time a 3% chance to get pregnant and I wouldn't have known anyway since I had never tried.
Well, there was my 3% right there in that paper. Tears were coming down my face but they were not tears of happiness at that time. I was completely lost: I had just met the person who then would have become my loving and wonderful fiance ( but I did not know this at the time) and I was not at all prepared for this. My guardian angel took me to the hospital bar for a chat and then to see a gynecologist to check that everything was alright. This last one rather abruptly said she thought my pregnancy had probably stopped and to wait for a week to have another check up.
In that very moment my world collapsed, I felt like I was being punished for being so self centered. Well I would keep my freedom, I would take a few sabbatical months around the world like I planned so why was I so heartbroken? I was shattered. My wonderful friends ( you know who you are) were very close to me in that very difficult moment and were even more closer when a week later I saw that little embryo's heartbeat in the screen and felt like I had never felt before.
Months passed by with nausea, mood swings, screenings and a lot of other pregnancy related issues but it was not until the very end that I realized what was happening to me. She came after 41 weeks of pregnancy, 16 hours of labour and an emergency cesarean. I could not see her until after they had given me stitches and checked me up because when they pulled her out of me I was sound asleep and did not even hear her crying. My boyfriend showed her to me when I was being taken to the post partum room running alongside my stretcher with the crib. When I could finally hold her I just could not believe such a perfect tiny human being had just gotten out of me. I could hardly hold her since I kept falling asleep ( I had been awake for 36 hours, in labour, under ossitocine, several epidurals, a cesarean, and on a lot of pain killers). This is why that first night I could not keep her in the room. I remember when I called the nursery the following morning asking to bring my daughter (!) in. It felt so strange to say those words and it still feels weird at times after all these years of not even thinking one day I could say such a word.
It has been for sure the most difficult and challenging time of my life. The post operational pains, the post partum depression, getting used to her presence in my life, the experience of breastfeeding. About that: I was one of those people who don't like to see people breastfeeding in public or rather it really bothered me to a point I would say I was horrified ( there. I said it.) I had always thought there was something wrong about me but my mother again kept repeating her magical mantra that if I had had my own child these feelings would magically disappear. Well seeing how non chalant I am right now in that respect, in private and in public I just can't recognize myself.
It took me a while after the wounds, the pain, the weirdness of it all but from a point onwards it all became natural and easy. It seemed impossible in the beginning. I got to the point of hoping I would not have any milk and give my baby the bottle, I read advice on how to diminish it and in the beginning especially at night I chose to give her formula notwithstanding the fact I had enough to give her. Only now I realize how easier it would have been if I had made the effort and tried to overcome the pain but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. i was one of the few mothers who went from mixed feeding to exclusive. Looking back it seems so far away and so absurd considering how easy it is now. I never thought it would feel so great to give her her nourishment and to have this contact with her. I never thought I would not care less about my breasts or about my body and the extra kilos I still have on me. I never thought I could wish for all the pain to be on me and to suffer incredibly when she got pneumonia at only one month and a half and we had to stay one week in hospital. I never thought her crying when the doctors had to take her blood for tests or take X rays would hurt me like stabs deep in my flesh. I never thought I could think to give my life for somebody else. I never thought I could show myself in a semi homeless like look those days and not give a damn. I never thought I could feel the urge to protect another person to the extent of sacrificing myself and my life. I now understand the real meaning of when in my wonderful trips to Africa and in the many safaris I have done I was told to watch out for wild female animals when they had cubs. I remember the looks female cats used to give me when I would discover them with their kittens at my aunt's house in the country. I remember the sound female elephants would make turning to look at my jeep when they closed the line of elephants with cubs in the middle. Oh yes I do understand now. I understand that all that seemed so important to me or even fundamental doesn't look so important now. I have not taken a plane in what to me seems to be ages and I am not gonna lie about it, I do miss that, but it just doesn't seem so fundamental all of a sudden. I don't know when I will take another journey and I know that when I will it will be different but I don't care. The feeling of freedom I felt for so many years travelling around the globe was fantastic. Getting in an helicopter in Machu Picchu, standing on the verge of Victoria falls, diving in the Australian Great Barrier Reef, driving alone on Us highways, getting lost in the Namibian desert, walking around temples at dawn at Angkor Wat, sitting in the back of a truck in Botswana, watching lions wake up in South African parks. Do I miss that? Yes but it belonged to another type of journeys. I know I will still travel and this time with my partner and my daughter or even alone at times and it will be different. And it's good.
My life has changed and I like it. I am not working at the moment and ehen I think back at the sleepless nights I had worried about work it makes me smile. I am not dancing, nor acting, nor teaching yoga and practising very little but I don't care.
I remember when I had to quit teaching yoga before the summer after only a year after I had started or even less and assured the gyms and centers where I was teaching that I would start again maximum two months after I had given birth. Yeah right. It makes me smile thinking how unprepared I was for what is was coming. And when I look at myself in the mirror and see all the flaws my face and my body now have I complain to my partner and relatives but then I smile again thinking I couldn't care less. My back aches constantly, I am tired and the sleepless nights now are for the anxiety of doing things right as a mother.
It's when I wake up in the morning seeing that beatiful face next to me opening her eyes and smiling that I think : me? And who is that? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-64595442441478412412014-07-22T14:31:00.000+02:002014-07-22T14:31:21.077+02:00Quel ramo del lago di Como (Bellagio for you)
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnTWZkdyIUEqhyphenhyphenMBZ1hLN0xopZygfYsYg3lnstl-q5DB20jkX7gJnRs1_qbWcLLTVs0eBB9j_-Oh7xW-ftJCV28TgY-ccTdB7PAe6x1NHwNFoiWSfbBSv8BnHrvnrVl5CCjvQKMZYjQw/s1600/bellagio.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnTWZkdyIUEqhyphenhyphenMBZ1hLN0xopZygfYsYg3lnstl-q5DB20jkX7gJnRs1_qbWcLLTVs0eBB9j_-Oh7xW-ftJCV28TgY-ccTdB7PAe6x1NHwNFoiWSfbBSv8BnHrvnrVl5CCjvQKMZYjQw/s320/bellagio.JPG" /></a>
"Quel ramo del lago di Como, che volge a mezzogiorno, tra due catene non interrotte di monti, tutto a seni e a golfi, a seconda dello sporgere e del rientrare di quelli, vien, quasi a un tratto, a ristringersi, e a prender corso e figura di fiume, tra un promontorio a destra, e un’ampia costiera dall’altra parte... this is the opening of one of the great classics of Italian literature "I Promessi Sposi" (The betrothed) by Alessandro Manzoni and it's the description of what in late years has become a trendy and exclusive destination in the North of Italy. Probably all of you out there are aware of the fact that a considerable part of this success is due to the fact that Hollywood star George Clooney bought a house in this area and came to live here for some time. Since then this place has become of the most visited areas in Italy, where Hollywood actors and jet set personalities come to spend some vacation or even to get married (last Emily Blunt and John Krasinski).
I went there many times during the years but it had been a long time since I last went so I decided to go again this year to the most renowned and probably lovely place on the lake i.e. Bellagio. Most of you are aware that the beauty of this place has attracted many people and also inspired one of the newest (it's been there for a few years actually) hotels in Las Vegas called in fact Bellagio. It's a small town on the banks of the lake like many others but it has a definite fascination and a very romatic atmosphere that makes it almost unique. I mostly prefer the seaside and am not a fan of lakes, however I find lake Como a very romantic spot and I would definitely suggest it for a trip or a nice weekend.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hiFFyYHE58jHvnFK9iogUEJ0DnsUiHEybtyEDGATiKf9Mzs2phSscTwq2jOYbzuJqdj4bODVq1M3hrdpmT0NixWTEXA6oXoqLhfcIdA1LdQI_ADfX-ueoQSW4uyQ2xVojtgWG3CnZTU/s1600/bellagio+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hiFFyYHE58jHvnFK9iogUEJ0DnsUiHEybtyEDGATiKf9Mzs2phSscTwq2jOYbzuJqdj4bODVq1M3hrdpmT0NixWTEXA6oXoqLhfcIdA1LdQI_ADfX-ueoQSW4uyQ2xVojtgWG3CnZTU/s320/bellagio+2.JPG" /></a>
Mind you the best time when to go is spring or fall. Winter can be a little depressing although with its own fascination. Summer can become hell especially in the weekends. I went in early March and the weather was nice enough to make it really enjoyable. Obviously being a very refined destination there are many beautiful hotels and secluded places but also smaller pretty ones in the middle of the town which are also quite affordable. I stayed in <a href="http://http://www.hotelbellagio.it/">Hotel Bellagio</a>, very pretty with rooms tastefully decorated and a very nice view on the lake. As far as restaurants are concerned I went to a trattoria a little hidden on one of the many steps which connect the lakeside to the upper part of the town of which unfortunately I don't remember the name. I always choose trattorias because I prefer homelike food and egenuine ingredients although sometimes many high levels restaurants in Italy also call themselves trattoria. However in this particular one the food was good but not exceptional, although the atmosphere was very home like and there were quite a few locals dining there. The specialties in that area are mostly lake fish, but also cheeses and various types of meats. Not much luck for vegetarians who can always get by somehow though (if I managed to survive in Namibia I can get by everywhere in the world).
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwspeOrdxKYd99BI7907Joeb-gZQrayJM37IvzQT6UUwSbHB5YtmD98xjeuOoloJxigc7_YM9LKiJiR4VTvKlpLi51WtzxaUYSVAA6UG7SHOdHIdoP8Q0OlEhwyKrAPkNXHMWegFSPiuQ/s1600/bellagio+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwspeOrdxKYd99BI7907Joeb-gZQrayJM37IvzQT6UUwSbHB5YtmD98xjeuOoloJxigc7_YM9LKiJiR4VTvKlpLi51WtzxaUYSVAA6UG7SHOdHIdoP8Q0OlEhwyKrAPkNXHMWegFSPiuQ/s320/bellagio+4.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5ZTssBOLN0YccBvpr_lHOn96GA1xqH0NuAv1eJv5g1i7p9Lim7-tgslRXDwwlMsXZIwfk0k_P9-LLnK_am3-zjtMjqyHJMb73GCs8jYuod_I47pavhY78RpH8Mq1jw_oQEACgh3j1W0/s1600/bellagio+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5ZTssBOLN0YccBvpr_lHOn96GA1xqH0NuAv1eJv5g1i7p9Lim7-tgslRXDwwlMsXZIwfk0k_P9-LLnK_am3-zjtMjqyHJMb73GCs8jYuod_I47pavhY78RpH8Mq1jw_oQEACgh3j1W0/s320/bellagio+5.JPG" /></a>
What else? Not too much really. These places are made for walking around , sit with your partner by the lake and enjoy the sunset, and do some more of that romantic stuff. If you want to change you can also take a little ferry with or without your car and go to Varenna on the other side which is also very pretty although not as nice as Bellagio. Well then I advised you: when you are feeling romantic and you're in this part of the world do enjoy a day or two in Lake Como. You won't regret it, as also confirmed Alessandro Manzoni at the end of its masterpiece when Renzo and Lucia the engaged to be married couple, finally after years of troubles and difficulties get married in their little village on the side of the lake and things start to get better for them. Work gets better, children come and they live happily everafter although learning that troubles come no matter what and only faith in God makes them better and renders them useful in order to learn to have a better life. And so I also will conclude: "Questa conclusione, benché trovata da povera gente, c'è parsa così giusta, che abbiam pensato di metterla qui, come il sugo di tutta la storia. La quale, se non v'è dispiaciuta affatto, vogliatene bene a chi l'ha scritta, e anche un pochino a chi l'ha raccomodata. Ma se in vece fossimo riusciti ad annoiarvi, credete che non s'è fatto apposta.". Basically if you enjoyed the story, try to like a little who's written it and also who adapted it. If instead you got bored because of it, please know that it was not at all the intention. Ciao for now folks!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjkCAZyrXKlqxfVjXxwmnhDetkf24dcJBXnymeEo0lel757Ee7hvUodltD_yoHiWdUSo5rZWDWWX90k0Iu72322nLUBpH42_v4rqTHO_CL2yRGMK8WDraBIAoEXubVZ8ViHl8Scf8aV8/s1600/bellagio+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjkCAZyrXKlqxfVjXxwmnhDetkf24dcJBXnymeEo0lel757Ee7hvUodltD_yoHiWdUSo5rZWDWWX90k0Iu72322nLUBpH42_v4rqTHO_CL2yRGMK8WDraBIAoEXubVZ8ViHl8Scf8aV8/s320/bellagio+6.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ACqo8yUQLA6W-WA33mlpQ9RHupEupZ7bHO0W_1VaesEhHU9qM0Hun9zQGX9JlCG9Ps7094Yp-KDPYD1oORBLcU7zvrGQgUxF5FjF1FQkiixC06VPcbRq0x2Z0-FxSOo-WfWkS7h86dk/s1600/bellagio+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ACqo8yUQLA6W-WA33mlpQ9RHupEupZ7bHO0W_1VaesEhHU9qM0Hun9zQGX9JlCG9Ps7094Yp-KDPYD1oORBLcU7zvrGQgUxF5FjF1FQkiixC06VPcbRq0x2Z0-FxSOo-WfWkS7h86dk/s320/bellagio+3.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UcAzIqXedT7Kg87os45YqoIiZdQkjodQGOrOrn9jHDMpqDaCg5fJpcIHJWh8J1iU9I_Da_C4R6OKx2KJXkBpaawi_DwS1LUTzJuzdIJovm486q1Dz2p-BXSWyS5ppXIE5kVl2a7KLGk/s1600/ferry+bellagio.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UcAzIqXedT7Kg87os45YqoIiZdQkjodQGOrOrn9jHDMpqDaCg5fJpcIHJWh8J1iU9I_Da_C4R6OKx2KJXkBpaawi_DwS1LUTzJuzdIJovm486q1Dz2p-BXSWyS5ppXIE5kVl2a7KLGk/s320/ferry+bellagio.JPG" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-6956957965284981512014-05-20T18:04:00.000+02:002014-05-20T18:04:49.394+02:00Welcome to paradise (Boracay) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut05lXXYGQO7CD_R3I_ephY4hVikVB0g7uhFPA-Clc0WUQx4nnPZ7zPDIFiJp1jEvNjKKvi5nTx2OGnRV-9fGlCBTglmWpWHFRGaG0f2djuptf2QF3C6KteXBn0CI125jA5mCuWBbctg/s1600/boracay+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut05lXXYGQO7CD_R3I_ephY4hVikVB0g7uhFPA-Clc0WUQx4nnPZ7zPDIFiJp1jEvNjKKvi5nTx2OGnRV-9fGlCBTglmWpWHFRGaG0f2djuptf2QF3C6KteXBn0CI125jA5mCuWBbctg/s320/boracay+1.jpg" /></a>
Not bad huh? I ended up in this island just after Xmas for eight days ( which is a little short considering the journey but definitely better than nothing). I had visited many places in South East Asia but I had never been to the Philippines although it has always been a place where I wanted to go to. It's not easy to reach the island: first you have to get to Manila, then take an internal flight changing terminal (which is in another area of the airport and takes about 20 minutes by taxi to reach), then depending on where you land, take some means of transportation to the island. I landed in Caticlan which is very near. You still need to take a van to the jetty, a boat to Boracay and another van to destination. You can do that by getting a ticket outside of the airport with <a href="http://http://southwesttoursboracay.com/">Southwest</a>, a very well organized company which does everything for you, tickets, luggage etc. Believe me when you are jetlageed and had only three hours of sleep like I did, it helps a lot.
When you get to Boracay the main attraction is White beach, a four km white sand beach where traffic is not allowed and where most of the hotels , guesthouses and restaurants are. The beach is divided in three stations. I was in the middle at Station 2 which is very nice. Station 1 is even nicer even if a little calmer and station 3 I thought was the worst. Having said that do not imagine the island as a secluded paradise because it isn't... construction is everywhere, it is unfortunately very touristic and that spoils a bit the landscape. Plus I was there for the New Year's Eve vacations and I can tell you there were millions of people. See for yourself.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ8CJ8oEgg76rUNCw8ip0lfVsIRvPSgsf_aTlIn3bytQf35wBphqlrwo6TlhtuTvAegWCX1kZ-B7eSdjB_Pui2Tgxia8o3GQRNQY0zznDWJWRKBQXGcbaD0X1V80vpF2HCvHM72qyhcY/s1600/boracay+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ8CJ8oEgg76rUNCw8ip0lfVsIRvPSgsf_aTlIn3bytQf35wBphqlrwo6TlhtuTvAegWCX1kZ-B7eSdjB_Pui2Tgxia8o3GQRNQY0zznDWJWRKBQXGcbaD0X1V80vpF2HCvHM72qyhcY/s320/boracay+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWHX_fwPYYtZ6IrjD3Wk2SNEZgfNA91ymwSYr5MyFdm5A6rppWmC6Q8m4TkKx2MIncWe6nq5w6WqV_HxTKtPNXhDOtMkN8_VZL7Y1xw0398S8AQHaHv2US5BUuM1snY8LMGDRtYxTX5Q/s1600/boracay+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWHX_fwPYYtZ6IrjD3Wk2SNEZgfNA91ymwSYr5MyFdm5A6rppWmC6Q8m4TkKx2MIncWe6nq5w6WqV_HxTKtPNXhDOtMkN8_VZL7Y1xw0398S8AQHaHv2US5BUuM1snY8LMGDRtYxTX5Q/s320/boracay+4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka5ItkbTom1t7vlL66vPt2ZkGAqj-jtBPa5fxmvk2dr_vJCQ7XXnwMJYfbF9glDdgqVCZ9d5sy-t8AIVSkRIeAHVJie_iRzE9PqMWB7Ugj_42w11iCdHD-TTQHsqCbiRSGQi-NlmIogY/s1600/io+a+boracay.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka5ItkbTom1t7vlL66vPt2ZkGAqj-jtBPa5fxmvk2dr_vJCQ7XXnwMJYfbF9glDdgqVCZ9d5sy-t8AIVSkRIeAHVJie_iRzE9PqMWB7Ugj_42w11iCdHD-TTQHsqCbiRSGQi-NlmIogY/s320/io+a+boracay.jpg" /></a>
Usually Xmas is a good season. Should be dry and not so hot. Unfortunately it rained or better poured for a couple of days including New Year's Eve which leads to the question: What do you do on an island like this when it's raining? Well it depends who you're with and what type of journey it is but you can have a massage (fantastic) for as little as €5 or eat (and there are a lot of places where to do that), or go shopping or if you like it you can swim in the rain. That's what a lot of people did on New Year's eve when it was literally pouring.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81aaJw0oQdsrOtCWuugJbk4aApfJJDv7dY-bWm3lJn0V1RBTDQZqt60A4a9CUOCgj3XqBWRGX0Y7LOxmP07wrJqUIrIJXFVZ3-nRtTqh1n2mM51XhLvFe0W5-43PpF4e3-hNmTz4hWyo/s1600/new+years+boracay.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81aaJw0oQdsrOtCWuugJbk4aApfJJDv7dY-bWm3lJn0V1RBTDQZqt60A4a9CUOCgj3XqBWRGX0Y7LOxmP07wrJqUIrIJXFVZ3-nRtTqh1n2mM51XhLvFe0W5-43PpF4e3-hNmTz4hWyo/s320/new+years+boracay.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-O8atzJ-P-k3lC4uI7D8n55MuXfLHWF_T8TrvGtt4DY37Oq-FP2wRuxDaZo2cqoIg_Ump8qUNwM8itAdfYaWnFsXr4aGaAYyBxuOHR1OIkurxvDt_tbjWEwdoLjHqO0rBDk7UYsyRH0/s1600/new+years+boracay+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-O8atzJ-P-k3lC4uI7D8n55MuXfLHWF_T8TrvGtt4DY37Oq-FP2wRuxDaZo2cqoIg_Ump8qUNwM8itAdfYaWnFsXr4aGaAYyBxuOHR1OIkurxvDt_tbjWEwdoLjHqO0rBDk7UYsyRH0/s320/new+years+boracay+2.jpg" /></a>
When there is good weather apart from laying down in the sun and swimming most people go to Boracay to do kite surf. This sport never attracted me so until the last three days I never crossed the main street situated at the back of the beach to reach the other beach Bolabog beach to see what was happening there. Well, I could say it's kite surf paradise where there are schools, competitions and kite surf fanatics from all over the world. I was passing by a school called <a href="http://http://www.kiteboracay.com/">Habagat</a> German owned and with a lot of teachers. I got convinced to try in the end and I took two and a half classes (I missed the last half due to unfortunate circumstances). Well, I kind of learnt to fly a kite and that was it. I stayed in the water up to my waist with my arms up holding a heavy kite, staring in the sun for what I thought was an endless time, with a teacher next to me holding my waistband and giving me directions. By the way he was very good looking as the majority of windsurf, diving, kitesurf etc. teachers are...
In the end I missed the part where I would have gone up on the board.. Damn it. Well I'll try again some other time I guess.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroEYmCxwsElkl5EZVlzfU0YxYJOkLV9rfsb0hn3YsmX9vg6kVj5bzSY_-AxCaFrrWLg256E4EMwkiN466PuuQ3Y4kNjzTjV67lzhRdrW5vwiffC5Xr4ly4e38LqtBghFi-oDkcB_v838/s1600/kite+surf.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroEYmCxwsElkl5EZVlzfU0YxYJOkLV9rfsb0hn3YsmX9vg6kVj5bzSY_-AxCaFrrWLg256E4EMwkiN466PuuQ3Y4kNjzTjV67lzhRdrW5vwiffC5Xr4ly4e38LqtBghFi-oDkcB_v838/s320/kite+surf.jpg" /></a>
As far as eating is concerned there are certainly a lot of places in White beach most of all not very good and very touristic, but the best place is certainly D'Talipapa the fish market where you buy your own fish in one of the many stalls (incredibly cheap let me tell you) and go to one of the many little restaurants around the market to have it cooked. I went there with some new friends I met on the island and it was a fantastic experience plus some of the best seafood I had ever eaten.Strongly reccomended.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWm9mxyGL5v07CCrszup6lfkLMMJc9yNFGfEFlTHrtNlFIsi-h_fKhGxQC3jfpR9wmvmhEot-GmTPGfztoPMcNtD_TmX4lBnUAOLSZwbouGW0nL7TH7w5VfyI6VBbsfqwlF40TDzdYAA/s1600/boracay+fish+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWm9mxyGL5v07CCrszup6lfkLMMJc9yNFGfEFlTHrtNlFIsi-h_fKhGxQC3jfpR9wmvmhEot-GmTPGfztoPMcNtD_TmX4lBnUAOLSZwbouGW0nL7TH7w5VfyI6VBbsfqwlF40TDzdYAA/s320/boracay+fish+market.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPabzRjW7rf_JCamiuXsw_Zq6BfnHpjUzRxnjCeGCSg6hjUgTUEYDxJoIHHF_hTRoyPYMF8zTLqcXmRFfrOpg9jGgKJi7NY8gcCoB2VTxsrc2uxFtc0xT6o9D3RsJEGETdksvEupQ3mQ/s1600/boracay+fish+market2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPabzRjW7rf_JCamiuXsw_Zq6BfnHpjUzRxnjCeGCSg6hjUgTUEYDxJoIHHF_hTRoyPYMF8zTLqcXmRFfrOpg9jGgKJi7NY8gcCoB2VTxsrc2uxFtc0xT6o9D3RsJEGETdksvEupQ3mQ/s320/boracay+fish+market2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRsbukZB7pBf5Ei6sMH4d7Ek8ENYiV7DEu0LsKcwhzrScwxPQVqnuJH8BXexvHPHNCpEmWQRI4SrHibEQ5ITpoJl0y-nSrSdo4p3oc5WaCV78iHNQ3tDIuY9riikfSZXhCxA1veufYDg/s1600/boracay+fish+market+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRsbukZB7pBf5Ei6sMH4d7Ek8ENYiV7DEu0LsKcwhzrScwxPQVqnuJH8BXexvHPHNCpEmWQRI4SrHibEQ5ITpoJl0y-nSrSdo4p3oc5WaCV78iHNQ3tDIuY9riikfSZXhCxA1veufYDg/s320/boracay+fish+market+3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF0MyUsMCV1zhR8sXpSiy4THQicxmDDhLIAeCIy5K6opsaDyT4Y8YD45ymCz-qfqIH8MSvO7MmObSTXiSFMF2duhYXI9GXL4YKRp_tYCAWI1s2z3jr5Gbwqu5FxRyUq1UG5f_3BxpWzw/s1600/me+and+friends+in+boracay.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF0MyUsMCV1zhR8sXpSiy4THQicxmDDhLIAeCIy5K6opsaDyT4Y8YD45ymCz-qfqIH8MSvO7MmObSTXiSFMF2duhYXI9GXL4YKRp_tYCAWI1s2z3jr5Gbwqu5FxRyUq1UG5f_3BxpWzw/s320/me+and+friends+in+boracay.jpg" /></a>
AS I said I didn't stay enough in the island to truly enjoy it and I would love to go back to stay a little longer and maybe look at the other islands which I was told are very beautiful too. It was really one of those things I really regreted. Especially because I came back since I had pressure from clients from work. A piece of advice? Never and I repeat NEVER listen to clients when you are going on holidays or better if you are already there because nothing is life or death matter unless you're a doctor or someone involving in saving human lives. For the rest especially if you're freelance don't listen to clients. The things we had to do so urgently are still pending...
And so I missed another couple of days in Boracay which really would have made the difference. I'll go back, of this I'm sure and this time with no internet connection nor phone. I wonder if this time I'll be able to ride a board and fly a kite. I'll just have to wait and find out..
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-503380440702623652014-04-06T20:34:00.000+02:002014-04-06T20:34:53.400+02:00Vedi Napoli e poi muori . There is no city like mine 2 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkG-52Hll7ouaJMjTI4zXrqUIzwCHaDtuMb5KLLAdtHCY44j7V9OZoaMuEbYXs4roYvbbKtn3pqf2rQquqh01hXB8qTvhaIIqtWuKwlqPoTdbgnbi7lXq7Bk5EBXBrOF1a3ybcOpOfpg/s1600/napoli+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkG-52Hll7ouaJMjTI4zXrqUIzwCHaDtuMb5KLLAdtHCY44j7V9OZoaMuEbYXs4roYvbbKtn3pqf2rQquqh01hXB8qTvhaIIqtWuKwlqPoTdbgnbi7lXq7Bk5EBXBrOF1a3ybcOpOfpg/s320/napoli+2.jpg" /></a>
Here it is, the best panorama in the world: the one from the house where I was born and raised and from which I could see all the gulf from one end to the other and the Vesuvio, the islands, Sorrento. I have always had the city at my feet. When I go there I love to sit on the balcony and stay in the sun looking at the sea for a long time and reminding of when I was a little girl and was running all around the balcony with my sister and brother.
The best thing to do in Naples is to walk around. Yes to walk. It is a big city but most of the places are reachable by foot and the walks are fantastic. Like that you can avoid the infamous traffic and the mess of public transportation except for the old Funicolari (i.e. Funicular railways: there are four of them in town and work very well)and the metro system which is now very good. I usually take them since I am from the area situated up high on the hill called Vomero so I need to if I'm in hurry but if I am not I can just walk all the way down by the stairs which cut the city in half and go from above to the lower part of the city. If you take the funicolare and the metro usually you would get off in the chi chi area of Via dei Mille or in the historic center (Via Toledo or Piazza Dante) . Both areas are very nice and allow you to walk around historical places and monuments and then stretch to the sea.
Now what's there to see in Naples ? Or better what's not there to see? Where do I start? Let's try a list:
Castles: We have three. <b>Castel Sant'Elmo</b> up above where you can see all of the city. There is also a very nice museum of Neapolitan art and presepi (creches).<b>Castel Dell'ovo</b> by the sea, a very old castle from the Middle Age, which has become the symbol of the city throughout the centuries and gets its name from the legend that there was an egg hidden in its foundations on which all the luck or disgrace of the castle would depend on. <b>Maschio Angioino</b> the one portraited in the first picture built by the Angioins, our French conquerors at the time. Did you know we had many dominations? We had the Greeks , the Romans, the Normans, the Svevis, the FRench, The Spanish, again the French, again the Spanish and finally no one.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR4fQdOacNGBQWLsjxB6zk4Gfjfjjb0zSuyeCVYbDgFkza0g1TTaMhDaUrBF013DlAcLB3vOlaX3uXSRnoQD1yIYYhpmF_AzHj0rSnwPEWjmm38FgTtdmpONd_mJO21AqpkuHJ9iFnuU/s1600/castel+dell'ovo.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR4fQdOacNGBQWLsjxB6zk4Gfjfjjb0zSuyeCVYbDgFkza0g1TTaMhDaUrBF013DlAcLB3vOlaX3uXSRnoQD1yIYYhpmF_AzHj0rSnwPEWjmm38FgTtdmpONd_mJO21AqpkuHJ9iFnuU/s320/castel+dell'ovo.jpg" /></a>
Well we inherited many things from our invaders but we remain developed a truly genuine Neapolitan character and mind which are somehow unique. Presumptious? Maybe but meet some Nepolitans and then you will tell me...
Let's go on with our list:
Museums: Museo di San Martino (see above at Castel Sant'Elmo), Museo Nazionale where you can find ancient art from the greek period up until Reinassance. Museo Madre. Modern art museum situated in the heart of the historic center.
Churches: more than a hundred and most of them in the historic center. My favourites: Chiesa del Gesù , Basilica e Monastero di Santa Chiara, Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore, Cappella di Sansevero. This last one is famous because of the famous sculpture of the Veiled Christ which is something unique. See for yourself.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIY1WAWa30kUcxp1dOlj7FHU0z9iWOGrqUqjbfUhQvfUtqpl92N4tagWELJ146w99BfaOAQTQClcko7f2Pi7G0V_UaxmMXCVGt2HvVCoyfbwNxCA6_dHUFA27hkxjDlHM72wzAD11MA0/s1600/Cristo_velato.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIY1WAWa30kUcxp1dOlj7FHU0z9iWOGrqUqjbfUhQvfUtqpl92N4tagWELJ146w99BfaOAQTQClcko7f2Pi7G0V_UaxmMXCVGt2HvVCoyfbwNxCA6_dHUFA27hkxjDlHM72wzAD11MA0/s320/Cristo_velato.jpg" /></a>
Monuments: Palazzo reale, Teatro San Carlo, Galleria Umberto I, Piazza del Plebiscito (this ones are all at a walking distance from each other).
One of the main walks you can take in the city is the one in the historic center starting from Piazza Dante walking down the decumani (ancient roman streets ) crossing the area, all the way down to the Duomo and Castel Capuano where the Court of Justice used to be. Doing that you want to stop at San Gregorio Armeno to look at all the old shops selling little statues for creches, a very old tradition we have for Xmas. The creches can be huge and full of characters and there are competitions every year for the best Neapolitan creche.
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Once you get to Castel Capuano you want to stop for the probably the best pizza you will ever have at Michele , a very old pizzeria where only Margherita and Marinara are sold (for Neapolitans only those two are the real pizzas , the rest doesn't count)with a drink on marble old tables for as little as € 5,00. Go there early: there is always a line and you have to take a number. Have you seen "Eat,pray, love?" Well Julia Roberts and her friend were eating pizza at Michele. If you want also an excellent pizza in the are go to Brandi which is also delicious and has also pizza fritta (fried pizza) a little heavier but soooo tasty...
As far as food is concerned I wrote about it in my last post and I can say there are so many places where you can eat well in Naples. Depends on what you're looking for. Mattozzi for example is where you can taste many specialties of Neapolitan Cuisine (gattò di patate, sartù di riso etc.. ), and if you want excellent but a little more pricey food you should go to Rosiello on the beautiful hill of Posillipo. Also there are a lot of places by the sea. One of them which I really like is called Stella. It's fairly new: I mean it wasn't there when I was a little girl like the others but it's in the area by the sea closed to traffic.
These are the pictures I took when I went to eat there.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ1xThh7iYd-h43VeUzPAUOPxijpnYeU3zOgTWOBmgae1wDuTZgtwG7jSGEGlt9s57TSctBIsqScgdA062t3__iDcineHf5Mpc-D1w1YaTcnEzLqqKeipRXwHKHRsNdOtDGwKSSkNzFw/s1600/lungomare.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ1xThh7iYd-h43VeUzPAUOPxijpnYeU3zOgTWOBmgae1wDuTZgtwG7jSGEGlt9s57TSctBIsqScgdA062t3__iDcineHf5Mpc-D1w1YaTcnEzLqqKeipRXwHKHRsNdOtDGwKSSkNzFw/s320/lungomare.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6SdK_KqmhiyiBWtq_F7II31_amJA6GzPceUjTXB2mNzTB0FUF8Q-pIct59SoIE0x2kncGcV8Pwvy8uqwXEo67DQ72I7WhjquERbFwbrAOAb6P203UErZ-x71SuYX4nY8NRBRTBXVhu8/s1600/vesuvio+lungomare.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6SdK_KqmhiyiBWtq_F7II31_amJA6GzPceUjTXB2mNzTB0FUF8Q-pIct59SoIE0x2kncGcV8Pwvy8uqwXEo67DQ72I7WhjquERbFwbrAOAb6P203UErZ-x71SuYX4nY8NRBRTBXVhu8/s320/vesuvio+lungomare.jpg" /></a>
Another very interesting walk is the one in Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish neighbourhoods) which are the heart of the city. There you can walk in the narrow streets,(vicoli) hear the voice of the vendors, see the clothes hanging from the balconies, and look at this very old quarters where the spirit of Naples truly lives.
I never realize how much I love this city until I talk about it although for many other reasons I don't like it, but it's my hometown and I feel Neapolitan from the tip of my hair to the bottom of my feet. I am sure I will have forgotten many other things I can say about it and maybe I will write again about la mia bella Napoli , where my heart belongs and will always stay. Ciao for now.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-32235792402091933532014-03-11T17:22:00.003+01:002014-03-11T17:22:58.893+01:00Vedi Napoli e poi muori (there is no city like mine). First part <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iT4xiA2hO_s" width="459"></iframe>
I dare anybody in the whole world to find a city like this. There is no other. It is simply unique. I am not saying it because it's the place where I was born and raised but because it's true and anybody who's been there can say it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Judge for yourself: I got this video from Youtube which has one of my favourite Neapolitan songs of all times and images of my beautiful hometown. I have to confess I don't go there as often anymore. I used to : for years I would go back every one or two months to see my friends and some of my relatives. Having moved with my whole family to Milan almost 24 years ago I do feel like I belong there and I truly do but at the same time all these years away from it make me an expat, so that when I go back I feel like I have never moved away and a tourist at the same time. It's a very weird feeling, because I have lived many years out of Naples but I do feel and I am truly Neapolitan. I never lost my accent for one thing and I speak the slang all the time especially when I'm angry. I do have to confess that I have always had a love-hate relationship with the city. One of the reasons why my family decided to move is the fact that nothing ever changes in the good but mostly in the bad. It's always been a city ruled by inadequate and mostly corrupted administrations, where lack of work has always been a big problem since I can remember and most of all it's located in a territory where we sadly know organized criminality reigns. Moreover it's a place where the mentality of the people remains the same even after centuries and unfortunately doesn't open to the rest of the world. I know some of my fellow citizens will not agree with me but most of those who have moved away will totally see what I am saying. It's a very closed society and very difficult to deal with. Nevertheless the city has always coped with numerous problems with the so called " arte di arrangiarsi" which could be translated as art of getting by and which the Neapolitans have used to go around obstacles for centuries for survival purposes. The problem is that this habit of going around things to find a way to get by brought people not to face problems and solve them. This is why after many years the city has still the same problems.
I am saying that because people only see the obvious beauties of the city and of the people but as tourists do not get how difficult it is to live in a city like this one.
Even I when I go back for the first few days am enthusiastic and happy, but after a while I have this urge to run away. I am not the only one believe me. This is for living there but as a visitor anybody (I can bet what you want) will have a wonderful time. The city is simply fantastic, people are also unique and have a great sense of humor and are known to be a step ahead. Here are some examples:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gpOvrCBi4hjdcJnjnTr2JuMSS7PmAkEHeICwIV9rQupO47eFmyaxM0fYr2RrCPs474qXN7uBxt0-rfH3V18BGcoWtMn_eUsQdIr_pJfQeuWxpCFk2s64yhMfq-_xqs7X36M1s4CuScI/s1600/esoardo.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gpOvrCBi4hjdcJnjnTr2JuMSS7PmAkEHeICwIV9rQupO47eFmyaxM0fYr2RrCPs474qXN7uBxt0-rfH3V18BGcoWtMn_eUsQdIr_pJfQeuWxpCFk2s64yhMfq-_xqs7X36M1s4CuScI/s320/esoardo.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqANHRV4ZHt7CCaG3ewxZbPsheb9P3DqHfOGu_aCIyHD9KUnQL4t3MsRorQsRKq99MQgBUhRMvBAolDKQru6JN_8LO1u1T-MzhYuKFHE75S6x-BeAxJIfBQ-wxPcjbspT2sQsCaRw3z4/s1600/TOTO.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqANHRV4ZHt7CCaG3ewxZbPsheb9P3DqHfOGu_aCIyHD9KUnQL4t3MsRorQsRKq99MQgBUhRMvBAolDKQru6JN_8LO1u1T-MzhYuKFHE75S6x-BeAxJIfBQ-wxPcjbspT2sQsCaRw3z4/s320/TOTO.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeF6bV5tP696cHZTlvzDLQFfxsBup2B4jEpR_sCMIlg4rC3SdX_NTgUI3xSymZX_4_ocUJy-qLvR99kmr2VgIdOosHCoptA17oLBD6MbivzWg-tQReO9Yl_nWHu_WGUNk2jTxVf5erFY/s1600/massimo+troisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeF6bV5tP696cHZTlvzDLQFfxsBup2B4jEpR_sCMIlg4rC3SdX_NTgUI3xSymZX_4_ocUJy-qLvR99kmr2VgIdOosHCoptA17oLBD6MbivzWg-tQReO9Yl_nWHu_WGUNk2jTxVf5erFY/s320/massimo+troisi.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk-mMUY4dpow7x3aVn8wDM6Sn_vG2sfMvn1KY4vn2flw3OFllrZinYaIfmNOMJxPodzB3vcGhJ0BjzCRiq2Reym-5wuTqwyN6iMrtAvmq88LPUFOnDSa_KdxScqOPxT0mlwC5YeFKYVc/s1600/sophia+loren.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk-mMUY4dpow7x3aVn8wDM6Sn_vG2sfMvn1KY4vn2flw3OFllrZinYaIfmNOMJxPodzB3vcGhJ0BjzCRiq2Reym-5wuTqwyN6iMrtAvmq88LPUFOnDSa_KdxScqOPxT0mlwC5YeFKYVc/s320/sophia+loren.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnbFWUMnxKTr3qAAMJulRyGVbXLMp82C_aWFGivXxsfUm0vcN3hH6c2OCnK13qwMCyCuG2gkFfYIBbb9S4BRJV3B5gqr22P5wmFn2AP5p_Zjn2f1oNAdElE4k9E3pac_xY8kspHHTz7Y/s1600/vittorio+de+sica.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnbFWUMnxKTr3qAAMJulRyGVbXLMp82C_aWFGivXxsfUm0vcN3hH6c2OCnK13qwMCyCuG2gkFfYIBbb9S4BRJV3B5gqr22P5wmFn2AP5p_Zjn2f1oNAdElE4k9E3pac_xY8kspHHTz7Y/s320/vittorio+de+sica.jpg" /></a>
Well, tecnically Massimo Troisi and Sophia Loren are not from Naples but from little towns close by even if they have always been considered true Neapolitans. We are in fact, very proud of our origins and of our Neapolitan culture like no one else at least in Europe. Now let's talk about a couple of advice when visiting: Naples is not dangerous as sometimes people say. Do not believe in this terroristic propaganda and yes do take care of your stuff when you're walking around. That's just common sense: you would do the same in Paris, New York, London or Milan. I got pickpocketed in all four cities and curiously enough never in Naples. I insist: don't listen when people say that because they got robbed of their Rolex or Prada handbag, Naples is a dangerous city. I guess in every city where you flash that kind of stuff in certain neighborhoods or close to the railway station you can easily become an easy target. Just use your common sense and you'll be fine.
Be prepared to spend some time in traffic when touring. There is a lot of traffic in Naples but that's just the way it is, so there is in Bangkok, Bejing, New York, or Rio. Neapolitan drivers are described to be crazy but have you ever been in a cab in one of the four places I mentioned? Crazy is all over the world my friends.
Another main thing: when you go to Naples you should probably fast for a week or two before leaving since you're gonna eat so much you won't believe it.Mind you, most of the things are healthier than most foods we eat every day, but of course pizza, sfogliatelle, taralli al pepe, paste cresciute, crocchè, biscotti all'amarena, sciù al ciocclolato and many other kinds of food can be quite heavy if you eat them everyday and I guarantee you will want to. See what I mean?
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBrdBVVabEcs1scFnwrfuElu05lWjf3o-ePhnASbOUDEmjsUChBdVBmjVqGhk1-8p7bn3EHyIvUgioWxCA74IWNwEeNHNzdeg3meKJPZ1cRHn54_bVHiiKBDa5JCQv6BB9TBPMXIlxY8/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBrdBVVabEcs1scFnwrfuElu05lWjf3o-ePhnASbOUDEmjsUChBdVBmjVqGhk1-8p7bn3EHyIvUgioWxCA74IWNwEeNHNzdeg3meKJPZ1cRHn54_bVHiiKBDa5JCQv6BB9TBPMXIlxY8/s320/pizza.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrzwgVVS1JIGTS1VZnyT7i1-uaFZ0StkUvlWSHB3q4FwrWuEiKP03RIHHgv_P8J6OghN4uB2kvSzx1ZbNMwShqU0wQURv4u1DeW8S2nW95Eth2iy1KWsaD8ZGyozoCP-4oPH9_0GbFJM/s1600/crocch%C3%A8.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrzwgVVS1JIGTS1VZnyT7i1-uaFZ0StkUvlWSHB3q4FwrWuEiKP03RIHHgv_P8J6OghN4uB2kvSzx1ZbNMwShqU0wQURv4u1DeW8S2nW95Eth2iy1KWsaD8ZGyozoCP-4oPH9_0GbFJM/s320/crocch%C3%A8.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kwC2RZpUQPVO08ivKat9g1vx1VkAilmoXDsdJ2Jb3cIqEY-IawCHjZa-dwQ58lLK3e7a3f5nZ6Skl5apDahYB7dEmvi9akeLFf9OoWWDXqiULwjPYl-yr1jcIjSLoJXtKukza9X_yRE/s1600/biscotti+all'amarena.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kwC2RZpUQPVO08ivKat9g1vx1VkAilmoXDsdJ2Jb3cIqEY-IawCHjZa-dwQ58lLK3e7a3f5nZ6Skl5apDahYB7dEmvi9akeLFf9OoWWDXqiULwjPYl-yr1jcIjSLoJXtKukza9X_yRE/s320/biscotti+all'amarena.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvZEAt0emxTQYZB7IR6aBVmOZYorXB9yaSUm8-ms46zp2bhfJT_26lABrrOXKHIOJiSDSBSejA5080Vqu7nZPJ5AOqoebl1jNmnHO7Br_rvweTGCrZ78E6J4W9JZHG6YMzmXauXo9m9o/s1600/sfogliatella.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvZEAt0emxTQYZB7IR6aBVmOZYorXB9yaSUm8-ms46zp2bhfJT_26lABrrOXKHIOJiSDSBSejA5080Vqu7nZPJ5AOqoebl1jNmnHO7Br_rvweTGCrZ78E6J4W9JZHG6YMzmXauXo9m9o/s320/sfogliatella.jpg" /></a>
Ok now I'm officially hungry. Another thing you should do if visiting Naples if you're a man and have some (but not too much) cash is to have a tailored suit or a jacket since in Naples there is one of the most ancient traditions of men tailors of all times. To see what what I'm talking about check the trailer of my brother's movie called <a href="http://http://www.omastthemovie.com/">O'Mast</a>.
Since "La Grande Bellezza" won the Oscar as best foreign movie if you watched it you might have noticed the exquisite clothes worn by Toni Servillo the actor playing the role of Jep Gambardella, the main character. Well they are made by one od the most famous tailors in Naples, Mr. Cesare Attolini who was thanked at the ceremony together with all the others by director Paolo Sorrentino.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sZ2MU2U186Ldq28pBlawvBXYNlbdYJpmUxy6yBu6BBF-WlaHp1eIs8nkBiwHIkcZYHeMkJ7GtchREnBFmjJGxPytojTNQb0lHW0PeukjOF5Gle-0tKUswFor7zEr2iM4xuJQkPNtV-c/s1600/omast_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sZ2MU2U186Ldq28pBlawvBXYNlbdYJpmUxy6yBu6BBF-WlaHp1eIs8nkBiwHIkcZYHeMkJ7GtchREnBFmjJGxPytojTNQb0lHW0PeukjOF5Gle-0tKUswFor7zEr2iM4xuJQkPNtV-c/s320/omast_01.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU413jLHzL6tUG5hXY5028Aa3BQkNh_Awvm6LGcY1VFIPZUTnWGCT_1Vmb270G-S6SK3ChW-41JJkhvquqK_NTzVBvnpnDlxiJk41u5pzfwg02uiNz9kmLeZtYlcqqQZrRPa0KRI9tzY/s1600/la+grande+bellezza.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU413jLHzL6tUG5hXY5028Aa3BQkNh_Awvm6LGcY1VFIPZUTnWGCT_1Vmb270G-S6SK3ChW-41JJkhvquqK_NTzVBvnpnDlxiJk41u5pzfwg02uiNz9kmLeZtYlcqqQZrRPa0KRI9tzY/s320/la+grande+bellezza.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kRILbtAjqYkJ_qngx5051q7AtQpFTfdKwfF6A4sjrgVIQipFAzeOwKpNXuli3jbC_qcxEGkj54fmOB51r8CRRcMLkKAqqMCEekYGYuCEd1_jl5FDLZTaDApoXGpyxGBiFy3w-4Xo3Yk/s1600/la+grande+bellezza+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kRILbtAjqYkJ_qngx5051q7AtQpFTfdKwfF6A4sjrgVIQipFAzeOwKpNXuli3jbC_qcxEGkj54fmOB51r8CRRcMLkKAqqMCEekYGYuCEd1_jl5FDLZTaDApoXGpyxGBiFy3w-4Xo3Yk/s320/la+grande+bellezza+2.jpg" /></a>
And let's get to places to visit .... in the second part
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-35413549515080415542014-03-03T16:25:00.001+01:002014-03-03T16:25:42.528+01:00Manila in a day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD2I80UjwCbNR4zk0sEgWbyrQtrvg7TEc6r-anpx_kBzDL_MsWEOdk5ZRjNkwPqMGfkLVtPnl_n86bPntEIxF7Pk1LoXluOF8m8avBl32fb2bpe5HfQxdDCbsE-ZwjWRQG5DSH287vic/s1600/manila+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD2I80UjwCbNR4zk0sEgWbyrQtrvg7TEc6r-anpx_kBzDL_MsWEOdk5ZRjNkwPqMGfkLVtPnl_n86bPntEIxF7Pk1LoXluOF8m8avBl32fb2bpe5HfQxdDCbsE-ZwjWRQG5DSH287vic/s320/manila+kids.jpg" /></a>
Well let's start by saying that I am probably not the best guide to this city since I was there for 24 hours, last January and did not see too much of it but I was also told that there isn't in fact too much too see in Manila. Wrong ? Right? Who knows, I only know I was coming back from Boracay and exhausted since I had a true sleepless night, one of those when you can't sleep a wink. Know what I'm talking about? My flight had been delayed incredibly like the majority of all flights from the island, but I was told that it is very common. I took a very nice hotel in Makati, one of the nicest areas of the city, suggested by a very nice girl I met in Boracay and pampered myself a little. Makati is made of malls and tall buildings, very modern yet very nice I thought. While I was wondering around like a zombie I happened to stumble across this lovely place called <a href="http://ginzabairin.com/en/">Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu</a>. Now who likes Japanese cuisine knows what tonkatsu is: a yummy cutlet like specialty usually made of pork. I tried the vegetarian tonkatsu made of tofu and served with organic rice and cabbage with potato salad. It was simply de-li-cious. The place is very nice and there is a free refill of cabbage and rice any time you want it. Places like this are one of those Asian things I miss the most when I go back home. I then was so tired and basically collapsed in my hotel room which was nearly frozen for the air conditioning (one of those things about Asia I don't miss when I go back to Europe). The next day my friend suggested that I should go to the old parte of the city called Intramuros where there are traces of the old Spanish domination. To be honest is not so interesting to us Europeans, for obvious reasons and I mostly enjoyed the ride in the tricyle I took in the narrow streets more than the monuments themselves. Judge for yourselves.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwjsJ5pP_wMMEI0JkacmgRASF-OCsiOTCjgyQD3cGOH7WxvgXx1Fv5QndbV3MN61ciVMyYTXWpemqkpdlyWfwH2sTP6es0idHW43vmwCqNB-ZrTDjFbSoVxfsbgT-yOvPlvMR1zn6L80/s1600/intramuros+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwjsJ5pP_wMMEI0JkacmgRASF-OCsiOTCjgyQD3cGOH7WxvgXx1Fv5QndbV3MN61ciVMyYTXWpemqkpdlyWfwH2sTP6es0idHW43vmwCqNB-ZrTDjFbSoVxfsbgT-yOvPlvMR1zn6L80/s320/intramuros+1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzZANMh0ui25-Lbb32p44lWtpIyV8jGhuvCVOVmvgpteuAWBsA0hLwvvbzr1RMno5M9CbErvSqJr_tBJsPWO0BscrAmptBrLa1Yha-P3l12bi47HlxE2GvZeq5XcIn-d4PW82hzxmWNU/s1600/intramuros+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzZANMh0ui25-Lbb32p44lWtpIyV8jGhuvCVOVmvgpteuAWBsA0hLwvvbzr1RMno5M9CbErvSqJr_tBJsPWO0BscrAmptBrLa1Yha-P3l12bi47HlxE2GvZeq5XcIn-d4PW82hzxmWNU/s320/intramuros+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqzdfGjc1H1IwxVRggPmdLyPa4cQXqu2pDOw2N5OGSnyK4aNjGSeAv6HqWIlC2AORMV7j5ILJhitpzZgpeeX1sdu5VhltWXY5DVjs6ugk-E6YBg0kY7Fq38DUgSANmERAG4-7pPeBjno/s1600/intramuros+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqzdfGjc1H1IwxVRggPmdLyPa4cQXqu2pDOw2N5OGSnyK4aNjGSeAv6HqWIlC2AORMV7j5ILJhitpzZgpeeX1sdu5VhltWXY5DVjs6ugk-E6YBg0kY7Fq38DUgSANmERAG4-7pPeBjno/s320/intramuros+3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAaLVCAYH6u_NpXYaCeeK7WKGAQjslBmSZ9qmtPXwc-GSC83tMJLoZO7eOH81XWB2NHIz1F8kl95a-UXrruR41EtSRjD9kpv4Jq1EJSndiRTl9mC3AOXZY_T8UCL1zQXeZOX1MgOIRKU/s1600/io+a+intramuros.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAaLVCAYH6u_NpXYaCeeK7WKGAQjslBmSZ9qmtPXwc-GSC83tMJLoZO7eOH81XWB2NHIz1F8kl95a-UXrruR41EtSRjD9kpv4Jq1EJSndiRTl9mC3AOXZY_T8UCL1zQXeZOX1MgOIRKU/s320/io+a+intramuros.jpg" /></a>
To get there from Makati and back takes almost two hours because of the traffic, which is dreadful. The taxi drivers have all sorts of objects next to the steering wheel mostly religious simbols, but also dogs with their heads moving at every movement of the car, flowers , hearts, and any other kind of stuff which makes the taxi look like a Xmas tree.I found it very funny and cute at the same time. An alternative to taxi is jeepneys widly used by the locals but advised against for tourists. If you don't know where you're going exacly do not take a jeepney, -I was told- or you'll get lost in Manila and you don't want that to happen.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBGtvpj6-FqXNYXQX2_Sfu7FwWx2RoIefTNbgG-NOrSd6mkUWzRDUwu8hyphenhyphenYDdz-q2R7qnRzEcI31eiwD7gZyE1dNzSfYfcsRy7B8xByKkj50RFwjsPeH-RFtHrQCPYrQGOUQ93gtsr7Y/s1600/manila+taxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBGtvpj6-FqXNYXQX2_Sfu7FwWx2RoIefTNbgG-NOrSd6mkUWzRDUwu8hyphenhyphenYDdz-q2R7qnRzEcI31eiwD7gZyE1dNzSfYfcsRy7B8xByKkj50RFwjsPeH-RFtHrQCPYrQGOUQ93gtsr7Y/s320/manila+taxi.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XqRuKjB2JsgCSaPlH9gd2Gu96pAMbNQlXjUqcIUh8jTu54KkWcCoi8CgVeE3YFYfSnOZCWJ_COdZVwlnXUjyhOpe-hPyF7M9UCs92V696V61VfZlbSEmDFhkK1T4fZl1s9Om0f1Dmmg/s1600/jeepneys+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XqRuKjB2JsgCSaPlH9gd2Gu96pAMbNQlXjUqcIUh8jTu54KkWcCoi8CgVeE3YFYfSnOZCWJ_COdZVwlnXUjyhOpe-hPyF7M9UCs92V696V61VfZlbSEmDFhkK1T4fZl1s9Om0f1Dmmg/s320/jeepneys+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYkJK50uPdAD6XU8AWoaTrfFwNlZrbRrBREr8p8URJRodcP0Q7vIamvpBCZ4dfNKZMV9AHY2iUFfi7TVQBUjK-sdcNlpBeU6hGaJnmMVFQ6UlPsQryOadCm45uL1FOrdhxkxbvkxNDOc/s1600/jeepneys.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYkJK50uPdAD6XU8AWoaTrfFwNlZrbRrBREr8p8URJRodcP0Q7vIamvpBCZ4dfNKZMV9AHY2iUFfi7TVQBUjK-sdcNlpBeU6hGaJnmMVFQ6UlPsQryOadCm45uL1FOrdhxkxbvkxNDOc/s320/jeepneys.jpg" /></a>
Manila turned out not to be one of the cities I like better in Asia but I had a really good time there. I met my friend I had known in Boracay and she took me in these giant malls for lunch and to buy things to take back home. I love Asian Malls: I remembee the ones in Singapore and Bangkok. You can easily spend the whole day there and find whatever you want even if you're not looking for it in that moment. My favourite was <b>Greenbelt</b> which has 5 or 6 buildings and even a park. You can easily walk from one mall to the other: they are all connected to each other, and find yourself immersed in that shopping heaven.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpID2ZFVCB71yBoWsOLIL-0e2BiY7Gofa6sg5KL5M5PSS3ShNzZp36GigxCPur4G6DqFD6CKEmDaGFd4SsUrJfh2JHM3r79VqZ66253HL9ysnJ22cY3TT3wU3RyfXg28M1vY7hx1qcfA/s1600/greenbelt+manila.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpID2ZFVCB71yBoWsOLIL-0e2BiY7Gofa6sg5KL5M5PSS3ShNzZp36GigxCPur4G6DqFD6CKEmDaGFd4SsUrJfh2JHM3r79VqZ66253HL9ysnJ22cY3TT3wU3RyfXg28M1vY7hx1qcfA/s320/greenbelt+manila.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Jz-JLSkkCWonut175slNXBd9BhiKTWJOF1EOy7Rqx4KETgNR1-heQJQIQPnL4Me6Jf92hz0jGT5sD-nMXnzKGSyGgzav3m4d6tAj3h3GMYxEr22Q-tvifp36IaZC2spvWUw5JwTW2s/s1600/greenbelt-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Jz-JLSkkCWonut175slNXBd9BhiKTWJOF1EOy7Rqx4KETgNR1-heQJQIQPnL4Me6Jf92hz0jGT5sD-nMXnzKGSyGgzav3m4d6tAj3h3GMYxEr22Q-tvifp36IaZC2spvWUw5JwTW2s/s320/greenbelt-park.jpg" /></a>
After many hours of walking and shopping (I even managed to have a fast mani-pedi the results of which were fantastic) some shops were about to close and multitudes of people started piling out of the malls and onto the streets to go home. The night was falling and I also had to make my way to the airport. I was sorry I did not stay more because I spent a really nice day with my new friend I hope to see again one day always in Manila or in another heavenly island like Boracay. But that's another story which I will tell in one of my next posts. I left with the melancholy I always get when I leave Asia. My good friend from Turin would probably say I am Asia addicted like her and maybe she's right. I am happy I managed to go to the Philippines and next time I go ( because I really want to go back ) it will be again through Manila. Ba-bay!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJfzdCPfqU3iFw6bExtsG3KMEHfIgML07hk0jS0zjN0B9Fp9B7iPciKL0zSiTKohncPH73nx0lYK1amxub6q_HGEPp1u-TRrXsf_FdPkZi_9tnGK2Iwwxhm8CfJT_o1aRdLc1lLI3wkM/s1600/manila+tugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJfzdCPfqU3iFw6bExtsG3KMEHfIgML07hk0jS0zjN0B9Fp9B7iPciKL0zSiTKohncPH73nx0lYK1amxub6q_HGEPp1u-TRrXsf_FdPkZi_9tnGK2Iwwxhm8CfJT_o1aRdLc1lLI3wkM/s320/manila+tugs.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-23467994091089272992014-01-24T18:12:00.003+01:002014-01-24T18:12:47.729+01:00Unconventional IberiaI have been to Madrid a couple of times and always liked it although I prefer (or at least I think I do : now Madrid natives are going to hate me deeply) Barcelona. Having said that I haven't been to Barcelona in over ten years so I guess I can't be really objective. I was in Madrid recently and liked it as usual although this time it was different. I was visiting and my guide made me discover places unknown and very pleasant. Mind you this is not going to be a post about Prado, Reina Sofia or all that . Not at all. Just a few little discoveries I made in this beautiful city. When I think of Madrid the first word that comes to my mind is "maestosa". In English it would be translated as majestic but in Italian I think it gives a better idea.
I was very lucky with the weather notwithstanding the fact that it was already winter: clear blue skies, warm sun and beautiful light. I had my stroll in the center, where apart from the beautiful sites and monuments I saw the signs of the crisis we are also experiencing big time here in Italy since a couple of years ago. The difference is that at least they had the Indignados whereas in this country nobody apparently gets angry enough to do something consistent about it. Everybody says it will pass by itself probably this year but is it really true? I guess we will find out soon.
Apart from that I enjoyed very much walking in Plaza Mayor seeing the policemen with their horses, one of which was the object of attention of a beige labrador who wanted to make friends with him, and around the little calles. My friend took me for dinner at <a href="http://http://www.lacocinadesananton.com/#&panel1-3">La cocina de San Anton</a> areally nice restaurant situated in a market open during the day and partly at night. I am sure that in the summer with the open terrace it will be even more pleasant but it was pleasant enough during winter.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM0IM796LNRuUsBSSx8vuOU0OW9Oy37OKhd8WW3yRFNV_YV9-qSpDE7bNXVr0xdcRIiu5VktrbYDTBXvGlhgikpXyMD5X0RQ-I6CWsSlpTGAx3TynhDETw8MJ6yRiAj5OjAiXqrMhZ7s/s1600/la-cocina-de-san-anton_2994821.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM0IM796LNRuUsBSSx8vuOU0OW9Oy37OKhd8WW3yRFNV_YV9-qSpDE7bNXVr0xdcRIiu5VktrbYDTBXvGlhgikpXyMD5X0RQ-I6CWsSlpTGAx3TynhDETw8MJ6yRiAj5OjAiXqrMhZ7s/s320/la-cocina-de-san-anton_2994821.jpg" /></a>
The day after we walked for miles over the Rio Manzanares taking advantage of the beautiful weather and came across a the beautiful Arganzuela bridge, which wasn't there or at least I don't think it was last time I was in Madrid which was about ten years ago when I went for a hen night or Espedita de soltera as they say in Spanish for a a friend of mine who although Italian has lived in Spain and loves it. I have a lot of memories from that trip especially of the late nights and the splurging. The time before that instead I had been there for New Year's Eve and as apparently all the tourists do my friends and I went to Plaza del Sol and waited for midnight with a bottle of Cava and 12 grapes for the 12 beats of the clock. The grapes you have to eat at every beat which makes it impossibile to swallow it altogether. So one of my friends and I kneeled on the floor since all the corks from thousands of bottles were being popped and managed to eat the 12 grapes although we looked like squirrels with a mouth full of hazelnuts.
At the end of the walk my friend took me to a very interesting place which was formely a slaughterhouse called <a href="http://http://www.mataderomadrid.org/">Matadero</a>, a huge space which has recently become a recreative center with a bar and a theatre and places for exhibitions. As disturbing as the name could sound since it makes come to mind the activities carried out in that place it is absolutely a place to go to. I loved it and if in Madrid I will surely go again.
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In the evening my friend took me to an excellent restaurant <a href="http://http://www.marisqueriaelpescador.net/">El Pescador</a>, lovely place and great food. The next day, always thanks to my friend, I managed to finally see Toledo a town an hour away from Madrid which I have never managed to see the other times I have been there. Well that's also a place to which the word maestoso could easily apply. But most of all what was really nice about it was the mixture between churches and synagogues which find its reasons in the religious tolerance the town had centuries ago. It was a really lovely feeling walking in its narrow streets and admiring the quiet corners of this beautiful place. Churches, synagogues, convents, little resturants and a breathtaking view. The one in the picture was taken from a <a href="http://http://www.parador.es/es/paradores/parador-de-toledo">Parador</a>, of the chain Paradores of Spain (hotels) just outside the town. For reference please check out Wikipedia page about <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Spain">Toledo</a>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6Pofa85C2vW6MFjLFoCxaS6sUv30Dp0P0Pkp0ybpBEKZ8pN572lUcEuVawOl6PIIQkFgEWy_Cl8G2cmifxYxJElHbSJ3dXlk5mMpVPe5eaDEK9cAEwzuP4YkFptgM63rGV2VoZYAQBg/s1600/toledo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6Pofa85C2vW6MFjLFoCxaS6sUv30Dp0P0Pkp0ybpBEKZ8pN572lUcEuVawOl6PIIQkFgEWy_Cl8G2cmifxYxJElHbSJ3dXlk5mMpVPe5eaDEK9cAEwzuP4YkFptgM63rGV2VoZYAQBg/s320/toledo+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdxL9MPZJj7RC3pZLSV0OYp9zAw1vH2r0PTsZ0Uk4zaC7hDCWgyG5wPajC76V9r-lVSrTsDMT0suxbq69fKbPDt86tdDcLULKNGjqWngdq3q7T5uRI5PvOS1JvowFaeR-b0r8EB9cRNk/s1600/toledo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdxL9MPZJj7RC3pZLSV0OYp9zAw1vH2r0PTsZ0Uk4zaC7hDCWgyG5wPajC76V9r-lVSrTsDMT0suxbq69fKbPDt86tdDcLULKNGjqWngdq3q7T5uRI5PvOS1JvowFaeR-b0r8EB9cRNk/s320/toledo1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLxtQwKKEkvJkpG7jloP1gQ-_GUcZ2kLaTl8RvGF0uJ_OP8aDWIZhIHNmBUkkTrWZ6glRivRTrfxARa-z70XP5-xGDoiZj6PWfPHTYwF76TEGcPCZ3yFV0KwZioomQOXLUEFEjV9xNqM/s1600/toledo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLxtQwKKEkvJkpG7jloP1gQ-_GUcZ2kLaTl8RvGF0uJ_OP8aDWIZhIHNmBUkkTrWZ6glRivRTrfxARa-z70XP5-xGDoiZj6PWfPHTYwF76TEGcPCZ3yFV0KwZioomQOXLUEFEjV9xNqM/s320/toledo+3.jpg" /></a>
Maestoso right? Well what else can I say? That weekend has been important for me for various reasons and I guess it made me discover other parts of this majestic city and also beautiful Toledo. Next time Her majesty I will render more hommage to your regal self . For now I will only get this small post of admiration which I hope is enough for the time being. Hasta pronto! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-86616266763858140932013-12-17T18:07:00.002+01:002013-12-17T18:07:36.212+01:00Irish soul <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b_klil_eOEY" width="459"></iframe>
Who remembers the 80's has to remember this song: talking about Ireland of course one thinks about U2 and yes there is Bono in this song but I thought this represents one of the songs which most expresses Irish soul. Yes there are many other artists and songs but this for me is truly Irish.
By the way a lot of people say I look Irish, for the colour of my hair, for my eyes and a fair skin with freckles in the summer that doesn't look too Southern Italian. Well I am 100% Neapolitan, born and raised and I really don't know where I got these features, but I like them and if I don't look tipically Southern Italian what the heck. However, there must be something in my genes or somewhere along the road some Irishman must have crossed my grand grand grand grandparents because everytime I go to Dublin for some reason I feel very comfortable and kind of at home. Yes I love the sun, the sea and the heat but that melancholy on the cliffs, that light fog, those green fields touch my heart and make me feel good.
I was in Dublin for a conference and it was my second time there. The first time it had been years before for Saint Patrick's day when I really had a blast! This time the weather was pretty nasty and the city was full of tourists. I stayed <a href="http://http://www.trinitycapitalhotel.com/">Trinity Capital Hotel</a> very close to Trinity College, a very purple and modern hotel with a little kitsch taste. The position is central and convenient and you can reach almost everwhere in the center just walking. From there I could easily get to the Shelbourne hotel, the venue of the conference , from where I sneaked out to Saint Stephen Green for a walk.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielok5ffGX9t13uCh3Pp8Bl-uPsgBwYQz2vui0kUycp_ZynX32PTgTywVCLufvEpFT0DGj3FY5H9aCtuCrvnsVYvWTy7hWOCebJ8G6YvttiLHbLTI5-dWGwjtH3t9ORiNDoeWwr7GxG28/s1600/saint+stephen+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielok5ffGX9t13uCh3Pp8Bl-uPsgBwYQz2vui0kUycp_ZynX32PTgTywVCLufvEpFT0DGj3FY5H9aCtuCrvnsVYvWTy7hWOCebJ8G6YvttiLHbLTI5-dWGwjtH3t9ORiNDoeWwr7GxG28/s320/saint+stephen+green.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vmEm1Z8UuVOMl5B3S8uRLVMSPJ6vRMFECYIuKyPTWObr7TzoImr7F2vx8DXjjHUKCzMyjNUxzYhHsIiOgB1ZcQ6yqYfePcHNeRhKBaJbEnJzIjxp_GZ5qduWmCn9Kbt4zoXzIhDCj9g/s1600/saint+stephen+green+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vmEm1Z8UuVOMl5B3S8uRLVMSPJ6vRMFECYIuKyPTWObr7TzoImr7F2vx8DXjjHUKCzMyjNUxzYhHsIiOgB1ZcQ6yqYfePcHNeRhKBaJbEnJzIjxp_GZ5qduWmCn9Kbt4zoXzIhDCj9g/s320/saint+stephen+green+2.jpg" /></a>
Who says swans and duks are not friendly? Look at this chaps coming out of the pond just to get some food and be close to people. Then I would take a stroll in the little streets of the center to look at the shops. During that walk I caught what turned out to be the most colossal cold I got in years... Of course I was optimistic with light clothes at the end of September: never underestimate the Irish weather.. Also Lucky Finnegan and Molly Malone looked at me with pity when I was the next day walking the streets with a running nose, a terrible cough and a fever.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwavp4rHaclimmdDNXwAMTCrMz57iMmDbN-bl_ZreHg3U2qyaMOjCgwhVNBq38URHRFKDYVzs6QYjag-aZwS8ppx8cNcB-Szt8q-uZ843JQ8WHA4ryjx8Vt3B9tEyOLCimp2AGCCxX1tI/s1600/lucky+finengan.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwavp4rHaclimmdDNXwAMTCrMz57iMmDbN-bl_ZreHg3U2qyaMOjCgwhVNBq38URHRFKDYVzs6QYjag-aZwS8ppx8cNcB-Szt8q-uZ843JQ8WHA4ryjx8Vt3B9tEyOLCimp2AGCCxX1tI/s320/lucky+finengan.jpg" /></a>
From then on I have blurry memories as also my pictures show: I know I was at a gala dinner and met many nice people amongst which also somebody who turned out to be a very good friend. We were taken to the Guinness factory for the farewell party in private buses with a thunderstorm outside and air conditioning inside which made me even more sick. And that's the evidence that I don't have any Irish genes after all... Another one is that I don't particularly like Guinness.. so I guess that makes me a 100% Southern Italian and that's it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzf3A7iH8fi1OxjH8tZrRYQqBKi2lyrpGl8Ntg9ZuHICghBlmlKJULVgbtfJwp9d4diIK8vsPBvRS4Shet2aSqk44jzliryWVGtspHBwSj99vKu6sb2RzjOw8KaZiYxuXPBwBZclYqj8/s1600/bagpipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzf3A7iH8fi1OxjH8tZrRYQqBKi2lyrpGl8Ntg9ZuHICghBlmlKJULVgbtfJwp9d4diIK8vsPBvRS4Shet2aSqk44jzliryWVGtspHBwSj99vKu6sb2RzjOw8KaZiYxuXPBwBZclYqj8/s320/bagpipe.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYT3KT9auSQ7RITpDp2eapLsxiYCLXghyq7Ug8ipWsPDhmdQ-vIc1l5TjRBWHHUsottkHoowROZ-UvDlTW1_z2x_9F6jwhCYaaYWy230zvCiARZ0U76ozL5g2z8mAsHwbFqfom7ZHQCU/s1600/irish+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYT3KT9auSQ7RITpDp2eapLsxiYCLXghyq7Ug8ipWsPDhmdQ-vIc1l5TjRBWHHUsottkHoowROZ-UvDlTW1_z2x_9F6jwhCYaaYWy230zvCiARZ0U76ozL5g2z8mAsHwbFqfom7ZHQCU/s320/irish+dance.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiYxqg_mQh54zHwfxIFNi3Cpn47YkmnxoAjZBJXRzAwFSd8c74y_I83JMgYIa5izvQT1Mq2AMkmFOWX-3qFWPQdtKuj5Y_39khgJWD-mW4arwHDc4bwwtMo35fi1iJQqRloRoXg_l2ug/s1600/guiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiYxqg_mQh54zHwfxIFNi3Cpn47YkmnxoAjZBJXRzAwFSd8c74y_I83JMgYIa5izvQT1Mq2AMkmFOWX-3qFWPQdtKuj5Y_39khgJWD-mW4arwHDc4bwwtMo35fi1iJQqRloRoXg_l2ug/s320/guiness.jpg" /></a>
The next day I was more and more sick but nevertheless I could take a stroll in Temple Bar and look at the shops in that area, stop in a pub for a pint of lager like the Irish would do and eventually have a bite in a very non Irish place but one of my favourites all over the world. People who follow this blog already know my insane passion for <a href="http://http://www.wagamama.com/">Wagamama</a> and the fact that wherever I find one of them I'll have to go eat one of their famous soups at every cost. Amongst the shops I found I loved this one: <a href="http://https://www.facebook.com/OmDivaBoutique">Om Diva</a>. I am not very keen on shopping in general but when I find something special like this one then I must stop and get something and believe me it was worth it.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyOV0bW5Ksl9wVR-UZaDY13PdQEYxDhL7Vu6ITJ53yWZyK9M6RdQjHJbBZYpTp834dJFmCZX4lf-8nQkqS5cX_suWYVe0wO5_HipPXUaEeH8nAFHV27LzoQlcVXATV-WTVfHmDWn7lkU/s1600/mall+at+temple+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyOV0bW5Ksl9wVR-UZaDY13PdQEYxDhL7Vu6ITJ53yWZyK9M6RdQjHJbBZYpTp834dJFmCZX4lf-8nQkqS5cX_suWYVe0wO5_HipPXUaEeH8nAFHV27LzoQlcVXATV-WTVfHmDWn7lkU/s320/mall+at+temple+bar.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibhknc2Ni1aZT4r9b-oH21lmM-FX8s4cyJ3lxP0S-udos_2D7Y7Li7GmaZVmZj52LQg9CG_2RjwZZ92kbd70RSAp6Idh2DACpzJDCN_gjahNPBZK67P7tjI92bxUouRLrI39ExVVmMvQ/s1600/irish+pub.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibhknc2Ni1aZT4r9b-oH21lmM-FX8s4cyJ3lxP0S-udos_2D7Y7Li7GmaZVmZj52LQg9CG_2RjwZZ92kbd70RSAp6Idh2DACpzJDCN_gjahNPBZK67P7tjI92bxUouRLrI39ExVVmMvQ/s320/irish+pub.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8fS-0IyAoGAw_wAvTEbESWx3ejGILSILf1kDFbhdpzk87gBQfjAA0JC5msPzchRGVssnEGUXEq3BXN8iXW-KWuEcSrsqkXEiSlQBopbKjmfrqPAvGuV8tHEIc4OIzeVppS1NeKJAy0I/s1600/wagamama.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8fS-0IyAoGAw_wAvTEbESWx3ejGILSILf1kDFbhdpzk87gBQfjAA0JC5msPzchRGVssnEGUXEq3BXN8iXW-KWuEcSrsqkXEiSlQBopbKjmfrqPAvGuV8tHEIc4OIzeVppS1NeKJAy0I/s320/wagamama.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiQfTEVG0HeYtktO9wTltvHVv1tC3xY_jVKbckR8jr0zeIt-pcSB2dEZ_h1IURGwthyphenhyphenEEJnbs-cI8aSpP5nfuS-TRI5DuiPBjRfSJcs6_ks8hps2j9jKYaTpBNYwTGMhRZzzCjfu1H9w/s1600/om+diva.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiQfTEVG0HeYtktO9wTltvHVv1tC3xY_jVKbckR8jr0zeIt-pcSB2dEZ_h1IURGwthyphenhyphenEEJnbs-cI8aSpP5nfuS-TRI5DuiPBjRfSJcs6_ks8hps2j9jKYaTpBNYwTGMhRZzzCjfu1H9w/s320/om+diva.jpg" /></a>
Oh well Dublin I am sure something will bring me back there one day and I hope that time I'll be in better shape. Until then Slán, Slán go fóill. Cheers
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-10296646928582405042013-11-21T13:34:00.000+01:002013-11-21T13:34:00.934+01:00I want to live in Martha's Vineyard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITZgZ8x2t15zMyAFGohP6HZzV720XpMrAedmg93W6x1IpG4Khaqb8-seGctJ652VzcFh-md9Rm-g2tF390soVDQbtl5aqifAS4XIcSoxTDoOXeYzszhLiS1y1yaWQoY_fl3shYtryoVs/s1600/mv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITZgZ8x2t15zMyAFGohP6HZzV720XpMrAedmg93W6x1IpG4Khaqb8-seGctJ652VzcFh-md9Rm-g2tF390soVDQbtl5aqifAS4XIcSoxTDoOXeYzszhLiS1y1yaWQoY_fl3shYtryoVs/s320/mv1.jpg" /></a>
While I was trevelling around New England in May I decided to stop for a few nights in Martha's Vineyard, which I had heard so much also sadly for the tragic death of John John Kennedy and his wife. So I booked a room in a lovely guesthouse <a href="http://http://www.narragansetthouse.com/">Narrangansett House</a> situated in Oak Bluffs one of the most pictoresque sites on the island. The houses are all coloured and look like fairy tales mansions, the town is on the sea and you can take a long walk to get to the beach and then throught the internal part of fields and lakes. I spent a very nice vacation there: resting, being in the nature and exploring one of the nicest places I have ever seen. In the morning I would take my breakfast from the kitchen and bring it on my little porch, have a chat with the very nice lady owner and then walk or drive to the beach and lay down in the sun.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgpFGBPY5BDxmTRAsl5C8I-n3raf7svZ9BTG-xvJTIxSOHCj0uBe1XFtmLdA4G5Y2AfoUB-D2t69Uwtt_9d0pBvg5tbtGoovoITa5K6SHb14IqPl6ztWIpwfsy2Cdjjz_eOs-IUiq6oY/s1600/mv+guesthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgpFGBPY5BDxmTRAsl5C8I-n3raf7svZ9BTG-xvJTIxSOHCj0uBe1XFtmLdA4G5Y2AfoUB-D2t69Uwtt_9d0pBvg5tbtGoovoITa5K6SHb14IqPl6ztWIpwfsy2Cdjjz_eOs-IUiq6oY/s320/mv+guesthouse.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnR1XFBrpita_XShZ7Z0xqrWxb9THgQs0Na6qPwvGtuEQeaLvHgeiOKfy5SwU7DvKDUagEnEPSDzTdHcFGiMEA2uKUlchOjqALKQFhEypNgCrkN4Pycd1Qxoh1-l_RVQe1otSbytPwIU/s1600/my+balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnR1XFBrpita_XShZ7Z0xqrWxb9THgQs0Na6qPwvGtuEQeaLvHgeiOKfy5SwU7DvKDUagEnEPSDzTdHcFGiMEA2uKUlchOjqALKQFhEypNgCrkN4Pycd1Qxoh1-l_RVQe1otSbytPwIU/s320/my+balcony.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHD1HFCKed44_ZJU3rn5kmuFtGkhPqn14c7UWFworpJZNGkAPcH4zaimX9MFksPaRLM0g_peraKe89cZBf_0Qli1GbfZOWtD0Rk3Ytasb5UHEr89ICEF4XleaFWCwM2CK9RTwV4x4sQo/s1600/beach+on+mv.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHD1HFCKed44_ZJU3rn5kmuFtGkhPqn14c7UWFworpJZNGkAPcH4zaimX9MFksPaRLM0g_peraKe89cZBf_0Qli1GbfZOWtD0Rk3Ytasb5UHEr89ICEF4XleaFWCwM2CK9RTwV4x4sQo/s320/beach+on+mv.jpg" /></a>
To get to Martha's Vineyard one has to take a ferry from Cape Cod which takes one hour or so and the funny thing is that once you get to the island the locals will ask you if you have just come from America since they live in the Vineyard and in their conception it's not even part of the States. What is it then ? Well It's just the Vineyard. In Oak Bluffs a very nice walk to take is in the heart of the little town where the so called " gingerbread houses" are. Thi s is their history" <i>Some of the earliest visitors to the area that became Cottage City and later Oak Bluffs were Methodists, who gathered in the oak grove each summer for multi-day religious "camp meetings" held under large tents and in the open air. As families returned to the grove year after year, tents pitched on the ground gave way to tents pitched on wooden platforms and eventually to small wooden cottages. Small in scale and closely packed, the cottages grew more elaborate over time. Porches, balconies, elaborate door and window frames became common, as did complex wooden scrollwork affixed to the roof edges as decorative trim. The unique "Carpenter's Gothic" architectural style of the cottages was often accented by the owner's use of bright, multi-hue paint schemes, and gave the summer cottages a quaint, almost storybook look. Dubbed "gingerbread cottages," they became a tourist attraction in their own right in the late nineteenth century. So, too, did the Tabernacle: a circular, open-sided pavilion covered by a metal roof supported by tall wrought iron columns, erected in the late 1880s, which became a venue for services and community events. The campground's gingerbread cottages are cherished historic landmarks as well as very expensive real estate. Many are still family owned and passed on generation to generation. On April 5, 2005, the grounds and buildings in the Campground were designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior." </i> ( from Wikipedia.
They look indeed like the house of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. See for yourselves.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VfY2JBujp-LOIfiemC0v9Hy6dnFJP6_hY4BHqBwMv8sVrr1vPu8TIzBFx2O-5ChrT-Askz6AsGnaAOsLkUMKASzJrJNLLhMNhGGqvEF-RM1fd-wWpNIV4rQzwaCHWbdxeRbA9YfomlA/s1600/mv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VfY2JBujp-LOIfiemC0v9Hy6dnFJP6_hY4BHqBwMv8sVrr1vPu8TIzBFx2O-5ChrT-Askz6AsGnaAOsLkUMKASzJrJNLLhMNhGGqvEF-RM1fd-wWpNIV4rQzwaCHWbdxeRbA9YfomlA/s320/mv2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJpNLvUzKwH2G2iS1rIH_nayTegekj_UoxdQwV-Sp8KNrzuZuOhEcqft_lHlv6A9Dh5ANWj8LqJAwY5YEMcpSlU3vBWOP8Th3KV87xXDm5s-5JzR5006oOjCaVr43Flq7dAd-Ueire_w/s1600/mv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJpNLvUzKwH2G2iS1rIH_nayTegekj_UoxdQwV-Sp8KNrzuZuOhEcqft_lHlv6A9Dh5ANWj8LqJAwY5YEMcpSlU3vBWOP8Th3KV87xXDm5s-5JzR5006oOjCaVr43Flq7dAd-Ueire_w/s320/mv3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfGns7_3TDD6cNFCpwDTbELIrs0792AZdk2QvUBixeIZRkh941td06XLH_eAZbNuCTStF9TuC58UmKytkc6yzDI0e225LF2hrsj-8CEBohkvJ67pXM6pYzVSCt8xn5Ns5wgwQiBqjolw/s1600/mv5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfGns7_3TDD6cNFCpwDTbELIrs0792AZdk2QvUBixeIZRkh941td06XLH_eAZbNuCTStF9TuC58UmKytkc6yzDI0e225LF2hrsj-8CEBohkvJ67pXM6pYzVSCt8xn5Ns5wgwQiBqjolw/s320/mv5.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi0tGbgB-vVtAlckkaek-2cJhsm707S7TvQMD_ooyuDdIUiODFrott-PYEpih5yzbptwroW06FEz_b2Qb3OinOYNXcvWGjbRgDQYxXkhYpOxKOrAPTUsmvdP6J4pYYeTfHhFxB6nIND0/s1600/mv6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi0tGbgB-vVtAlckkaek-2cJhsm707S7TvQMD_ooyuDdIUiODFrott-PYEpih5yzbptwroW06FEz_b2Qb3OinOYNXcvWGjbRgDQYxXkhYpOxKOrAPTUsmvdP6J4pYYeTfHhFxB6nIND0/s320/mv6.jpg" /></a>
Nice huh? The other town on the island which is worth visiting is Edgardtown which instead is more posh and full of white houses and trendy shops. Mind you :it is a very small place but it's very nice and refined although I surely preferred Oak Bluffs. The nice thing about the island is that it is nice to drive around and stop wherever you like and the landscape changes quite ofetn to allow you to enjoy different aspects of nature: sea, lakes, woods, wildlife and gorgeous views. I'll never forget my staying, for many reasons and the colours and landscapes of this wonderful island will always stay in my eyes as I'm sure they would stay in yours.
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I was in Bali in August for a couple of weeks after I decided to meet one of my best friends who was there for the summer holidays.I had been there once before many years ago and I had mixed memories of that journey so I took the opportunity to try the Balinese experience again. I arrived after 24 hours journey and dazed and confused as I was I took a taxi to one of the most beautiful places I could remember: the cultural and spiritual capital of the island ,the wonderful city of Ubud. It was full of tourists when I first went there but this time they were three times as much. Nestled amongst green hills and rice fields it is a destination for yoga aficionados, nature lovers and people in search of their spirituality. Bali is known worldwide for many things including shimmering nightlife but there is very little of that in Ubud. It is an oasis of peace and quiet especially at night and especially if, like me you are staying in a homestay, what the Balinese call rooms in a typical house which includes a few short buildings, a garden and a family temple. The only thing that might disturb you at night is the roosters crowing which can go on all night long. All the Balinese families have many chickens and at least a couple of roosters. The sad news is that they use them also for cockfighting which is a religious happening and takes place in temples. Needless to say I find it barbarian and notwithstanding the respect I have for every religious belief it never justifies cruelty against animals. Balinese people are hindu but in a different way than hindus from India as you might have gathered.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsbLh83X7nwBnCLaKwhyq6RivVmtIhXh_PPJ3H7NZ0g7PzniHDjTXfRHxDRXfaC0smbU_lvLzF40x90MCqNIkIWhU-Xk8dyPy3Zq8e85U0QJ8PYZpaLvVKc0rIR0PeE0aJPjvHUBluQk/s1600/cremation.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsbLh83X7nwBnCLaKwhyq6RivVmtIhXh_PPJ3H7NZ0g7PzniHDjTXfRHxDRXfaC0smbU_lvLzF40x90MCqNIkIWhU-Xk8dyPy3Zq8e85U0QJ8PYZpaLvVKc0rIR0PeE0aJPjvHUBluQk/s320/cremation.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5506UloBN9pXWOomnTRtlFj7uEqMy9nMWI41VDF04jrfJwUvhvx8OUsKhvpYoMDISmilRG53n1MeMnN9uvVatEqX6OXPsF05i0gsO-B_L28BWlJyr2YL5qElVhsdtdx8SJKKRNt4ku0/s1600/ubus1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5506UloBN9pXWOomnTRtlFj7uEqMy9nMWI41VDF04jrfJwUvhvx8OUsKhvpYoMDISmilRG53n1MeMnN9uvVatEqX6OXPsF05i0gsO-B_L28BWlJyr2YL5qElVhsdtdx8SJKKRNt4ku0/s320/ubus1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQStEwFdhEYYTqrq7DNxpF-EhI-pROx9JkRHeHKu7l450TNiBw1LAOKEXHQXlbv0yYYPqg9ZJZh_6AWNa40q9aXFxaOiN9QGTcBJaKezpqgB3j0u95m5Qhav0HZx3P9k9Me84wi0ZDpc/s1600/pollo+e+pulcini.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQStEwFdhEYYTqrq7DNxpF-EhI-pROx9JkRHeHKu7l450TNiBw1LAOKEXHQXlbv0yYYPqg9ZJZh_6AWNa40q9aXFxaOiN9QGTcBJaKezpqgB3j0u95m5Qhav0HZx3P9k9Me84wi0ZDpc/s320/pollo+e+pulcini.jpg" /></a>
The main attraction in Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest, a wonderful oasis of nature and shade from the humid heat of the Balinese summer. As you might have gathered from the name the forest is inhabited by monkeys. Tons of monkeys. These pretty cheeky creatures are used to tourists and therefore are quite aggressive: if you have anything hanging off you: a bag, a backpack or if you are carrying a shopping bag, or even just wearing sunglasses, necklaces, scarves,let alone if you are carrying any food be sure they will snatch it from you and won't let it go even if they are not interested. If you try to get your stuff back they will grin,and threaten you because everything that was yours has now become theirs and they will bite you even. I was snatched a little shopping bag with a few souvenirs outside the Forest (!!!) from a big monkey and there wouldn't have been any way of getting it back if it hadn't been for the old lady working in the ticket office. Anyway it is a must go and the monkeys are very funny, they play, jump from one tree to the other, swim in a big fountain and even plunge. They are lovely creatures, and the cheekiness is part of their nature.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY1W1Stv3uguM08SLSFgN5YYvlvbXgtuawXYAk2mH5PdMWnDf_p3rmk7UVRI2TqIYiGz9-ectVPGvyq1ohCg3IQkzKg0dcuHcXGrS4prvFjp20VdAIHRgZdlVvrw8rGR0zIKyEgGieHM/s1600/moneky+forest+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY1W1Stv3uguM08SLSFgN5YYvlvbXgtuawXYAk2mH5PdMWnDf_p3rmk7UVRI2TqIYiGz9-ectVPGvyq1ohCg3IQkzKg0dcuHcXGrS4prvFjp20VdAIHRgZdlVvrw8rGR0zIKyEgGieHM/s320/moneky+forest+1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUzoBpJOnU0u1-aIQzPkhr4fQSIDxLcbW7t5kG8ptHiGqfTOag91ZYZGqePlJFNSWl4PcvUKGAt88gxrOACpDcLOBCWFJJifiGNljDqgJfhyhpud9Bw4FaHlpfCDl9O7CNjFE3XQ1rLc/s1600/monkey+forest+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUzoBpJOnU0u1-aIQzPkhr4fQSIDxLcbW7t5kG8ptHiGqfTOag91ZYZGqePlJFNSWl4PcvUKGAt88gxrOACpDcLOBCWFJJifiGNljDqgJfhyhpud9Bw4FaHlpfCDl9O7CNjFE3XQ1rLc/s320/monkey+forest+2.jpg" /></a>
With my friends we decided to go to the sea side, which for us Mediterraneans is not so special: mind you it is very beautiful but if you're not a surfer than it is not so interesting since you can never swim : it's either high waves or very strong currents. Every year somebody ends up drowning so it's better not to risk it. Plus there is the problem of the high-low tide. In the afternoon you have to walk a lot before reaching the sea. The atmosphere though is precious. It is one of the most relaxing places where to go on a beach. The locals are very nice and helpful and for a ridiculously cheap sum will give you sunbeds and drinks , or you will be able to buy fresh fruit or food while laying down in the sun. After a whole day of rest you will be able to admire wonderful beach sunsets and feel in peace with the world. Our first stop was Sanur a pretty town, with a nice beach and very relaxing atmosphere. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjQOMCgnXc-zBzuOjUG6QALhx79f4QqZaRbK013RJ1ZdQNUSMXI6r0uaaZg-SLLsDQ6BlA2pz-UvV04mV-9R2Sm4Hhpv-37BWcJ9RciV3wEzjkJVp8pM6CvXaKS_Ogm33jlccEVFu26Q/s1600/sanur.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjQOMCgnXc-zBzuOjUG6QALhx79f4QqZaRbK013RJ1ZdQNUSMXI6r0uaaZg-SLLsDQ6BlA2pz-UvV04mV-9R2Sm4Hhpv-37BWcJ9RciV3wEzjkJVp8pM6CvXaKS_Ogm33jlccEVFu26Q/s320/sanur.jpg" /></a>
This place is very nice on a Sunday when hoards of locals would go down to the beach with their dogs and fly kites all afternoon. You know that kites are one of the typical things in Bali right? In the whole island you will see millions of them with varous forms and colours flying over your head.
Another thing why Bali is so famous is nightlife as I said before, for that you have to go a little south in the infamous village of Kuta or the more refined Seminyak. I was in Kuta many years ago and honestly I wouldn't go back there. I wasn't a hooligan then and certainly I am not now so I avoided it and my friends took me to Seminyak where they had rented a little villa for as much as 35 Euros a day. Yes these are the prices in Bali. You can obviuosly spend a lot if you go to 5 stars hotels or rent Hollywood style villas (and there are many)even if it's gonna be less then what you will spend at home for something half as beautiful, but if are on a lower budget you can still really splurge yourself. Now, as much as nightlife is concerned there are truly truly amazing places where to go: <a href="http://http://www.ptthead.com/">Potato Head,</a> <a href="http://http://www.kudeta.net/">Kudeta</a>,<a href="http://https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Plancha-Bali/169623353089359">La Plancha</a> and many more. If you are not interested in shimmering nightlife and want to keep a lower profile there are many typical place where you can have your Mie goreng or Nasi Goreng, Gado Gado and so on.
This is how the day goes: you lie down on the beach, sip a coconut water (from a real coconut), then go bathe in the sea, lazily go to eat something at lunchtime, take a nap on your sunbed, read a book, plunge a little more in the water, sunbathe, watch the sunset drinking a Bintang (beer) and then go take a shower and get ready for the night. What a hard life uh? I spent the time I was there like this and believe me I enjoyed every moment of it. My first trip to Bali many years ago was more cultural : I went to see all the temples and the things there were to see but this time it was all about relaxation and enjoyment.
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When my friends left I decided to go explore the north and ended up in Lovina, a totally different place as to atmosphere and landscape. First of all the beach is black and then it is formed by all these little villages where it is very relaxing but there is nothing really special. Nevertheless I enjoyed it and ended up staying three nights. The only things to visit in that area are the Hot springs in the middle of the forest and a Buddhist temple where you can practice Vipassana meditation.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq1Zo7HE_pEFQvhgceuEim8-UtQS1eyAvlIHfyF6IA0zf6vZqXo3Em8zIN0FmyXN4AK8go3z1XuUO9Sx1Shns3wt6oJz8urcegGCwnAHcdKYR1Hz2NNUCb08E0W3WX5ebTDWHklE-87E/s1600/lovina.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq1Zo7HE_pEFQvhgceuEim8-UtQS1eyAvlIHfyF6IA0zf6vZqXo3Em8zIN0FmyXN4AK8go3z1XuUO9Sx1Shns3wt6oJz8urcegGCwnAHcdKYR1Hz2NNUCb08E0W3WX5ebTDWHklE-87E/s320/lovina.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuz2hN_X9HRl9gH_x06HtvdoT8hg8luUid_uSMG_bv0zHw9MsGvkgMWnivZvt7zHRkynuX0sQpifQ0xEBkqSWcn8CKFCx1gkXyyfY6ixK_ePpf8jZN62O5HTXHrj_6_AEbsk8DHWXXZ0/s1600/buddhist+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuz2hN_X9HRl9gH_x06HtvdoT8hg8luUid_uSMG_bv0zHw9MsGvkgMWnivZvt7zHRkynuX0sQpifQ0xEBkqSWcn8CKFCx1gkXyyfY6ixK_ePpf8jZN62O5HTXHrj_6_AEbsk8DHWXXZ0/s320/buddhist+temple.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F39t57BaAkbKSZB-rvP8svLfQqVwCeVJTAkYByKVOguK6AToRmZmEOBApjinv4b0u8ixxko65c3eFUgeFMuI3m34o-HctDOrNoX35mmhQm-fT3p2ekGAiRwVXTAGJ65sM3vPZFq19yE/s1600/hot+spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F39t57BaAkbKSZB-rvP8svLfQqVwCeVJTAkYByKVOguK6AToRmZmEOBApjinv4b0u8ixxko65c3eFUgeFMuI3m34o-HctDOrNoX35mmhQm-fT3p2ekGAiRwVXTAGJ65sM3vPZFq19yE/s320/hot+spring.jpg" /></a>
I spent my last three days in Bali in Jimbaran a half moon of white sand where apart from nice hotels there are a lot of little fish restaurants on the beach where you can eat a nice fish dinner in the light of a candles right by the ocean . Needless to say that it is more a place for couples than it is for solo travellers. Nevertheless it is definitely worth going and staying at least for one night.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDkKATO6iGWPCZijcxoanw3tJYufGbgvoFb9UGrqvQMN6rUu_qwxXQDGoQtfnPshH4_oTR80MobBWFOrUZv2E2M0DgMUZsfNbzTgu3ZrWg3m26T2Pmsr3KehMYJgMzQqR_bPeduRX4-M/s1600/jimbaran.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDkKATO6iGWPCZijcxoanw3tJYufGbgvoFb9UGrqvQMN6rUu_qwxXQDGoQtfnPshH4_oTR80MobBWFOrUZv2E2M0DgMUZsfNbzTgu3ZrWg3m26T2Pmsr3KehMYJgMzQqR_bPeduRX4-M/s320/jimbaran.jpg" /></a>
You can then take excursions and explore the surroundings like I did although I knew them already. I went to Balangan one of the ost famous surfers beaches, where it is very hard to even plunge in the sea but is somewhat very beautiful.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7MyO652Sg88lBJ_K4UOLQyNW0nw4vaAZxkKFODM7o9942LMN63BiDg1lWf0Fu58g-qnufUjRNW2-v-Z3qgBIBKIWEKqXlZM6aqhJcPczyjBWjhbUBwgNCQJn-HJfuFgmIS2pK6Di4ZQ/s1600/balangan.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7MyO652Sg88lBJ_K4UOLQyNW0nw4vaAZxkKFODM7o9942LMN63BiDg1lWf0Fu58g-qnufUjRNW2-v-Z3qgBIBKIWEKqXlZM6aqhJcPczyjBWjhbUBwgNCQJn-HJfuFgmIS2pK6Di4ZQ/s320/balangan.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchdKy-IR7EHq78X_IAT6S2pJj223sr_y6yHfPxpJMHI177jK7jTdgQOi3z2ScViKwMJoWiAbvL6LgUpR_bu6gSvtktAgubbmRGoUKZBc-Ifn0cVs4Q55ke34yX6VVpoJrEy9a8rkPY54/s1600/balangan+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchdKy-IR7EHq78X_IAT6S2pJj223sr_y6yHfPxpJMHI177jK7jTdgQOi3z2ScViKwMJoWiAbvL6LgUpR_bu6gSvtktAgubbmRGoUKZBc-Ifn0cVs4Q55ke34yX6VVpoJrEy9a8rkPY54/s320/balangan+2.jpg" /></a>
And then Ulu Watu the sacred temple situated on a cliff by the ocean where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets and where the monkeys are even more aggressive than in the Monkey Forest. I personally saw four sunglasses being snatched away by the naughty things plus a pair of what I afterwards learnt was a pair of 1000 USD reading glasses which they just broke in two and tried to look through.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZydrzRShk-uSVbYZ2od7Hd933Z2Y7YfzeJXdpkITpsah_UtcQzi-6JNW1gZshoeSr3ChgaojTg8F3f8OBinR4pp6SaqNyWwwiav7rGdEqLae1hGW8X-xfsIuK5of_C6qIvLRI_55zx4/s1600/ulu+watu.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZydrzRShk-uSVbYZ2od7Hd933Z2Y7YfzeJXdpkITpsah_UtcQzi-6JNW1gZshoeSr3ChgaojTg8F3f8OBinR4pp6SaqNyWwwiav7rGdEqLae1hGW8X-xfsIuK5of_C6qIvLRI_55zx4/s320/ulu+watu.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH_O5eyYbWIlulsXQ3bJFW6Z6FNGuXdphWIj1FY6yqQClFMYh9dWrWfU11jrtwrTYXkxukiPrNqfTEarBPTE0_WOvMhto00zbZXRHR0hayU0lGnSu2iNsxWg2Kw1RdyeZkPrmNgl6JtY/s1600/ulu+watu+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH_O5eyYbWIlulsXQ3bJFW6Z6FNGuXdphWIj1FY6yqQClFMYh9dWrWfU11jrtwrTYXkxukiPrNqfTEarBPTE0_WOvMhto00zbZXRHR0hayU0lGnSu2iNsxWg2Kw1RdyeZkPrmNgl6JtY/s320/ulu+watu+3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaLmgXtmvvFJ_dymGW8zMVUFT_W10PnphqsnaoAhVZjrcvC9-kzqRN-5xqYepPAIDPm_ZnFmUGk87bwEBavo-Xh0-8s12ZonatiwtKdz06qDQoNpnHLrwxUbbQFsNDP4lCc6B9ZDJ9eo/s1600/ulu+watu+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaLmgXtmvvFJ_dymGW8zMVUFT_W10PnphqsnaoAhVZjrcvC9-kzqRN-5xqYepPAIDPm_ZnFmUGk87bwEBavo-Xh0-8s12ZonatiwtKdz06qDQoNpnHLrwxUbbQFsNDP4lCc6B9ZDJ9eo/s320/ulu+watu+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHONFSeajrVbsSvHLDcwXdWtS6CuI2r_SmOj5plrfrUk8EtZ0A2lsIl6XvpP_uLveSsOhVlxEMl7p9jjX-ot_20IEC0xbMSJndfU9tBQCgEJcTH4UhtOe_NIlHkz5cq-rf4rlUdK7fRs/s1600/ulu+watu+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHONFSeajrVbsSvHLDcwXdWtS6CuI2r_SmOj5plrfrUk8EtZ0A2lsIl6XvpP_uLveSsOhVlxEMl7p9jjX-ot_20IEC0xbMSJndfU9tBQCgEJcTH4UhtOe_NIlHkz5cq-rf4rlUdK7fRs/s320/ulu+watu+4.jpg" /></a>
What can I say ? Bali is a magical place, every corner is special, and I remember every moment of it with pleasure. The little alleys with temples on one side and rice fields on the other, all the offers made to the Gods everywhere, the smile of the children, the colours, the fruits, the incredible vegetation. Bali will always remain in my eyes so my yoga mates will forgive me if I changed the mantra Hari Om only for this one time.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGsoE3oL3_Fm3BzRllTRkT7eu5wjO_5b-KrN_DAWw_-7ajXXfAyPvXIWJWofQ_kWZONDyDPkZdTW50bqBQFMKNt5PaSaWR2Z3a6fKlCx6_90rMm09XRTctxhEG9Fu8i_ZzMpWr5NnMog/s1600/bali+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGsoE3oL3_Fm3BzRllTRkT7eu5wjO_5b-KrN_DAWw_-7ajXXfAyPvXIWJWofQ_kWZONDyDPkZdTW50bqBQFMKNt5PaSaWR2Z3a6fKlCx6_90rMm09XRTctxhEG9Fu8i_ZzMpWr5NnMog/s320/bali+1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlCQ4HW2ISRnyQqCPBPBwiM5Vhg9Ni_IFuxRfT-a24ISiduL9mL7ePATsdMIqit0oPij5fEi-eb3EDopAHZTbfinfNOI-I67DrRHFoF6tpCrXxATKGOTlG16FUKry-lSH0pH9z5hBn9Q/s1600/bali+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlCQ4HW2ISRnyQqCPBPBwiM5Vhg9Ni_IFuxRfT-a24ISiduL9mL7ePATsdMIqit0oPij5fEi-eb3EDopAHZTbfinfNOI-I67DrRHFoF6tpCrXxATKGOTlG16FUKry-lSH0pH9z5hBn9Q/s320/bali+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtRh1bR8vGGJ3giw45pxFgEpuXu9SgEYI_A4L7ebbBz2i8f1328gQSAGyQq04O0ngLVw16W568CDbQ4QHfpd8VD6jsOCDaD_mZ-LxO7eUZ3On3Ka96j5mD-pQw9syEkieV6dRw-3uD3M/s1600/bali+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtRh1bR8vGGJ3giw45pxFgEpuXu9SgEYI_A4L7ebbBz2i8f1328gQSAGyQq04O0ngLVw16W568CDbQ4QHfpd8VD6jsOCDaD_mZ-LxO7eUZ3On3Ka96j5mD-pQw9syEkieV6dRw-3uD3M/s320/bali+3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtdFI_LQONWjfHjWT2a7zK_jCrLoDwnRHMPhcmuv6Aavk_QxMjsca2i13W5Dre6ueX73TEaJJ2o-4z1q5XjFiPzrzi1omDdolsZjuSZoI-SeHEoUbfBwoSnY4XIP2uzw2wCKFAHmDyZc/s1600/bali+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtdFI_LQONWjfHjWT2a7zK_jCrLoDwnRHMPhcmuv6Aavk_QxMjsca2i13W5Dre6ueX73TEaJJ2o-4z1q5XjFiPzrzi1omDdolsZjuSZoI-SeHEoUbfBwoSnY4XIP2uzw2wCKFAHmDyZc/s320/bali+4.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-24734039076858375662013-09-06T18:07:00.001+02:002013-09-06T18:07:41.901+02:00New England New Me <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA39WprJ76hpl5Aumd1yDWaDbofveW-ARRLjxsOtEgVLf_IUeFAbebZcoFPDIQiuf95sLww7OvC7yX4pgLqJ_ZUuBzfZjM4tsZIEe5Fcv9tOkS4fDykn667ZVzM9miAVscFzVd2s99GE/s1600/new+england+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA39WprJ76hpl5Aumd1yDWaDbofveW-ARRLjxsOtEgVLf_IUeFAbebZcoFPDIQiuf95sLww7OvC7yX4pgLqJ_ZUuBzfZjM4tsZIEe5Fcv9tOkS4fDykn667ZVzM9miAVscFzVd2s99GE/s320/new+england+cover.jpg" /></a>
I went to New England at the end of May since I had a ticket I had to use with the miles and had chosen NYC where I have lived many years ago. I decided that in the end I wanted to be more in contact with nature and so I decided to go to Massachussets instead and visit Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. I definitely made the right choice. When I was younger I didn't particularly appreciate those long beaches on the ocean with the woods in the back. Now I do.A lot.As simple as that. I also wanted to be by myself and get a little introspective, reflect on certain issues, practice my yoga and meditation routines daily and being in contact with this kind of nature.
Therefore, I went to Boston, rented a car and drove around that area. I was jetlagged and very tired the first day, plus the weather was horrible so I managed only to get to <a href="http://http://www.falmouthvisitor.com/">Falmouth</a>, a very pretty town in Cape Cod. I didn't manage to see the beaches since it was raining so I just took strolls into town and stayed in an old fashioned but very nice motel: <a href="http://http://www.marinermotel.com/">Mariner Motel</a>.
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The next day I decided to drive to Newport since the weather was really bad. At least I would be into a bigger town and would be able to do something. Well you guys from the States know it already but I have to say it anyway : Newport is beautiful. The harbour, the mansions, the nature: everything is pleasant and nice to look at. The mansions for us Europeans are not that interesting in terms of architecture or furbishing but certainly they have a fascination. Too bad for the weather: it was rainy,(very)cold, and miserable. Nevertheless I had a very good time there and met some interesting people. I stayed at <a href="http://http://www.newportbluesinn.com/index.htm">Blues Inn</a>, a very pretty B&B close to all the major amenities. The only one I managed to reach was <a href="http://http://www.benjaminsrawbar.com/">Benjamin's</a>, which apparently is one of the most popular restaurants and also bars. As a matter of fact I ended up staying there much longer than I expected since after having dinner there I met some very funny guys and spent a few more hours at the bar downstairs. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdSFS-tfOJx8TbLABAzqIWiiO3_sJKE6sftzf1n57cWFcdVaEZJe1W57X3BzoPm0x88_1aS5YdAXyyUab0anydLGiDvYpUERo62D80HlOsQ4LeQh4CLaY9_HAOVfdLVBzXM9keJEfXA4/s1600/newport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdSFS-tfOJx8TbLABAzqIWiiO3_sJKE6sftzf1n57cWFcdVaEZJe1W57X3BzoPm0x88_1aS5YdAXyyUab0anydLGiDvYpUERo62D80HlOsQ4LeQh4CLaY9_HAOVfdLVBzXM9keJEfXA4/s320/newport.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFp4kaPrX9Mk0i489Ej9JFdXNLIgdzvtvE2GKhabhWZJVxwx8BLjh9xvjw7U8iu060seEs0wKYm-PGFdD_4pesxKgfzjP2NckV7fGarW9tRiDbqCArz-bvF4SuLVrAub6vUZVxDLaCHs/s1600/newport+mansions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFp4kaPrX9Mk0i489Ej9JFdXNLIgdzvtvE2GKhabhWZJVxwx8BLjh9xvjw7U8iu060seEs0wKYm-PGFdD_4pesxKgfzjP2NckV7fGarW9tRiDbqCArz-bvF4SuLVrAub6vUZVxDLaCHs/s320/newport+mansions.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO5MEAh0Q6RwPmRu2i6xMVb5s6b0LZ0gZGBoOFRtCC_fgyr8luqLw0G7fGxDU4JQC0-VT2fype_lHdMxg1UGYZ7TxqQFfCVbmaLO70mfK_H3irTCnH5JBVEr3iEK9kEVBi5tejljPdUA/s1600/newport+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO5MEAh0Q6RwPmRu2i6xMVb5s6b0LZ0gZGBoOFRtCC_fgyr8luqLw0G7fGxDU4JQC0-VT2fype_lHdMxg1UGYZ7TxqQFfCVbmaLO70mfK_H3irTCnH5JBVEr3iEK9kEVBi5tejljPdUA/s320/newport+trees.jpg" /></a></div>
Then I went to Martha's Vineyard but that deserves a post by itself, and then to pretty pretty Provincetown. Now, I knew that it was famous for being an artist town, but nowhere did I find that it is a Gay-Lesbian favorite venue. I just found out by myself. To be clear there absolutely is no problem for me. It was really funny though to probably be the only straight person around at that time. Provincetown is a lovely place and I found a very nice guesthouse called <a href="http://http://www.thecarriagehse.com/">The Carriage House</a>, where Angus, the owner is fantastic and the breakfast he serves is superb. As far as restaurants go I wasn't very impressed with the one I went and I don't remember its name.
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The next day I visited Chatham, another very pretty little town in the middle of Cape Cod and drove all the way down to Salem, the witch town. Mind you, the weather had changed abruptly so from 15 C° it became 30C° with a 80% humidity. Needless to say i was nearly melting and driving around in my car was the only moment when I could have some air conditioning and some time out from the heat. Now, I talked about the fact tha Provincetown is mainly a gay venue, at the same time Salem is a witch town, meaning the town revolves around the witch thing. Everything is witch-related, houses, museums, restaurants and ...the people. I have seen many women around who looked like what we would think a witch looks like and some people I talked to told me that there are in fact still practising witches and you can see them especially at Halloween when apparently you can't even get into town from the traffic of people going there. I liked it but i don't think I would repeat the experience.
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The last day I was in Boston, where I had been many years before. I didn't recognize it really. It has changed a lot, however it is still a nice city although not one of my favorites in the States. Also it was so hot that I spent all afternoon in Boston Common a park in the center where I was surrounded by an army of squirrels and ducks which I had to relinquish my nuts and dried fruits to.
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Then I managed to go and visit a little bit of the city and made it until North End the Italian neighbourhood going through Quincy market, which is a semi historic building in which you can find all kind of food sellers.Then I basically melted so I had to go back to the hotel and lay in the air conditioning. I would definitely go back to see the Hub again better with another kind of weather,spend some more time there .Love their accent by the way.
By the time I went back I realized that this journey has helped me changing my prespective on a lot of things, to be free and in conact with nature, to practice my meditation and yoga, but more importantly nested a new me or somebody who was already there but hadn't come out yet. Here's to New England then! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9jnmkIe1EMhyphenhyphenb5SQ10k1rVx-RvBpQJ1gKSwskPDhtBPH6V1woeKLwcwWflLWjZj08C8GfN5xkc7RWy2ALmAfQ0j0McWGYKu4Pr0VzXqUOvfTYfeOV5P1txaUiLz_RpcQi8hJTzEqcHA/s1600/boston+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9jnmkIe1EMhyphenhyphenb5SQ10k1rVx-RvBpQJ1gKSwskPDhtBPH6V1woeKLwcwWflLWjZj08C8GfN5xkc7RWy2ALmAfQ0j0McWGYKu4Pr0VzXqUOvfTYfeOV5P1txaUiLz_RpcQi8hJTzEqcHA/s320/boston+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOeScZux8qe_eGtrzclUfguGtQckJmFhNC7CG53UEx9jcMtWnhY-FIxVRQIUrS9PVw3dAYH8O0ty_2F-rDcqj2GzgNrtrOF-_DKsJp2X91UUz9h1MlBK0OQhzlgNsIbI9DV0_KROspms/s1600/boston+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOeScZux8qe_eGtrzclUfguGtQckJmFhNC7CG53UEx9jcMtWnhY-FIxVRQIUrS9PVw3dAYH8O0ty_2F-rDcqj2GzgNrtrOF-_DKsJp2X91UUz9h1MlBK0OQhzlgNsIbI9DV0_KROspms/s320/boston+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yTOiCKu5SBhqnA-aWMTEevVgGdOaJe3InidQ44JwlvjdElirG3sDBU3IALBKZmrFfVACyOn2mHUaN25xH54_KImSSEBoF5me-rctYSsG4lkomiwSj5vtaXJzUkiSi2FlTuWPclzSGn8/s1600/boston+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yTOiCKu5SBhqnA-aWMTEevVgGdOaJe3InidQ44JwlvjdElirG3sDBU3IALBKZmrFfVACyOn2mHUaN25xH54_KImSSEBoF5me-rctYSsG4lkomiwSj5vtaXJzUkiSi2FlTuWPclzSGn8/s320/boston+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tdukmuyHl3e_cpapbcxl0G2LHIBoJvqmoyuGwIraP4EW_GQU0HVWT42R8M0mh8Gc04jybekBMWIbnBVPRtTV5Y6EAr09W5TRlBb-L08WEFcd_W1L997WV_zo_VkNBy79TtmmNtnUTD4/s1600/boston+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tdukmuyHl3e_cpapbcxl0G2LHIBoJvqmoyuGwIraP4EW_GQU0HVWT42R8M0mh8Gc04jybekBMWIbnBVPRtTV5Y6EAr09W5TRlBb-L08WEFcd_W1L997WV_zo_VkNBy79TtmmNtnUTD4/s320/boston+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-43992840150070170082013-04-22T17:45:00.001+02:002013-04-22T17:45:13.001+02:00Laissez les bon temps rouler<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmvMITXOfpU7DbHWPYcYBuIKjU7Ar8DUvJC-EoL2tp3dmIRbtJJFq1WmB8r4pA-Y3nkZJLMIBJnrFhw4OQ3jaUjp37NUvuSc5Y4JilLTL1ky_92GYkrPqneVmY1sY1j6hn7tQ7fuAilc/s1600/beignets.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmvMITXOfpU7DbHWPYcYBuIKjU7Ar8DUvJC-EoL2tp3dmIRbtJJFq1WmB8r4pA-Y3nkZJLMIBJnrFhw4OQ3jaUjp37NUvuSc5Y4JilLTL1ky_92GYkrPqneVmY1sY1j6hn7tQ7fuAilc/s320/beignets.jpg" /></a>
Those who have been to New Orleans know what this delicacy is and also know where to get it: at the worldwide renowned <a href="http://http://www.cafedumonde.com/">Cafè du monde</a> where the line sometimes gets almost a mile long. Beignets are fried and covered with sugar but man do they taste good... I was in NO last month for a conference held in Tulane Law school where I took my Master of Laws. Yes I had the privilege to spend a year in this fantastic city and I can certainly say it was one of the best years of my life.
I left before Katrina hit and I was told that the situation was very bad then. Actually it stayed bad until last year o better until february 2013 when the Superbowl was held since in preparation for that, the city has become magnificent. I could hardly recognize it when I got there. Especially the downtown area was so different. I use to live uptown close to the law School which has also changed although it stays beautiful and great. Downtown and uptown are connected by a streetcar service which is one of the nicest thing you could see. It tends to be very slow though and when I took it this year it was packed with tourists who had come into town for Saint Patrick weekend.
Uptown is a completely different world from downtown: quiet, green peaceful, a lot of beautiful mansions on St. Charles and the two great campuses of Loyola and Tulane Universities. When I used to leave here, most of the time I would go out uptown or on Magazine Street where a lot of bars and venues were at the time. One is still there <a href="http://http://www.mapleleafbar.com/">Maple Leaf</a> and it's one of the best places where to go and listen to very good music. I used to go there every Tuesday to listen to Rebirth Brass Band. If in town check it out: it's definitely worth it. Another really famous place for music is <a href="http://http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/neworleans/">The House of blues</a> and <a href="http://http://www.tipitinas.com/">Tipitina's</a> where I managed to see James Brown and boy was that amazing!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7OwwNaBZ0_G7r9mpjzlpelHZgXLwjkrhogk3hdbuL6CtUUvbT7MLRHnALqQJC8inmCJSvXm9u05ZCap-f3ae0CX_5WlYqICBwyGC-soNYsjsTLQszXgpGfCFFgSy7ooq2Ggm4tvAJM4/s1600/streetcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7OwwNaBZ0_G7r9mpjzlpelHZgXLwjkrhogk3hdbuL6CtUUvbT7MLRHnALqQJC8inmCJSvXm9u05ZCap-f3ae0CX_5WlYqICBwyGC-soNYsjsTLQszXgpGfCFFgSy7ooq2Ggm4tvAJM4/s320/streetcar.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com
<b>Saint Charles mansions</b>
/-eTkj2BEOaUE/UW6yjXKFqPI/AAAAAAAABvU/Da21uwhM-LY/s1600/saint+charles.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JucUHyjy4537ZvviJQ_mMMAlJJhhQc9rzJc0PFGz201HWgRl6d2SmLQEyC-z0t8Bko5fHCzG8lDCECESxKN_vbAlWUFb6LeTXvNAI-ZPjmCl9mWY2XN9hWtOh4sI8HF3mavzBc0fcAo/s320/saint+charles.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F57jv2RPwU/UW6ylwyPWhI
<b>Maple leaf</b>
/AAAAAAAABvc/7ZkNWyLmhuc/s1600/maple+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaYEA-ywNaP5ZDQtnpayrFWXerCuOH1Z8N967Y2CFsapidAcdc71y0WaoeepM6Iu1O1VSgwoyJY2ivLwole4xcf-YSL-sW6LKSctrjsXQthRArcSL5tWxAo1rjpR_FlCTLhxLdPgE8f8/s320/maple+leaf.jpg" /></a>
As far as food is concerned uptown there used to be many places but one stayed exactly the same: <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_Grill">The Camellia Grill</a>. We used to go to this diner-like place after partying as the English say for the greasy spoon. Very greasy spoon indeed! I love that place: it is somehow hard to handle given the state of the kitchen but the waiters and the ambiance are unique. It's not really the food you go for(burgers, omelettes, fries, sandwiches, milk shakes etc.) but the atmosphere. Now you actually have to queue up to get in there .
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn4osKlGLCqxqhArijBpoOg-pDLXUu1k9CYlbaFmZE39z0j5EKPlM61mBBu6xuQYXIPMfRRvHnAmxiKQl4RUVB6V6Kv7hr7kBCSonjmuraH8P_ubNMkLPcNgjJWWzofmqZo4pzbnw2n8/s320/camellia+grill.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOTzU6NolzWMO3whJTleg9FePJosy9xVhPP0wqcae8mztDkQSvZ0_3Ye1KMsC3Q4U0tTrx2EmgX4Z3LdxWrbp3j7GMOKSyOXMGQf73M1fwzFcTaHtRf-PtnSVHtnWDWGdGslvnHaSQPw/s1600/camellia+grill1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOTzU6NolzWMO3whJTleg9FePJosy9xVhPP0wqcae8mztDkQSvZ0_3Ye1KMsC3Q4U0tTrx2EmgX4Z3LdxWrbp3j7GMOKSyOXMGQf73M1fwzFcTaHtRf-PtnSVHtnWDWGdGslvnHaSQPw/s320/camellia+grill1.jpg" /></a>
As far as the other restaurants are concerned I actually went to a lot of places with my friends where I had never been when living there. The first one was <a href="http://http://www.bourbonhouse.com/">Bourbon House</a> on Bourbon Street of course. I have to say that unlike the majority of people I am not a big fan of Creole Cuisine and I think the cuisine in New Orleans is good but way too heavy for me. Well let's just say that when I was there I gained 10 kilos in 6 months (I was partying a lot and when I say a lot I mean A LOT). Fifteen years have passed since then and I can tell you that my stomach, which at the time could digest stones, definitely can't do that anymore. So when in this beautiful restaurants with great company I had a delicious fish with a crayfish remoulade it took me hours to digest. This place is called Bourbon House because you can actually taste 10 or 20 different kinds of bourbon there. I passed since bourbon before dinner would have killed me now but I would have done the tasting in those times and believe me I would have done it egregiously.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40FIDDKFP2UBAOAufJ2PrMMePIgy9TSzG6C2Dx8sGjopPvUiyjpHrIhQiGBjZH0BoDTjelAtROVNgyKsgBqHXFDkvnFM4CQRWfGzxk3Yalmdw43ybrM8NRxxS24soR_SolAd_t3IgVns/s1600/bourbon+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40FIDDKFP2UBAOAufJ2PrMMePIgy9TSzG6C2Dx8sGjopPvUiyjpHrIhQiGBjZH0BoDTjelAtROVNgyKsgBqHXFDkvnFM4CQRWfGzxk3Yalmdw43ybrM8NRxxS24soR_SolAd_t3IgVns/s320/bourbon+house.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPonzTQOYAxgylnfW8K8eGi-bympEkD77fe6ZCbmVELOL1eZBk79FFNDvK2wBlZFDxtTJhfzoXdglnhlKKX73bRXUBC7spoAkEW6Tq2khA40vkiyaujiNpQ0i4gjoUui0zYnDorhGzs4/s1600/bourbon+house2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPonzTQOYAxgylnfW8K8eGi-bympEkD77fe6ZCbmVELOL1eZBk79FFNDvK2wBlZFDxtTJhfzoXdglnhlKKX73bRXUBC7spoAkEW6Tq2khA40vkiyaujiNpQ0i4gjoUui0zYnDorhGzs4/s320/bourbon+house2.jpg" /></a>
The next place I went to was <a href="http://http://www.muriels.com/">Muriels</a> beautiful place on Jackson Square where I participated to the Alumni lunch. Oh it was great to be in the warm sun of Mid march on a balcony in the Quarter while it was cold and miserable in Europe. I love New Orleans did I already say that? I have missed it so much in the years and I was really heartbroken when I heard about Katrina. If I could live in between two cities now I would love to spend half of the year there. Anyway Muriel's is very ancient and has a wonderful location. If you go, make sure you check out the table near the stairs which is set for the ghost of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, the man who build the house who is said to inhabit the place together with other souls. Check this out <a href="http://http://www.muriels.com/html/ghost.html">Muriel's ghost</a>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1zfUm3yXvRmt7MAP6vNeVYRYkPiq_zYumhyphenhyphenP0n6ykSKpzuKDNIoWYYugCIBRTrPlRGu9mgfHK2jC1ETmtMqJkTM62MYAYMsdExcCLi9muPgFqLGQwgm02aPLMGtydlTyzt5UbL1pAx4/s1600/muriel's.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1zfUm3yXvRmt7MAP6vNeVYRYkPiq_zYumhyphenhyphenP0n6ykSKpzuKDNIoWYYugCIBRTrPlRGu9mgfHK2jC1ETmtMqJkTM62MYAYMsdExcCLi9muPgFqLGQwgm02aPLMGtydlTyzt5UbL1pAx4/s320/muriel's.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLalBkCQcs0yoJS6a-0EH-5boi5TB94ftPXLJyqx7CVei1XNv8-oX08LuNeaOd3I3ISLuMZkV0xLQhbr-jg0b6e31IXib8LPAbt_bQX_tu_HCFUcxxBuSu7heZW-uqdcpy6T2yni7IvUI/s1600/table+for+the+ghosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLalBkCQcs0yoJS6a-0EH-5boi5TB94ftPXLJyqx7CVei1XNv8-oX08LuNeaOd3I3ISLuMZkV0xLQhbr-jg0b6e31IXib8LPAbt_bQX_tu_HCFUcxxBuSu7heZW-uqdcpy6T2yni7IvUI/s320/table+for+the+ghosts.jpg" /></a>
Then I went to <a href="http://http://www.antoines.com/">Antoine's</a> one of the oldest restaurants where they have about 10 private rooms with a different theme for private parties apart from the main dining rooms. It was founded by Antoine Alciatore who went to the States from Marseilles in the late 1800's and founded this restaurant which still remains one of the most famous ones there. The food is good but(with a good dose of butter, cocktail sauce, mayonese etc.)as I said, a little heavy.
however the ambiance is so nice it is worth dining there anyway.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1iGioYwTsK0LGN7yCeExXeoNd407ya6Y0tJ3SgI45Rr4xU7iGVaHT1TxbsxPh4WYoI7JQbV7PABHUyiMTSZYH-FUxcgCcpfGyQCZRv0J2KiCX2f5-legcFKGWNIAW7bHB7GG4Qpk93c/s1600/antoine's.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1iGioYwTsK0LGN7yCeExXeoNd407ya6Y0tJ3SgI45Rr4xU7iGVaHT1TxbsxPh4WYoI7JQbV7PABHUyiMTSZYH-FUxcgCcpfGyQCZRv0J2KiCX2f5-legcFKGWNIAW7bHB7GG4Qpk93c/s320/antoine's.jpg" /></a>
The last one was <a href="http://http://www.irisneworleans.com/">Iris</a> an American Contemporary cuisine restaurant which I liked very much. Also the bar is nice and the cocktails apparently are very good. I really liked the atmosphere of the place and had a wonderful evening.
As far as bars are concerned in New Orleans you only have to pick and choose: there are so many you can hardly decide. I have to say that in crowded times like this one the bars in the Quarter have become a little too much though.
This time I went to <a href="http://http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html">Lafitte's</a> where I used to go quite often when living there . It's a fascinating dark place at the end of Bourbon street away from the noisiest crowds and very nice indeed. Nothing really special in the look of the place : wooden tables and candlelight basically but very intriguing. Try to believe. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aPzbVUTcjm9LbP2rhjyaxLqcvV8LIamD3n8BW1oMwed6qNy-HAGuoXdrqbFdmVEaJR0Kc7WpVwejLUxd1Fdr2yV-n1NhpNKDejJk_j1ZMZEe1lC4q0OTAwT6X-1ghYi7RgI6zrjYlvc/s1600/lafitte's.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aPzbVUTcjm9LbP2rhjyaxLqcvV8LIamD3n8BW1oMwed6qNy-HAGuoXdrqbFdmVEaJR0Kc7WpVwejLUxd1Fdr2yV-n1NhpNKDejJk_j1ZMZEe1lC4q0OTAwT6X-1ghYi7RgI6zrjYlvc/s320/lafitte's.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sTOcq98oS_gFkxpPtsoj0bGBI5KbnZdOHzEALQ5L3xTyaUUCrhWP5ZsD5-cjNfxCnEwBAI_VZjdNA4gFiaEvAAxZMXdNx_L0qGM5Wufrhg-u_v8BpcAWB-c_qcFqDkZoXmcK3DAlm_c/s1600/me+and+andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sTOcq98oS_gFkxpPtsoj0bGBI5KbnZdOHzEALQ5L3xTyaUUCrhWP5ZsD5-cjNfxCnEwBAI_VZjdNA4gFiaEvAAxZMXdNx_L0qGM5Wufrhg-u_v8BpcAWB-c_qcFqDkZoXmcK3DAlm_c/s320/me+and+andy.jpg" /></a>
Another place I was taken to was the <a href="http://http://hotelmonteleone.com/dining-entertainment/carouselbar/">Carousel Bar</a> in the Monteleone Hotel. It's called like this because it revolves around very slowly and apparently it is very trendy lately.
I also went to the historic <a href="http://http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/">Pat O'Brien's</a>,home of the famous Hurricane: a cocktail which (for those who have lived in New Orleans)represented a habit especially on Mardi Gras. I have pictures of me and my friends during Mardi Gras drinking this vicious drink with our lips and tongue red from its colouring. Now I wouldn't be able to drink it I'm sure...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Q3N7dEciVssP0RDCA-GjtfMn3jDa2Qb6z5p2Vp6jyvvj6OixiO9ORhfrNuxesmZBZEGGN24a2LMzGxvQbyFf5PyRAugba8YWcr-9rdthLxclJfs7qQPQKA-v82k9TmrfDwjcQLEIgb8/s1600/HURRICANE.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Q3N7dEciVssP0RDCA-GjtfMn3jDa2Qb6z5p2Vp6jyvvj6OixiO9ORhfrNuxesmZBZEGGN24a2LMzGxvQbyFf5PyRAugba8YWcr-9rdthLxclJfs7qQPQKA-v82k9TmrfDwjcQLEIgb8/s320/HURRICANE.gif" /></a>
Speaking of Mardi Gras we now have come to the end of my week which was the Saint Patrick's day weekend. Mardi Gras is a very big celebration in NO. A lot of people come from every part of the States to party and gather on the streets to see the parades where floats of every kind go up and down the city and there's music, dance and a lot of booze... The main thing is the beads which are thrown from the floats to the people who stand in the streets. I didn't believe it but it does become a war to get more and more of those. Also the bigger the better. Women find an excuse to " flash" their breasts in order to get beads from the men and now the bargaining has become even more hardcore. Yes hardcore like in a porn movie.. Last time I was in NO for Mardi Gras it was a giant Sodom and Gomorah atmosphere.
So after a while I got bored.
The nice thing about Mardi Gras is to go to private barbecues and parties which go on all day and participate to the parade. When I used to live there I really had a lot of fun. I basically partied for a week non stop day and night.
In March there is another celebration similar to Mardi gras since there are floats and beads and parties but since it is Saint Patrick's day it's all green and Irish themed. Let's say that when I was living there it was a small thing but now it has become a giant celebration just like Mardi Gras.
People go around dressed in their green clothes and men dressed in smoking jacket and kilts give paper flowers to the ladies who are standing at the side of the road and kiss them on the cheek. Then everybody dances and drinks green beer or Guinness and people from the floats throw beads, stuffed animals, lucky charms, even cabbage and potatoes to make Irish stew.
I had a great time once again as you can see in the pictures. Oh New Orleans my big easy I'll come back again so y'all get prepared 'cause next time I might just stay there.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY47it9DRjSMXY-4oONoqvbuUKMyCv7kRkzReq0Uc-pTTgFNXdWQFcPLAIRrmXuZb0AN2UyecknbNaVOe29-pQdRP28_LBx2KTt4zUXwtb8yHGvKa-4ef53qb0cL8dlCIw12HsrhsrK8/s1600/saint+patrick4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY47it9DRjSMXY-4oONoqvbuUKMyCv7kRkzReq0Uc-pTTgFNXdWQFcPLAIRrmXuZb0AN2UyecknbNaVOe29-pQdRP28_LBx2KTt4zUXwtb8yHGvKa-4ef53qb0cL8dlCIw12HsrhsrK8/s320/saint+patrick4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IUxtGUsYRUPLsE_Z16ghbkeNiLzLiFHx2xzkTreS09_hBU3_EwGTpe79TokBY_jWYqVuCMnRkPysEo90FwyMIR_y6HA6kE0HDqwfBwrmIfphPf-jNtItOF8FvidqsONm7VCp3Dc833A/s1600/saint+patrick+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IUxtGUsYRUPLsE_Z16ghbkeNiLzLiFHx2xzkTreS09_hBU3_EwGTpe79TokBY_jWYqVuCMnRkPysEo90FwyMIR_y6HA6kE0HDqwfBwrmIfphPf-jNtItOF8FvidqsONm7VCp3Dc833A/s320/saint+patrick+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR-q_bVpPobdJZ-Jh_X520uenbxBfxn-qxBbjfDqkJ9un5VFt1WbMYTg8L0zZz18lJx3cDIFsSzBdClozvmnc4ugmaW1NKjfcQIrpBOrtrGixmgwvbVg-zuEJ7QumcV8UldH3f2yXEG4/s1600/saint+patrick+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR-q_bVpPobdJZ-Jh_X520uenbxBfxn-qxBbjfDqkJ9un5VFt1WbMYTg8L0zZz18lJx3cDIFsSzBdClozvmnc4ugmaW1NKjfcQIrpBOrtrGixmgwvbVg-zuEJ7QumcV8UldH3f2yXEG4/s320/saint+patrick+3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpTZCd4oA9OERWXEsI8-7NFn9VsiNXfXoLjpB1fsTPJQVIr5WXE6nhc8dALXLBb75uV_jUayypp8MJX836DDDjgZDdy60oAugkC-LbP4w07W6XXssqhNRsB3J8dHvkXHSRrbWGb1-akc/s1600/saint+patrick+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpTZCd4oA9OERWXEsI8-7NFn9VsiNXfXoLjpB1fsTPJQVIr5WXE6nhc8dALXLBb75uV_jUayypp8MJX836DDDjgZDdy60oAugkC-LbP4w07W6XXssqhNRsB3J8dHvkXHSRrbWGb1-akc/s320/saint+patrick+5.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghj6euv_NB71f_VvFfQDwZa3QYvlB13borpZRdCu8GS235j1jiRwxrsjEMtDRhrTNqYFNcGjgDULc1n7iaSYNz027m6nWckX0ROEMXZoAmksZHCOd1HkBPwMCoE0rg-GpwwY_cBCyiB0/s1600/saint+patrick's+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghj6euv_NB71f_VvFfQDwZa3QYvlB13borpZRdCu8GS235j1jiRwxrsjEMtDRhrTNqYFNcGjgDULc1n7iaSYNz027m6nWckX0ROEMXZoAmksZHCOd1HkBPwMCoE0rg-GpwwY_cBCyiB0/s320/saint+patrick's+day.jpg" /></a><a
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg8VZ2UUaYKaJKhWtgFTxulHreQwv0XwX95wasD3qAWTP4BA0Mre4_jcucPtpLBxKjdUuIqYk_0DnE_mQWckb9rS_NnrTzi7RkoWmZFHyK3EfE06TKqoYjbvqjEPOEuL-o7E3BaSkEWs/s1600/me+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg8VZ2UUaYKaJKhWtgFTxulHreQwv0XwX95wasD3qAWTP4BA0Mre4_jcucPtpLBxKjdUuIqYk_0DnE_mQWckb9rS_NnrTzi7RkoWmZFHyK3EfE06TKqoYjbvqjEPOEuL-o7E3BaSkEWs/s320/me+2.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-5348032665853117032013-03-27T18:53:00.002+01:002013-03-27T18:53:24.004+01:00Shanghai Surprise <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E_8IXx4tsus" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I know this video was not shot in Shanghai but I love the song! Plus David Bowie is one of my favourite artists of all times. I was in Shanghai in October coming from Bejing and my staying was as it is usually said: short and intense. I got there with the <b>Bullet train </b>in five hours at a speed of over 300 Km per hour. I slept most of the time but ...damn it was fast. Everytime I tried to get up I was inevitably almost falling off. I had already been overwhelmed by Beijing South Station where I had been almost stamped on by a billion people and nobody could understand nor speak English. Getting on the train was a relief although I should have thought about getting some food since there was almost none on the train . I had an instant soup which left me starving for the whole day. When we finally got to Shanghai it took us almost two hours to get to the hotel and there was a lot of humidity.
Everybody stayed at the Westin just a couple of blocks away from tthe Bund but I decided to stay somewhere else around the corner (bad choice. I guess four stars in China is hardly like three stars in Europe.... ) The room was good but the hotel itself, the common parts were dirty and rundown. At the entrance there were literal shacks where people lived and the dirt was terrible.
Plus as you probably know a usual Chinese habit is to spit very ofetn despite of the place.
So the porter in my hotel would spit in the bronze vases at the entrance for example and at the Westin some guests would just spit in the ashtrays or in the umbrella rack. I was told that if you ride a bycicle you might also get hit by other cyclists spitting randomly and therefore you have to keep your head down: one of the reasons why I would probably have some problems in living there.
Anyway, Shanghai is very modern and built up and is a very nice and lively city. The first thing I saw was <b>the Bund</b> where the skyline is impressive especially at night and where you can find lovely colonial buildings. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JtpPjJHEKTY6wMrGMVfNv1uRfbyOKG_JwpRRjhcuWEt2LmPhtxPrdeEfp8IJUG9Eu_m9jTwHe3_eQnEM1SYJk4VW2UJu4RBudRwqAVGQsI4tVIqjQ_7wlUkTnQc0ctIwdPwGPYLFhwk/s1600/the+bund+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JtpPjJHEKTY6wMrGMVfNv1uRfbyOKG_JwpRRjhcuWEt2LmPhtxPrdeEfp8IJUG9Eu_m9jTwHe3_eQnEM1SYJk4VW2UJu4RBudRwqAVGQsI4tVIqjQ_7wlUkTnQc0ctIwdPwGPYLFhwk/s320/the+bund+4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZP1bt_l4r0T3997mqsjnbhFuCewjHCxXS9Wppi2HUVCMybf26U0rLIv3mkxIGhxGW9ykg0WTgEE1TjD8__vBBjROWmoiJztaCBU1m1wQttP8iqbC0YV3JFOeEI7KwJdO7D0eLCtz00A/s1600/the+Bund3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZP1bt_l4r0T3997mqsjnbhFuCewjHCxXS9Wppi2HUVCMybf26U0rLIv3mkxIGhxGW9ykg0WTgEE1TjD8__vBBjROWmoiJztaCBU1m1wQttP8iqbC0YV3JFOeEI7KwJdO7D0eLCtz00A/s320/the+Bund3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOZ9xCQYYKwXc660afpYBQMFAgplL8CGo-Xu2aO_fgvGyZXGV_PBSvsz5GNAnI9JD3qrn0XiiGaZlhLo2y94Fq9hOnqHbcWCCXjeH1ijmPXRxM1sjiDA34ccapLSx1oJQnhPu9j5XEpU/s1600/the+bund.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOZ9xCQYYKwXc660afpYBQMFAgplL8CGo-Xu2aO_fgvGyZXGV_PBSvsz5GNAnI9JD3qrn0XiiGaZlhLo2y94Fq9hOnqHbcWCCXjeH1ijmPXRxM1sjiDA34ccapLSx1oJQnhPu9j5XEpU/s320/the+bund.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4gz6tm22fCGufNhPDsKmTs88rYbAixtPl-U0EzdaqIcR4r2JfwOGH0FTVyoSqMJA3O2UC5dQWgLY_uE83IOdUwi3-E8wGnk22KjRVLFgFJC898X40Rq3jOsc9GPWehd1trSZxseaJrY/s1600/The+Bund2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4gz6tm22fCGufNhPDsKmTs88rYbAixtPl-U0EzdaqIcR4r2JfwOGH0FTVyoSqMJA3O2UC5dQWgLY_uE83IOdUwi3-E8wGnk22KjRVLFgFJC898X40Rq3jOsc9GPWehd1trSZxseaJrY/s320/The+Bund2.jpg" /></a>
Then there is this famous <b>YU Garden</b> located into one of the biggest open air market where they sell every possible thing you can imagine. And when I say everything I mean everything. Mostly it is all fake and counterfeited stuff but there are also thousands of little shops and stalls where you can buy whatever you want. Of course the shops and the stalls come with thousands of people amongst sellers and buyers and I found it too overwhelming for me. Therefore I decided to walk into this oasis of peace and tranquillity where at least I could slowly walk around and visit all the pavillions and the ponds.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE4lQNaMOS3ctG1XeOVj99aGgubrzJvIa7vC14XpEi6MHlhbT4_M2tCXcdsiX8nolv8epPHg3qHnkSgN8oUlyJ877ejrwN3jzDCWvp-wQDQkD20j86RlmwcIA8MsalNeUgfQH5VFnJKc/s1600/wu2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE4lQNaMOS3ctG1XeOVj99aGgubrzJvIa7vC14XpEi6MHlhbT4_M2tCXcdsiX8nolv8epPHg3qHnkSgN8oUlyJ877ejrwN3jzDCWvp-wQDQkD20j86RlmwcIA8MsalNeUgfQH5VFnJKc/s320/wu2.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoPDGXmHE5QLlXIjG21O_Ngz7WyexvtmFa3QqO7GB1ueIm823ssZn-YPR3x4LYjG7Yavz-ftyWSbSb8lom1b6jijNEqNYjyY0l317_5LXxnUOszyWGc4zxiR8sDOy2WSh11gWSdb2qNg/s1600/wu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoPDGXmHE5QLlXIjG21O_Ngz7WyexvtmFa3QqO7GB1ueIm823ssZn-YPR3x4LYjG7Yavz-ftyWSbSb8lom1b6jijNEqNYjyY0l317_5LXxnUOszyWGc4zxiR8sDOy2WSh11gWSdb2qNg/s320/wu3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCKU-_tZZREYZGKY7ZuMoNT2G2AEn776wIqRJbJItselzVDbBO5goIoilqa0X1ALZyLnPAHxHBGKWfefkdWho-jUtGSf4xGJYlsgOqub0u_9ZiFgffYAkb13HftxdJILdm406A1ZyqBs/s1600/wu1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCKU-_tZZREYZGKY7ZuMoNT2G2AEn776wIqRJbJItselzVDbBO5goIoilqa0X1ALZyLnPAHxHBGKWfefkdWho-jUtGSf4xGJYlsgOqub0u_9ZiFgffYAkb13HftxdJILdm406A1ZyqBs/s320/wu1.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj61oEqbb9rvNRiApeqH7zDku8azdsIh195CKTu9ZiAjA6cUHYUWx7xhHXBO536ZRx0WEyASUhb2rT8I7n0F5w-mKx1J5Pxszd2-KHNiztGgt1Kr87aXDlENxD91PQNUBr9fqesgV0bnE/s1600/wu4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj61oEqbb9rvNRiApeqH7zDku8azdsIh195CKTu9ZiAjA6cUHYUWx7xhHXBO536ZRx0WEyASUhb2rT8I7n0F5w-mKx1J5Pxszd2-KHNiztGgt1Kr87aXDlENxD91PQNUBr9fqesgV0bnE/s320/wu4.jpeg" /></a>
Now advice to all travellers: if two nice boys or girls or a couple ask you to take a picture of them in the market do it but don't stay and talk too long, because they are all students of English and want to practice and by the way since there is an international tea festival why don't you come with us to an ancient tea house for tea tasting? Of course it is a scam because there is no festival, and the tea houses are traps for tourists. As soon as you sit down they start this very picturesque ceremony and when they give you the list of teas to taste they are incredibly expensive for Chinese standards. Of course they will tell you that a minimum of six tastings is required in order for you to spend around 40-50 Euros. When I realized it was getting weird I left but still they managed to get 10 Euros out of me for the three types of tea I tasted. The tea houses are nice and the tea tasting ceremony very interesting but still it is a scam.
Another very nice part of the city is the <b>French concession</b> where all the modern and trendy places are located and where most of fthe foreigners live. I went to <b>Xitiandi</b> where also some of the old Shanghaiese buildings have been rebuilt for tourists to see how they used to look like. In any case amongst the malls and the trendy bars and restaurants to see how the locals live one can get into these narrow alleys where a lot of families live and look at the traditional houses. Somehow similar as a concept to the hutongs in Beijing they are in fact very different. I tried to look inside some of the houses and all I could see was a unprecised number of things of various nature all contained in the same place. Outside the houses people sit and drink tea while playing majong and chess often in their pajamas (Chinese men sometimes go out like that when it's a day of rest), smoking and of course spitting.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHNylDjo2v2zxP9wxAmWSFw58u83mfK6CaGQ_DvJGrWKPl6HJjJkaWuhXz1gBzq2Q5RGMI3AS2dLpYb2jQTFqYgN0Wg0mkfzyo-G1bQPmaQ5QveNdH-KShHYP6b1sRNl7D4Or5fgRUDM/s1600/shanghai+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHNylDjo2v2zxP9wxAmWSFw58u83mfK6CaGQ_DvJGrWKPl6HJjJkaWuhXz1gBzq2Q5RGMI3AS2dLpYb2jQTFqYgN0Wg0mkfzyo-G1bQPmaQ5QveNdH-KShHYP6b1sRNl7D4Or5fgRUDM/s320/shanghai+house.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrmnMda-h0eyetilnfH0AlQBcRt_NxHbXf3orZ7O2rsF4J_UFYxu_ZMpI2RsE6SkxniCujFvqCvWBuis8dkAOgt1oa2vEGr1FhrCIVrvpN63S2RBfUtRNmX641Ea2lp7Yr2rQTU2bWyA/s1600/shanghai+house+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrmnMda-h0eyetilnfH0AlQBcRt_NxHbXf3orZ7O2rsF4J_UFYxu_ZMpI2RsE6SkxniCujFvqCvWBuis8dkAOgt1oa2vEGr1FhrCIVrvpN63S2RBfUtRNmX641Ea2lp7Yr2rQTU2bWyA/s320/shanghai+house+2.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO53T3qLs7M-8zwdwbnWzodROvkRb4crMikdvRiipMEdgUDm_xqIs0hjPzHi1yBi51EELS3uHZ6K_GBZmafKqygYA_FcauCPdCn6Fga7gNISypxc4TIjvRa0NaSF_y3wRdIpneuiiHOw8/s1600/shanghai+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO53T3qLs7M-8zwdwbnWzodROvkRb4crMikdvRiipMEdgUDm_xqIs0hjPzHi1yBi51EELS3uHZ6K_GBZmafKqygYA_FcauCPdCn6Fga7gNISypxc4TIjvRa0NaSF_y3wRdIpneuiiHOw8/s320/shanghai+shop.jpg" /></a>
Another reason why I could not live in China: see this shop above? It basically sold everything including fish, toads, frogs, turtle and chickens. It had a basin on the street front where probably the owner was killing the chickens/killing and cleaning the fish and other animals and it was full of blood as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Sorry but it's going to take ages before most of the Chinese realize that animals have to be respected and that certain types of animals you shoud not eat let alone skin alive or torture. See why i would have problems?
I think it is a damn good reason. Let's see who disagrees.
As far as mundane life was concerned I didn't really do a lot since most of the time I was with people from the conference at dinners and other things but had dinner in <a href="http://http://www.simplylife-sh.com/st/">Simply thai</a> a very nice Thai restaurant in Xiandi.
My last night in Shanghai was memorable but not in a good way: we were stuck on a ferry for a dinner cruise in the rain eating orrible food and we were going up and down not being able to get off...Let's put it this way :as much as I think Shanghai is a beautiful and interesting place it was not love at first sight so I guess I'll have to go again to see if it ever happens...
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-10490124719859269012013-03-25T13:15:00.002+01:002013-03-25T13:15:42.134+01:00Winter fascination in Belgium
I have been in Antwerp twice and I have to admit that I always liked it more than Brussels. It has a certain something that really fascinates me plus it's very pretty. I went there in January for work purposes and I remember it to be one of the coldest experiences of my whole life.
I was staying in <a href="http://http://www.leopoldhotelantwerp.com/">Leopold Hotel</a> located in the Diamond district, which was very nice although for some reason also very cold. The heating was not working properly so I always had a sweater on when I was in the room. The location is perfect since from there you can easily walk to the center or take the trams at the railway station which is a few blocks away. If it hadn't been for the cold it would have been a lot more pleasant. Even more so and a lot nicer is <a href="http://http://www.parkinn.com/hotel-antwerpen">Park Inn by Radisson</a>, located just outside the railways station . Now, when talking about the station one might think it is a dodgy place and/or nothing special. Instead the one in Antwerp is absolutely stunning.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AZbmGPhp3hUdyVpgSR6ufvXfdW79REgve0kIzy733HDHqxziiiftmTLJkEF_Jmc_0sW_S4XnfVHWAlgpyy46E7nHh27Eu50136nDZa3Ysa96mVaB9rpiFqZailBOf3fu_B_M29MxXSk/s1600/antwerp+rail.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AZbmGPhp3hUdyVpgSR6ufvXfdW79REgve0kIzy733HDHqxziiiftmTLJkEF_Jmc_0sW_S4XnfVHWAlgpyy46E7nHh27Eu50136nDZa3Ysa96mVaB9rpiFqZailBOf3fu_B_M29MxXSk/s320/antwerp+rail.jpeg" /></a>
I actually went to take the train to go to Ghent, another very beautiful place, although the day I went it was snowing and the temperature was -17 (!!!). I am still a Southern Italian, therefore although I live in Milan and I have lived in London and NYC I will never get used to it.
What can I do? It's not my fault that I carry the sun and the warmth within me all the time.
Even if I thought I would not make it and probably freeze to death on a street corner I ventured and visited the city for which every comment is probably unnecessary once you have seen the pictures. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzooDlUE84Kbwc-Dp-oUE4Dk2UcIcYBFVCArBVYjCP-YhTDdurMLf5LaTvkP-XoiRcqGLreSt5Tm_El0N82wgrAfV0nS-WAEEVhEEiGu7WZLqL961rrRfaYaA5d3dszEmATRE3b5EJTEM/s1600/ghent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzooDlUE84Kbwc-Dp-oUE4Dk2UcIcYBFVCArBVYjCP-YhTDdurMLf5LaTvkP-XoiRcqGLreSt5Tm_El0N82wgrAfV0nS-WAEEVhEEiGu7WZLqL961rrRfaYaA5d3dszEmATRE3b5EJTEM/s320/ghent1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVz0hnnMGr6VgjIhVyOzxmI79LotAi0SBm3W4JWtIa_ernI4lHt10UM-Al8F2zXkI7nsQ2PeVdNtqiKiy84rPbv2nQcX16NF3zxASkQB8dAqnsbJyZsbqXv757tRRdMi-vcnDWEXQE_o/s1600/ghent4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVz0hnnMGr6VgjIhVyOzxmI79LotAi0SBm3W4JWtIa_ernI4lHt10UM-Al8F2zXkI7nsQ2PeVdNtqiKiy84rPbv2nQcX16NF3zxASkQB8dAqnsbJyZsbqXv757tRRdMi-vcnDWEXQE_o/s320/ghent4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiW8EPngNIPR5lxpPEcGw1ou7D59_o3dLByf32R2jblZF-XhoRZlWYv630ih8BWOI_1XWOd3kGm3fWP6nUhr32fnWPy0DS0Vr-USheIcH0fs_yrf9MBx167vsYPK3ORoL4AQvzX0NGpc/s1600/ghent2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiW8EPngNIPR5lxpPEcGw1ou7D59_o3dLByf32R2jblZF-XhoRZlWYv630ih8BWOI_1XWOd3kGm3fWP6nUhr32fnWPy0DS0Vr-USheIcH0fs_yrf9MBx167vsYPK3ORoL4AQvzX0NGpc/s320/ghent2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKZSP1XNpPr1IicbLhexPRtYAIs_VaIZ5oeABOGySBjMl67wosWv8QWWPs8M6CAi-zwqguL49T5TDG5XIUB-i1-LnPG9jY_3Gls3Hdi6mDCWNHhb-xEll0MtBtFqDqQyF9y_82Uz35Lw/s1600/ghent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKZSP1XNpPr1IicbLhexPRtYAIs_VaIZ5oeABOGySBjMl67wosWv8QWWPs8M6CAi-zwqguL49T5TDG5XIUB-i1-LnPG9jY_3Gls3Hdi6mDCWNHhb-xEll0MtBtFqDqQyF9y_82Uz35Lw/s320/ghent3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bnOMieUh2BSILIzFcU3Qdf1Q0nkoSybFt60XEujQixjUS79-hbs6HFrJ_kcMHUD6PiDv1oWiVLWQIHK2guIk4KJUtzSx7I3ZL_Vbpox818klTazxWL-RUhUWMzmY2BQO97SFr2O64lA/s1600/ghent5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bnOMieUh2BSILIzFcU3Qdf1Q0nkoSybFt60XEujQixjUS79-hbs6HFrJ_kcMHUD6PiDv1oWiVLWQIHK2guIk4KJUtzSx7I3ZL_Vbpox818klTazxWL-RUhUWMzmY2BQO97SFr2O64lA/s320/ghent5.jpg" /></a>
It's a lovely place and I am sure that in the milder season it is great to walk around and look at all the beautiful buildings, the streets and the churches. For me it was quite a torture : apart from the cold wind which slaps your face all the time, the streets were covered in snow and ice so I had to walk slowly with my eyes fixed on the pavement since it was terribly slippery. I could still appreciate the beauty of the city which really looks like a painting from the Flemish school, talking of which I would suggest to visit <b>Rubens' house</b> while in Antwerp since it's one of the main attractions. I am talking about Antwerp and Ghent as the same place since they are so close (1 hour train ride) that if visiting one, one might as well visit the other.
Back to <b>Rubens' house</b> I initially visited it to find some shelter and warmth but I ended up enjoying it very much.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo9LXSGuDz6XefHa1h-PGt-WeO_lbcepZ1GuY4FhbDsnsyjcP6UpdrpABt5TvdJQDi-RwbeSqtB54Oc_zlGSSue9xtUCzyX8yomX39FaNgmW4_lJrE0ZG6J6Wa_YorurnCznHdtnRAHE/s1600/rubens+house.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo9LXSGuDz6XefHa1h-PGt-WeO_lbcepZ1GuY4FhbDsnsyjcP6UpdrpABt5TvdJQDi-RwbeSqtB54Oc_zlGSSue9xtUCzyX8yomX39FaNgmW4_lJrE0ZG6J6Wa_YorurnCznHdtnRAHE/s320/rubens+house.jpeg" /></a>
A great area of Antwerp is the city center where you can easily get to by foot or by public transport. <b>Grote Markt Square </b>is probably the most known and it is very beautiful. There is a manin building from the 17th century surrounded by a lot of Flemish coloured buildings which give the square a flare of a Grimms' tale, at least for me.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSolzNi7_ZRgf5hXOYDryqZduiIw57VUNWSIG8_V35EWgkfUS93tE6btnrXczn0wGX1fX_TTazgfuVesbQ5VH5dEGvkm7NiQEZSxXipxzPy6_pwt2Xd7S0PQ425RktqN2jS73uUy6TB1I/s1600/antwerp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSolzNi7_ZRgf5hXOYDryqZduiIw57VUNWSIG8_V35EWgkfUS93tE6btnrXczn0wGX1fX_TTazgfuVesbQ5VH5dEGvkm7NiQEZSxXipxzPy6_pwt2Xd7S0PQ425RktqN2jS73uUy6TB1I/s320/antwerp3.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMaysLHdTf16BBNeU0HyjB_PFrVPoBGNlckhLInCVXnWtJy9cdlIWatkhnoiY-0M9sWQDcZOgO5xcP9sxCBGgh0GR7IDvMvSJcv95jUC_cToR86JZWKv-O_20d_waOQqEaaYS7TcI8aw/s1600/antwerp5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMaysLHdTf16BBNeU0HyjB_PFrVPoBGNlckhLInCVXnWtJy9cdlIWatkhnoiY-0M9sWQDcZOgO5xcP9sxCBGgh0GR7IDvMvSJcv95jUC_cToR86JZWKv-O_20d_waOQqEaaYS7TcI8aw/s320/antwerp5.jpeg" /></a>
Another very nice area is the one around <b>Leopoldstraat</b> also known as the antiques area, where you can find lots of nice shops, galleries and bars:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrfGWG-tDoMcnx81nuVNGhEe2ScXj2Ns8LNTzbBDbKcoddddQ9qOUVvznzhweMz6crlZnPpHrPl2GgDKEas6PG8W3xezb3_pYes0sXAYLThExBuVccjPcLX0sq9BcpNmpRJ9YD3EHvNA/s1600/antwerp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrfGWG-tDoMcnx81nuVNGhEe2ScXj2Ns8LNTzbBDbKcoddddQ9qOUVvznzhweMz6crlZnPpHrPl2GgDKEas6PG8W3xezb3_pYes0sXAYLThExBuVccjPcLX0sq9BcpNmpRJ9YD3EHvNA/s320/antwerp1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5R3usmeelYP4ySEn0709vgHA3DzO3gfGldSxyiXrJIzNmj9f5PSxGKqlRtYuRL4T3k7fNd-sZM2kFauV5ucHiPGtf1OGSlqvixCcPu11FuDwapBikI6hplELlnwxg9yaFkcKuV8hL4pI/s1600/antwerp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5R3usmeelYP4ySEn0709vgHA3DzO3gfGldSxyiXrJIzNmj9f5PSxGKqlRtYuRL4T3k7fNd-sZM2kFauV5ucHiPGtf1OGSlqvixCcPu11FuDwapBikI6hplELlnwxg9yaFkcKuV8hL4pI/s320/antwerp2.jpg" /></a>
As I said it was very hard for me to go around with that temperature and at some point I thought about going to the movie theater where I saw <b>Life of Pi</b> one of the best movies of the year. For those who haven't seen it I strongly suggest to do it. Pure poetry and spirituality plus great special effects. Well, the movie was great but( you would never imagine that) there was AIR CONDITIONING in the theatre. I got so frustrated that after the movie I had to go outside and have a Belgian waffle with chocolate and whipped cream. Well in my defense I can say, I was cold, frustrated and famished. Plus when you do things especially transgressions you have to do them well or not do them at all!. Until next time but ... never again in winter
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsCcELvP4mgBWN1OwPS6NBRxh8uPfh-6qUfKJ2dmricXaG9blwluCB3tpjosQcMk0CjE2Sim4-REUOA2SmW5A6ooaBT5M1hjXj6plztH-VSaS3GyBi3CbpsDFGwkYnm57pIQjKpPlWho/s1600/belgian+waffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsCcELvP4mgBWN1OwPS6NBRxh8uPfh-6qUfKJ2dmricXaG9blwluCB3tpjosQcMk0CjE2Sim4-REUOA2SmW5A6ooaBT5M1hjXj6plztH-VSaS3GyBi3CbpsDFGwkYnm57pIQjKpPlWho/s320/belgian+waffle.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-15491808819919440662013-01-15T18:09:00.001+01:002013-01-15T18:09:21.120+01:00Life in a Hutong. Once in Beijing do as the Beijingnese. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-4oIvtngHhwZzNtsCog6f8fTN2mQ1NMtbbb1C1TqkFDHeBm8ruIAtGKNpAC6BCkmo9Yysjj_MkCtcBLBM3I6wJi5xWXOsEWNj1ily3sBBob861__9lMQ1Gj2k8eVzGWGzZVSIYPT3T0/s1600/bandiera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-4oIvtngHhwZzNtsCog6f8fTN2mQ1NMtbbb1C1TqkFDHeBm8ruIAtGKNpAC6BCkmo9Yysjj_MkCtcBLBM3I6wJi5xWXOsEWNj1ily3sBBob861__9lMQ1Gj2k8eVzGWGzZVSIYPT3T0/s320/bandiera.jpg" /></a>
This is a picture taken in <b>Tian an Men square</b> more or less two months ago when I went to Beijing to attend the Comitè Maritime international Conference. I have to say my trip didn't start in the best way : two days before I had to go to the dentist for an urgency root canal work which lasted two hours and took 4 phials of anestaetic, and the day before I left i got a terrible cold and cough which lasted for a week. I had never been to China except for Hong Kong a few years earlier which apparently is a world apart. Well my first approach wasn't an easy one but it is my fault. Instead of taking the fast train from Beijing airport I took the bus.. (a local bus I then realized since I was the only foreigner on board ) where you had to take your luggage with you on board and which got filled like an egg. It stopped in a place near to my hotel but from where it was impossibile to reach it . In Beijing in many streets i noticed you just can't cross but you have to take passageways where of course there are only stairs, and which you have to reach walking miles. Everbody was watching this apparently crazy woman with a big suitcase wondering around, looking completely lost and with a terrible cold and no voice . Yes that was me and believe me after walking miles and carrying my luggage up and down on the stairs, after a 12 hours flight with jet leg and a cold I was not happy to notice that the Airport train stop was just outside my hotel...
After basically being in bed for a whole day with my damn cold and jet leg I decided to then go and visit the biggest square in the world amd the fabolous <b>Forbidden City.</b> Now, all of you who have been to China probably have noticed the crazy amount of people everywhere, everytime, which doubles up during public holidays and sundays.
When I got to Tian an Men I was told by a "student" (scam)to start from another entrance and actually that was a good suggestion because i got in a park where there was incredible peace, a beautiful channel and incredible old buildings where just married couples (dressed in red) were taking pictures. I sat for a while watching all the people doing tai chi and I found it incredibly relaxing before entering the actual Forbidden city.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjVIUaJIU8a5AcXgWdquAd_cW74nlV79R0ao2lACVGWy32MQZ78OjnUm9TMlkQBRXs06-jeifptu1SYD5cwBVoN85RG_-TRecAkFEENXLKj-tekCCEfMAB3FUWNlO9Rj15jeG9p36nzY/s1600/china+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjVIUaJIU8a5AcXgWdquAd_cW74nlV79R0ao2lACVGWy32MQZ78OjnUm9TMlkQBRXs06-jeifptu1SYD5cwBVoN85RG_-TRecAkFEENXLKj-tekCCEfMAB3FUWNlO9Rj15jeG9p36nzY/s320/china+wedding.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCovvSu1gjyxgi4eDPrVYd2ZRsQqHYEeB5YxQD6jqYGLPg_8SpISHdEvWIkkXjCKfWNRLbLyukLXodgh9TJBcwS_5hgQ24g2rCVE_LHEvfdQhMOyuLAepVE3hM7WFtjd3X_0H5Vrm8RU/s1600/tai+chi+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCovvSu1gjyxgi4eDPrVYd2ZRsQqHYEeB5YxQD6jqYGLPg_8SpISHdEvWIkkXjCKfWNRLbLyukLXodgh9TJBcwS_5hgQ24g2rCVE_LHEvfdQhMOyuLAepVE3hM7WFtjd3X_0H5Vrm8RU/s320/tai+chi+1.jpg" /></a>
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When I actually got in I had no idea of the dimensions of this incredible monument nor of the number of tourists (mainly Chinese) who I would find. Believe me : in both cases they were a lot, a lot, a lot. I walked with my audio guide from one enormous square to the other and it took me hours to see most of the city. I was exhausted and overwhelmed by the quantity of people: I could not come close to a building without basically being stomped on and squashed by the crowds who would push and elbow in order to go through. What do they say ? When in Rome do as the Romans so I started using the same tecnique and nobody got upset whereas in Europe I guess that the mildest thing I would have received is a swearword towards my ancestors.
<b>Forbidden city</b>
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After I got out since I was starving I looked for a place where to eat. Now, for us Europeans or Westerners in general the hygenical standards of most places where to eat is absolutely insufficient, thus it's very tricky to find a place where to feel really comfortable. Listening to some friends who lived in China I had the confirmation of what I already thought i.e. you get used to it and you don't notice dirt anymore plus you start eating everything without questioning what it is. This is where being a vegetarian can come very handy. I have to say I love Chinese food and I have tried it all over the world. For some reason I did not like it very much in Beijing but i guess I did not choose the right places. Menus are very funny in my opinion: everything is illustrated by pictures and there are no courses not even between let's say main and desserts: you have a picture of chicken with vegetables, and then next to it one of candied fruit, a picture of fried scorpions ( oh yes) and next to it some sweet pie with lychees. I once was taken to this very elegant and nice restaurant just above Tien an Men square to find out it served Continental food and was very expensive, however if you spend a long time in the city and want to eat some Western cuisine in a very refined and elegant ambiance it is definitely worth it. Be prepared to spend a lot especially by Chinese standards . (everything is incredibly cheap). <a href="http://http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/capitalm/home.html">Capital M</a>.
Another place where it is worth going is the <b>Lama temple</b> a Tibetan Buddhist temple where peace and quiet and a lot of colours will welcome you. Just next to it there are quite a few Hutongs which are the typical narrow streets where old one storey buildings are located. They are one of the very few authentic and original things left in Beijing. " Welcome to the hutong; centuries-old, tree-lined alleyways that are the true heartbeat of this unique city and a real-life link to its fascinating past" <a href="http://http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/beijing/travel-tips-and-articles/69375">Lonely Planet</a>.
I would definitely suggest to take a stroll around the old area close to the <b>Drum and Bell Towers</b> and get lost in the never ending alleyways where you can find groceries stores, hairdressers and bars where people play chess, but most of all little houses each next to the other where bicycles, plants ,electrical tools, food pets and people are all contained in one or two little rooms. In any case it is a very enlightning and nice experience especially when I did it at sunset far from the confusion of the streets outside.
<b>Lama temple and Hutongs </b>
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<b>Hutongs</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_Q3axLjK-nvY7nzH1Yr0nRiIlrzgH5JxTcsYPN0Hzu81XDrtN1ETVpNN9oAfbmZIGNI4GC_h2-tIAQxO8jGejW2AR9g2EOAy6OD14VK1BXWVs3EsTSiWKXndJgYj1sP0QYFyoCg7Gxg/s1600/hutong+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_Q3axLjK-nvY7nzH1Yr0nRiIlrzgH5JxTcsYPN0Hzu81XDrtN1ETVpNN9oAfbmZIGNI4GC_h2-tIAQxO8jGejW2AR9g2EOAy6OD14VK1BXWVs3EsTSiWKXndJgYj1sP0QYFyoCg7Gxg/s320/hutong+1.jpg" /></a>
Last but not least we have finally come to the Great Wall. Situated 60 km or so from Beijing it can take from one to five hours to get there depending on the traffic. Fortunately I arrived (with all the other conference attendees about 400 people)in quite a short time. There can be a considerable change in temperature (10 degrees) compared to the city plus it can be very windy. Luckily the sky was clear blue and it was very sunny so the view was fantastic. The only two things are : the amount of people (thousands and thousands ) and the fact that you basically have to walk miles on the the wall in order to get a nice view. It means that it takes two hours to get to a decent point going uphill with steps which can be so steep you literally have to climb. On the way down it's even trickier: it can be really slippery. About this : guess who was the only one to fall that morning?
I had a bruise on my side for two weeks. However I carried with me a copper plate some guy incarved with my ame saying that I climbed the Great Wall and I now proudly display it in my living room.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LfHBO9EgUlBGCGDDlfwBvRQLi5RkVLVAv7Cz1HY8lUce2tDSTrirTF-JiHMkmVIA7apDtoKH62y8zJ-V8mr4sNv5nO6VTncdhKqHjfs9yDg4hSlP8sJI6cr-PcvDXmywrubvSEOy-Bw/s1600/great+wall+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LfHBO9EgUlBGCGDDlfwBvRQLi5RkVLVAv7Cz1HY8lUce2tDSTrirTF-JiHMkmVIA7apDtoKH62y8zJ-V8mr4sNv5nO6VTncdhKqHjfs9yDg4hSlP8sJI6cr-PcvDXmywrubvSEOy-Bw/s320/great+wall+1.jpg" /></a>
Oh well next time I'll do even better ( most of all without falling) and explore some more of this very strange and different city. I'll probably manage to get into Mao's masoleum which I missed and improve my Beijingnese attitude especially during rush hour in the underground (believe me: you really don't want to be there at that time. Zài jiàn Beijing!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-14813349358877778642012-11-26T11:10:00.000+01:002012-11-26T11:10:11.708+01:00Good morning Vietnam <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yYewcWhDqYw?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Who doesn't have an idea of what Vietnam looks like after seeing dozens of war movies? We all know about the green fields with water buffalos,the wonderful sunsets, people walking around with the typical Vietnamese hat. We mostly remember images of that disgraceful war though, and of all the pain and sorrow it caused. I chose this video because it combines extracts of one of my favourite Vietnam war movies (Full metal Jacket) and another great one (although not one of my favourites) (Forrest Gump), accompanied by a great song sung by one of the greatest voices of rock. (John Fogerty when he was with CCR). I actually think the best war movie about Vietnam of all times is Apocalypse now followed by The Deer Hunter.
With these considerations in mind a few years ago I decided to explore the country given my deep love for South East Asia at the time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I arrived in<b> Saigon</b> (<b>Ho Chi Minh City)</b> and I have to say it was a little shocking at first. The noise, the motopeds, the dirt, the moltitude of people were almost unbearable and the place where I ended up (with my sister at the time) was very squallid (although highly recommended by Lonely Planet)with neon lights and suffocating rooms in a not so central area. I remember the first impact with Saigon during a stroll at night was a fast race with a rat as big as my cat Sofia, which even ended up fighting with a dog of basically the same size.
Not very pleasant I can tell you...
So we decided to change accomodation and ended up in Huong Sen hotel in the center. <a href="http://www.huongsenhotel.com.vn">Huong Sen</a> where at breakfast me met a few Italian couples who had come to Vietnam to adopt their children and it made me think about how retrograde our country is in this respect, since in order to be eligible for adoption you have to be married for three years. Therefore if you are just a couple living together or a single parent you are banned from applying. I guess this is what you get for having the Vatican at your doorstep.
In general I didn't really like Saigon although it has some highlights I really enjoyed. For example all the Pagodas: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giác_Lâm_Pagoda">Giam Lac </a>, <a href="http://www.virtourist.com/asia/vietnam/saigon/21.htm">Jade Emperor Pagoda</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quan_Am_Pagoda,_Ho_Chi_Minh_City">Quan Am</a>,<a href="http://www.vietnam720.com/Virtual-Tours/Phuoc-An-Hoi-Quan-Pagoda.190.html">Phuoc An Hoi Quan </a> and many others.
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Then the War Museum originally known as ""The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government [of South Vietnam]." Later it was known as the Museum of American War Crimes, then as the War Crimes Museum until it changed its name to <b>War Remnants museum</b>. It shows all the military equipment of the war plus pictures "covering the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliant sprays, the use of napalm and phosphorus bombs, and atrocities such as the My Lai massacre. Curiosities include a guillotine used by the French and the South Vietnamese to execute prisoners, last in 1960, and three jars of preserved human fetuses deformed by exposure to dioxin "(Wikipedia), which, trust me , is not at all a pretty sight. We were really shocked, coming out of there, but then again as I pointed out in my previous post about Cape Town, respecting freedom of choice of course, I believe when in a country also the unpleasant things have to be seen , since they are part of their history.
Coming to food, Vietnamese is a very particular and tasty cuisine and my favourite place was <a href="http://www.huonglai-saigon.com/english.html<a href="http://www.huonglai-saigon.com/english.html">Huong Lai</a>
Everybody working here is a street child as they point out on the menu, and the owner supports the local orphanages also by giving them meals regularly.
From there you can take a taxi or a train and go to the <b>Mekong Delta</b>. I didn't really see that much of it when I went there but you'd better stay for a few days and enjoy it because it's a place that needs to be seen properly. I remember I had an interesting conversation with a guide about how disgusting some European and Japanese food is since: while in Vietnam they eat, amongst others, dog, cat or mouse meat (I know i know.. I just makes me want to cry) us disgusting Europeans eat raw meat and the disgusting Japanese eat raw fish......(what's there to say?)
We took a five hours bus ride to see what the Lonely Planet calls a " must see" a place in the mountains called <b>Dalat</b>. Well, you know how some guides are more reliable than others also amongst the ones by Lonely Planet. The one about Vietnam is not in fact at all reliable in my opinion . Dalat turned out to be a real let down so I would suggest not to go there at all. Plus it was cold and humid which didn't make it any better. From the pictures it may look nice but I think that can be misleading.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Dalat</b>
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From there we took another bus ride to go to <b>Nha Trang</b> on the sea side and that was also not worth it. We found a really nice Italian restaurant owned by Marinella a woman from Bergamo, who had been living there for many years and it was a really nice experience. <a href="http://in2vietnam.com/LaBellaNapoliAuthenticItalianRestaurant.aspx">La Bella Napoli</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Nha Trang</b>
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Then, determined to go north we tried in vain to take a flight and instead ended up getting a train. Now here's a suggestion : I have travelled by train in many countries including Malaysia,Thailand, Morocco and South Africa . I have to say I'm not a fan of long journeys anyway and if I really choose to take them I would like to have a little comfort especially now that I'm older. This is to say that if you have to travel in Vietnam by train for 16 hours (which turned out to be 22 in fact since the train broke down) maybe you shouldn't take anything else but first class. Anything lower will be: six bunkbeds all crammed together with a dirty floor and people who smoke in the compartment throwing everything they eat on the floor, a newspaper put into the only hole for the light and air which makes you feeel like being in a box, wake up call with fish soup cart in the morning at six even if the train is due to arrive at 3 in the afternoon and of course a terrifying common toilet in the corridors . At least this was my experience.
I can only tell you that when I got to Hoi An at 4 in the afternoon we went for a walk in the city and went to sleep at 7 p.m.
Now, <b>Hoi An</b> is a very beautiful place and it makes you feel like you're back in time since it's an ancient city with gravel roads and ancient buildings. Before collapsing into bed we tried the local delicacy : <b>Cao Lau</b> i.e. vermicelli noodles with pork, herbs and rice crackers. Delicious (at the time I was still eating meat).
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Another thing we did in Hoi An was to get clothes made for us in about half a day. There is an area where you're basically dragged into and your measures are taken with an impressive precision within seconds in order to have whatever you want which can be tailor made . I chose an <b>Ao Dai Vinh<b></b></b> the typical Vietnamese dress which you see all the time especially on school girls.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ao Dai Vinh</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Hoi an</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Hoi An by night</b>
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Then we went to beautiful and ancient Hué where you can spend a few days wondering around the majestic remains of ancient history. I would not suggest to go in August as I did because the heat was really unbearable. Nevertheless it was an amazing experience. We were taken around by motorcycles (two amongst the 2 millions you find everywhere in Vietnam) and were guided by these locals who did not speak English but somehow made themselves understood. We were also taken to a temple or pagoda where there were only women monks (or nuns?) and we followed the ceremony, which was really interesting.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Hué</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Buddhist female monks</b>
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Then we flew to <b>Hanoi</b>, which I really enjoyed and liked much more to Saigon. That's the place where I noticed some things I neglected before, like being awaken at six o' clock by political propaganda coming out of the loud speakers in the streets, or the manic traffic all over the place, or the public aerobics classes in the park at night.
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There I remember this very good restaurant called <a href="http://www.brothercafe.com/">Brothers Cafè</a> where you can go and have a nice and fancy meal. A good thing to do, if you are not too fussy is to sit in the street and have <b>Pho Bo</b> a beef noodle soup, or vietnamese Spring rolls. Or you can just sit in a cafè and have a Vietnamese coffee<b>(Ca phe)</b>. If you never had one and you're a coffee lover then it's a MUST.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Vienamese Spring rolls </b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Ca phe</b>
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Hanoi is very fascinating and very different from the rest of Vietnam. There are a lot of expats working in embassies and a lot of places you can go and have great experiences. I would suggest three things: 1) go to a hairdressers and plan to spend there a couple of hours: not only do they wash your hair, they will give you a shampoo massaging your scalp for half an hour, then they would give you a face massage and then a neck a shoulder one for (at the time) as little as 5 Euros.We went into a local one (there are many for tourists) and it was great.
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2) Have some tailor made clothes - same thing: go to a local tailor where quality is better: I had two shirts, a skirt, and a dress (all in silk )made for 60 euros.
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<b>Us and our Vietnamese Tailor friends</b>
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3) Take an organized trip to Halong Bay for two or three days on one of the typical boats they use. This is what it looks like.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Halong Bay</b>
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I have to say Vietnam is not an easy trip(at least it wasn't for me) compared to other countries in South East Asia is definitely more difficult since it one of the few communist countries left and it has been opening to tourism later than the others. However, it's a beautiful destination with all its differences and all its contradictions and difficulties, the roughness of the people and a very painful past. You may feel uncomfortable at times or even annoyed but hey that's the beauty of travelling. You'll see that at some point the smile of a Vietnamese child will surely cheer you up.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-39197767032921440752012-11-23T17:36:00.002+01:002012-11-23T17:36:21.404+01:00My mediterranean summer: The Croatian end <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B9VOQoH-Kb0?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>
Well, after Turkey I thougt to accept my parents' invitation to celebrate my birthday in the Croatian island of Hvar. In order to do that I took a flight from Istanbul to Zagreb and then another one from Zagreb to Split. I had to wake up at 5 in the morning get to Ataturk airport in Istanbul, which took me over an hour and then go over all the check in and clearance procedures which took me also a long time. While I was in line I noticed at least four or five quarrels between passengers or between passengers and airlines personnel or policemen at passport control. Of course I didn't understand a word but I thought of it as a good thing since al least Turks speak up and don't take rubbish from others. I notice in Italy now people tend to take everything without complaining.
When I arrived to Zagreb i had a three hours and a half layover and believe me: there is nothing in that airport. When I say nothing I mean nothing. I basically fell asleeep on one of those chaise long like chairs for a while and waited for my flight to Split which took less than 45 minutes. I had been to Split many years ago but I didn't really visit it properly. The center is lovely and <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletian%27s_Palace">Diocletian palace</a> is absolutely a must see.
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Outside there are a lot of women selling little packs of lavender which you find everywhere in that area. The center of Split is fantastic: all white marbles and beautiful architecture. From there you can walk to the port and take the fast boat or the ferry to Hvar where I spent a few days. Hvar is well known for its nightlife but when I got there most of the people had gone plus the weather after a couple of days turned bad and rainy. The worst was on my birthday: rain all the time and coldish wind(!). Anyway I had a nice and quiet time there. We had the sea just in front of the house. Want to see what I'm talking about?
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Yes the first picture is me by the sea looking very seaside. As far as things to do in Hvar I cannot suggest a lot of because I didn't party nor explore so much as I was saying. However on the dining side I would suggest to go to konobas which are like tavernas where the food is genuine and much better than restaurants I would say. The one I liked better was <a href="http://http://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g659962-d1899580-Reviews-Konoba_Nono-Jelsa_Hvar_Island_Split_Dalmatia_County_Dalmatia.html">Konoba Nono</a>
in Jelsa an hour away from Hvar town. In town I tried <a href="http://http://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g303808-d2202856-Reviews-Lesina-Hvar_Hvar_Island_Split_Dalmatia_County_Dalmatia.html">Lesina</a> which I thought was good homemade food and <a href="http://http://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g303808-d3172694-Reviews-Alviz-Hvar_Hvar_Island_Split_Dalmatia_County_Dalmatia.html">Alviz</a> very popular amongst the locals.
The cuisine is very good: mostly seafood cooked with wine and vegetables like <b>Gregada</b>, a fish stew with potatoes or <b>Buzara</b>, shellfish in a wine and parsley sauce.
Very tasty. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhltstSOfsWOqGVoBQgmHdUPq4GBPHNwx-i0_CCsmIKdseXx0RFx9ANpr88pp9UFzj9Jo9ph_ETG9IHe9LV6vjXmnUD93pH24gQxoxF42gb3Ncom_9ChOol1OdnBjOHeUMiwQauZaexLs/s1600/Buzara+mussels+top+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhltstSOfsWOqGVoBQgmHdUPq4GBPHNwx-i0_CCsmIKdseXx0RFx9ANpr88pp9UFzj9Jo9ph_ETG9IHe9LV6vjXmnUD93pH24gQxoxF42gb3Ncom_9ChOol1OdnBjOHeUMiwQauZaexLs/s320/Buzara+mussels+top+1.JPG" /></a>
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My long summer ended taking the ship to Ancora from Split on a melancholic tuesday night. I had tasted, lived , breathed the Mediterranean which is and always will be the natural habitat for my species: after all I was born and raised by the beautiful Mediterranean sea and I'll always bring with me. Can't wait until next summer...
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-80286850117009531972012-11-06T12:37:00.003+01:002012-11-06T12:37:56.114+01:00My mediterranean summer: The Turkish segment. Subtitle: Italiani turchi una faccia una razza <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bLcU4gHUOHg?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>
Well in a way it's true that Italians and Turks are one face one race maybe more that with the Greeks at least in my personal experience. My dear friend Idil is Turkish and we managed for many years to meet somewhere in the world to spend some time together.
This year it was Kalymnos and Datca on the Eagean coast of Turkey. Then it extended to one of my favourite cities in the world : the magnificent Istanbul.
When we left Kalymnos to go to Kos in order to take the catamaran to Bodrum the temperature was of almost 40 degrees. Two of us had already a ticket and the other two (including me of course ) didn't. Basically they let us wait in a line which lasted forever to tell us there were no more tickets for Turgutreis, so we had to split from the other two. The heat and the long wait caused a Greek-Turkish incident on the pier but finally we all went on board even if on two different catamarans to two different places in the Bodrum peninsula.
Thank God I had a real gentleman with me who helped carry my heavy luggage around at Kos and around Bodrum city in the heat and the confusion that there is in that place . I was there last year and it was already a no-no. I can certainly confirm . I found a very nice pansyion there where to spend the night and the next day I was off to Datca with my friend by boat.
If you have been on the Eagean coast of Turkey you have probably seen a lot of wonderful places yet not so touristic . Well Datca is one of them. The temperature was of 40 degrees or something but one could jump into the sea which is also into town and the colour of the water is fantastic believeme.
See?
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzMKCNXkU3PCo-JzrMhjRQ4zuSRX4aLW-1exiC6GtMl2yH2Rqr7X8P1Ph-0-bbIRgSNdfHQMmom0n7BumhP4FnFzlzGGvUTqbZ0IbzUBtKwcDEPuV_H6moeshf9CKRgrwAEGf5By3opc/s1600/datca+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzMKCNXkU3PCo-JzrMhjRQ4zuSRX4aLW-1exiC6GtMl2yH2Rqr7X8P1Ph-0-bbIRgSNdfHQMmom0n7BumhP4FnFzlzGGvUTqbZ0IbzUBtKwcDEPuV_H6moeshf9CKRgrwAEGf5By3opc/s320/datca+3.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RiNpAg-fDTQTnjkv073gY8rS526d00xceVpZ6CjqYKRCWCK_GgLyqR1qHzMWlE4sw9l5x4NcCAD1dOLGtw9VOTUvFQgDZo6hpWEqAOL3099M0w7ilHy8HOgH9uD2LKh12cjXRU_8ueU/s1600/datca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RiNpAg-fDTQTnjkv073gY8rS526d00xceVpZ6CjqYKRCWCK_GgLyqR1qHzMWlE4sw9l5x4NcCAD1dOLGtw9VOTUvFQgDZo6hpWEqAOL3099M0w7ilHy8HOgH9uD2LKh12cjXRU_8ueU/s320/datca.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVWghlK3HtcSQ9izPeTZrvb_VWrOfgwlKRPFlF4ip7G7JYjZaimvGyZ6Y3SxkflNXtQxn8eneSbsDiWRbrgo52xnKVvwnrng3w4wbvjFQZ9iVULI7CISXL3uwWcjINthTU4e2rq6nAYQ/s1600/Datca+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVWghlK3HtcSQ9izPeTZrvb_VWrOfgwlKRPFlF4ip7G7JYjZaimvGyZ6Y3SxkflNXtQxn8eneSbsDiWRbrgo52xnKVvwnrng3w4wbvjFQZ9iVULI7CISXL3uwWcjINthTU4e2rq6nAYQ/s320/Datca+2.jpg" /></a>
Now when in Turkey do what the Turks do right? In those lazy afternoons even if it was hot one would go in and out of the water, sun bathe and then have some beer and mussel dolma by the sea. What's mussel dolma?
Exactly this.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhIUZx_fPZ9Wu91hRJhoHbRXURtYmawPayJcvw41Mhy49WaZBzTCVhGyL2q-bk4iB6bY7WAaoDJAXHJUAOeHJwwC3WXCd-aiEVLgZ1DOSTnNTAlUtDz-vKGMmpkncN-TCY6Kg0h61A0Y/s1600/Mussel+dolma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhIUZx_fPZ9Wu91hRJhoHbRXURtYmawPayJcvw41Mhy49WaZBzTCVhGyL2q-bk4iB6bY7WAaoDJAXHJUAOeHJwwC3WXCd-aiEVLgZ1DOSTnNTAlUtDz-vKGMmpkncN-TCY6Kg0h61A0Y/s320/Mussel+dolma.jpg" /></a>
Datca is famous for the almond trees which give hundreds of tasty almonds and the food there is delicious. There is a place called <a href="http://http://www.fevzis.com/">Fevzinin Yeri</a> which is a lovely fish place although a bit expensive. The fish soup and the mezes were really really good. We stayed in a very nice boutique hotel up on a little hill overlooking the bay called <a href="http://http://www.hoteltokur.com/Boutique_Hotel_Datca">Villa Tokur </a> It's owned by a turkish -german couple. Breakfast is very good and is served in the dining room close to the garden where cats come to ask for food.
In Turkey there are a lot of stray cats and dogs. Believe me: A LOT but as I said in my former post about Turkey, people take care of them and feed them most of the time.
My friend left for Istanbul and I decided to meet her there the next day, so in order to get closer to Dalaman airport I decided to spend a night in Marmaris. Well I don't think I'll ever go back there unless I want to feel like an understudy on the set of Eastenders and eat Yorkshire pudding or Indian Chinese English buffets for 5 euros all you can eat. I thought it was horrible so I will not even indulge in describing it. Just take my word for it : if you can avoid it. You ahve been warned.
Finally I came to the splendid, wonderful,gorgeous,one of my favourite cities in the whole world: Her majesty Istanbul.
Well if you haven't been there yet I strongly suggest you reconsider your travel plans and go becasue you are really missing on something- believe me .
Now, since i have been there a few times and I have seen all the most touristic places, this time i went to visit what I'll call alternative Istanbul with my friend who is the perfect guide.
First, I went to see <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%B1l%C4%B1%C3%A7_Ali_Pasha_Complex">Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque</a> which is one of the mosques made by famous architect Sinan . It has a cemetery nearby with sails since it is known as the sailors cemetery. Very close to it you can find <a href="http://http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en">Istanbul modern</a>, the museum of modern art which I didn't visit thouroughly but went just inside to have a look. It is supposed to have a bautiful view on the sea but unfortunately there was a cruise ship which blocked it all. If you feel like going for a coffee you can try a few meters away where there are lovely places where to sit and relax in perfect Turkish style.
<b>A turkish stylish cafe</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaXWGIednkI0ivtMNYVkKAdUwc6HE-u9T-W0ufVeVwEIv6zXdGxVI95H-Vngk_NcGjIeCM9esMDIPpxcK6NpGqsPCA7IzZAiKgvLoXv6n_3K7ww5ToYqN4DIWGm3WUfFgMvAOClybzQI/s1600/karnatak+cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaXWGIednkI0ivtMNYVkKAdUwc6HE-u9T-W0ufVeVwEIv6zXdGxVI95H-Vngk_NcGjIeCM9esMDIPpxcK6NpGqsPCA7IzZAiKgvLoXv6n_3K7ww5ToYqN4DIWGm3WUfFgMvAOClybzQI/s320/karnatak+cafe.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcosd_Q3S77x2j4xQOxuV9WGE-wA4D-QOLmDK25PVdaFFtgygh8I8UHbhsT9FKbs7qJ-eBRucvV2agKtUvdXzr1v_gNP4azox56CHZAwSQMah9nLCcMEnDT_OsYN_7-llRIHSnYMU5ok/s1600/mosque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcosd_Q3S77x2j4xQOxuV9WGE-wA4D-QOLmDK25PVdaFFtgygh8I8UHbhsT9FKbs7qJ-eBRucvV2agKtUvdXzr1v_gNP4azox56CHZAwSQMah9nLCcMEnDT_OsYN_7-llRIHSnYMU5ok/s320/mosque.jpg" /></a>
<b>Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnYsP_M7zTPhFrDOO-6p8srg27rq2CC79ljoAnUeWiwG7nnA5ZyHZ4eg0hFnxwfbnqWl9Jen4jyazP5p_Kpg4bRcx2UVNzVLmEq_rAVDHk2zwlXcLlCzh7JNoXE3RLhTfD-EMLFUvRnA/s1600/mosque+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnYsP_M7zTPhFrDOO-6p8srg27rq2CC79ljoAnUeWiwG7nnA5ZyHZ4eg0hFnxwfbnqWl9Jen4jyazP5p_Kpg4bRcx2UVNzVLmEq_rAVDHk2zwlXcLlCzh7JNoXE3RLhTfD-EMLFUvRnA/s320/mosque+2.jpg" /></a>
<b>Istanbul modern and cruise ship</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhcMARUMt39cIYbgP9Fpy3Hd2TqR94yvzADM8bNn1DkcKTAFEfeAia4odev9KllANx_0llW40k8FN987ueUwWNHldZEz4iO2QWJ9W3OiLbkxGtCZwLL-Kfk_uBCVlPPmpP2p11MVuVjg/s1600/istanbul+modern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhcMARUMt39cIYbgP9Fpy3Hd2TqR94yvzADM8bNn1DkcKTAFEfeAia4odev9KllANx_0llW40k8FN987ueUwWNHldZEz4iO2QWJ9W3OiLbkxGtCZwLL-Kfk_uBCVlPPmpP2p11MVuVjg/s320/istanbul+modern.jpg" /></a>
<b>Turkish tea</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVbxsc9qJDMcnUBagI5fd9C_Kai1WR4IXt0cLbMTqgUpnmn6LkkHQds-O-FJ2ivNHAVlDFKOhv5e2r0sV77Kxb4T1SZqV5TOhzU0pDI9sXzKLtw7vFSalAmI-M41WQq2NMZNcm0oVKv8/s1600/turkish+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVbxsc9qJDMcnUBagI5fd9C_Kai1WR4IXt0cLbMTqgUpnmn6LkkHQds-O-FJ2ivNHAVlDFKOhv5e2r0sV77Kxb4T1SZqV5TOhzU0pDI9sXzKLtw7vFSalAmI-M41WQq2NMZNcm0oVKv8/s320/turkish+tea.jpg" /></a>
Then with my friend we decided to meet nearby Taksim square and go to the museum Orhan Pamuk has opened which recreates the contents of his book <a href="http://http://www.masumiyetmuzesi.org/W3/Default-ENG.htm?sRefresh=True">The museum of innocence</a> I thought it was a wonderful experience. First we went to buy the book for me, which contains a ticket for the museum, and then we went to visit it. I hadn't read the book but I thought it was brilliant and now that I am reading it it's even more interesting. Then we took a taxi and went to visit <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCleymaniye_Mosque">Suleymaniye Mosque</a> also by architect Sinan which is incredibly beautiful and from which you have a wonderful view of the city. We went to walk nearby and my fried took me to <a href="http:// http://www.vefa.com.tr/boza.html">Tarihi Vefa Bozacisi</a>, a very old and fascinating place where they serve ice cream and ottoman drinks like Boza, made from fermented wheat.Then we went to <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihrimah_Sultan_Mosque_%28%C3%9Csk%C3%BCdar%29">Mihrimah mosque</a> also by Sinan the story of which is beautifully described on my friend's travel blog http://www.travelmind-idilka.blogspot.com.
<b>The museum of innocence</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvQ8LTi4JQAOjS2TV1n0bGyHIvYUcqT1aN-qhpRgYurClSDq0146QR1R0HyuMI6_tsWWtCUQEsLvdyyQlyhSETo6uudyb9OIIjKzpoagGmZaEbcas9EzAUPZidFsmmQgOcCNnaMLRjWc/s1600/the+museum+of+innocence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvQ8LTi4JQAOjS2TV1n0bGyHIvYUcqT1aN-qhpRgYurClSDq0146QR1R0HyuMI6_tsWWtCUQEsLvdyyQlyhSETo6uudyb9OIIjKzpoagGmZaEbcas9EzAUPZidFsmmQgOcCNnaMLRjWc/s320/the+museum+of+innocence.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fdM1XGrYHoX6-vF8YmZ2ODwd6gxXOZ5P6oZBF3htRMN0KBHYngtg6eaAzYrzaCNj2xSY7jg4jtG0TBdJI-mP06biWTjiiKAUp34FAE4ke_0zznMLqX5__UQSO5z7EXh8nuIf5hG4WSo/s1600/mihrimah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fdM1XGrYHoX6-vF8YmZ2ODwd6gxXOZ5P6oZBF3htRMN0KBHYngtg6eaAzYrzaCNj2xSY7jg4jtG0TBdJI-mP06biWTjiiKAUp34FAE4ke_0zznMLqX5__UQSO5z7EXh8nuIf5hG4WSo/s320/mihrimah.jpg" /></a>
<b>Mihrimah</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSkBzjdJjvYoUhlR6rA0VKksNIvAVMitSgNwcoeqUAVseuhVjkI5NaTZ5iwqCnJR0_MzU0EfykqOBWMz-0tqGgxa7azEQx3ZcM5qv0chdSJ1diFHDhucwnSXi4Nvgsc2ksQdE10iba_Y/s1600/istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSkBzjdJjvYoUhlR6rA0VKksNIvAVMitSgNwcoeqUAVseuhVjkI5NaTZ5iwqCnJR0_MzU0EfykqOBWMz-0tqGgxa7azEQx3ZcM5qv0chdSJ1diFHDhucwnSXi4Nvgsc2ksQdE10iba_Y/s320/istanbul.jpg" /></a>
<b>View from Sulemaniye Mosque</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4c1Dxk_4qHVHx4r46Ol_VvR8LmGo7tvbvBhxUvpTCiT7Xptn6eKj32xi73sVa9bAnYacI3xJuzGKQQlt-MAoYT71K8PgheykElIPpaBflusMslmJXHOBzbgpKeayCJrGB0REvg4uM7w/s1600/dondurma+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4c1Dxk_4qHVHx4r46Ol_VvR8LmGo7tvbvBhxUvpTCiT7Xptn6eKj32xi73sVa9bAnYacI3xJuzGKQQlt-MAoYT71K8PgheykElIPpaBflusMslmJXHOBzbgpKeayCJrGB0REvg4uM7w/s320/dondurma+bar.jpg" /></a>
<b>Tarihi Vefa Bozacisi</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC1-E9jWwZbDAjGPVHnIGbHlhH620_ceg5xyWS3PddAKbFYwRsNUu9k-zUDzgj_rW5RKRb9_pPsxkGe6UZXnFroZepOZ8OlmaokZIivXJKntTcbciW7E2RRIXfTUlZRi0qkLR3dTyW_A/s1600/boza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC1-E9jWwZbDAjGPVHnIGbHlhH620_ceg5xyWS3PddAKbFYwRsNUu9k-zUDzgj_rW5RKRb9_pPsxkGe6UZXnFroZepOZ8OlmaokZIivXJKntTcbciW7E2RRIXfTUlZRi0qkLR3dTyW_A/s320/boza.jpg" /></a>
<b>Boza</b>
- We then ended this pefect day with a beautiful dinner in a very good Ottoman restaurant <a href="http://http://www.asitanerestaurant.com/">Asitane</a> with lovely ambiance and delicious food. it is located in Edirnekapi one of the most important areas of old Istanbul. Take a walk around before or after dinner an you'll be mesmerized by the fascination of the streets and the view of the Golden Horn. It is close to Chora Church where apparently there are very interesting byzantinian mosaics. It was closed when I got there so I couldn't see them. While we were walking in the streets before going home since I had to take a plane to Zagreb at dawn I was thinking that this is one of the few places where I could live happily. Maybe then I should marry a Turk and i actually wouldn't mind.. Ladies you know what I am talking about.. Or else keep coming here until I feel like it which is a very long time I bet.
It was time to leave unfortunately but my heart stayed there. I must have been Turkish in another life. Until next time beautiful Constantinopolis it was time to reach the coast of Croatia...
(to be continued)
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-63557047546544372572012-10-08T16:37:00.000+02:002012-10-08T16:37:16.906+02:00My Mediterranean summer. First part: the Greek bliss Chapter II: Across the Aegean <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-NE9RTXko1M?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>
On the day I left Antiparos I was very sad but I was also worried since the winds were so strong that the sea was really rocky. I hade to reach the Dodecanesus islands in order to meet a very good friend of mine who was travelling around there. There actually was a ferry which reached the island of Kalymnos from Paros but it was cancelled so I had to take a catamaran to Santorini, spend the night there and then leave the next day by night ferry to Kos and then another catamaran to Kalymnos.
On the way to Santorini I thought my stomach had reached my ears but once we started approaching the island it became better. I had been in Santorini about twenty years before and I remember the Kaldera at sunset while approaching the port with all the pink and red lights of the sun .
Now, Santorini is unbelievably beautiful but I HATE IT. I hated it at the time and if possible I hated it even more now. I am sorry but I think that as far as landscape is concerned it is stunning. But the rest: traffic like being in Milan at the rush hour, trash shops and people, noises, lights etc. No that's not for me. The beaches are black because of the volcanic origin and to be honest not that nice. Plus the wind is so strong that until the afternoon you can't possibily stay in the sun or in the sea.
Fira the capital is a mixture of trash,noise,lights,bars, discos , cheap restaurants, and loads of people. Oia which is the most beautiful place on the island is famous for the sunset so all the tourists (literally)of the island go there every day to watch it. Same thing: marvellous but in order to see it you have to push your way through backpackes, baby strollers, cameras of all types, and of course a lot of people...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsPtgXs6JlT8TOtd6kWhyphenhyphenMRN-ihNJ5rALGm4CWxK3lUCnXoNAlA2FD_nWAKbVvtTOs0mMLzDDu4JlaTraZ8H9GUflSzFTk6L38ML9S325XdDiKenYNjxdpCNvgmlgqj6FoSCF8KijsTg/s1600/Fira+by+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsPtgXs6JlT8TOtd6kWhyphenhyphenMRN-ihNJ5rALGm4CWxK3lUCnXoNAlA2FD_nWAKbVvtTOs0mMLzDDu4JlaTraZ8H9GUflSzFTk6L38ML9S325XdDiKenYNjxdpCNvgmlgqj6FoSCF8KijsTg/s320/Fira+by+night.jpg" /></a><b>Fira by night</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGvNK-FNg6fs5ipvVeCNVyyFC8sZKpjt6Yb_QnO1SNGizGEaEgFUiveGtQ4_zIIHb2TW7NyTDEdlAvYwa9-J4mNjahylNl4hRI-hAjNzEe3k8Qna3rDDt6EbeV6ysqQc1AdAut-gImoA/s1600/tramonto+a+Santorini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGvNK-FNg6fs5ipvVeCNVyyFC8sZKpjt6Yb_QnO1SNGizGEaEgFUiveGtQ4_zIIHb2TW7NyTDEdlAvYwa9-J4mNjahylNl4hRI-hAjNzEe3k8Qna3rDDt6EbeV6ysqQc1AdAut-gImoA/s320/tramonto+a+Santorini.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRmpFVuuGIijKRz4_F9iVZwanX5Nl-_koe5wYjKHRgCjXW588cQiTfg2xXg78FvvzZJLeVxoccLlZ7OP8bzu91PiNNTwOaH3OSd5jtcGxCkYiiZKPTqp_qsjul1hHE1dE3bw9lVn8dm0/s1600/tramonto+a+santorini+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRmpFVuuGIijKRz4_F9iVZwanX5Nl-_koe5wYjKHRgCjXW588cQiTfg2xXg78FvvzZJLeVxoccLlZ7OP8bzu91PiNNTwOaH3OSd5jtcGxCkYiiZKPTqp_qsjul1hHE1dE3bw9lVn8dm0/s320/tramonto+a+santorini+2.jpg" /></a>
<b>Oia</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv-sexKK3C0lPdB-RfPXwjfq4K0IgE1c-X-Hqb11_dOTOBt4_rgNUDjh_ne8Dp4nGtfvkUD7FQw5pyGR_lTVbKS-9jhMufrC-_uRlOlC1xYw0M-rNPkY-8XOAGbE7kNYW81pq-b5Lqxw/s1600/oia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv-sexKK3C0lPdB-RfPXwjfq4K0IgE1c-X-Hqb11_dOTOBt4_rgNUDjh_ne8Dp4nGtfvkUD7FQw5pyGR_lTVbKS-9jhMufrC-_uRlOlC1xYw0M-rNPkY-8XOAGbE7kNYW81pq-b5Lqxw/s320/oia.jpg" /></a>
I was staying close to the black beach of Perivalos in a small not so nice hotel of which I don't remember the name. Most of the time I was cursing and the rest I was travelling around the island by bus. There are a lot of buses connecting all the places all the locations on the island which are crowded to the limit and most of the time you end up standing up for the whole duration of the journey. In one of this journeys I was basically molested by one of the ticket controllers who was stading behind me until a young Turkish woman came to my rescue. Well, what I forgot to say in addition to all the things I have said so far, is that like in most of the touristic islands locals tend to be rude and unfriendly. No I definitively won't go back to Santorini ever again .
While I was waiting for the bus to take me to the ferry I had one of this fish pedicures that are very popular on the island. Another experience I probably won't try again . Not unpleasant but not one of those things you absolutely have to do once in your life.
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I took one of those luxury ferries to Rhodes where I spent the night on an air seat like the ones you find on the plane. I was there with 50 chinese people who were sound asleep nothwitstanding the light, the noises and two Greek couples talking from one side of the room to the other.Needless to say I didn't sleep at all and when I got to Kos I had to wait five hours before the other catamaran to Kalymnos. I didn't see much of Kos but I didn't like it either. I got there at 6 a.m. and people where just coming out of the disco, totally wasted and drunk. I waited until the bars opened to have some breakfast and then walked around for three hours in order to avoid to fall asleep on a bench. Dodecanesus islands are very different from the Cyclades and because of their Venetian origin they have lovely buildings and architecture in that style.However Kos is not my cup of tea as the English who populate the island would say. So finally after another 45 dreadful minutes of catamaran on the rockiest sea ever I finally got to <b>Kalymnos</b>.
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Not bad right? It's a lovely place famous for the natural sponges industry. Two things though. First of all as I said Greek islands are not as they used to be before, in terms of crowds and traffic. Yes traffic. Even in Kalymnos there were so many cars... I stayed in a little studio by the sea close to Massouri, the most frequented part of the island and I went every day to meet my friends in the village at night, risking to get run over by cars and motorcycles all the time. Secondo problem is that there is a not so pleasant smell in the area because of the sewage system and also sometimes you get some suprises in your bathroom i.e. giant cockroaches coming from the sewer into the shower..
One evening I found two and I ran yelling outside in my underwear.Then I realized it was not proper and got hold of my jeans to ask for help to Alexis the owner of the restaurant next door. He came into my room and basically stomped on them and threw them in the toilet. I admit I wouldn't have been able. Bugs terrify me but maybe I would have just kicked them out...
Apart from this Kalimnos is a beautiful and calm island for relaxing holidays. Amongst the places I tried for dinner I found this lovely place called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/AEGEAN-TAVERN-KALYMNOS/239821940689">Aegean Tavern</a>, which in a few words can be summed up as : great food , great atmosphere, beautiful ambiance, excellent service and good prices. What else would you want ?
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After these three relaxing days in Kalymnos with my Turkish friends it was time to cross the border and go to beautiful Turkey for a few days so we got ready to set sail again ... (to be continued)
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-74162511516533027982012-09-23T12:36:00.002+02:002015-05-05T11:16:14.825+02:00My mediterranean summer. First part: The Greek bliss. Chapter 1 The discrete beauty of Antiparos
http://youtu.be/Q3WJvaEjAlU
I chose Mediterraneo's trailer because it's a wonderful movie and gives you exactly the feeling of what a greek island is. Plus it's Italian and that is always a plus.
If you have never seen it I say go rent it because you're missing something,no matter where you're from. Sorry for the lack of subtitles but that's the only trailer I found.
Anyway I started my summer in a very bad way but as it turned out to be, it went very well. One of my closest friends rescued me from a very unpleasant situation which had lead to the destruction of my holiday plans and invited me to join her and her friends in the beautiful island of Antiparos in the Cyclades.
What can I say ? I would define it as the perfect antidote to stress and negativity. A small island with gorgeous bays and wonderful sea, not too touristic yet quite populated. My days there passed slowly and relaxingly. In August the sun is very strong so the best time to go to the sea is after 3 p.m. My friend found this very peaceful and nice place 10 minutes away from the center of the village and close to the sea called <a href="http://http://www.paradise-village.gr/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=44">Paradise Village</a>. Although the website says it's a hotel it is more of a residence complex. Ours had two rooms a kitchen, a bathroom and a very nice patio. The owner and his wife are lovely and are cat lovers which is a plus for me. Every day I was playing with Boika a nice female cat with her four newborn kitties.
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<b>Me and my friends</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW7cSeEFqpDYugootj9c_W_qXgqSyaavzL84icDnMAwInJHd2H-ZvXeOvoZgZXrjkQELBNk3oaTWRYrdsHqxYjG70POIyMr9a1s3XYi41A1uuFY5llN2T7-Uu-aIoYvK4MSACBibGJro/s1600/antiparos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW7cSeEFqpDYugootj9c_W_qXgqSyaavzL84icDnMAwInJHd2H-ZvXeOvoZgZXrjkQELBNk3oaTWRYrdsHqxYjG70POIyMr9a1s3XYi41A1uuFY5llN2T7-Uu-aIoYvK4MSACBibGJro/s320/antiparos.jpg" /></a>
<b>Antiparos beaches</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnaz9cxizcHY2d8pI-O5Yf3Zqvr1XID0ZmyHIvagTdFzdAE0xiCZ82m3BqHZtgM1Kic8rx5BP6NvapV8WHT2qhzQNCWcbXjdGKC346dPthpyeu0z5aa6-mNkcyMXiE2sKZ1x-iVBxNPU/s1600/il+mare+di+antiparos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnaz9cxizcHY2d8pI-O5Yf3Zqvr1XID0ZmyHIvagTdFzdAE0xiCZ82m3BqHZtgM1Kic8rx5BP6NvapV8WHT2qhzQNCWcbXjdGKC346dPthpyeu0z5aa6-mNkcyMXiE2sKZ1x-iVBxNPU/s320/il+mare+di+antiparos.jpg" /></a>
<b>My little furry friends Mustafa and Bagheera</b>
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What can I say ? I explored almost all the little bays and beaches of the island with my friends in the picture and I really enjoyed being there. The picture was taken at Lucio so far the best place where we ate even if on my last night there. The other restaurants are good but not exceptional. There is one in particular called Zorba's which is always very crowded and it's quite good although the owner really got on my nerves when I saw he was hitting his (or his friend's)dog. Actually I stood up and shouted at him. He said nothing back but my friend took me away in order to avoid turnmoil. I saw the dog with another guy the next day and he was ok, but I simply can't stand when people hit animals. I could really hurt them I guess.
Another place where to eat close to the port is Nikos : traditional homemade Greek cuisine, speaking of which one of the best food I have ever tasted there is not exactly in the island, in the little port of Parikia on Paros island where the barge like ship from Antiparos gets to in five minutes. That was homemade and delicious believe me . Unfortunately I can't remember the name but you can't go wrong. As soon as you get off the boat there it is: just in front of you.
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<b>Monastiraki beach and view of the island</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiquQT8L-DbwMdizZPlIcW9hQNDj4rUIUxWaFK2m4wwkdeqBwd5Gkex_UAbGYPXlFHZB4WFIYiZISLAlbC71q58kpe5APFLHGkwuwPOUGeQL9vUPcwmA9MzyL7JPquJjllxUAZGYM7OjY/s1600/antiparos+mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiquQT8L-DbwMdizZPlIcW9hQNDj4rUIUxWaFK2m4wwkdeqBwd5Gkex_UAbGYPXlFHZB4WFIYiZISLAlbC71q58kpe5APFLHGkwuwPOUGeQL9vUPcwmA9MzyL7JPquJjllxUAZGYM7OjY/s320/antiparos+mountains.jpg" /></a>
<b>The view from our patio</b>
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One piece of advice : if you can renta a car or a jeep and drive to discover the beauty of the island it would ve better. In most places you can go by motorbike but there are quite a few bays that require a car and better a four wheel drive. In other places you can easily get by bus like Agios Georgios where you can also stop for some seafood at well known restaurant<a href="http://http://www.captainpipinos.com/">Captain Pipino's</a>.
As far as nightlife in the island I am not the best person to ask because I would always go to bed at around 2 a.m when the nightlife was basically starting. The most I have done is have a drink at sunset at the <a href="http://http://www.sunsetdeseo.com/IT/home_it.html">Sunset deseo</a> a hip bar on the cliffs run by some fellow countrymen and drink a couple of Mythos beers in a bar called Remember where they had a very good music selection. My friends used to like <a href="http://http://www.antiparos-isl.com/YannisPlace/index.html">Yanni's place</a> for a drink before or after dinner like <b>rakomelo</b> a drink made with raki or Tsipouro brandy combined with honey, cardamom and cinnamom and served hot. Not only would it make you digest but also get very tipsy...After drinking that my friends and I went to see the stars but not on the beach like amateurs, oh no, we went to the Telescope experience: an former army soldier now astronomist shows you the magic of planets and stars on his terrace with a super huge telescope and explains to you all you need to know about galaxies and nebulosas.
Believe me : when you see Saturn with his ring or the stars even if the dimension is very small is quite something,with or without rakomelo. Another night we went to the open air movie theatre which is in a garden with a bar and is lovely.
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<b>Livadi beach</b>
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<b>Sunset from Agios Georgios</b>
Then the time came to leave this beautiful place, after ten days of bliss and to depart from a little bit of heaven which remains quite incontaminated. The only negative thing about this beautiful island is the quantity of cars and motorbikes which tend to spoil the atmosphere and that is really disappointing. Anyway I spent a wonderful time there. The night before I left the Meltemi wind started blowing and it was really strong...Thensea was really agitated and I really didn't want to leave but it was time to move across the Eagean...(to be continued)
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<b>Rakomelo</b>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-74353745661335749722012-07-26T17:39:00.004+02:002012-07-27T20:12:47.556+02:00In the land of Erasmus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I went to Rotterdam in February for a couple of days for work. I had been to Amsterdam a few times but never in this part of the country. I have to say that when I just got there I didn't really have the greatest impression: it was grey, wet and dull and the city looked very sad. The hotel where I was staying <a href="http://http://www.rotterdam.info/bezoekers/locaties/accommodaties/202/best-western-crown-hotel/">Hotel Rotterdam </a>was not too far from the railway station and was undergoing some refurbishment therefore I was not too happy about it. However both the hotel and the city turned out to be a nice surprise in the end.
The first day I basically ran from one place to the other seeing people from work and in the end completely exhausted I went out with a friend of mine who came to see me there from Amsterdam to a Thai restaurant and then collapsed.
It was actually the next day on a sunny Saturday that I realized that Rotterdam had a lot to offer. It's a very different approach from Amsterdam and it's very different from other cities even because it's completely reconstructed. I took a long stroll throughout the whole city and I have to say I enjoyed it very much.
Locals really seemed to really taste the saturday morning laziness and relaxation and so did I, sitting in the sun outside a beautiful cafè in the center, which is very nice and very lively : completely the opposite of what I thought the city was when I first arrived the day before. Down from the center I went to see the <a href="http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cube_house">cubic houses </a> in Blaak neighbourhood "designed by architect Piet Blom and based on the concept of "living as an urban roof": high density housing with sufficient space on the ground level" (from Wikipedia). They look very interesting but all the architecture in the city is very impressive.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhRaUs58UK7IkZaNWcz1gnmnK1ompvJOdOVpXwzmoyvcuJsY89OJd_zIfl5j1Vp_aV6bFc0cQxxEkmJtg44efBByVOOreN38QeqCvcuTGNZfOt2zaYKRPwm8BCfLKU9l195eVgzJAblI/s1600/cubic+houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhRaUs58UK7IkZaNWcz1gnmnK1ompvJOdOVpXwzmoyvcuJsY89OJd_zIfl5j1Vp_aV6bFc0cQxxEkmJtg44efBByVOOreN38QeqCvcuTGNZfOt2zaYKRPwm8BCfLKU9l195eVgzJAblI/s320/cubic+houses.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNQV1UPdPrr_UI0GOLcX2F0w9doomHUwq7R2hQ7SKNZpY-ghqNmACaGHA1DlL6eWuzDTSUPyONJQA9aabPLdNtZUjkbK2Zm_W8G5AcStiH1ciqGIuwDiXzb2GiNZy2RzK86VWhacaPzA/s1600/Cube-houses-rotterdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="229" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNQV1UPdPrr_UI0GOLcX2F0w9doomHUwq7R2hQ7SKNZpY-ghqNmACaGHA1DlL6eWuzDTSUPyONJQA9aabPLdNtZUjkbK2Zm_W8G5AcStiH1ciqGIuwDiXzb2GiNZy2RzK86VWhacaPzA/s320/Cube-houses-rotterdam.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaR-3-RxOnaWGM-D_ZZj2ExZx5VhY_wVzycYXpGvmoBpvbLpYXclQEKtETgyWNtb8BzUCTiO2e-Hw408kGpHvM4f1N8EBVC63ZeH624cZyV9CYaSFMR_zKp3IssoP7h47OycGzd2RBO8/s1600/cubic+houses+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaR-3-RxOnaWGM-D_ZZj2ExZx5VhY_wVzycYXpGvmoBpvbLpYXclQEKtETgyWNtb8BzUCTiO2e-Hw408kGpHvM4f1N8EBVC63ZeH624cZyV9CYaSFMR_zKp3IssoP7h47OycGzd2RBO8/s320/cubic+houses+2.jpg" /></a>
I walked from my hotel in the north of the city up until the commercial harbour where I took a boat trip with <a href="http://http://spido.nl/nl">Spido</a> and went on <b>Delfshaven</b> a lovely little harbour with galleries , restaurants and nice houses. I was taken to a lovely and very elegant fish restaurant <a href="http://http://www.restaurantzeezout.nl/">Zeezout</a> in the area by a collegue the day before and when by myself I had lunch in <a href="http://http://www.loos-rotterdam.nl/">Loos</a> a very nice intellectual, bohemian chic cafe, which I strongly recommend. In the evening instead I had dinner in <a href="http://http://www.dunyalokanta.nl/">Dunya Lokanta</a> an Anatolian -Mesopotamiam restaurant not far from my hotel. A lot of food by the way ... However since I was walking all day and all night I think I kind of balanced the whole thing. Another thing : remember what I wrote in my post about Beirut? Well in a different way but Dutch men are also very dangerous... and you ladies know what I mean.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBksAf2uhFHe8Y_HMq5LR7tQknitsZL1pDnQIKzf5-IdoLdSP9TGH_l8j4Puj6YW_aueArn_nLNrnYJuAFaVfnFyfnfiz407tbKurvTdm2cb7WqIHb7cZk-bCwDlfWnEc-DfKum1FcGCE/s1600/i+have+to+change+to+stay+the+same.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBksAf2uhFHe8Y_HMq5LR7tQknitsZL1pDnQIKzf5-IdoLdSP9TGH_l8j4Puj6YW_aueArn_nLNrnYJuAFaVfnFyfnfiz407tbKurvTdm2cb7WqIHb7cZk-bCwDlfWnEc-DfKum1FcGCE/s320/i+have+to+change+to+stay+the+same.jpg" /></a>
<b>Delfshaven</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiALdk9qCeRcfxU-2K2jRQz15ASMcg6i5GIbc2Fu6P1Kuprua18kDRQKLkykOTeGTbyUcdJyZ5cm5XoGz1Hf7L3Uq1PRKJi2tYp0O92k__Z8jKXn3Ok17XT_8T5FP6AGbJK2E207WL_M/s1600/delfshaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="222" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiALdk9qCeRcfxU-2K2jRQz15ASMcg6i5GIbc2Fu6P1Kuprua18kDRQKLkykOTeGTbyUcdJyZ5cm5XoGz1Hf7L3Uq1PRKJi2tYp0O92k__Z8jKXn3Ok17XT_8T5FP6AGbJK2E207WL_M/s320/delfshaven.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CG1Fu6BhYDxbZdn22vOv3r8r-PXLssKuz4gJhyvRHIm8XTOHoN8r0pfm9z786fNN3pMJxC_2p8X6x1Tm9Vgiptrm5AyUiqVxgpUf2c5OClbp4L3boNWNYZlLmbrmiM9kyRFrq4Vz7w/s1600/rotterdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CG1Fu6BhYDxbZdn22vOv3r8r-PXLssKuz4gJhyvRHIm8XTOHoN8r0pfm9z786fNN3pMJxC_2p8X6x1Tm9Vgiptrm5AyUiqVxgpUf2c5OClbp4L3boNWNYZlLmbrmiM9kyRFrq4Vz7w/s320/rotterdam.jpg" /></a>
The next day I went to lovely <a href="http://http://www.delft.nl/delften/">Delft</a> home to Paul Vermeer who portraited it in a few paintings in 1660 or so. Well , when you see it now it has stayed exactly the same and looks just like the paintings. I spent the whole day wandering around the canals and the bridges and had a very relaxing and lovely time. At the railway station when one gets off the train there is a bycicle parking which contains thousands of them even on different double level rows. Very difficult to explain in words but amazing. I would never be able to find my bike in that mess and actually I saw a guy who took twenty minutes to find his. When I got back to Rotterdam I went to have dinner at very famous Asian restaurant <a href="http://http://www.izkaya.nl/#experience">Izakaya</a> where you can order through a touch screen system on the table which also projects the image of the dish in your plate so you can see exactly what it looks like. Quoting my trip advisor review: "<b>It's quite something to have the chance to see what your dish looks like in your plate before you order or to look in the kitchen with a webcam to see the chef preparing your food. The fact that you order with a touch screen system on your table is a lot of fun and so is changing the pattern of your table cloth. As far as the food is concerned it is Asian inspired . Good but not exceptional. A little pricy." </b>
So I know Amsterdam is what it is but if one has the chance to extend their staying and want to see something different I would go and pay Mr.Erasmus a visit.
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<b>Images of Delft</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv3w-a2dYh20nbY8Ox6j1JRGP2L3j4LzfyWnUUvyydBiGNBZUPbfT_Ve-jg9VJyojHzsVfuZmpY68lgjgD3N3L7v03TjDt6kzhXYf-h8EQoW_WM5bH-l24Irb_AstEZZf0znfKnzvY2E/s1600/Delft_Voldersgracht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv3w-a2dYh20nbY8Ox6j1JRGP2L3j4LzfyWnUUvyydBiGNBZUPbfT_Ve-jg9VJyojHzsVfuZmpY68lgjgD3N3L7v03TjDt6kzhXYf-h8EQoW_WM5bH-l24Irb_AstEZZf0znfKnzvY2E/s320/Delft_Voldersgracht.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz0t99EIZ0MAg4WWfFn8Y49_uyzwjBv50jdJNWfb6rMUZeywlgZ_lwsod5LepP4vmSqzwK44qGY_wexQcVuxKrqkJVcnvqFccSoqcafLIsyOuf4pHFaWDNvM4QkyUwnI6VEQzRvSokvs/s1600/delft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz0t99EIZ0MAg4WWfFn8Y49_uyzwjBv50jdJNWfb6rMUZeywlgZ_lwsod5LepP4vmSqzwK44qGY_wexQcVuxKrqkJVcnvqFccSoqcafLIsyOuf4pHFaWDNvM4QkyUwnI6VEQzRvSokvs/s320/delft.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdL6GQqoRoAXalZAeMhYsIto6SL1lnG2G3rhwru7SiSLlFPmLp7I0onGGLyll44sg4RdjYCtjpbQThxpYAULKCnrTR02-EIvWFsrd0y8YJobOuKdD_tUvdIhBHSXgx4NUjY2sBCFVPyM/s1600/delft2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdL6GQqoRoAXalZAeMhYsIto6SL1lnG2G3rhwru7SiSLlFPmLp7I0onGGLyll44sg4RdjYCtjpbQThxpYAULKCnrTR02-EIvWFsrd0y8YJobOuKdD_tUvdIhBHSXgx4NUjY2sBCFVPyM/s320/delft2.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-70906088446269595542012-04-19T12:48:00.000+02:002012-04-19T12:48:58.583+02:00Mr. Livingston I presume?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's quite funny to imagine the encounter between Stanley and the founder of Victoria Falls when they met in Zambia on Tanganica Lake in 1869 as if they were at a Victorian party instead of being the only two Europeans in the heart of Africa. The city that now brings the scientist's name lies opposite Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and covers half of the falls. When I got there three years ago from Johannesburg I took a flight which got me there in an hour. Coming from South Africa (which I absolutely adore ) Zambia looks more like Africa than ever although the city itself is nothing special while the nature around is simply amazing. However it's a very interesting place and one could well spend a few days there just to go to the falls . I was picked up by Richard Chanter, the owner of <a href="http://http://www.chanters-livingstone.com/Welcome.cfm">Chanters' Lodge</a> a very nice B&B situated in a quiet street of the town.
As I said the town itself does not have a lot to offer: just a bunch of gravel roads and a little center where there is a museum (rather interesting though : I didn't think it was going to be) but one goes there to see the falls and that's more than enough.
Richard Chanter took me to the <a href="http://http://royal-livingstone-hotel.com/">Royal Livingston Hotel</a> : one of the most amazing places I had ever seen: a somptuous hotel with a park where zebras and antilopes run free amongst the hotel rooms and with one of the most spectacular views of the world: on the Zambesi river just above the Falls. He suggested that I go to get a drink at the sundeck the hotel bar and I did. Wonderful. Absolutely. The only thing is that the garden and the bar are crowded with monkeys who make it really hard for you to relax and sip your drink. I got almost into a physical fight with two of them myself since they took turns in jumping on my table, taking my drink just to look inside the glass, trying to steal the stir and eventually succeeding in stealing my canapès. The waiter was too slow: by the time he brought them to my table the monkey had already jumped and taken two of them with both hands. I could only eat the third one. It was fun anyway.
From there you can take the boat to go to Livingstone Island which is basically a small piece of land just over the edge of the falls. I went there the next morning and given my total and absolut fear of the void and of heights I nearly had a heart attack when the guys who take there basically hold your hand for you to look over the edge at the bottom of the falls. There is also a tiny little spot just over the edge where you can bathe called the Devil's pool. I wouldn't go there not even if I was paid to do it. The amazing thing about the falls apart from the beauty of them and the marvellous landscape is the fact that while you're there you cans see a lot of spontaneous rainbows. There is also a time of the year when you can see them at night. The sight of the magnificent scenario and the roar of the water make you feel like you are in heaven .
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Zambian kids on my way to the hotel</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Me and the rainbow at Livingstone Island </b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>The view from the sundeck bar at the Royal Livingston</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Tourists swimming at devil's pool</b>
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Then another thing was for me to walk on the bridge over the falls which takes you straight into the town of Victoria falls in Zimbabwe. There are a lot of guys there who try to convince you to do bungee jumping from the bridge (another thing I wouldn't ever do) and try to give you notes of milions of Zimbabwean dollars. As everybody is probably aware this country has been in a very dramatic (now desperate ) situation during the last twenty years under Robert Mugabe regime . The chapter about him on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mugabe">Wikipedia</a> is very thorough and interesting and shows how he conducted his country at starvation (literally) and poverty and how he used and still uses violence and vexation almost as the only mean of communication with his people. He has been banned from many international organizations and has been denied access to international conventions. Nevertheless at 87 he still rules the country and he still treats it like his own property. I don't understand why nobody intervened so far. Probably because there is no economical interest in Zimbwabwe.If there had been oil or diamonds one of the big powerful nations would have probably done something. Very very sad.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Bridge over the falls</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>View of the falls from above</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>...and from the front</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Evil Robert Mugabe</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EH2Nq7qWsEMmownb64a-scs2JWqYqi9PAsRTF0ctrXkUWE4qkyx5tKFPmVw0me2PneHZvrHOocPECtp45qSc2qnAkcQf2Jkv0qAEJXTIhf9GIJqrZb_04pbvKtqlzLC0_fH1LoGtfXs/s1600/Mugabecloseup2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EH2Nq7qWsEMmownb64a-scs2JWqYqi9PAsRTF0ctrXkUWE4qkyx5tKFPmVw0me2PneHZvrHOocPECtp45qSc2qnAkcQf2Jkv0qAEJXTIhf9GIJqrZb_04pbvKtqlzLC0_fH1LoGtfXs/s320/Mugabecloseup2008.jpg" /></a></div>
There are a lot of activities to do in Livingstone including taking a plane or an helicopter and fly over the falls. I actually decided that it was not a good idea given my fear of heights and instead chose to go to the Lion walk. This is how it works: You go to <a href="http://http://www.lionencounter.com/pages/visit_livingstone.html">Lion Encounter foundation</a> which operates the African Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program and you basically go for a three hours walk with lion cubs. This is their program "<i>Given the rapid decline in free-ranging lion populations (between 80 and 90% in the last 50 years) and the greatly reduced potential for their natural re-colonization of some areas, ALERT supports assisted lion reintroduction into specific sites. Such areas would include localities where lion populations have been eradicated, but that have been identified as high priority for the re-establishment of the species, have been shown to support adequate wild prey and where the causes of the original population loss in the past have been identified and are being mitigated.
Whenever possible, reintroductions should include the release of young adult wild lions captured for the purpose of translocation and release.
Where there is no available source population of suitable wild lions, we will instigate a multi-stage program to reintroduce lions originally bred from captive individuals. Captive lions which lack hunting skills are bred in fenced areas, their offspring raised around humans and take part in the lion walk program as operated by Lion Encounter
</i>
What happens is very interesting : you are taken the bush and walk with (quite big) cubs, you interact with them and see them playing and sometimes hunting. You have to walk in a line and are given a set of rules to observe for your safety(do not kneel, do not run, do not look the lion in the eyes etc.) It is a little scary actually especially when they follow their instinct and want to play with you. So when one of them started running for us and the handler screamed "Watch your back" it was somehow worrying, even because as you can see from the pictures they are really big cats. Most of the time though they lie in the sun and play amongst them when they are not walking and look just like cats playing at home. sometimes they see a buck in the distance and run after it. In general it was a wonderful experience and I definitely would do it again if I went back there.
My suggestion is that when in the area one should not miss it.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Scenes from the lion encounter and walk</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72a__J7U_71J6An17bG245HFpTcMQgnExH7MP1OBwvqEAZTMH7hGm18TmVMOp2-aecdCbyoWD3uQ10sYsp4JeFoT1x5vetswy_Spk3e2Dm9PbAdbcGEgn4jd14N6ImNlSHy820wXKhGY/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72a__J7U_71J6An17bG245HFpTcMQgnExH7MP1OBwvqEAZTMH7hGm18TmVMOp2-aecdCbyoWD3uQ10sYsp4JeFoT1x5vetswy_Spk3e2Dm9PbAdbcGEgn4jd14N6ImNlSHy820wXKhGY/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+042.jpg" /></a></div>
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I left Livingstone one morning by shared taxi to go to Botswana by boat ( by the way the rest of my trip that year is in my post " Am I in heaven or Botswana?)and while I was looking out of the car window at the orange earth while listening to African music I wondered if Mr. Livingston had stayed in Africa all that time because he became so attached that could not leave and forgot who he was before and what was doing. It happens to all of us who go there. Trust me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-1702797344546160532012-03-30T16:27:00.004+02:002012-03-30T16:27:48.363+02:00Belgian chocolate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBpfWO6xtxQ_5Of3xvpAFzA0TcWpBsULRxtzS74a0c8jStqvVdUGje7DuSbFR1sXfMx_-i14B7kKnl0df0duQgnbZRwB-8XdK5M-2aeKa0_1UGecXiKEQG2MP_J-roPVOZr986egRfeE/s1600/belgian+chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBpfWO6xtxQ_5Of3xvpAFzA0TcWpBsULRxtzS74a0c8jStqvVdUGje7DuSbFR1sXfMx_-i14B7kKnl0df0duQgnbZRwB-8XdK5M-2aeKa0_1UGecXiKEQG2MP_J-roPVOZr986egRfeE/s320/belgian+chocolate.jpg" /></a></div>
When in Belgium there is no way around it. Either you eat chocolate or, as they seem to suggest, what the hell are you doing there ?
Fortunately for me I simply love it, so it wasn't a problem at all although I was there for work only for two days. I arrived in Bruxelles from Paris with <a href="http://http://www.thalys.com/">Thalys</a> the fast train coming from Paris and connecting France , Belgium , Germany and the Netherlands. A little expensive but really convenient. I had been in Bruxelles years before and hardly remember a lot except for the Grand Place (and how can you forget that?). This time I stayed in a very funny and coloured hotel called <a href="http://http://www.pantonehotel.com/">Pantone</a>, where everything is colours including sugar at breakfast! It was a nice change for a grey and rainy day( not unusual it seems). I was given a room where the main colour was orange and a little yellowand where the painting behng my head was instead a giant lamp. I surely would go there again. Then I decide to take a stroll to go again to the grand place area and I found it very beautiful as I remembered it to be. I was famished at the time so with all the chocolate shops around me I was going crazy and I decided to have a taste of it, so i entered into <a href="http://http://www.cafe-tasse.com/">Cafè Tasse</a> and had a hot chocolate with a taste of typical Belgian sweet bread and speculoos biscuits plus of course some other chocolate. Guilty? Not at all. Pleased? Very much so.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Chocolate at Cafè Tasse</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Grand Place</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My room at Hotel Pantone</b>
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Then, while waiting for a very good friend of mine for dinner I wondered around the area. It's a very nice and lively part of the city, which on the other hand seemed to be (at least when I went there years ago), a little sad and dull. I'm sure it was also the weather and actually when the evening came the atmosphere changed and became warmer. I walked through Saint Hubert gallery very close to the Grand place and the Marchè des herbes and looked at the beauty of all the arcades and the old shops. Of course most of them were chocolate and sweet shops but I decided not to indulge more in the chocolate spree for the day. All the bars around the area quickly filled up with people giving the place a nice flare of northern European fascination. Then I met my friend who took me for dinner at<a href="http://www.restaurant-het-kelderke.be/fr/bienvenue/">T'Kelderke </a> right in the Grand place: a very warm and lively place where you can taste the main Belgian specialties. I went for the moules mariniers with pommes frites which I used to eat all the time at this little restaurant in Greenwich village when I was living in NYC called La petite abeille.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Sweets shop</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Bar in Saint Hubert Royal Gallery</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Chocolate shop in Saint Hubert</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KbZh9p0sEMBS_IMewQ9TZOVd3WTxAY-DopljT8HpcoLi8bTnTiDv6i0a2QYcWWgAV0YvoOqOORx_WS5jukU4SBR22QNuK2ChUIwHaOFSYj8s8qosiFLpI9BHyvUoKzgkjk-itVLLdIc/s1600/negozio+dolci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KbZh9p0sEMBS_IMewQ9TZOVd3WTxAY-DopljT8HpcoLi8bTnTiDv6i0a2QYcWWgAV0YvoOqOORx_WS5jukU4SBR22QNuK2ChUIwHaOFSYj8s8qosiFLpI9BHyvUoKzgkjk-itVLLdIc/s320/negozio+dolci.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Gallery Saint Hubert</b>
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Then my friend took me for a stroll in Bruxelles by night and I have to say I was misled from what I thought the city was. It's very interesting and fascinating. I have to say though that Antwerp is another story. I just love it and I suggest to anybody who hasn't been to go for a weekend or a couple of days. I had been there years ago and already liked it but this time I just loved it. Beautiful buildings, beautiful streets and beautiful atmosphere. The first imperssion at the railway station was excellent since it is absolutely stunning. Of course the weather was not too nice but still I enjoyed it very much (at least what I could see in between my work meetings). I would like to go there again just for fun and spend some time just wandering around. I stayed in a very nice hotel just by the station called <a href="http://www.parkinn.com/hotel-antwerpen">Park Inn by Radisson</a> not to be confused with the big Radisson in front of the station. I really really enjoyed staying there althoughI basically saw my room in the morning to drop my suitcase and late in the evening to sleep. I didn't find a lot of chocolate there but I found Wagamama (!) the London Asian restaurant chain I'm crazy about . (see my post on London). Before taking the train to Holland I realized how understimated Belgium is sometimes. I would really like to go back. Maybe next time I'll be so lucky to have a nice and sunny day for once...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Wagamama</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Antwerp central station</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeEuILQqP4IqLdbSxgjDiwm9BviB7B-UWoW_5zvFRrg5rVm_GFSquQHL_r1VXiFdgEAvwjm9_OjPOhy2pxMe165lgydsYRYx-0KruyrlpV93pHgGuTXQM7kMtw57HCjhBHljOlkOnf2I/s1600/antwerp+central+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeEuILQqP4IqLdbSxgjDiwm9BviB7B-UWoW_5zvFRrg5rVm_GFSquQHL_r1VXiFdgEAvwjm9_OjPOhy2pxMe165lgydsYRYx-0KruyrlpV93pHgGuTXQM7kMtw57HCjhBHljOlkOnf2I/s320/antwerp+central+station.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Antwerp City hall</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJpVKh5MGK1y5SDppORYWaKtaVgLiZ2tkL3eIfZTii5ItKaDTO4p-R8cUeDY5W0q5kgVJgs38_J-nJUGiwwlATMePD3UV8u4MFAy3CLIWrwa57_YDxDVOHdcM8BhNNi8sssCTMg8Er0M/s1600/antwerp+city+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJpVKh5MGK1y5SDppORYWaKtaVgLiZ2tkL3eIfZTii5ItKaDTO4p-R8cUeDY5W0q5kgVJgs38_J-nJUGiwwlATMePD3UV8u4MFAy3CLIWrwa57_YDxDVOHdcM8BhNNi8sssCTMg8Er0M/s320/antwerp+city+hall.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-57268037357050121782012-03-15T12:36:00.000+01:002012-03-15T12:36:51.091+01:00Get lost (in) Namibia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9vbcf0kKQXTFUrfdTfo1t79in0fAbnPq4m0X63Ay66OEKahBLXZl-No7GmDfE5AcSMJTpoyaz-FVoA68zmKHVLbKdHCtYEU1me-PVl8qFFTnzH7l2unSbDcFmWadnfp8roHdr8aSUVk/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9vbcf0kKQXTFUrfdTfo1t79in0fAbnPq4m0X63Ay66OEKahBLXZl-No7GmDfE5AcSMJTpoyaz-FVoA68zmKHVLbKdHCtYEU1me-PVl8qFFTnzH7l2unSbDcFmWadnfp8roHdr8aSUVk/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1075.jpg" /></a></div>
The reason for this title is that the summer of 2010 my journey to that part of the world was a complete disaster. I had already been to South Africa three times and I went again since (as you might have gathered) I really love the place . That year everything went wrong.. I was very stressed and overworked and I arrived by myself in Cape Town with the idea of going north up to Namibia . The part of South Africa you cross to reach the border is a very desolate and wild (not in a very good sense) one. But I'll skip on that part since it's not worth talking about it even because it was half a disaster as well. I arrived after a dreadful 10 hours bus journey at night from Upington, South Africa to Windhoek capital of Namibia. The bus, which was supposed to be a Sleepliner with very comfortable reclining chairs was rather a Wreckliner... old and freezing one, completely packed with people . We had to get off the bus twice at the border and line up for hours to get our visa and then run through the country in the deep night and in the cold. In addition everybody on board was coughing and I didn't know then that I would start as well very soon ..
When I arrived in Windhoek,I went to <a href="http://www.namibweb.com/steiner.htm">Pension Steiner</a> ( care to guess where they're from -like half of the businesses in Namibia?)which was a very basic but quite nice accomodation apparently the only one available since everything in town was taken for the African Congress or something like that which was taking place just in those days. I was immediately told off by the owner for being so disorganized since I did not plan ahead and did not have a car. This was a place for very adventurous people with jeeps and tents and kaki suits and what was I thinking? So I decided that in the end I could rent a car and drive around to go and meet my three Italian biker friends on a tour in the same area, even because I was literally stuck in Windhoek where there is nothing to see and nothing to do. Before taking off I had a very good plate of pasta in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/SARDINIA-RESTAURANT/34200287510">Sardinia</a>the only Italian restaurant of the city even because the night before I had been to<a href="http:///www.joesbeerhouse.com/">Joe's beer house</a> and my stomach didn't feel very well. So I took my Toyota Corolla and left to go and meet my friends nearby Etosha Park. On the way I stopped at Otjiwarongo at the <a href="http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=home">Cheetah conservation fund</a>, conservation centre for these magnificent animals where you learn everything there is to learn about them .
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>At the Cheetah Conservation Fund</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Smiling on the way there</b><b></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcUBHfcgo5Zz0SjLgWNvgBaDIEUKMTmcUJuUEVXIctuoSZHyTIUYMDmSSyyMsVpgZf-yIPW33KEVSBY05FGHJqcuLS4RHoWN9EoWWE5m2zJ4iFHEaefsBKxFVAwvKXvclC7hRY3bAlVw/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcUBHfcgo5Zz0SjLgWNvgBaDIEUKMTmcUJuUEVXIctuoSZHyTIUYMDmSSyyMsVpgZf-yIPW33KEVSBY05FGHJqcuLS4RHoWN9EoWWE5m2zJ4iFHEaefsBKxFVAwvKXvclC7hRY3bAlVw/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+942.jpg" /></a></div>
I stayed nearby the conservation center for one night and then went to meet my friends. We were very happy to meet and we didn't know what was coming next.. We went to <a href="http://www.etoshanationalpark.co.za">Etosha</a>,which is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen where animals are so used to people they come really close, one of the resaons why my friends (all men by the way) basically decided that I shouldn't drive anymore although they were in my car. (actually I think it's a way of sciovinism ). The most amazing thing is the desert pan in the middle of the park where you can drive to and walk around, where there is no plants,no animals, nothing:just you and the desert.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Etosha park</b>
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I started having this very annoying cough (told you) and to not feel well and learnt the same night that the next day my friends were going to Opuwo,400 km away 250 of which on a gravel road... The next morning I woke up and I was feeling even worse but nevertheless I followed my friends with my car. On the way we stopped in a village I had a quick check up at a doctor's and found out that I had fever and a bad bronchitis. My strenght was diminishing drastically but I was in the middle of nowhere so I decided to drive and follow my friends to the final destination. The doctor gave me antibiotics and a cough syrup containing codeine,which of course I had to take at night only. When we got to the gravel road I was the colour of a ripe tomato and sweating profusely although shivering, notwithstanding the 30 ° temperature outside . One of my friends told me to go ahead since I was so sick and since I could not go over 50 km per hour assuring me that they would be right behind me since they could go faster with the bikes and they would catch up easily. Well, guess how it ended : I lost them or better they lost me and I had to drive for God knows how many hours by myself on a gravel road where I saw for the whole time only three human beings.One of those situations you wish you never find yourself into especially when you're sick and with no mobile phone connection ... (there isn't any in Namibia out of the main towns).
I don't know how I did it but somehow I managed to arrive at the hotel and collapse on a bed and take my medicines. In the mentime my friends, who had also lost each other on the way (and ended up arguing out of my door) arrived and assisted me while I was in a semi comatose state. The next day the fever was gone but I wasn't feeling very well. Nevertheless I went to see the Himba tribe, which is the main attraction of the area. When you get to Opuwo they walk around the streets dressed in animal skins and with their bodies and their hair covered with butter and red ochra as a protection from the sun. Nevertheless they live in villages with hay shacks living a very basic life, so if's funny when you meet them at the village store for example with a mobile in their hands...
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Himba village</b>
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After that, things continued to go wrong: we went to visit another area but my friends got lost on a gravel road and I called the police since they were five hours late at night, when it gets pitch black and there are wild animals running around including elephants. All this resulted in an argument with one of my friends(swearwords and door slamming etc) and the next day we left to go to Swakopmund always on separate roads (tarred for me and gravel for them ). I had not been feeling well during the night but I didn't think this would result in fainting in the middle of nowhere and not being able to stand up.While I was driving I had to stop in a village and entered into a little restaurant. I didn't even manage to say hello that I had to run to the toilet since I was about to throw up for what resulted to be many many times. In one of the breaks from this pleasant activity I realized I didn't have the strenghth to stand up so I collapsed and the woman who owned the place basically had to catch me from falling and took me on her shoulders (literally) to a B&B close to there so I could lie down. And did I! Sixteen hours on the bed not been able to move nor speak with a lot of medicines a pharmacist came to give me while I was in this semi comatose state. In the first hour I called my friends to ask them to come and get me.. only to learn that they had a far more serious problem: one of them had had a bad accident on the bike and had broken seven ribs!! Can you believe it? I couldn't at the time but I was also in such a state I didn't even know where I was.
I slept for 12 hours and then still weak but a little better I drove 250 km to get to Swakopmund to see my friends , especially the one in hospital. Now I didn't see anything of this place really : apparently there are a lot of things to do but I didn't do any. The only thing I did which was worth doing was to drive to Walvis Bay which is just a few kilometres away and it's on the ocean. The peculiarity of the road is that you have the ocean on one side and the desert on the other. It's very beautiful but also a little eerie since the ocean is very rough and the wind blows very violently and to be honest I really wasn't in the mood.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My friends at the hospital</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Me and my Toyota Corolla</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Desert on the way to Swakopmund</b>
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While my friends drove back (by car)to South africa I decided that I had to give a meaning to my trip, therefore I went to visit three places I strongly reccomend if you are in the country. Not too far from Windhoek even. The first one:<a href="http://www.amani-lodge-namibia.com/amani_eng.html">Amani lodge</a>: one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my whole life. Situated on a hill (not too short though since it's 2150 m )it looks like paradise when you enter the property. I originally went for a sunset big cat experience drive but since the place was so amazing I ended up staying for the night in one of the bungalows and having a lovely dinner in the lodge restaurant. I thought I really deserved some pampering after what happened. Imagine this : I arrived looking like a crazy witch with a bird's nest on my head and the first person I saw was the angel -like looking guy you see in the website who just smiled and said "You have arrived here now, you can finally relax and relieve all of your stress". I must have looked awful.
Anyway, the drive was really amazing : we went to see the cheetahs, the two lions and the leopard and then we had champagne at sunset on the terrace. After dinner when I went to my bungalow I sat on my veranda overlooking all the valley and I listened the lions roaring in the distance which resulted to be a weird but very effective lullaby.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Lion at Amani lodge</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdQTZyHu58GV3a01-fKh709LlkQ-gHZmATd4y2m60_BWt_esw4rceuvSz_YqSU3XpDOISesJbVjUx4retofJFBuJ2m6_Jesi17QXaJGj41Hd6kbW3WuRfbVB3xxnxGYWp7BelR4yyIEE/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdQTZyHu58GV3a01-fKh709LlkQ-gHZmATd4y2m60_BWt_esw4rceuvSz_YqSU3XpDOISesJbVjUx4retofJFBuJ2m6_Jesi17QXaJGj41Hd6kbW3WuRfbVB3xxnxGYWp7BelR4yyIEE/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1185.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Louise the pet warthog of Amani lodge</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0DPtphKQWkUW9gCWigRGoSgXvIVk7PAhpxIPigMoV6c3bMIGRxnwajT-uMaFT0bcP0lWlOYGH3ZDEg6m7_DZltPzTotPfAPOe0y61xRj1b5dVIX_NhBSJJYA1s0OyBBsPhx0-HtFlgM/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0DPtphKQWkUW9gCWigRGoSgXvIVk7PAhpxIPigMoV6c3bMIGRxnwajT-uMaFT0bcP0lWlOYGH3ZDEg6m7_DZltPzTotPfAPOe0y61xRj1b5dVIX_NhBSJJYA1s0OyBBsPhx0-HtFlgM/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1197.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ongwe six months pet cheetah at Amani lodge</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzQXb5YDpXat_P6ziFlKYLYerPoQvql5Z-VB2kFyjSY98dvoswEBeDka4KPSdW-vvoqVwXyBuqj5_0AEmc-_IqIpzySKZMaqtxU_15FDoBZrsQO4kKohSKKYlEiEubC_iQTnh4eRewY8/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzQXb5YDpXat_P6ziFlKYLYerPoQvql5Z-VB2kFyjSY98dvoswEBeDka4KPSdW-vvoqVwXyBuqj5_0AEmc-_IqIpzySKZMaqtxU_15FDoBZrsQO4kKohSKKYlEiEubC_iQTnh4eRewY8/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1203.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>View from my bungalow</b>
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Second place: <a href="//www.duesternbrook.net/">Dusternbrook Guest farm</a>: spectacular drive off the highway into the nature and wildlife surrounding the place.Best time to go is always sunset because the earth becomes reddish and the bush takes on some many different vibrant tones of yellow and orange, that when you see that with baboons and bucks running around it can really move you to tears. The place itself is very nice and the cheetahs are amazing.They would stand on their back paws and cling onto the jeep to ask for food. They make this sound which is like a miaow and when they feel good they purr.... Lovely and amazing animals. I also played with a three legged one which was just like a big cat.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Dusternbrook cheetahs and leopards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3JPmIZKliiMZvkzfGOh6poL3wRRBPJ3hbVyXECINOgzkohOMP3c1fb1p7c9XgvCpgMXgjxDu9oDOhELe63rNCE_l9MuIffDFKQa-KFIRiRJoLGWDLnMY75dQUVWT65xSvFOOAGc_ppU/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3JPmIZKliiMZvkzfGOh6poL3wRRBPJ3hbVyXECINOgzkohOMP3c1fb1p7c9XgvCpgMXgjxDu9oDOhELe63rNCE_l9MuIffDFKQa-KFIRiRJoLGWDLnMY75dQUVWT65xSvFOOAGc_ppU/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1243.jpg" /></a></div>
</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1ONftQj6GXq0Q3QOAl2RwsXGGGaptCArFQm7FWzM41tTTgoj7F_R4xV9mBASSM6GqKLQ2GrYjero9djjVnvXdc-FqZ0rf4ADp-Qyl9pyt9Bjwl1YTXkog5tydb-xPuMCJ8khSBvRLOU/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1ONftQj6GXq0Q3QOAl2RwsXGGGaptCArFQm7FWzM41tTTgoj7F_R4xV9mBASSM6GqKLQ2GrYjero9djjVnvXdc-FqZ0rf4ADp-Qyl9pyt9Bjwl1YTXkog5tydb-xPuMCJ8khSBvRLOU/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1228.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My three legged friend</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNavvpX5fTjXer15m57J9J4zmiKA4V6xPnqhZ2-vdKM8SC-htpR1YyCd8u-NBSo15Cix-5-TNqCxMTF1QqgqrUhuJIXeiw49DtecMqhvz-tvmg25vLRZYl-HNGncWCk2F3C_h2MeAZWXA/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNavvpX5fTjXer15m57J9J4zmiKA4V6xPnqhZ2-vdKM8SC-htpR1YyCd8u-NBSo15Cix-5-TNqCxMTF1QqgqrUhuJIXeiw49DtecMqhvz-tvmg25vLRZYl-HNGncWCk2F3C_h2MeAZWXA/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1246.jpg" /></a></div>
Third one: <a href="http:///www.naankuse.com/">N/a'an ku se</a>, a wildlife sanctuary and research center run by beautiful conservationist Marlice Van Vuuren where there is also a lodge but I didn't stay the night. The style is very modern and minimalistic however it is amazing to be there surrounded by nature and I guess one night there could be quite an experience. I learnt about all their projects and went to visit the animals. It's really quite impressive. I left with these images in my heart and realized that notwithstanding what happened, maybe those three days were the reason why I took that trip in the first place almost to say : it's not that bad, as you can see: things happen sometimes and sometimes we also take too many risks: probably you should come again just not alone driving around such a rough country when sick .Just take it a little easier and get a bit more organized and then you'll see that this country has so many things to offer. Will I take it on that? I probably will. I'll just act smarter next time. A lot smarter...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>N/a'an ku se dining room</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfa9aiKrWjfTYGHP3CMBwZPRq79rscpIzFZ5QzZqqNKdqede2_Cpp3sQdjujFRG1phMjOqUSSkDtLUc_4nj_maA55O6q-2B9sV8I-fSo5dAX8tPghR8vrbgRh4FC6WkK-sTbevJfZdGg/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfa9aiKrWjfTYGHP3CMBwZPRq79rscpIzFZ5QzZqqNKdqede2_Cpp3sQdjujFRG1phMjOqUSSkDtLUc_4nj_maA55O6q-2B9sV8I-fSo5dAX8tPghR8vrbgRh4FC6WkK-sTbevJfZdGg/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1254.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Caracal at N/a'an ku se</b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Lioness at N/a'an ku se</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlldbwOFX3LUF9xOkdmHmtU-TCQvwK258X74pzoxqimYHFk6UjfQ7LM3sfn3bJkFOlfw8eLP_waNABMUn3CCT6Azg3F8vTYBFwmX1o5Gt8c6dNuHfLX9TmKr-UOKGaj5DClbRV157Y_I/s1600/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlldbwOFX3LUF9xOkdmHmtU-TCQvwK258X74pzoxqimYHFk6UjfQ7LM3sfn3bJkFOlfw8eLP_waNABMUn3CCT6Azg3F8vTYBFwmX1o5Gt8c6dNuHfLX9TmKr-UOKGaj5DClbRV157Y_I/s320/botswana+-namibia-sudafrica-libano+and+cats+1279.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246747731881015444.post-86261729240105527112012-03-05T16:28:00.000+01:002012-03-05T16:28:03.603+01:00Midday in Paris<iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QE61Bz7IHKg?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>
I was in Paris just last week for business for literally 48 hours and I thought about this video when I passed by the Stravinski fountain in Boubourg. Of course many videos have been shot in Paris but I used to love this song as a teenager so I decided to use this instead of others. I was very lucky with the weather since it was sunny and quite warm and we all know how wonderful this city can be when there is also sun and mild temperature. I stayed in a small and cosy hotel close to <b>Charles de Gaulle Etoile </b>called <a href="http://www.acacias-paris-hotel.com/">Hotel Des Acacias</a> in Rue des Acacias, in a great and conveniently central location. The price is not particularly cheap but hey what is in Paris? After eating a sandwich nearby I went to my first meeting in the Opera area. Every time I go to Paris and take the metro I always note how many people make a habit of not getting tickets for it and jump over the the entrance even in front of the controllers. Now the ticket entrances are even more complicated (especially with a piece of luggage ) but nevertheless Parisians seem to get more and more athletic and skip their duty to pay. I was very tired and with a very annoying heartburn which was driving me crazy. However, I managed to wonder around a bit and even go for dinner at one of the places suggested on Trip advisor which luckily was in the area <a href="http:///www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d1871995-Reviews-Chez_Gabrielle-Paris_Ile_de_France.html">Chez Gabrielle</a>. In the Trip Advisor reviews you'll also find mine which is not totally enthusiastic, but having said that I have to admit French cuisine is not one of my favourite. Too much creme fraiche and sauces for my taste. The place is really nice and very warm and cozy atmosphere like dining at somebody's house. I didn't think too much of the food but then again, besides not being a fan of French food I am also a non -meat eater so in France I have a very difficult life.
However,I absolutely love la <b>soup d'oignons</b> and everytime I go to France I always order it.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Arc de Triomphe 2 minutes away from my hotel</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Stravinski fountain, Boubourg</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Soup d'oignons gratineè</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRN7m1uBpaKEvX48Fx5iljUIT-4eECyDvvYWVdwcI22Xyiaz86WDApM32MXdfkEruW2GX8cDDMQVnl-EuKCNouOv_N31IRtSpoIparKuOLGQjVvAW9icCmMwmW_-CKBg_oH9m5px9GNFQ/s1600/soupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="295" width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRN7m1uBpaKEvX48Fx5iljUIT-4eECyDvvYWVdwcI22Xyiaz86WDApM32MXdfkEruW2GX8cDDMQVnl-EuKCNouOv_N31IRtSpoIparKuOLGQjVvAW9icCmMwmW_-CKBg_oH9m5px9GNFQ/s320/soupe.jpg" /></a></div>
When I had it I was in a brasserie on <b>Boulevard de Montparnasse</b> sitting outside in the sun and enjoying the marvels of the city. Another place I would suggest for dinner is a very funny restaurant called <a href="http:///www.crabemarteau.fr/">Le Crabe Marteau</a> a place where you can eat giant crabs from Bretagne and break them with a wooden hammer. That was a little too hard core for me so I decided to go for oysters and fish. Well the place is nice: I had a newpaper as a tablecloth and a bucket where to throw shells. The waiter was extremely helpful and charming (plus handsome which is always a good thing) and the price reasonable. I would definitely go back there . During the day when I went to my work meetings I found out that one of them was at <b>Boubourg</b> just behind the <b>Centre Pompidou</b>, one of my favourite places in the city . Last time I was in Paris before this one I went to see a wonderful exhibition of Louise Borgeouis but unfortunately this time I couldn't see anything because all the museums are closed on a Tuesday.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My table at Le Crabe Marteau</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Centre Pompidou</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXzSw4JLudzghfU3LJAArnyjMdVnYdZaR0ClUrfQxVoXhTQOcg3yNm9_zq1GpkihzrmCQm2jrsyznX8l8Y-wSmB678l7VVBCCICD7GGAwcvYZl0NA0BTYtDdzg3yEFVlzhkN9zTd4wKU/s1600/centre+pompidou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXzSw4JLudzghfU3LJAArnyjMdVnYdZaR0ClUrfQxVoXhTQOcg3yNm9_zq1GpkihzrmCQm2jrsyznX8l8Y-wSmB678l7VVBCCICD7GGAwcvYZl0NA0BTYtDdzg3yEFVlzhkN9zTd4wKU/s320/centre+pompidou.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Old Paris metro signs</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa34ONVdo0CvW_tmfE8zVULgjnyxLkKN8d50U08w5OqU3fl76qZfYbphevZ0_HHBt0G07OVplFFn68GXrld75wc44aCvYKd9fPnxTBOHRboEt3k0nYs7bXeXg30aq9r89ga3LOGQPkfU/s1600/paris+metro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa34ONVdo0CvW_tmfE8zVULgjnyxLkKN8d50U08w5OqU3fl76qZfYbphevZ0_HHBt0G07OVplFFn68GXrld75wc44aCvYKd9fPnxTBOHRboEt3k0nYs7bXeXg30aq9r89ga3LOGQPkfU/s320/paris+metro.jpg" /></a></div>
I then went to <b>Opera</b> area <b>rue des Capucines</b> for my other meeting and I decided in the end that I would walk from there to my hotel. So I took a wonderful stroll through la <b>Madeleine</b>, <b>Place de la Concorde</b> and all the <b>Champs Elyseè</b>. Very long walk but wonderful. While I was walking through the little park which lead to the Champs Elyseè I was already feeling like a Parisian and strangely enough.. in love . Maybe with somebody back home, or somebody there or even somebody in another country who knows, but in love like I have never been before, because this is what Paris does to you believe it or not. And even if I have very bad memories of this city lovewise, since I broke up with a boyfriend of mine right there almost fifteen years ago and I also broke up with my ex boyfriend (one of the one million times it happened, as who reads my blog already knows) a few days before going to Paris, which made my staying really painful and melencholic, this time it was being in deep love with life and love itself. This is also why I chose Howard Jones' song: I don't think it could have been shot in another place when trying to give a definition of love. And when I was having my pain au chocolat with my cafè au lait sitting on a stool at a lovely boulangerie before taking the train to go on in my journey I repeatedly thought: God bless Paris!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Paris Opera</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6Ik59Qgu9mI9sLXJcjTrJfmhyphenhyphengv-kXoiESmZlFovPmxnYRoJka-2aqKmusW9s81DS-5ldjqjQoT8JjOU7vdGLlgjaqp07kr9UBmht_A9vhcR9j27-BAXcf4a8QgO2PsTcYj0eRFnH18/s1600/opera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6Ik59Qgu9mI9sLXJcjTrJfmhyphenhyphengv-kXoiESmZlFovPmxnYRoJka-2aqKmusW9s81DS-5ldjqjQoT8JjOU7vdGLlgjaqp07kr9UBmht_A9vhcR9j27-BAXcf4a8QgO2PsTcYj0eRFnH18/s320/opera.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>La Madeleine</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwkSkG1Ph2PgRnuKGkLYqRph6rwQ5zsZO-wMmKK0goDDfbGVv20_pB2wqyV92R3mlbHJF_rBQJrc3lf74AYZBrG_R06U06tf172RYzmFQ4Hh272_vRaEY5GGJvWokLZMnM63pn740QM0/s1600/madeleine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwkSkG1Ph2PgRnuKGkLYqRph6rwQ5zsZO-wMmKK0goDDfbGVv20_pB2wqyV92R3mlbHJF_rBQJrc3lf74AYZBrG_R06U06tf172RYzmFQ4Hh272_vRaEY5GGJvWokLZMnM63pn740QM0/s320/madeleine.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Place de la Concorde</b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG9TUjxfj1zHAir0BO6tR_uQ4gxu0KYkAcKKQFZjR4U7KvP0sjNwfBArKkCLT3Sji_b-HapK1YL5aO77YT5viaJfeq-LlAOh9hVAErcg6xLz3FY3qQYuHDcevyxhTw29oogbvWmQKQtE/s1600/palace+de+la+concorde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG9TUjxfj1zHAir0BO6tR_uQ4gxu0KYkAcKKQFZjR4U7KvP0sjNwfBArKkCLT3Sji_b-HapK1YL5aO77YT5viaJfeq-LlAOh9hVAErcg6xLz3FY3qQYuHDcevyxhTw29oogbvWmQKQtE/s320/palace+de+la+concorde.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11586830980686103922noreply@blogger.com0