Anges e Demoni -- kinda close to going to Italy!

So, I went to see Angels and Demons tonight.  First off, it is important to note that I went by myself.  Now, evidently I have gone to Europe by myself -- twice -- but for whatever reason, I feel weird about going to a movie by myself.  Well, another fear crossed off the list!  I'm getting good at this!

The movie starts and I am immediately transported back to Rome.  Every location I have seen.  Still, it looked bigger, more majestic, more historic than I even remembered.  I felt my heart jump into the screen -- rather the city -- that lies so many miles away.  It is amazing how much one can love a city and a country that they have just encountered.  Same thing with the language.  I was proud of myself for knowing the few words of Italian that were mingled with the English and when compared, just are so much more melodic and beautiful.  

I think it is safe to say that I am in love with Italy.  Bet you didn't see that one coming!  I just felt like I had to be back there...despite my two trips in the last six months!  It must be a sign.

A wonderful last day in Italia

Despite the grey, I had a fabulous last day in Florence. The threat of rain discouraged me from making the trek to Lucca, but I had a lovely last day here. We headed out and had a fantastic, traditional Italian meal -- lasagne for the primi piatti, chicken parmiggiana for the secondi and torte di panni for dolce. Fantastico! Afterwards we headed again to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the views of Firenze for the last time. It was so perfect. We watched a wedding taking place at a restaurant across from the piazza and the bride looked so beautiful. How lucky the couple are to have such an amazing venue to start their marriage together.

I am coming home tomorrow. I am very sad about this and am already thinking of my next visit. There are so many decisions to make...

A visit to Cortona...

Does the name sound familiar? Cortona, the Tuscan town made famous by Frances Mayes' book, Under the Tuscan Sun, is about an hour and a half away from Florence and is off the beaten path of most travellers. I arrived in Camucia by train and had to catch a bus up the hill to Cortona. I immediately noticed the difference from Siena and San Gimignano in the fact that there were much fewer tourists and also that there is much less there. Only a few shops and restaurants. I started climbing up the steep hill streets towards the Cathedral, stopped in another church but my hunger pains got the best of me and I went back down to the square for some lunch. La lasagne con formaggio e una bicchiere di vino bianco per favore. Afterwards, I was too tired to head back up that hill and decided instead to just wander the streets and enjoy the incredible views. There were a lot of cats lounging in the afternoon sun, although none that were impressed enough with my "venire gatto piccolo" (come here small cat) to indulge me. It was a nice day -- not overly impressive -- but I can say I have been there.

Today, perhaps off to Lucca, although the rain might keep me away...we'll see.

Grey in Firenze...it matches my mood...

Vacations can be misleading: the excitement, the anticipation, the build up. It is a natural high until it all crashes down on you when it is time for it all to end. There is no avoiding it. I knew I would be sad and here I am, sitting on the couch, writing in my blog, looking at the rain and trying to will tomorrow not to come. It is very fitting that it is so grey and dull. Wish it didn't have to be this way...

Parlo italiano...véritamente!!

I am feeling really good about my knowledge of the Italian language. Of course I am still a beginner, but I can navigate my way through a conversation with ease and, surprisingly enough, they can understand me too. I know I take a few people by surprise when they speak to me in English and I respond in Italian...I like the looks on their faces, their smiles and their nods. There is an unspoken understanding that I respect their culture and the importance of maintaining the Italian language from English influence. It is also a language that if you only know a few words and speak it with authority while waving your hands around wildly, you will get by just fine.

La lingue d'amore...it is true. Somehow everything sounds sexier and more romantic when it is spoken in Italian.

I am very proud that I am learning another language and also that I have my French. It has taken twelve years since graduation to really comprehend the value of my French Immersion education, but I am so thankful to have had this opportunity. Thanks mom! On several occassions I have had the opportunity to use my French on this trip and everyone says how strong it is. One such occassion was on the train to Venice. There was a delightful French couple who were celebrating the sixth anniversary of their marriage in Padua (of their second marriages). They thought that I hailed from Quebec and were astounded that my French was "perfect -- even my grammar". It is amazing how quickly it comes back and how confident I feel speaking after this positive reinforcement. I feel that I have more to offer professionally, whether in Canada or abroad and it is sad that North Americans, Brits, Aussies and Kiwis are among the only people in the world who do not learn a second language en masse.

Who knows...maybe my Italian will come in handy one day...

Feeling sad...

So, I was feeling sad about leaving here even before my flight left YVR. I know I should live in the moment, but for those who know me, know that I am a planner and that I plan everything -- even the sadness I know I will have when I will be leaving Italy. Now that it is coming close I have a sick feeling deep inside that I am leaving my home. I have been trying not to think about it because it is just so draining, but it is fast approaching. It is funny how when I am here my other life seems so far away.

Venice...yes it is as magical as it looks...

As many are aware, I was so disappointed in December when Venice was flooded and I didn't get the chance to see the place that I had dreamt about for so many years. I left on the train early Monday morning and was in Venice -- Venezia -- before noon. Heather met me at the train station and we proceeded to begin our search for our accommodations. Now, someone should have told us that every street name in Venice appears seven times -- one in each of the various districts -- so, when we were so delighted that we have found it in the winding, twisting "calle", it was a big let-down that indeed we were in the wrong place. About 45 minutes later we found our accommodatio -- modest but just fine!

What is interesting about Venice is the fact that despite all of the movies and pictures that show this unbelievable place, oddly enough, when you are there it even seems somewhat natural. Somehow no cars but boats floating down these water streets (also called canals, I know) just seems like how life is meant to be. What is interesting, however, is that city life goes on without cars and streets. Think about that for a second: ambulances, police vehicles, UPS delivery, garbage disposal, all done by boat.

We decided to avoid the churches and the typical tourist traps and just walked and walked the calle, discovering the city. That evening we headed out at dusk, purchased a glass of wine at a corner shop, and proceeded to wander. When we eventually found our restaurant of choice, we enjoyed a wonderful Venetian meal next to a canal. I ordered our meals (completely in Italian), and it was just wonderful. Afterwards we wanded back to Piazza San Marco around midnight and were treated to three classical performances throughout the square. It was so magical and the end to the perfect day.

The next morning was spent browsing the shops and by four that afternoon I was back on the train. Is it odd that when I arrived in Firenze and made the familiar trip from the train station I actually felt that I was coming home?

Just to clarify...

My post about Siena and San Gimignano...I fell in love with Tuscany...

No...I am not American...

What is interesting about hanging out with Italians in Italy is seeing, first handedly, their general feelings and attitudes towardes le turiste, the tourists. During the day it is quite obvious -- American tourists walking around in their college sweatshirts, acting loud and certainly not fitting in. Despite doing all I can do to not look like this, of course people assume I am American. They are quite happy to find out, however, that I am Canadian, which is typically proceeded by nods and thumbs up. It also helps to try to speak the language and at the very least, io capisco molto bene, as I can understand what they are saying, even if my responses back are broken. I had one shop owner tell me that I understood perfectly and if given 2 months, I would be speaking fluently (well, that made my day -- I have bragged about this story a few times since).

Last night we went out to a night club. This is where the tourists and local co-mingle. Actually, I wouldn't go as far as to say co-mingle. The Italians, in their tight pants and dark, brooding attitudes and the tourists (read: Americans) in their vacay-wear and drunk, spectacle-making ways. They don't realize that the Italians are making fun of them. While the locals love the American music and know all the words to the songs (even if they don't know what they mean), they actually do not like the culture and the people. It was interesting to observe the North American culture (which I wholeheartedly admit to have taken part in on many occasion), but through the eyes of an Italian. It is actually a little embarassing for me. There is so much ignorance and so much lack of realization that they are not presenting themselves in a good light.

As I walked through the market today and merchants called out to me in English, I realized that despite my best efforts, I am seen one of the mocked North Americans in which I speak. More specifically, I am seen as one of the Americans who are the butt of many a joke. As I was once the Canadian in the Deep South U-S-A, I am now the North American in the I-T-A. Not sure how I feel about this overall. Still figuring this out. Stay tuned!

OPA! (Yes, that is Greek...not Italian)

Salih, Heather and I went out to dinner last night. I don't know why, but somehow we wound up at a Greek restaurant. We sat down, we ordered a bunch of appetizers...or antipasto...or...whatever in Greek. Well, an hour later the waitress came over and asked us if we had ordered more food since our plates were clean...no...they were clean because we had not had eaten. Then the manager came over..."ancora niente?" (still nothing?), si, ancora niente. They sent over a half litre of vino and surprise, surprise, the food was out in 3 minutes. I will give them one thing -- the food was amazing. Feta rolled in eggplant, filo filled with prosciutto...somehow our distance in Canada from Greece is blatantly obvious! We then decide to order dessert -- we let her order for us and she brought three, "but you pay for two". Well, another 45 minutes pass. We ask for the bill...another 20 minutes pass. We get up and walk into the separate part of the restaurant where all of the staff are dancing, drinking and not working. We see the waitress in the kitchen and wave her over...niente...we try again and again...niente...finally, she closes the curtain to the kitchen. We just want to pay!!! We think about just leaving money on the table, but it is next to the patio door. We try to ask another worker, but they brush us off to continue dancing. What to do? Yes, you guessed it...I did my first dine and walk (not dine and dash). We did not dash, we walked out the front door and even tried to pay a few other workers.

Anyways...since I am in Italy, a catholic state and the home of the VATICAN, I felt I needed to confess. So here it is...

Siena e San Gimignano....bellissima

So, the last two days have involved falling in love with Tuscany. I get it. Seriously, I get it -- the hype, the love, the mystery, the beauty, the calm, the freedom. It is amazing. Yesterday was a trip to Siena. I had been there in December when the hilltop town was being doused with rain and the steep streets became waterfalls drenching my shoes. The views had been a convergence of storm clouds and rain. I had a respect for the city and knew that it would be lovely in il sole, the sunshine. I am so delighted I went back!

After a train ride South for a couple of hours, we entered the old city walls to a majestic Tuscan fantasy come to life. The Piazza del Campo was brimming with people and our pomodoro (tomato) pizza was piled high with fresh vedura from the countryside. We ate and watched the tourists and locals comingle in international diplomacy. The hunt for the view of the valley below began. Up and down, up and down the steep streets and stair-filled alleyways in the search for the holy grail -- at least the holy grail in tourist talk. We finally found it and it was well worth the sore calfs and blisters. All in all, it was a charming day...

Today we embarked on our journey to San Gimignano. This quaint medieval city is accessible by bus and we enjoyed the windy road to the hilltop town. This city was incredible. Dating back to the 13th century, this is the epitome of Tuscany. The views put Siena to shame. It was absolutely breathtaking. The towers once protected the townspeople from invasion; the slits provide the archers the ability to defend the city. If you close your eyes you can imagine the peasants scurrying around the city... I fell in love...

Sex shops, pot caffes and french fries...oh my...

So, one of the things I was most excited for in my second European adventure is my "freebie" city of Amsterdam on my layover to Italy. Now I say it is a freebie as I get a free city -- seven euro for the train and 3 euro for the french fries were my only expenses. I must admit, however, if you are not there for sex and if you are not there for pot and if you are not a 20 year old guy, you need not apply.

It was a pretty chilly day. No rain for the most part but a cold spring wind as I embarked on one of my customary walking tours (thanks to the help of Frommers online) which takes you through the dam and old part of the city, through the Red Light District and winding up at the train station. The royal palaces and main church left a lot to be desired and while the french fries gave me that fattening, fried carbohydrate high, I didn't partake in the other kind of high that the city is so famous (or infamous) for.

The Red Light district was an experience. Women of all shapes, races and sizes strutting their stuff in the shop windows -- a sight that is at the same time intriguing and disturbing. It didn't matter what gender you are --they were happy to accommodate any taste! Several men stood in the doorway calling out to get people to come in. Even I (in my sweatshirt and yoga pants) fell victim to their cries. When I said I wasn't interested, they ensured me that they had naked boys there as well -- WELL, in that case -- ummm, no. The twenty year old boys (who outnumbered everyone esle 7 to 1), certainly enjoyed it - although their nervous giggling and obvious over exaggerating of the situation made it quite evident that they were not mature enough to handle the situation. Most likely it was also the result of hanging out in a "no alcohol" cafe all morning. It does something to the brain.

Despite having 6 hours in the city, I opted for 3 and felt I had seen all I needed to see. I was tired from no sleep on the plane and wanted to avoid the rains that were coming in. I came back to the airport and cat napped in the waiting area. The flight into Florence was fine -- bumpy, but fine. I found myself in a very small airport and just opted for a cab to take me -- much easier than figuring out my way on no sleep and no light. Once again, I made it safely to my destination -- Firenze!