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?