The friendliness of the short distance runner

This morning I made the most of the cooler weather to go for a longer run than usual. I am delighted to say that the iPod battery also lasted the distance, it would be grim without the music - all credit to those that can run purely listening to the sounds of nature, but really, I get distracted by how tired my legs are if I try to run uphill without tunes in my ears.
Anyone who has been reading for a while will know that I love to run in the mornings. And here in Florence there is another reason why - it is so friendly! My running route takes me past a big campsite and uphill to the domain of the million(s) euro houses and then onto the hospital and the olive fields. Its lovely and, as a consequence, there are quite a few of us doing the same route more or less in the mornings. So its "Ciao", "Buongiorno" and "Salve" all round - to the other runners, the dog walkers, the amahs, the nurses and ambulance drivers, and the gardeners and builders, all of whom make up the crowd before 7am.
Excitingly today I may also have seen a real live property owner. The enormous mansion opposite the campsite is in desperate need of some TLC, but today, for the first time, the gates were open, there were 2 guards outside, and a middle aged lady came out looking very much like she owned the place.
Unfortunately at this point I was on my way back to the residence, so my attempted cheery smile of greeting may have appeared more like a grimace of pain!

Characters of Firenze, Part 2

I wrote before about the bag sellers, and today's featured characters of the town are also not Italian.
Every day on the way to and from work we are plagued by the windscreen washers.
These guys and gals from Eastern Europe prowl the side roads, and the main intersections, between the city and Sesto, where the company is based. Some of them know us now - 3 blonde gals in the Panda are not hard to miss - but still try every day to scrub the screen clean.
Occasionally they are quite sweet, and we get hassled less now that the car is clean. But sometimes they are agressive and very intrusive - with their filthy squeedgies and their bottles of vile-looking green solution.
One guy did actually clean the window one day, and actually made a good job of it - although not as good as Janet at the petrol station with a clean squeedgie when we were filling up with gas. (We tried to give her 50 cents, but she laughed and turned us down!!)
The worst though are the 2 girls by the station - the sponge-bearing terrorists who turn positively nasty if you say no to their proffered services - and even nastier if you fail to stop them before they start wiping and then refuse to pay them afterwards on the grounds you said no to begin with.....
Whilst the bag sellers are an added interest somehow to the city, and garner my sympathy in some ways, the car cleaners are a nuisance that Florence would be well rid of. Especially when it is close to 40 degrees, and with no aircon in the car, I have to sit with the windows up at traffic lights to avoid the outstretched hands.
2 real characters in this squad deserve a special mention.
There is one guy by the station who wanted to reach in the window and help himself to the screwdriver on the dashboard (drunk, stoned and filthy, he moved alongside the car before I had chance to shut the window.) I have seen him since, darting in and out of car windows, leaving other alarmed-looking drivers in his wake.
And the other is the old guy in the trenchcoat and hat who has to be frying in the heat, but nonetheless stalks the intersection, paper cup in hand, but seeming to do nothing to try to get cash - its just a stroll amongst the cars in his winter jacket.
Added to the mix tonight was an ambulance. Sirens blaring, I dodged out of his way as he roared through, followed by a number of ambulance chasers. These were not, however, unscrupulous lawyers chasing a buck as in the US movies, but simply aggressive drivers following in the path that the vehicle had cleared in the traffic.
The quiet of the residence was a welcome experience when I parked in the forecourt!

A change in the weather?

Tonight after doing some work, and chatting with friends on MSN, and my sister on Skype, I went out for a stroll. For the first time I can remember in weeks there was a breeze, and it feels a lot cooler. It was cooking hot again today, and we have only had one day of rain 9and then only an hour or so) since arriving in Florence. But with the aircon failing at work today, maybe its better that the temperature cools down a bit.
From Friday we have that ever-so-Italian phenomenon - La Chiusura. This is when the company (like almost all in Italy) will close for 2 weeks for the summer break. I am working on the Monday, but 2 weeks without office-based work will give me some time to finish off some of the bits of my project that I have not had time to do yet. And to get cracking on my thesis, which hopefully will be done by the time my friend Aeidin arrives on the 14th from Ireland.
Who knows, I might even have time to squeeze in some barbequeing and wine on the terrace in Sarnano....

Hitting the pavements again

Today a long walk - again. I got the bus to Cascine - the park in Florence near the river. Its OK, not exactly Hyde Park, but then its been 40 degrees here so I suppose it would be hard to maintain. But what with the rat the size of a small bear, the man relieving himself in the open air, and 400 construction posts, I am not sure I will be rushing back - and certainly not after dark! From Cascine, I walked to Forte Belvedere (uphill) and then to a church nearby - cool refuge from the heat, but a little imposing! Next stop, Piazzale Michaelangelo where Marina, who was with me, and I decided we deserved a cold Corona. Then down the stairs to the Porta and another refreshment in the sunshine before we went to meet Janet in the Mel Bookstore - a browsers paradise near the station with English language books, and music to listen to. Lovely.
This evening we had a dinner party for the first time, the three gals cooking in Marina's room - enough pasta to feed a small army.

Siena Saturday

This morning Janet, Marina and I decided that we should see a bit of tourist Tuscany. So, avoiding the Duomo-bound crowds in Florence, we jumped on the train to Siena. Said to have been founded by the children of Romulus and Remus, there are statues of the wolf and the children all over the city - including the one in the fountain which in this picture shows the wolf getting its teeth flossed by an accomodating pigeon!
Famous for the shell-shaped Piazza, the location of the annual Palio, Siena has a reputation for being beautiful. For us it was very nice, but not really of the same wow factor as Florence, maybe we are spoiled here!
We wandered around a bit and took the obligatory pics of the Duomo and the Piazza del Campo (its amazing how totally blase you can become about the history here after a while - oh look, its another thirteenth century construction....) then tried to grab some lunch, only to find everywhere closed. We ended up with paninis from a great salumeria with a boar's head outside the door, which we tucked into in a graffiti-filled alley sitting on someone's windowsill, next to an Ape truck. Not exactly a tourist's delight, but it was a mean sarnie!
Post-lunch we headed back onto the main drag, and after a lovely coffee and some of Siena's famous Panforte (literally strong bread - like a sweet dense fruit cake made of almonds and candied peel) we went to the Fortezza Medicea to have a stroll and take some pics.
On the way back to the station, we stopped at one of the main sights of the day - the Benetton 50% off sale- for a bit of retail therapy.
It is only about 6 euros to Siena on the city and one of the main selling points that it has for me is the relative lack of people. The Saturday crowds are pretty overwhelming here, and Siena felt sleepy in comparison.
it's a pretty place, but after this, my second visit, I am not sure that I would dash back. It just seems to be missing something to make it change in my eyes from nice to really special.
Although the Palio is on August 16th, and is said to be really awe-inspiring.. so never say never.

Tramonto....

My Friday afternoon constitutional took me out and about near Palazzo Pitti, and then onto the bridge near to Piazza Ognissanti to see the sunset. It was a beautiful evening, and particularly at Piazza della Signoria where Davide had a rare moment of solitude with only his shadow for company. Poor guy, he is naked and vulnerable in millions of photos globally...
The sunset was amazing, but the comment of the day goes to the American lady taking a pic of the lion near the Boboli Gardens. 'Wow" she said 'they made a great lion'... I somehow think she has missed the point of all those years and years of architectural genius and history!
Whilst she gets low marks for cultural awareness, high marks go to the buskers who brought a piano-thingy, a cello and all the rest to make a bob or two. I have to confess to not giving them any dosh - I haven't been paid yet, and life is really tough right now! - but I took a picture all the same. The other busker near to the Duomo has a sign, 'Taking pictures doesn't feed my children'. I can only apologise.... when things get easier, I have an IOU with the impromptu chamber quartet!

And now facebook...

The electronic ways to keep in touch just keep on expanding. The latest edition to my online networking is Facebook - thanks to Chris and Massi who have started a network for MIB XVIIers.
As with MSN, it appears that this is a trend that I have been missing out on - it is amazing to see so many old friends online, and to be able to catch up on people's photos too! I am not sure that I will be able to manage all of these ways to keep in touch, its really not my strong point, and sometimes writing the blog takes a superhuman effort! But as people still read it, I keep going.
The same I think will happen with Facebook - the more contacts you have, the more reluctant you are not to check in and see how people are doing.
We are all also busy communicating through email about our next MBA reunion. the jury is out as to whether it will be Munich for Oktoberfest or Rome for the White Night, or Trieste for the graduation. Or all 3!

Fai Da Te

Fai Da Te is the italian translation of Do It Yourself. Today this referred to the presents I made for Lucia and Federica at work - crowns for them to wear at lunch. The company lets people reserve tables in the 'restaurant' (canteen) and the birthday girls organised a cake and some bubbles for everyone to celebrate with. It was a great pause in the day, and lovely of the ladies to invite us to party with them after such a short time at the company. Buon Compleanno!

Calcio ancora

After a long and intensive weekend, I played football again tonight, this time with the girls from the company. We got off to a slow start, and were playing on a small pitch, but it was great to have a run around and to meet some new colleagues. I managed, through some lucky selection, to get myself on the winning team - the squadra viola (purple). At work this is the colour associated with the anti-psychotic drug - and that felt apt given how exhausted i was before I even got on the field! As always though, it ws great to have a run around, and, if I stay at the company, I will join the team for real. There is a rumour that there will be an international competition in Liverpool later in the year for all playees, so, as the token English gal, I will have to start studying Liverpudlian in addition to Italian - as I think I will be expected to translate!

Fantastic Florentine Weekend

What a superb weekend! A Florentine reunion of MIB XVII saw 12 of us get together for a weekend reminiscent of our Triestine days. I have a lot of fabulous memories from the weekend, but perhaps the best are the moments that each person arrived after a couple of months of not seeing each other. It was wonderful - Wally in Piazza Della Republica, with his backpack, Ciccio and Chris getting off the train in the station, Vlasta in our residence, Ale and Elis arriving at the bar at the top of La Rinascente and Dani and Amalia on the corner of Via Porcellana outside the restaurant. Anyone watching would think it had been a lot longer since we had got together!
We spent Friday night in Oltrarno in Piazza Santa Spirito, having a drink by the fountain at the open bar.
Saturday we headed to Sant'Ambrogio - the pic shows the guys near to the tripe van - an ape turned into a mini gastronomic locale by the owners. (We tried a panino with tripe and a drop of red wine to wash it down with - not as bad as it sounds, really - although I won't be indulging every weekend!)
Next stop, another place from the Slow Food guide, hidden under an arch 2 steps from the Ponte Vecchio, where we wolfed down fantastic panini and for me, proscuitto and melon. The oppressive heat got to us all after a while and after a rest on the steps near the Uffizi it was time for a cold beer to refresh ourselves - one near to Piazza Santa Maria Novella - where Marina, Andrea and I stopped for dinner the night before our interviews in May, and the others on the roof of La Rinascente.
Saturday night, our favourite osteria was closed, so we went to a place next door, a bit too touristy for my tastes, but with a nice atmosphere. Cocktails in Slowly rounded off the night for most, but Wally and I struggled to get back to the residence - ending up with a 2 hour walk back in the early hours of the morning. A nice chat, but I could have done with a few more hours in bed.
The climax of the weekend though, was Sunday, when we headed up into the Chianti hills altogether for lunch. It was an incredible day and with perfect weather and great food, we had a chance to really catch up with each other. If we could only now start earning the money we need before we spend it, things would be even better!
A final stop on the way back to the city for some pics before people had to leave to get back to real life. After we saw Vlasta off at the station, Ale, Elis, Massi, Marina and I had a last drink together in Piazza della Signoria, as Ale regailed us with stories of Florentine history.
Incredible really to see everyone, so thanks to all for making the time and the effort to come. And also big hugs to those who couldn't make it, but wanted to. See you at the next reunion! (We are already planning....)

Finally Fiesole

The residence where we stay is close to the small town of Fiesole, in the hills above Florence. I run up towards there but have never actually seen the place/
Tonight, after a long day, (and a short night, I was working on a presentation til the early hours and up again at 5am for more typing) the last thing I wanted to do was to return straight to the apartment and start working again.
So I kidnapped the girls in the car and rather than going home, we went straight up to Fiesole to have a look.
It was a hazy day, but the views were lovely down onto the city, and even better onto the olive groves around the village. Even better was the welcome respite from the heat - it really has been scorching - still above 35c when we leave work at more or less 6pm.
After a stroll we stopped for an aperitivo at the exorbitant and well below average Blu Bar - avoid it! then realised that the spontaneity in not going home meant that we were all without food, the shops were shut.
So the only thing to do was to go for a pizza at the place near to us - I'Giuggiolo on Viale Righi. We had pizza, nice but could have done with a bit less charcoal effect on the base! But I think we have been missing out by not trying the coccole - like the dough balls in Pizza Express - which are served with proscuitto and stracchino cheese. Almost everyone in the place seemed to be munching through them with gusto!
And now its only one more (half) day in the office til the MBA XVII gang arrive. Wally is coming by car from Bologna, and will be here in time to meet us at the station where we will greet Chris and Ciccio coming off the train at 9pm.
The following morning Vlasta should arrive, and also Dani and his girlfriend, Amalia, and Ale.
I can't wait to see everyone again - it will be quite the weekend! Expect a lively post on Monday!

I'm quiet in Italian

Those that know me, know that I speak a lot. Really. But yesterday the meeting I attended was all in Italian and for me it was a novel experience.
My Italian has come on leaps and bounds since I have been here in Italy, and accents aside (they sometimes make it tough to understand what is being said - as in any language!) I can now more or less understand everything. And if not all the words, then at least the gist of what is under discussion.
But reflecting on yesterday's meeting I notice that I am much much quieter in Italian than in English. Not in terms of volume (although that too I think!) but in terms of what I say.
It really made me think about all of my colleagues at MIB for whom English is not a first language. I have a lot of opinions about things, but once I have understood the conversation, and translated back in my head the bits I don't understand, I find myself sometimes unable to say what I think in Italian.
This will come with time I am sure - after all I have only been learning Italian for a year properly. But for now, a huge hats off to all of those folk on my course, and elsewhere, who every day speak in a language at work that is not their first. It's an amazing achievement. And doing an MBA or a job in a second language is something I think you can only appreciate when you are in the middle of doing it.
I can't wait for the day - hopefully soon - when I can convey things in Italian in the way that I can in English.
But maybe, for my friends at least, the Italian peace and quiet is nice for now!

Testing Trenitalia

Today a trip to Rome for a meeting. We got the train at 0640 (early!) and were due to head back at the end of the meeting at 1852. In fact, the evening traffic was more accommodating than that of the morning, so Luciano and I tried to change our tickets for the (10 minutes delayed) 1830 service.
The lady in the Eurostar lounge started the process, checking the availability and then canceling our original reservations in order to print the new tickets.
Then the problem hit.
The time was now 1831. The train was standing at the platform, with empty seats. And we had a booking on the train.
But, no tickets. As the original departure time of the train had passed, the system thought the train had left and refused to print the tickets needed.
We could, the lady helping us said, board and change our tickets on board. But the fine would be 8 euros per head. Not worth it for a few minutes. But really, what a system! In the end we had to reissue the new tickets, - but thankfully at no additional cost!
On Sunday we have more problems with Trenitalia. They have organized a strike for Sunday evening, exactly the day when many of our classmates were due to be heading away from a weekend in Florence.
This means that, amongst other people, Giulia can't come to Florence. Ironic when you think that her partner works for Trenitalia as a capo treno - like a train guard / ticket inspector - literally the head of the train.
When bemoaning the Trenitalia strke to Giuli last night, she told me that the last time there was a strike, he boyfriend finished work in one place, and, because the strike started, couldn't get home. He had to call in a lift from a friend half of the way, and another from Giuli for the remainder.
I hope a similar strategy will work for the friends that are coming, and might struggle to make it home on Sunday....

Are they jealous?

A few weeks ago I wrote about the news story on tomatoes on the evening news.
This even whilst the water for the pasta was boiling on the stove, I flicked the telly on. Dodging the evening game shows is no easy matter, so when I saw the news onMediaset's Channel 4 discussing a Financial Times article, my finger paused on the remote.
Not a coverage of world conflict, the Japan earthquake or the tensions between Russia and the UK, the article under discussion was about a criticism in the FT Magazine at the weekend, about the portrayal of women in Italy. Skimpily dressed at best, the use of semi-naked dancing girls with no plot motivation is something that I remarked upon a lot when I was first here - as you will see if you scroll back a bit on the blog to the beginning.
Naked Ambition by the paper's Milan correspondent Adrian Michaels, bemoans the lack of progress in women's rights in Italy, and especially the use of sex to sell. In other parts of the world the article points out, people would complain about this stuff, but here in italy its de rigueur. I hear you Adrian! It is unusual by international standards!
I have spoken with friends about it. The girls mainly laugh and shake their heads, the guys look surprised that I would see anything strange in it. My friend Wally, who studied communication science and must therefore know about these things (!) said it is a practice that was exacerbated by Silvio Berlusconi, (Mediaset's owner) who wanted to keep people tuned into the TV. And that specifically it was something that he did to lure people away from the boring national channels. (Wally's words, not mine!)
But the opinion of the anchorman on Channel 4 was that the problem was not in the showing of the barely-dressed ladies. Rather the problem lies with poor Adrian himself. Who is, after all, English.
The photographer who had been summoned via phone to comment agreed.
The English, it appears, are just jealous of the Italian men. The problem is just that the English women are no where near as attractive as their Italian sisters!
Perhaps to underline the point, the story, the last of the news today, was followed by the same bare-breasted lass on the beach as the tomato stiry.
And when I navigated to Mediaset's website, so that I could attach the link here, I see they are promoting the viewing of a video from one of their programmes. The self-proclaimed spicy videos showcases everything from sexy housewives to stripteases...
I can just see the jealousy on the faces of my countrymen now...

A prize for inventiveness

Goes to the owner of this red Smart for the parking. Anywhere else I have always thought there was something vaguely daft about having a Smart, but here in Florence they can sneak into the smallest spots, be it in the traffic or, as in this case, in one of the very few margins available near the Arno for parking. Even if it means that the owner had to park at a right angle to the rest of the cars.

Lakeside revellry

Saturday night, a party by the lake in Bracciano, at Irena and Mo's house. Alex was out from the UK and we were celebrating a milestone birthday (he has a year of celebrations planned - the next one in Peru - way to go!). We spent a few hours in the afternoon turning the beach area near the lake into a Moroccon den, and as the night set in it looked amazing, billowing purple curtains, flaming torches and candles. I somehow managed not to take a single photo, but if I get some from Irena, I'll post them! til then, take my word for it, it was wonderful! Really TomKat missed out by heading up to the castle for their wedding - Irena and Mo can throw a party! We ended up with vin santo and biscotti curled up in rugs on the beach, before retiring to the house for a nightcap.
Sunday was spent lounging happily in various spots near the house before making the move lakeside. After a lovely lunch of leftovers I reluctantly got back in the car and came back. I hope to make it back before too long.
It was lovely to see everyone, and also of course Morty the dog, who has recovered 300% since I was last in Bracciano - great to see!

Rooftop relaxation

Today I headed off into town for the Friday afternoon walk which has become a habit for me. I was pretty tired after the week gone by though, so when I spotted a sign advertising a rooftop bar in the La Rinascente department store, I figured I would go and check it out.
And its lovely! Reminiscent on the cafe at Peter Jones in London where you can see the roofs stretching into the distance, this bar is somehow even better. I am not sure whether this is because a) it is in Florence, b) you sit outside in the summer sunshine or c) because it affords the most amazing view down onto Piazza della Republica.
It's really special, and despite being a department store cafe, for me it has the edge over the much more exorbitant Hotel Continentale Sky Bar, that I tried with Sarah a few nights before.
So the Rinascente cafe is on the ever growing list of great places to go in Florence... I might publish the whole list in September, before I leave. But for now, I will carry on researching!

Really clean streets

Once a week in Florence they clean the streets. This happens in the middle of the night, and there is normally not a huge amount of evidence that the cleaners have been the next morning.
Unless, that is, your car happens to be there on the day they clean the streets, as we found out when they towed away the Panda for being in the wrong place on the wrong day.
There was, however, no sign that this was what had happened, and I thought the car had been nicked, especially as the streets were full of other cars and it seemed that it was only the Panda that was missing.
Anyway, after 2 harrowing days, the car is now back. And the only pain that remains is the whopping great fine to pay for the towing. Certainly it is something that you hope will not happen more than once. I will have to find out where the sign is that tells you what day and time is street cleaning time.
I also wonder whether if the car had been cleaner, they would have left it alone. Apparantly with work we get a discount on a car valet place near to the office, so I am heading there on Monday to get it a makeover, or at least a spit and polish.
One other memory of the missing car days is how very kind everyone at work was about it. Silvia and Rosa gave me the numbers to call to check on the car, and everyone shared their tales of cars that had been pinched, then returned by the police, normally in perfect shape. Lucia and Rosario who sit opposite me and had to put up with my long face on Thursday, sent me jokes to cheer me up, and we all went off for coffee (and on Friday, for a gelato!) to compensate for missing transport. Silvia also offered to lend me a bicycle to get about on. Really lovely.
If anyone ever needs a lift, I'm happily equiped to offer one again!

The week of long (but not lost) friends

What am amazing week!
Florence is not only on the trail of evrey American tourist heading north of the equator for their spring-summer vacations, but also, it seems of long standing friends of mine.
Thursday night I met Alastair and his partner Clare for a drink near the Ponte Vecchio. It's been at least 2 years and whilst we first met in London, had our first lunch in New York, it was here in Florence that we met again to catch up.
Friday I went to Marche, to meet Sion and Liz (recently engaged, congratulations you 2!) - friends from Hong Kong, who now live in Dubai... they were with Ceri and Shams - also hong kongers, now living in Abu Dhabi.
Saturday, a brief jaunt to London to see Luca from MIB, and to attend my friend Caroline's wedding party. Caroline and I travelled Asia Pacific a lot together when we worked together in Hong Kong and also last met in London over a cocktail or two more than a year ago.
Tonight, dinner and drinks with Sarah, a friend and former colleague from New Zealand, currently also residing in London.
And on Saturday night, the plan is to head for Bracciano, to more Hong Kong friends, and to welcome in a new decade for Alex, another London/Hong Konger.
All in all its been a wonderful time. Full of old mates, rehashing the old tales of mischief, and having a lot of laughs catching up on the new gossip for us all.
Tonight Sarah and I headed to the extravagant but wonderful Ferragamo-owned Sky Lounge at the Hotel Continentale just off the Ponte Vecchio for a glass of bubbles. And then to the wonderful, but far less extravagant pizzeria which Massi took us all to our first night in Florence, for a pizza and pecorino with honey (if you have never tried it, do! It sounds unlikely, but is really delicious!)
Talking of the first night in Florence, tomorrow marks one month since my first day at work. And fittingly today I did a presentation to update on all my work so far. When we wrapped up 2 1/2 hours after we started, I was certainly ready for that glass of cold prosecco.... And there are worse places to drink it than on the roof of a chi chi hotel, with the good and the great of Florence, overlooking the Arno!
To any friends reading this who have not made it here yet, do think about it - Italy is pretty fab at any time of the year, but the long summer sun-filled days are really something to behold. Book those tickets!

Happy Birthday Fiat 500

When the new Mini was launched a few years ago, there was a lot of noise in the car review pages worldwide. For the birthday of the Fiat 500, and the launch of the new model, the noise tonight was in Turin, the home of Fiat. An incredible spectacle on the water in the city, with music, lights, fireworks, actors and, as I am typing this a model/DJ/violinist playing whilst a jet ski acrobat artist dances in the dark on the water. Incredible. Now I just need a real job in September and I can treat myself.... Another thing for the shopping list - it gets longer by the day!

What goes up must come down, thankfully

Yesterday I decided that the time had come to restart the habit of running in the mornings again. Now that I am back to sedentary office life, and coming home tired after 730, a short walk is all the exercise I am managing in the evenings.
So, with apologies to Janet who lives in the room upstairs, I set my alarm for 6 and hauled myself out of bed at the crack of dawn.
As long-time readers will know, I used to go running in the mornings, and actually I really enjoy it. Its a great time of the day and nice to start the day by doing something that is just for you. The added bonus here in Italy is that the light has a beautiful quality in the mornings, and I can run seeing the houses (fantasy shopping - if I had a few million, which one would I like...?) and the olive groves.
The hills are steep, but the way down is surprisingly fast.
It was tough going this morning though - despite my early night. Its always worth it when you get out there, but when the alarm went off I was tempted to hit the snooze and turn over. Luckily, I know myself well enough, so I had put it on the other side of the room, meaning I had to get out of bed to turn it off. And then once you are up....

Market research

When Florentine Annibale asked at work today where we were eating gelato in Florence, I had a feeling that a great recommendation was on the way. In fact, he recommended the place i had read about on the weekend on the New York Times website (since they recommended Da Pepe in Trieste, I take their review seriously.)
The place in question is walking distance from our residence - Badiani - a place that has been serving ice cream since 1933. In particular, it is famous for its Buontalenti (a registered trademark) like a richer sweeter vanilla. But I went with Annibale's suggestion of Chocolate and Orange, with chunks of dried orange chopped through - yum!
And I now know that Badiani is the exact distance from my apartment of one small cup of ice cream. Which makes me wonder how many ice cream cups I could measure the run that I plan for tomorrow morning in!

10 years on

It is 10 years since the Hong Kong Handover, one of those historical moments that works like a bookmark, so that you can remember what you were doing when.... and then see how life has changed since!
The first 9 years after the handover was not so very far removed from June 30 / July 1st 1997. I was at a party with friends on the Peak on the 30th, and another one, on the 1st. We spent a lot of time watching the big screens to see the change of the flags, and the departure of the Britannica, and so the Pattens and Prince Charles.
And it was absolutely chucking it down with rain.
Today by contrast dawned once again bright and sunny, and Vlasta (who is here for the weekend from Munich - Monaco for Italian readers!) and I went to pick up Massi and head for the hills. We went to a beautiful spot first of all, with a church nestling on the crest of a hill to look at the view of the valley all around a bit, but the access has been completely closed by the monks who live in the 'spiritual house' nearby. The view must be amazing, no wonder they don't want to share it!
After this a quick dash to a place near to Greve-in-Chianti and a lovely long lunch, catching up on Vlasta's news, and planning the visit of our other MBAers who should be here in a few weeks time.
I am happy that I can look back and see that the last 10 years have, for me, moved in the right direction - I am loving living in Italy. There are many things about life here that really suit me.
But apologies to Florence, and maybe I'm biased, but there is honestly no fireworks show on earth like the ones over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. With the world watching on TV and the internet, HK did itself proud at its 10 year party.
I wonder where the lead up to the next 10 year anniversary will take me...