October 2011
4 posts
3 tags
Vienna
Gardens at Schonbrunn Palace. I did not know much about the Habsburg dynasty before our trip, so I was fascinated to learn more during our excellent guided tour of the family’s summer palace, designed by Maria Theresa, the empire’s only female ruler and the mother of Marie Antoinette and 16 other children. Maria held various titles, including Queen of Bohemia, which has to be the...
4 tags
Cambridge
I took the train up to Cambridge for a little business trip on Tuesday. My train actually got cancelled and I worried I might not make my meeting on time. I hopped in a cab and a little while later the cabbie said, “We’ve got plenty of time, so I’m taking you on the scenic route.” I’m not sure where he got the idea that I had time to kill as he was driving me to an...
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Kobe
While in Reggio, I learned that NBA star Kobe Bryant had visited only a week or so before. Turns out he grew up in Reggio Emilia because his father played basketball in Italy. Reggio: Kobe and Sarah were here!
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Return to Reggio!
I jaunted off for a weekend in Reggio and had such a great time visiting my friends (Aleksandra, me, Elena, Annalisa, Elena M.). Friday night began with aperitivo at Cafe Europa and then dinner here at Casseruola.
Followed by more drinks.
As I usually get around by public transport, I frequently got carsick on this trip. We had to make an emergency stop at the McCafe so I could get ahold...
August 2011
5 posts
1 tag
Best of
My homage to the best travel partner ever. Shoreditch (I think).
Blackheath.
Sally Lunn’s.
Roman Baths.
Greenwich.
Camden Town.
Taking Precautions in Greenwich
There are 16,000 police officers on the streets of London tonight and while we still hear sirens and helicopters, things seemed under control as I was walking home from work. Hopefully they’ll stay that way! My mom didn’t want to risk going out tonight, but I insisted on at least getting takeout—I wanted chimichangas damn it! Actually, I wanted Indian food, but the place I planned on going to...
2 tags
BBC News - London riots →
My mom is in town and I have so many wonderful stories to share of our England and Parisian adventures. However, we’ve been too preoccupied with the London Riots of 2011 to upload any photos. There have been fires and fights in my neighborhood, but as of this writing we are safe. Thank you to the Lewisham police for getting things under control (in other areas of the city the police have...
4 tags
Montmartre
This is Saint Denis, France’s first bishop. He supposedly had his head chopped off for preaching the gospel. No matter. He allegedly picked up his head and walked it up the mountain, giving Montmartre its name (mon=mountain, martre=martyr).
It used to cost 50p to go to the Moulin Rouge and the girls in the vaudeville act were totally nude (Nicole Kidman looked way too classy in the movie). Now...
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Paris
We stayed at Hotel Dauphine, right in the heart of Paris. As soon as we arrived, I met up my Venezuelan friend Alexandra (whom I know from Rome). We had a great time catching up at Café Latin (after drinking overpriced, overly sugary cocktails at another place).
Observe the ominous clouds—it looks like we’re in England! On Saturday, we went on a great walking tour, where we saw...
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Bath
We did an overnight in Bath, where the town offers free walking tours every day. We saw the Abbey and the Royal Crescent and learned some history about this ancient town, which was most fashionable in the winter season of the Georgian and Victorian ages. At dawn, rich people would be carried to the baths in sedan chairs to ‘take the waters’ then just hang out all day eating before going out at...
July 2011
14 posts
2 tags
High Tea at the Soho Hotel
When Elena came to town we met at the Soho Hotel for high tea, one of my favorite British activities (I drank a lot of tea before Italy turned me into an expert little espresso maker). The sandwiches they served us were so-so, but the desserts—my god, the desserts. Best scone of my life. Make that scones. We couldn’t even finish it all. I know this is not proper, but I slipped one of...
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Italian Picnic
The only requirement at this Italian gathering in Regent’s Park was that the beverages (wine) had to come from Italy. Not sure why my friend is triumphantly shaking my hand in this photo, but we’re excited about something.
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Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is this uber-fancy shop that sells all sorts of teas and related treats. Now that I have a paycheck again, I might go back and buy that ridiculously overpriced biscuit tin that’s making me grin a little too mischievously. I have no interest in said biscuits, but I am obsessed with that turquoise tin. One could put receipts in there, or spare change. Or biscuits I bake...
7 tags
Mom's trip
We visited Spitalfields and Camden markets, where for lunch we shared a falafel wrap so big we had to cancel our dinner reservations in Notting Hill. But then we went for a walk through Greenwich and ended up eating at Bianco, an Italian restaurant where all the servers are Italian and most of the diners are, too. We shared gnocchi and pizza, which was delicious. I know Italians drink beer with...
3 tags
The Railway
We are the dorks who will order port at the pub. Actually, I ordered port (because they didn’t have sherry) and Elke was a sport and joined me. Yes I’m 90. We’re at The Railway in Blackheath, the village right next to mine. Super cute neighborhood that I run through to get to Greenwich Park.
Sunset in Blackheath.
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Wine bar 28-50
Nice little spread at 28-50. They offer workshops here, but as far as I can tell, that just means drinking.
1 tag
Salt of Life
Last week the Italian language club I belong to went to see Salt of Life (Gianni e Le Donne—not a direct translation of the title at all) at Curzon (near Market Tavern, where we went to drink after). I liked the film, but I loved the star/director, who was in the audience for the London premier. The movie is about men getting old in Italy and how they are in complete denial of the aging...
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Veganpeasant
On Saturday, I found myself at a stranger’s house for a mysterious vegan dinner hosted by Veganpeasant. These things can often be sketch—one doesn’t know the menu or who’s coming until the event—so I was very happy to find myself among a group of fun, sane people. Good wine, good conversation, good food, good night.
3 tags
Windsor Castle, Pizza East
On Friday, my friend Yupeng and I went to Windsor Castle, one of our favorite pubs, to celebrate my new job (more on this later). Supposedly Thomas Paine is buried in the basement, though this idea actually weirds me out and is not one of the reasons I like this place. Why I do like it:
“Inside it is creaking wooden wonderland, full of cosy alcoves, wooden settles and panelling, and...
Pakistan Bids To Change The Minds Of Swat Radicals... →
The most heartening story I’ve heard in awhile. I remember reading about them burning schools and forbidding girls an education.
4 tags
Mediterraneans Abandon Their Famous Diet : NPR →
I would add that in addition to being “cool,” the American diet is often quick. Nonna isn’t cooking all day in the kitchen anymore—women go to work and often don’t have time to cook lavish meals. Having said that, none of my Italian friends have poor diets or are overweight. The dietary situation in Italy has become just like the States, where some people are very...
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And Speaking of Italian Cooking...
When you live in a city, there is nothing better than having a friend within walking distance (I miss you, Annie!). Thankfully, Francesca and I have each other and often get together to cook on Sunday night. Well, Ismail usually cooks. He made the stuffed mushrooms and eggplant rollups you see above, or, I should say, aubergine rollups.
Several Italians I’ve cooked for have commented...
6 tags
July 4
My friend’s and I celebrated July 4 picnicking in Trafalgar Square. The Royal Opera beamed Madama Butterfly onto a large screen for free (they were performing live in front of a paying audience at their theatre). The show made me a little nostalgic for Brooklyn, where the performers would have actually come to the park. However, we were permitted to drink wine out in the open instead of...
June 2011
4 posts
1 tag
London by Belle
My friend Belle took these photos. She has much better photo skills than I do.
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Around Town
“The scars that disfigure the pedestal of the obelisk, the bases of the sphinxes and the right hand of the sphinx were caused by fragments of a bomb dropped in the roadway close to his spot in the first raid on London by German airplanes a few minutes before midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 1917.”
Lightning Strikes the Empire State. My roommate’s—flatmate’s,...
4 tags
Polish Mexican
Spotted in Mayfair: a Polish-Mexican Bistro. What?! Though I’m 50 percent Polish, I’ve never been that into Polish food aside from perogies (no one could top my grandmother’s). However, how can I not try this? I definitely need to go back there to sample the madness.
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I'm a Unicorn Bird Fish
As in New York, and many big cities, I suppose, a number of London museums stay open late on Friday and offer alcohol and fun activities for grown-ups. The other night, Belle and I went to the Victoria & Albert museum, where they were having all sorts of fashion-related workshops. In one, we waited in line for them to turn us into avant-guard paper dolls. My designer didn’t know what...
May 2011
5 posts
“For years the & symbol was the 27th letter of the alphabet.”
– Sorry letter z! Learn why z was removed from the alphabet, and what now-extinct letter used to be No. 27 | The Hot Word | Hot & Trending Words Daily Blog at Dictionary.com
“Worst Atrocity in Europe Since World War II”
– Mladic Arrest Removes ‘Stain’ From Serbia : NPR
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Kosovo and the Kardashians
Last night, my friend Francesca had me over for dinner: she lives on my street, her roommate is a chef and I got to practise my Italian—score! Ismail baked a delicious meat-free lasagna and we ate in the living room while music played on TV.
Ismail, the chef, has been in London for 12 years. Born and raised in what is now the Republic of Kosovo, he was studying economics when the Serbians started...
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Eurovision
Last night, Eurovision concluded for the year. The show is like a crazy mash up of American Idol and the Olympics. European countries compete in a televised singing competition in which people call in to vote for their favorite performers (you can’t vote for your own country). This event has been happening annually since 1956. My roommate’s girlfriend said that back in the day, the...
3 tags
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo has yet to hit Europe—when I asked people if they were going out to celebrate they had no idea what I was talking about. One person even said, “The 5th of May, what does that signify? Napoleon’s death?” While Cinco de Mayo does involve the French, really it’s just an excuse for Americans to drink tequila and eat Mexican food. I don’t think they...
April 2011
10 posts
1 tag
Royal Wedding
I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any photos from the royal wedding—though I am enjoying watching the event on TV! I was too tired from all my work at the cookie stand to camp out for a spot to watch the procession. The last few days have been quite blustery for someone who works outside and when I made the mistake of wearing a dress, I announced to everyone, “Tomorrow...
3 tags
Cookies and Scream
I have always fantasized about working at some hip, outdoor market and last week my dream came true. A friend of a friend of a friend (thanks for the hookup, Alexis!) recently opened a vegan/gluten-free baked good stand at the famous Camden Town Market and I’m helping her while her regular employees are at a punk festival in Belgium. I’m definitely not cool enough to be working at...
1 tag
Mister Softee Goes to London
It’s total ice cream weather in London right now, but I’m too full on vegan cookies to need anything from this truck.
My Hungarian friend Alexandra was in town this week. We took an Italian coffee together and reminisced about our days in Rome. She now lives near the beach in southern Spain, which sounds like a delightful place to visit.
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Happy Earth Day!
As I flew from Bologna to London, I saw this beautiful view and my heart really ached over what humans are doing to our planet. I’m sorry, Earth. I love you!
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Italians
Elisa is in town! She’s Sicilian, but I know her from New York and now she’s doing fieldwork for the UN in Africa.
Before we went for pizza, we attended an Italian event, which was really fun. There are so many Italians here, and so many opportunities to practice the language. It’s as useful as being in Italy!
5 tags
Banking Bureaucracy
I’ve been having a difficult time proving my existence lately. Two major banks refused to accept me because I don’t have a lease or any bills in my name to prove my address—and haven’t had such proof in years! HSBC finally offered me a no-frills “passport account” for foreigners, which costs $150 a year—no wonder immigrants hide their money in a shoebox! I signed up for it, but plan to cancel...
4 tags
Around Town
I love a good umbrella shop.
To promote its voice search, Google has posted ads around the city with the phonetic spelling of phrases. This one made me laugh because one has to read it with a British accent. I believe at home it would probably be ‘spohrts nooz.’
Daily market near my apartment.
4 tags
Greenwich Park
A week has passed since my London arrival. The weather has been fantastic and I snapped the above photo in Greenwich Park, a royal sanctuary that’s one neighborhood away from me. I live in Lewisham, south-east London with Alex, my publishing/musician roommate, and mystery roommate Steve. It only takes 10 minutes to get to London Bridge by train, and so far my public transportation...
5 tags
Safe and Sound
Well, Italy just didn’t want to let me go. Yesterday, the transportation workers decided to go on a national strike and cancelled most buses and trains. Thankfully, I was able to make it to the airport after taking a taxi and the one train heading to Bologna that day. The adrenaline rush kept me from being sad.
As I checked in, I was so nervous they were going to look at my Italian passport and...
3 tags
I’m Moving to London Today!
I’m excited to be relocating to London, a city I’ve wanted to live in again since studying abroad. I found an apartment through spareroom.com on Sunday. The ad only had a photo of the outside of the place, so I contacted the person and asked for a photo of the inside. He sent me the above picture. I’m in.
I’ve experienced so much in the last few months, and actually feel like an Italian...
March 2011
10 posts
2 tags
Italian Unification Day
On March 17, My roommates and I went to Dimmelotu in honor of Italian Unification Day, but really it was just an excuse to go out. No Italians I know care that Italy has been a unified country for 150 years, and they only celebrate this fact every 50 years or so. The Festival of the Republic is much more important and is recognized annually on June 2. In 1946, Italians voted to end the monarchy...
Ferrara
“The history of Ferrara as a city dates back around 1300 years when Ferrara was a Byzantine military castrum (fortified city). In 1115 Ferrara became a free commune.
The Este family ruled Ferrara from 1208 to 1598, constructing many of the monuments [seen] today. Under the Estes, Ferrara became a center of the arts. Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, and Petrarch, among others, spent time...
1 tag
Parma
A few weeks ago, I visited Cousin Anna in Parma and am happy to report that she is doing quite well in her first year of university. She’s studying to be a nurse.
We stumbled upon a children’s Carnival parade as we were walking around.
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Gnocchi
I made gnocchi (no, not from scratch, but it was good all the same and looked much more appetizing in real life). Somewhat related, the other day while talking to my roommate, I said that I have always theorized that one of the reasons Americans put on weight is because they eat too many preservatives. This conversation was in Italian and I took a guess that the word “preservitivo”...
3 tags
Acetaia Malpighi
On Friday, I went on a field trip to an acetaia (balsamic vinegar factory)—something I’ve wanted to do for months! The region I live in, Emilia Romagna, is famous for many typical Italian products, including parmigiano, prosciutto* and balsamic vinegar.
My classmates and I tasted a variety of vinegars aged from 5 years to 20, though this acetaia, which has been in the Malpighi...
5 tags
Venice
Yesterday, Maria, Towe and I spent the afternoon ambling about Venice, which is very easy to get to by train. We spent the entire day speaking Italian, even though English is much easier for us (especially me, obviously). Aren’t you proud of us? Aside from a lunatic fruit vendor who swore at Towe and refused to sell her an apple, we had a great time (I don’t understand why the...
4 tags
Scuola
Last week, a language school in Bologna offered a 50 percent discount on Italian classes, so I went back to school. I arrived early on Monday and my teacher introduced me to a fellow student. “Oh, I know you,” he said. “You were here two months ago, right?” And I said, “Oh, now I recognize you. No, we studied together two years ago in Rome.” My how time in this small world flies! I really enjoyed...
A Divided Italy Prepares For Unification... →
“On Thursday, Italy will mark the 150th anniversary of its unification at a time when the country has never seemed so fragmented. Italy’s image is at a low point, with its prime minister mired in sex and corruption scandals.”