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They say that hind sight is 20/20. I think it’s closer to 20/15.
As I look at all my photos and think back about our experiences over the past year, I realize that we have been very lucky. No major mishaps, nice apartments/neighborhoods, wonderful people, and above all: each other.
I just want everyone to know (including the powers that be) that I realize how lucky we’ve been.
Part of the reason I’ve been looking back on my photos (other than organizing them for more blog posts…be patient with me) is because it’s Friday. One of the e-groups I belong to is called Photo Friday. Each Friday they deliver an email that includes a concept. Last Friday the concept was “The Good Life”. We’re supposed to submit a link to a photo that we feel expresses this concept. I think I have several photos that could illustrate this, but I can only choose one to submit.
As I look through my photos taken over the last year, the photos that ping my heart the most are the ones that document the little things. The kitchen in our apartment in Milan with (empty) wine bottles lined up. The kitties laying in the sun on the balcony. The bike path behind our apartment building in Brussels. Again, so many photos of the little things that made our lives good.
The photo I’ve chosen was taken the first day I arrived in Milan. It was my first cappuccino in Italy. I remember finding it strange that I had to stand at the counter and drink it. I also know that it was the last time I had a cappuccino after 11AM. Soon after my arrival, a friend informed us of the cafe etiquette that it’s considered gauche [out of fashion] to drink cappuccinos after lunch. I really miss my morning cappuccino!
So here it is (sigh), my first cappuccino in Italy…my “The Good Life”.
If you had to pick one photo to express your “The Good Life”, what would it be?
We’ve had a few adventures here in Europe that I haven’t blogged about yet. I’m calling them Long Lost Adventures. Here’s the first in the series. Our first guests in Milan.
Long Lost Adventure #1
Way back in July of 2007, my Mother and her husband Wes planned an amazing 3 week Italian holiday. The first week they spent with us in Milan, then they headed south for a tour of Rome and Tuscany. Ah, the life…
Even though Milan is in Northern Italy, it’s very hot and humid there in July. And smoggy (you’ll be able to see it in some of the photos). So just moving and breathing require a little more effort.
A little bit about jet lag
When you fly west, jet lag is often a very big problem for the first couple of days.
We’ve found the best way to deal with this is by not napping. If you stay up until bedtime of the location you have arrived, you’ll adjust much more quickly to the new time zone. It is never easy. When guests arrived, I basically dragged them out into the city to try to keep them awake! I’ve had people fall asleep on me in the middle of a conversation at the dinner table.
One of the first things that I dragged them out for was Gelato. Cool delicious, distinctly Italian.
Donna and Wes’ first gelato
I don’t think they like their photo taken while they’re eating either…
Here’s a photo of my gelato from that day. Cocco e Mango, or Coconut and Mango.
1. Don’t get too close to a canal
Yeah, we actually saw another tourist fall into a canal with his camera. You might think you have a good foot hold, but remember that wet steps can be slimy and slippery.
There is a section in the Mtv Italy guide that talks about what you should do if you fall into a canal…it’s basically a guide to decontaminating yourself (including antibiotics, I believe).
Here is a photo of steps into the Grand Canal…see what I mean!
2. Don’t feed the pigeons unless you are prepared to be attacked, especially in the morning.
Here is my slide show of a little girl who decided to feed the pigeons bright and early Sunday morning.
And some more photos of pigeons in Piazza San Marco:
These girls decided to throw all their food out at the same time…this is the pigeon stampeed that resulted. Thanks to Lisa for the use of this photo!
This gentleman decided it would be fun to pour all the food on top of himself while lying down…eewwwwww!
This little boy was fun to watch feed the pigeons. His mom is looking a little worried I think, but he’s not scared at all!
And last, but certainly NOT least, is Lisa’s photo of the Giant Pigeon of Piazza San Marco!
3. Always bring a raincoat or umbrella when you travel.
Even if you are going someplace where it doesn’t rain often. Lisa, Chris, and I ended up buying umbrellas the first day in Venice because it was pouring rain. Also, I’ve used my umbrella to shade myself from the sun. Here are some photos of fun in the rain:
Chris and I enjoying Piazza San Marco with our new umbrellas (Photo by Lisa)
Lisa in Piazza San Marco with her new umbrella
Rain does not scare tourists away from Piazza San Marco
Gondola in the rain, gondolier on mobile phone
4. Pretty much anything you want to see in Europe is covered in scaffolding (at least partly).
No explanation needed. See photos.
Lisa in Piazza San Marco (being silly). Note scaffolding in background.
There are many more examples. I will probably put a set and maybe a slide show together on this theme. It’s pretty funny and almost unbelievable. And I understand the necessity to maintain these historical treasures, but it just seems that it’s all happening this year. The year we are in Europe.
5. Make your own fun when necessary!
Sometimes stuff doesn’t go as planned. So sometimes you just have to work with what you have and enjoy it in your own way! Here are some examples.
Chris amusing us all (including himself) with a plastic bag.
Michael, Lisa, and Chris being silly in front of our hotel.
Chris’ review of the restaurant where we had our (terrible) dinner the previous night.
The Bellini that Chris got us for the train ride home! (photo by Lisa)
6. When you ask for a room to accommodate 4 adults, make sure there are enough beds.
Otherwise someone will end up sleeping on the couch! Michael made a reservation for a room for 4 adults at a scandalous rate for Saturday night. We had heard that Venice was expensive, and they were selling it as a suite, so we sucked it up and were ok with it. Until we saw the room. There was a bedroom with a queen sized bed. There was a living/dining/kitchen area with a small couch. The small couch ended up being a convertible that turned into 2 twin size cots. After some excellent negotiating on Michael’s part, the reduced the rate by $100 (so you can only imagine how much we were originally paying). The hotel was nice, great view and small balcony.
Here’s the spumante the management left in our room that evening:
7. Take lots of photos.
This is how the Grand Canal looked the day we arrived, dark and gloomy.
Bridge Of Sighs
Lisa And Chris in Piazza San Giglio
The church in the Piazza San Giglio. We had an excellent view from our hotel balcony. Lisa took this photo.
Piazza San Marco with tower
Lisa’s photo of the doors to Harry’s Bar. Hemingway’s hangout in Venice.
The Bellini are excellent but not cheap!
Lisa took a few really excellent shots of gondolas:
On the Grand Canal (by Lisa)
What lessons have you learned the hard way while traveling??
Please add a comment to share your lessons!
