Flight 891, Atlantic Ocean
1342 EET
Well with the firmness of the bed, I did feel as I slept well and woke well before the alarm time of 0700. We are not sure, but about that time, we started haring something that I identified as a cat, very loud and continuous. But I greatly enjoyed my hot shower and ate my breakfast orange while Mom had her shower. Organizing the last of our things, we departed and wile I waited outside the building Mom went up the three flights of stairs to Casa di Rosy for the receipt. When she returned with croissants, she did not have the receipt because the receptionist had dropped the laptop before board the lift that morning. So, onto Roma Termini and the Leonardo Express we went.
Boarding at 0826 we had an engaging conversation with our seat mate, Susan, who was finishing up two months in Italia with two weeks spent making and binding books. The entire experience sounded wonderful and she passed the information onto me so I am quite looking forward to looking into it.
It was very fortunate that we had elected to take such an early Leonardo Express, as the check-in line wait was horrendous, at least an hour wait—which passed okay as we talked with a BC couple in line. Check-in done, there was a line for security as well, but we went through quickly and my passport was finally stamped! As we cleared at 1030 and boarded at 1050 there was no time to shop duty free as we’d planned and very regretfully, no time to buy me books to read for this return flight. From our gate we caught a shuttle to our airplane, where I joined in a conversation about Shopaholic series and discovered the mother of the daughter with the book in question is E.W. of London, Ontario and a Millennium expert. So we got talking business, which I plan on addressing the code issue when I return to work.
Once on Flight 891, my seat is window once again although it is pretty much over the wing, our time to Toronto was announced as nine hours, four minutes, cursing altitude of 32,000 feet.
So that ends my journal entries, but it is not the end of the blog yet. I still have to finish the day in question after all, even if it is via introspection and memory recreation months later!
1.14.2011
1.13.2011
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Gah, Blogger did it again! Oh well, only one day left!
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
0802 EET
Mom woke me at 0658 for my shower, which was followed by our standard breakfast fare. Afterwards more cleaning followed with laundry of towels and bed sheets being done. The last of our packing, bathroom things for us and beach towels for the gift suitcase was also done. Our train leaves at 0858 and Zio and Zia offered and somewhat coherence Mom into accepting a car ride for our luggage and us at 0830.
One thing I neglected to relate about our beach trip yesterday, besides seeing Angela again as well, Zia actually told us the number of the procession crucifixes that were usually carried—fifteen to thirty! And they come from all over Liguria so it is no wonder they were saying the procession had been short, although the black crucifix and also the largest, was once again present as they always remember it being so. The black one was the one that got hung up on the overhead street light.
Pisa Centrale, Pisa
1027 EET
So we were delivered by Zio and Zia to the Levanto train station in good order with our now three suitcases. Saying our goodbyes, we parted ways, with us heading for Platform 2 where our intercity train was departing from. The train was tardy and of course, or car was 009 at the end, as were our assigned seats in the car, and we were on our way by 0907. I once again admired the scenery, taking note of Monterosso’s cemetery; a photograph of a stone yard with its blocks of stones; a helicopter dismantled in a coast guard centre; said farewell to La Spiza the navy town from which Zio has seen warships; a race track where horses with jockey slings were being exercised; and house watching.
Upon arriving in Pisa, we located the platform of our 1100 train to Roma, number 3. While I watched the luggage, mostly by sitting on it and journaling, Mom fetched and returned with €3.10 [$4.0067] paninis, vegetable with nice warm buns from Chef Express which is most likely a franchise and in violation of our eat local rule.
Room 8, Casa di Rosy, Roma
2117 EET
From Pisa we were on the train and our way at 1059 and most of the journey we spend dozing in our six compartment area of the train. No looking at scenery really, because we did not have window seats and were facing backwards from the train’s direction. We arrived in Roma in good time and progressed to Casa di Rosey, gained access to the building because of the insecure door, but because it was 1436, there was no one there at the B&B. So we sat, and waited, and finally I popped a memory card into my camera and set it on the slideshow feature. The music gained the attention, and I think irritated, the neighbour who did not speak English, and who phoned the B&B for us. Some minutes later, a gentleman came and fetched us but he didn’t speak English either so we had to call again to understand that we were to go with him as Casa di Rosy had double booked on something and was hosting us elsewhere. So, this isn’t really Casa di Rosy, but it is Room 8 and kitty-corner to the B&B where we will go for breakfast tomorrow.
After depositing our luggage in our room, we returned to Roma Termini to catch the metro to Baberini to see Fontana di Trevi as recommended by Zia and Zio. It was a quick jaunt and neat seeing the metro bend around corners when standing inside an almost empty train. We soon found Fontana di Trevi, and its mass of people, and admired Poseidon in his shell, the tritons with horses, and the vegetation carved within the marble fountain. And for good luck and to ensure our return to Roma, we each kissed and tossed a five cent coin into the fountain’s waters.
On our return to the metro, we went to Gelateria Creame & Cioccalao once again, €2.00 [$2.585] cones and I was greatly disappointed by the white chocolate flavour this time, greatly, but enjoyed the raisin flavour. We return to Roma Termini and then our afternoon adventure, of finding a restaurant across the river began, as directed by Zia. We misjudged the metro station and disembarked at Colosseo but enjoyed greatly seeing the monument again, and the walk down and around Circo Massimo although there was frequent map checking. I got some great views of Palintino from overlooking the ancient chariot track and of an old section of bridge still standing in Tiber River. While we did quite a bit of walking up and down the otherwise, we selected Pancotto as our restaurant. Mom rated her dish over Monte Arci, I did not as while I enjoyed my spaghetti with tomatoes and pesto, it wasn’t as good as the first Roma meal, Levanto, and Firenze (first, second, third). I did like our peach and avocado salad starter and our shared dessert of tiramisu expect for the strongly coffee flavoured ladyfingers layer. Mom happily polished off my share.
Walking back, we stepped of the main road to travel along the road where we encountered a choir and violinist who was also the conductor. Passing the Templo di Vesta again, having noted it again during a map check, I photographed the area again. Upon reaching Circo Massimo I hugged a tree and Mom photographed me. We boarded the metro for a final time though the late hour meant we were a little less sardines-in-a can like than the second afternoon ride had been. Also we found out that the €1.00 [$1.2925] tickets are only good for the metro once, but within 75 minutes for the bus.
So after returning to Room 8, and fighting with the air conditioning unit and finally settling on using just a sheet, we bedded down for our last night of sleep in Italia.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
0802 EET
Mom woke me at 0658 for my shower, which was followed by our standard breakfast fare. Afterwards more cleaning followed with laundry of towels and bed sheets being done. The last of our packing, bathroom things for us and beach towels for the gift suitcase was also done. Our train leaves at 0858 and Zio and Zia offered and somewhat coherence Mom into accepting a car ride for our luggage and us at 0830.
One thing I neglected to relate about our beach trip yesterday, besides seeing Angela again as well, Zia actually told us the number of the procession crucifixes that were usually carried—fifteen to thirty! And they come from all over Liguria so it is no wonder they were saying the procession had been short, although the black crucifix and also the largest, was once again present as they always remember it being so. The black one was the one that got hung up on the overhead street light.
Pisa Centrale, Pisa
1027 EET
So we were delivered by Zio and Zia to the Levanto train station in good order with our now three suitcases. Saying our goodbyes, we parted ways, with us heading for Platform 2 where our intercity train was departing from. The train was tardy and of course, or car was 009 at the end, as were our assigned seats in the car, and we were on our way by 0907. I once again admired the scenery, taking note of Monterosso’s cemetery; a photograph of a stone yard with its blocks of stones; a helicopter dismantled in a coast guard centre; said farewell to La Spiza the navy town from which Zio has seen warships; a race track where horses with jockey slings were being exercised; and house watching.
 |
| Stone yard from train. |
Room 8, Casa di Rosy, Roma
2117 EET
From Pisa we were on the train and our way at 1059 and most of the journey we spend dozing in our six compartment area of the train. No looking at scenery really, because we did not have window seats and were facing backwards from the train’s direction. We arrived in Roma in good time and progressed to Casa di Rosey, gained access to the building because of the insecure door, but because it was 1436, there was no one there at the B&B. So we sat, and waited, and finally I popped a memory card into my camera and set it on the slideshow feature. The music gained the attention, and I think irritated, the neighbour who did not speak English, and who phoned the B&B for us. Some minutes later, a gentleman came and fetched us but he didn’t speak English either so we had to call again to understand that we were to go with him as Casa di Rosy had double booked on something and was hosting us elsewhere. So, this isn’t really Casa di Rosy, but it is Room 8 and kitty-corner to the B&B where we will go for breakfast tomorrow.
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| Roma building with our second B&B. |
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| Fontana di Trevi. |
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| Poseidon of Fontana di Trevi. |
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| Triton and horse detail of Fontana di Trevi. |
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| Colosseo. |
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| Circo Massemo looking west. |
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| Section of Circo Massemo with Palintino behind. |
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| Detail of section of Palintino. |
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| Section of old bridge on the Tiber River. |
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| Alanna at Pancotto. |
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| Templo di Vesta. |
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| Alanna missing trees. |
1.12.2011
Monday, July 26, 2010
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
1845 EET
Our last full day in Levanto, which began like most days during our stay. I awoke some time during the night, returned to sleep, and rose at 0900 when Mom mentioned the time. After showering, breakfast was toast with jar and raspberry yogurt with strawberry slices. Following that, I was able to do some writing, but halted after a short while to guide Mom to the train station as she hadn’t paid attention on our previous trips and still “gets lost” here, making her desire a map of Levanto. Don’t know how much good that will be because in Firenze and Venezia we “got lost” because our maps were insufficient and didn’t label the streets, and for Roma, the piazza we were in. So to the station we went to buy our tickets to return to Roma tomorrow. That done we headed to the Bertolotto apartment for Zio James for our Castello walk and meet Enrica and family at the entrance door, who kindly called Zio James down for us.
The only regret of the walk was that Mom had not cued into and passed on the “hour and a half” bit so we were without water for the hike. Passing the loggia Zio James highlighted a XIII-XIV century building of brick with marble arched windows that had been discovered, like most, during renovations that removed the inches of plaster and paint covering the building.
We walked past Chiesa di San Andrew, around the old city wall, and past the old quarry Zio James had already shown me the night of the concert. We did not spent much time looking at the Castello before continuing on our way on the original trail that lead to Monterosso before the train and highway. While up the hill, there were once again like the Rossola climb, some great views of Levanto and especially the vast ocean. The three of us walked to the edge of the houses, which is where the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre begins.
We essentially talking about various things, like the eclectically decorated B&B we passed; a three-star hotel with a great patio and waterfall swimming pool as a great place to host a wedding reception; and how in that area Zio James would build his home and not live in Levanto with its noise. And it is quite peaceful there without the noise of the cars, scooters, and voices of vacationing people late at night. He also discussed a similar situation in Dublin with renovating historical homes and removing the plaster and paint to expose the original wood and stone which is also what he’d want to build his home of, not the poured cemented they currently employ.
Part of the way was on road that Zio James use to attempt to run, he never made it the full distance without stopping, at 0600 in the morning following a dip in the ocean and returning home by 07000 which is when Zia Michela would be getting up. It is an exercise program could get behind myself living here. On our return to Levanto, we visited Piazza Cavour where the three Bertolotto daughters had taken their father Giovanni for his walk and read. When that concluded, all eight of us returned to our places for lunch. I prepared our usual and following our meal, wrote my last postcard of the trip to Mac and then attempted a siesta that was unsuccessful because of Mom’s shoring, which as been an annoyance some times at night but not during naps until now.
We left for our last ocean beach trip around 1600 and proceeded to the sand beach where, after a few steps from the steps, Zio James whistled at us. So we once again joined them, and after some sunning on my part, and swimming on the part of the Carswell males, San Giacomo—Saint James—decided to perform a miracle through our James by finding my intact, if not ocean battered, glasses. San Giacomo must have been feeling benevolent and empowered with his festival being yesterday. After exclaiming over the find and me saying “on the third day they rose” we returned to our beach activities of sun bathing and swimming. The water was pretty much the same as yesterday, but I enjoyed my last dip in the ocean before returning to my sun worship. Mom was the one to spring for ice cream this beach visit, with her getting a lemon popsicle with a liquorish handled called Liperli at €1.30 [$1.7452] for a bar and I selected the €1.80 [$2.4165] Biscotto Cinque Stelle, a half chocolate covered, half ice cream sandwich bar. Following the treat was more sunning and the appearance of Heather, Stefano, and Elisa (Marco made his appearance when Nichola and I were buying the treats) and as the sun began to sink and I was more and more in shadow I declared the beach too cool and within minutes, because of the lateness, we all returned to our homes. Supper tonight was a co-op effort, with me preparing the meat filled past strained over the greens and Mom cooking the last zucchini in most of the butter as we did our best to empty the fridge of perishables. Afterwards, I boxed up the pieces of beach glass I had sorted before my nap attempt that I had selected to take home, with my road and ocean shells, and my first collection of pine nuts. Mom in the morning had already selected her desired stones and returned the unwanted ones to the beach during our visit.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
2200 EET
At the beach, we confirmed a 2030 visit to Betta’s to use the phone to call Dad to get him to arrange an appointment with Dr Diakow [optometrist] on Thursday the 29th. So we arrived just as Nichola and Elisa were departing for the movies, but were able to pass on our gifts of Saskatchewan landscape fridge magnets, Saskatoon jam and pins to Marco and Betta. The first gift to Betta given on our first visit, Hannigan’s creamed honey was a great success and I am to report back to Ruby and Murray, that Elisa who did not like honey now does—theirs anyway. We also gifted Zia Michela and Zio James with two glass water pitchers we had purchased today, to replace their lidless pitcher and pot system of keeping water cool in the refrigerator.
Marco had his laptop there and showed Zio and myself pictures on his Facebook page and his B&B website: www.bedandbreakfastmarco.com, and explained that the drawing on the gateway page and his brochures was a gift to him from a German woman that had stayed at his B&B four years ago—a drawing of the exterior building. During our walk to the train station, Mom had actually asked if I missed my laptop and I honestly missed it for being able to write out plots and other things, as well as read, well check for, some new J/S fanfic and read Femke’s updates. So, in a way, it’s the writing and reading I miss which Zio said during our Castello walk, is a good thing to miss a computer for as he himself wants to check the news, in particular the recent reaching scandal involving Ferrari. Mom borrowed the computer to check for any notices about flight changes from Air Canada and there were none.
The night’s big surprise was a small, and delicious, ice cream cake with a 5 and 0 candles for Mom’s fiftieth birthday. I sported it when depositing things in the kitchen as Zia was lighting the two candles and enthusiastically joined in singing Happy Birthday to Mom as Zia carried it into the dinning room. The cake was shared with those that could eat it and wine was poured for cheers, which I drank all of though the taste was not the greatest but it did not burn which is my benchmark. Giovanni, shortly after the song was sung appeared to wish Mom a happy birthday and us goodbye. As I worked on my two pieces of cake, I listened and watches as Zia and Betta began filling out a small family tree of the Bertolotto’s from Nichola back to the fifth generation. As Mom asked for dates when known, Zia will visit the cimiteri to gather more information and sent the sheet to us, and for our records, we photographed the page. After our visit and saying our final goodbyes to Betta and Marco, we returned to our rooms to first pack all the gifts and unneeded garments into my large black suitcase, and then I swept floors and Mom mopped. At 2245 we retired to bed, still with its fleece blanket, for our last sleep in Levanto. Like Mom, though I will happily return home, I am not eager to leave Italia let alone Levanto.
1845 EET
Our last full day in Levanto, which began like most days during our stay. I awoke some time during the night, returned to sleep, and rose at 0900 when Mom mentioned the time. After showering, breakfast was toast with jar and raspberry yogurt with strawberry slices. Following that, I was able to do some writing, but halted after a short while to guide Mom to the train station as she hadn’t paid attention on our previous trips and still “gets lost” here, making her desire a map of Levanto. Don’t know how much good that will be because in Firenze and Venezia we “got lost” because our maps were insufficient and didn’t label the streets, and for Roma, the piazza we were in. So to the station we went to buy our tickets to return to Roma tomorrow. That done we headed to the Bertolotto apartment for Zio James for our Castello walk and meet Enrica and family at the entrance door, who kindly called Zio James down for us.
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| Comune di Levanto map. |
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| The Italiano home addition--the bathroom. |
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| XIII-XIV century building. |
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| Mom and the old city wall. |
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| Chiesa di San Andrew bell tower from outside the old city wall. |
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| The path outside the old city walls towards the Castello. |
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| The Castello. |
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| Wall and part of the grounds of the eclectic B&B. |
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| View of Levanto and Rossola. |
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| Mom and Zio James on the path. |
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| Lovely Italia. |
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| Rolled up nets underneath olive trees. |
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| A century plant and the sea. |
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
2200 EET
At the beach, we confirmed a 2030 visit to Betta’s to use the phone to call Dad to get him to arrange an appointment with Dr Diakow [optometrist] on Thursday the 29th. So we arrived just as Nichola and Elisa were departing for the movies, but were able to pass on our gifts of Saskatchewan landscape fridge magnets, Saskatoon jam and pins to Marco and Betta. The first gift to Betta given on our first visit, Hannigan’s creamed honey was a great success and I am to report back to Ruby and Murray, that Elisa who did not like honey now does—theirs anyway. We also gifted Zia Michela and Zio James with two glass water pitchers we had purchased today, to replace their lidless pitcher and pot system of keeping water cool in the refrigerator.
Marco had his laptop there and showed Zio and myself pictures on his Facebook page and his B&B website: www.bedandbreakfastmarco.com, and explained that the drawing on the gateway page and his brochures was a gift to him from a German woman that had stayed at his B&B four years ago—a drawing of the exterior building. During our walk to the train station, Mom had actually asked if I missed my laptop and I honestly missed it for being able to write out plots and other things, as well as read, well check for, some new J/S fanfic and read Femke’s updates. So, in a way, it’s the writing and reading I miss which Zio said during our Castello walk, is a good thing to miss a computer for as he himself wants to check the news, in particular the recent reaching scandal involving Ferrari. Mom borrowed the computer to check for any notices about flight changes from Air Canada and there were none.
The night’s big surprise was a small, and delicious, ice cream cake with a 5 and 0 candles for Mom’s fiftieth birthday. I sported it when depositing things in the kitchen as Zia was lighting the two candles and enthusiastically joined in singing Happy Birthday to Mom as Zia carried it into the dinning room. The cake was shared with those that could eat it and wine was poured for cheers, which I drank all of though the taste was not the greatest but it did not burn which is my benchmark. Giovanni, shortly after the song was sung appeared to wish Mom a happy birthday and us goodbye. As I worked on my two pieces of cake, I listened and watches as Zia and Betta began filling out a small family tree of the Bertolotto’s from Nichola back to the fifth generation. As Mom asked for dates when known, Zia will visit the cimiteri to gather more information and sent the sheet to us, and for our records, we photographed the page. After our visit and saying our final goodbyes to Betta and Marco, we returned to our rooms to first pack all the gifts and unneeded garments into my large black suitcase, and then I swept floors and Mom mopped. At 2245 we retired to bed, still with its fleece blanket, for our last sleep in Levanto. Like Mom, though I will happily return home, I am not eager to leave Italia let alone Levanto.
1.11.2011
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
1915 EET
The clock tower just rang one quarter after seven although I am sure our travel clock disagrees. This morning I rose from bed at 0745, having woken some time during the night but at least not from the chill as Mom had placed a fleece blanket on our bed. Breakfast was self-serve, toast with jam and strawberry yogurt without fresh fruit. Following, I wrote a postcard for the Slemmings and some time before ten o’clock, we ventured into Levanto to explore the street fair vendors. Our first objective however, was purchasing two 32 inch ceramic frying pans at €40.00 [$53.5333] each from the shop which was quickly accomplished. After returning the pans to apartment, we posted my card, and then joined the mass of people shopping.
While I saw nothing for myself, garment, jewellery, or trinket wise, I saw a few possibilities for Mac and successfully bought €15.00 [$20.075] sterling silver dragonfly earrings for Mom’s birthday gift. We also found some interesting picture earrings at €5.00 [$6.6917] a pair with each earring being half of the picture and Mom fell in love with Leonardo ones for herself.
In the area I encountered Zia Michela, who guided us to where Nichola and Zio James were sitting and finishing off a prochetta panini. Zio James proudly showed off his find, a camping quality pie plate, and Zia Michela gifted Mom with a trio of ladybug earrings. As in, the vendor had given her three earrings instead of two for a set. While sitting, Nichola recommended we have a panini con porchetta and to see the turtles the pet vendor was selling across from the lunch truck. After they left, for Zia Michela to watch Giovanni and give Betta a change to shop, we looked at the little turtles, did some more looking at booths, and then bough the pork sandwiches at €4.50 [$6.0225] a piece and the most expensive pop Mom has ever paid for at €2.50 [$3.3458]. One of, if not the most, expensive lunches we have had in Italia and it wasn’t even really good.
Following our early lunch, we went for more watercolour Levanto postcards, Mom bough another pair of earrings for herself and found a pair for Nonna Jean in the same shop. We browsed through the street fair once again on our way to Cari’s for more groceries. One route we encountered Betta, Giovanna, and Anna. It was good to see Betta, as a few nights ago the doctor was called at three a.m. for her and diagnosed her with kidney stones, which lead to the cancelation of the planned large lunch we had been invited to today.
We returned to our place at 1230 and after snacking, we headed to bed for afternoon rest. We rose for our rest at 1515 for our beach trip and Mom, on route, went to the vendor with the picture earrings and selected two for Zia Lorna, shoes, and Zia Susan, Christ. That used up our planned gelato money of €10.00 [$13.3833] but Mom is pleased with the gifts. Our choice of beach was the free sand one and we visited with a bag to collect beach stones that Mom is going to put through Andrew’s stone tumbler and turn into fridge magnet gifts. We spent some time sunning, without lotion again, when I spotted Zio James, Nicola, and Zia Michela venturing onto the beach. We called “Ciao” and moved our towels to a spot closer to the water that could accommodate all five of us. We sunned some more and decided to venture into the ocean when a cloud covered the sun, and I held off entering until the sun re-emerged but kept occupied playing ball with Nichola.
I prudently left my prescription sunglasses on my towel, my currently visual saving grace, but when swimming could tell that the water was still quite dirty from being churned up. Following my swim, I joined Mom on a pebbled part of the beach to search for stone with contrast for her, and glass pieces for myself. Nichola helped us for some time, as did Zia Michela for a bit. When Mom declared collecting over we returned to our towels. We were introduced to Zia Michela’s friend, her husband Stafano, and one-year-old daughter Elisa. Plus, we saw Giovanna, Anna, and Claudio again with both groups settling their towels near our give.
After swimming for some more, Nichola appeared with a very nice sized snail. That, with Marlene Fellows request still in mind and not satisfied with the damaged one I plucked form the road on route to Bonassola, prompted me to go shell hunting with Nichola. We (well he did really) found two more barnacle crustaceans among the rocks of the pier but it also turned into a crab hunting expedition. In the end, I stuck with Nichola’s first snail find and returned the other two to the ocean. The crabs, small ones, were pretty neat to see as well. With our spoils we returned to our place in time for me to prepare supper at 1814 of potato pasta, cheese piece, and prosciutto slice.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
2344 EET
We had a brief rest before hearing the band of the San Giacomo procession which pulled us outside. Before the procession arrived, I got some photos of the Bertolottos and family on their apartment balcony. The trumpeters, flag wavers, drummers, and re-creators lead the procession with the churches with their group of men parading massive crucifixes following. We had seen to assembled at the loggia, having passed by on our way home for supper, but carrying them is an undertaking even with the torso harnesses they wore and their technique of transferring the crucifix from one carrier to another. They are massive, easily a story high, one did get hung up on a street light three stories up, and not balanced. While my placement near the intersection’s street light was good for my photos lighting, I was not on the right side of the road as they crucifixes had their backs to me. There were eight crucifixes, less than usual Zia Michela reports there being fifteen to thirty in previous years, as well as church members and orders, plus sailors carrying a figure of what I think was San Giacomo.
After the procession, we made our way to the beach to claim seats for the fireworks display. We went so early that we easily snagged seven seats. Seven because before the procession us, we had met up with Zia Michela’s friend, Stafano, and Elisa again. Elisa and I actually passed time and entertained each other by hopping together. I had already dressed warm in preparation because I knew it would be cooler on the shore—cool as in 27°C. Egads, how I have come to love the 30°C+ weather. So, we borrowed the chairs in the pay beach area, and set them up pretty much in front of the offshore barge the fireworks would be launched from. A quarter to eleven I got fed up with being cold, helped I am sure by the ice cream cone that Zio James bought me, and marched back to the apartment for socks, another pair of pants, another t-shirt under my sweater—my sweater which was worn for the first time in Italia—and bandana for my head. The temperature at that point? 23°C.
I returned to the beach with a pair of socks for Mom, and didn’t have more than five minutes to settle into listening to the surf, which we’d strategically had to retreat from earlier, when the show began. The fireworks were fantastic, beginning with three concussive booms that one felt in the chest and heard echoed through the bay and hills. The concussive pulse and rumbling booms were felt and heard throughout the show and I just loved them. For the fireworks themselves, they were impressive bursts, weeping willows, and glittering streamers with white, gold, and red colours dominating but there was green and the difficult to manufacture blue as well. One of the neatest was the parachuting lights and I also found the lights that burned on the water great visually. It was all just phenomenal and went on for a good twenty minutes before ending as it began, with three concussive booms. A really fantastic night.
1915 EET
The clock tower just rang one quarter after seven although I am sure our travel clock disagrees. This morning I rose from bed at 0745, having woken some time during the night but at least not from the chill as Mom had placed a fleece blanket on our bed. Breakfast was self-serve, toast with jam and strawberry yogurt without fresh fruit. Following, I wrote a postcard for the Slemmings and some time before ten o’clock, we ventured into Levanto to explore the street fair vendors. Our first objective however, was purchasing two 32 inch ceramic frying pans at €40.00 [$53.5333] each from the shop which was quickly accomplished. After returning the pans to apartment, we posted my card, and then joined the mass of people shopping.
While I saw nothing for myself, garment, jewellery, or trinket wise, I saw a few possibilities for Mac and successfully bought €15.00 [$20.075] sterling silver dragonfly earrings for Mom’s birthday gift. We also found some interesting picture earrings at €5.00 [$6.6917] a pair with each earring being half of the picture and Mom fell in love with Leonardo ones for herself.
In the area I encountered Zia Michela, who guided us to where Nichola and Zio James were sitting and finishing off a prochetta panini. Zio James proudly showed off his find, a camping quality pie plate, and Zia Michela gifted Mom with a trio of ladybug earrings. As in, the vendor had given her three earrings instead of two for a set. While sitting, Nichola recommended we have a panini con porchetta and to see the turtles the pet vendor was selling across from the lunch truck. After they left, for Zia Michela to watch Giovanni and give Betta a change to shop, we looked at the little turtles, did some more looking at booths, and then bough the pork sandwiches at €4.50 [$6.0225] a piece and the most expensive pop Mom has ever paid for at €2.50 [$3.3458]. One of, if not the most, expensive lunches we have had in Italia and it wasn’t even really good.
Following our early lunch, we went for more watercolour Levanto postcards, Mom bough another pair of earrings for herself and found a pair for Nonna Jean in the same shop. We browsed through the street fair once again on our way to Cari’s for more groceries. One route we encountered Betta, Giovanna, and Anna. It was good to see Betta, as a few nights ago the doctor was called at three a.m. for her and diagnosed her with kidney stones, which lead to the cancelation of the planned large lunch we had been invited to today.
We returned to our place at 1230 and after snacking, we headed to bed for afternoon rest. We rose for our rest at 1515 for our beach trip and Mom, on route, went to the vendor with the picture earrings and selected two for Zia Lorna, shoes, and Zia Susan, Christ. That used up our planned gelato money of €10.00 [$13.3833] but Mom is pleased with the gifts. Our choice of beach was the free sand one and we visited with a bag to collect beach stones that Mom is going to put through Andrew’s stone tumbler and turn into fridge magnet gifts. We spent some time sunning, without lotion again, when I spotted Zio James, Nicola, and Zia Michela venturing onto the beach. We called “Ciao” and moved our towels to a spot closer to the water that could accommodate all five of us. We sunned some more and decided to venture into the ocean when a cloud covered the sun, and I held off entering until the sun re-emerged but kept occupied playing ball with Nichola.
I prudently left my prescription sunglasses on my towel, my currently visual saving grace, but when swimming could tell that the water was still quite dirty from being churned up. Following my swim, I joined Mom on a pebbled part of the beach to search for stone with contrast for her, and glass pieces for myself. Nichola helped us for some time, as did Zia Michela for a bit. When Mom declared collecting over we returned to our towels. We were introduced to Zia Michela’s friend, her husband Stafano, and one-year-old daughter Elisa. Plus, we saw Giovanna, Anna, and Claudio again with both groups settling their towels near our give.
After swimming for some more, Nichola appeared with a very nice sized snail. That, with Marlene Fellows request still in mind and not satisfied with the damaged one I plucked form the road on route to Bonassola, prompted me to go shell hunting with Nichola. We (well he did really) found two more barnacle crustaceans among the rocks of the pier but it also turned into a crab hunting expedition. In the end, I stuck with Nichola’s first snail find and returned the other two to the ocean. The crabs, small ones, were pretty neat to see as well. With our spoils we returned to our place in time for me to prepare supper at 1814 of potato pasta, cheese piece, and prosciutto slice.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
2344 EET
We had a brief rest before hearing the band of the San Giacomo procession which pulled us outside. Before the procession arrived, I got some photos of the Bertolottos and family on their apartment balcony. The trumpeters, flag wavers, drummers, and re-creators lead the procession with the churches with their group of men parading massive crucifixes following. We had seen to assembled at the loggia, having passed by on our way home for supper, but carrying them is an undertaking even with the torso harnesses they wore and their technique of transferring the crucifix from one carrier to another. They are massive, easily a story high, one did get hung up on a street light three stories up, and not balanced. While my placement near the intersection’s street light was good for my photos lighting, I was not on the right side of the road as they crucifixes had their backs to me. There were eight crucifixes, less than usual Zia Michela reports there being fifteen to thirty in previous years, as well as church members and orders, plus sailors carrying a figure of what I think was San Giacomo.
After the procession, we made our way to the beach to claim seats for the fireworks display. We went so early that we easily snagged seven seats. Seven because before the procession us, we had met up with Zia Michela’s friend, Stafano, and Elisa again. Elisa and I actually passed time and entertained each other by hopping together. I had already dressed warm in preparation because I knew it would be cooler on the shore—cool as in 27°C. Egads, how I have come to love the 30°C+ weather. So, we borrowed the chairs in the pay beach area, and set them up pretty much in front of the offshore barge the fireworks would be launched from. A quarter to eleven I got fed up with being cold, helped I am sure by the ice cream cone that Zio James bought me, and marched back to the apartment for socks, another pair of pants, another t-shirt under my sweater—my sweater which was worn for the first time in Italia—and bandana for my head. The temperature at that point? 23°C.
I returned to the beach with a pair of socks for Mom, and didn’t have more than five minutes to settle into listening to the surf, which we’d strategically had to retreat from earlier, when the show began. The fireworks were fantastic, beginning with three concussive booms that one felt in the chest and heard echoed through the bay and hills. The concussive pulse and rumbling booms were felt and heard throughout the show and I just loved them. For the fireworks themselves, they were impressive bursts, weeping willows, and glittering streamers with white, gold, and red colours dominating but there was green and the difficult to manufacture blue as well. One of the neatest was the parachuting lights and I also found the lights that burned on the water great visually. It was all just phenomenal and went on for a good twenty minutes before ending as it began, with three concussive booms. A really fantastic night.
1.10.2011
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sorry for today's and yesterdays posts being late. This is the second time Blogger has changed a 'scheduled' post into a 'draft' post on me.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
1305 EET
Well, beyond my wake up at 0430 as told by the bells, upon waking at a more appropriate time again in the morning I remained in bed until 0905 and then decided to rise. Breakfast was toast with jam and a bowl of strawberry yogurt with strawberry slices, followed by a thorough shower. Emerging from the shower, I wished Mom a happy birthday to which she remarked she had forgotten. Then I spent time writing nine postcards, discussing how to address mail, noted a translation error on the card selected, for Chris and decided to send a postcard to the Slemmings noting how many of the pages I have used of this journal they gave me.
Before addressing and stamping all the cards, Zio James buzzed to talk about attending the drumming at 1800 this evening so today is the first day of the San Giacomo festival. Afterwards we hope to eat at Ristorante da Rino, just a few doors down and recommended as well as attending the flag performance. Once decided, I returned to my postcards and shortly afterwards we attempted to catch Zio James and the Bertolotto’s in the park for Giovanni’s walk and read, but missed them and decided to look for a post office on our own. As we were leaving the park, a group of flag bearers, trumpeters, and drummers assembled but because of their colours of flag and period-dress I suspect they are from rival towns.
Within Piazza Cavour we found come children flag performers practicing and an information map of Levanto, which showed the location of the post office. I posted the stamped cards in the box outside and entered to purchase ten more stamps. The ticket dispenser and signboard were not working so I actually had a brief wait standing in line. This time the stamps I got are self-adhesive, so not more licking, and larger than the previous ones leading Mom to remark how they fit on our postcards.
Exiting the post office, I lead Mom past the bakery as requested, Non Solo Pane, where we purchased our fucaccia previously, where this time she bought two poppy seed buns, for €0.72 [$0.9636]. As it was lunchtime, we returned to our place, took another moment to admire the third division of the original apartment floor, which Marco is renting out as a room of his B&B with very nice orange décor, and then I fixed lunch using the buns, prosciutto, cheese, and some greens which I don’t really recognise.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
1630 EET – Entry Made at 1726 EET
Well, I’ve lost my glasses to the Mar Ligure, and in the moment was pissed beyond consolation. This entry is written later, though as the time stamp indicates I recorded the time right after returning from the beach but did not trust myself to write anything more with an niceness.
So after lunch, we relaxed some more and decided to go to the beach after three o’clock and enjoy today’s gorgeous blue sky and brilliant sun. So packing ourselves up, off we progressed to the free sand beach in the middle of the harbour. Along the wallboard, with our view blocked by change stations, we could then hear the ocean and it sounded rough. Clearing the row of change rooms, we saw that the surf was very strong and there were a few boarders on the outer swells with the lifeguard working on keeping swimmers away from the rock pier. We sunned ourselves for a period of time, living dangerously without sunscreen, before deciding to swim and enjoy the waves. The first wave knocked me off my feet, started to steal a show and byt the time I thought to grab for my glasses underwater, stole them. We spent a few moments attempting to search, a useless endeavour with my vision and the waves turning the water white, so I packed us back to the apartment.
Once back and feeling like being destructive, I decided the best thing was to sleep it off.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
2330 EET
Zio James buzzed us at 1736 and then visited to get a spare set of flip-flops from the closet as his sandals broke. I shared my woe with him, and proceeding down with Zia Michela and Nichola as we progressed to find a spot to watch the San Giacomo parade of flag barriers, drummers, trumpeters, and others in period costume. Levanto as host town lead with their procession and there other competing town’s processions followed. I enjoyed spotting the women musicians in tunics and leggings and seeing the different uniforms and nobility costumes.
Directly after the parade, Nichola and I went pine nut hunting and after gathering a suitable amount, had to go wash our hands for about five minutes to deal with the pinesap. Following the pine nut endevour, we proceeded to Ristorante da Rino for a deviously tasty dinner. While I cannot recount all of the dishes served, though I was once again amused by the translation errors on the menu, I can list what I had. From the appetizers, I tried the lemon anchovies with local olives, octopus with potatoes, tuna, swordfish, and salmon. My pasta dish was herb filled ravioli with a white walnut sauce and absolutely delicious. I also had some mouthfuls of Zio James, Zia Michela, and Nichola’s seafood spaghetti but I am starting to thinking I cannot even have food contaminated with shrimp as shortly afterwards my stomach started to hurt badly.
We enjoyed our meal and after dinner conversation and then made our way to Piazza Cavour for the flag competition. It really is quite interesting what they do, twirling the flag poles with hands and feet, as well as tossing them in the air. The sings all started with one flag and all progressed to handling four although they did not all end their routine with the four. Following the singles were the groups of five bearing two flags which they proceeded to wave and toss to each other in unity. It was all very interesting to watch, but not the easiest to photograph although I did get a decent video of the Levanto group, with us being at the back of the audience as Zio James said we did not need to be there for the 2100 start time. Of interest of the Levanto group was the there were two women flag throwers and Zia Michela’s cugino Alessandro, who is the present of the association, though he started with Marco.
The Carswell males find the contest repetitive and as we were standing at the back, I agreed to go fro a walk which took us to the Il Porticciolo, and even with my upset stomach and feeling it might help, I accepted the offer of a gelato and got blueberry and created flavour. In the shop’s courtyard we met Enrica and her family, Eliza again, a sleeping P., and popsicle eating one-year-old L., and her husband Massi. Family was everywhere that night as leaving Piazza Cavour we ran into Giovanna, Anna, and Cladio.
After getting our gelato cones, we enjoyed them while walking along the path above the beach. The moon is full and was lovely with the sight of the green and white Sant’ Andrea belfry and Levanto at night. Sitting down for a time, Mom remarked and I agreed, it was the first time since we had come to Italia except for the second train to Venezia, that we had been cold! Retreating from the chill, we passed back by Piazza Cavour to catch two pairs performance by the flag wavers before retiring for the night.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
1305 EET
Well, beyond my wake up at 0430 as told by the bells, upon waking at a more appropriate time again in the morning I remained in bed until 0905 and then decided to rise. Breakfast was toast with jam and a bowl of strawberry yogurt with strawberry slices, followed by a thorough shower. Emerging from the shower, I wished Mom a happy birthday to which she remarked she had forgotten. Then I spent time writing nine postcards, discussing how to address mail, noted a translation error on the card selected, for Chris and decided to send a postcard to the Slemmings noting how many of the pages I have used of this journal they gave me.
Before addressing and stamping all the cards, Zio James buzzed to talk about attending the drumming at 1800 this evening so today is the first day of the San Giacomo festival. Afterwards we hope to eat at Ristorante da Rino, just a few doors down and recommended as well as attending the flag performance. Once decided, I returned to my postcards and shortly afterwards we attempted to catch Zio James and the Bertolotto’s in the park for Giovanni’s walk and read, but missed them and decided to look for a post office on our own. As we were leaving the park, a group of flag bearers, trumpeters, and drummers assembled but because of their colours of flag and period-dress I suspect they are from rival towns.
 |
| Standard holders near the park. |
 |
| Drummers near the park. |
 |
| Flag wavers near the park. |
Exiting the post office, I lead Mom past the bakery as requested, Non Solo Pane, where we purchased our fucaccia previously, where this time she bought two poppy seed buns, for €0.72 [$0.9636]. As it was lunchtime, we returned to our place, took another moment to admire the third division of the original apartment floor, which Marco is renting out as a room of his B&B with very nice orange décor, and then I fixed lunch using the buns, prosciutto, cheese, and some greens which I don’t really recognise.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
1630 EET – Entry Made at 1726 EET
Well, I’ve lost my glasses to the Mar Ligure, and in the moment was pissed beyond consolation. This entry is written later, though as the time stamp indicates I recorded the time right after returning from the beach but did not trust myself to write anything more with an niceness.
So after lunch, we relaxed some more and decided to go to the beach after three o’clock and enjoy today’s gorgeous blue sky and brilliant sun. So packing ourselves up, off we progressed to the free sand beach in the middle of the harbour. Along the wallboard, with our view blocked by change stations, we could then hear the ocean and it sounded rough. Clearing the row of change rooms, we saw that the surf was very strong and there were a few boarders on the outer swells with the lifeguard working on keeping swimmers away from the rock pier. We sunned ourselves for a period of time, living dangerously without sunscreen, before deciding to swim and enjoy the waves. The first wave knocked me off my feet, started to steal a show and byt the time I thought to grab for my glasses underwater, stole them. We spent a few moments attempting to search, a useless endeavour with my vision and the waves turning the water white, so I packed us back to the apartment.
Once back and feeling like being destructive, I decided the best thing was to sleep it off.
Bertolotto Cova Apartment, Levanto
2330 EET
Zio James buzzed us at 1736 and then visited to get a spare set of flip-flops from the closet as his sandals broke. I shared my woe with him, and proceeding down with Zia Michela and Nichola as we progressed to find a spot to watch the San Giacomo parade of flag barriers, drummers, trumpeters, and others in period costume. Levanto as host town lead with their procession and there other competing town’s processions followed. I enjoyed spotting the women musicians in tunics and leggings and seeing the different uniforms and nobility costumes.
 |
| Standard holder in the parade. |
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| Trumpeters in the parade. |
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| Standard holder in the parade. |
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| Drummers in the parade. |
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| Flag wavers in the parade. |
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| Mom holding gathered pine nuts, Alanna and Nichola holding pine cones and showing sappy fingers. |
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| Zia Michela, Zio James, Nicola ,and Mom at Ristorante da Rino. |
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| Levanto single competitor with four flags. |
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| Competing team at flag waving competition. |
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| Alanna with gelato cone at Il Porticciolo and sunglasses that will now be signature. |
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| Nobles watching the flag waving competition on the stage set up in Piazza Cavour. |
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| Levanto pair team. |
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