Rosh Hashana and apartments

OK folks. I'm going to try and write a blog instead of sending you mails. I'm new to this media so I would appreciate your comments and suggestions to make it easier and more interesting to read.

Right now, I'm waiting to see an apartment not far from here (where is here you might ask? I'm sitting in the office typing - but I swear this is all I'm doing here, no work today). I saw a nice apartment this morning. It's in a completely different area from the other one I'm considering. It's in an old building but completely refurbished. There's a nice portiere lady downstairs who I'm told is there all the time (I think she might live there). The apartment if on the 4th out of 5 floors which would probably make the security people happier. It's got one big bedroom and one smaller, a big living and dining room. It's sunny. The owner is willing to put in air conditioning with no extra cost to me, but there's no "box" (what's a box you wonder - a special parking place for the car) - so either you park on the street or you reserve a place in a lot nearby for about 150 euros a month. It's not the best deal, but it might work. It's slightly smaller than the other apartment, or at least feels like it, but the agency is nicer (I had a Danish lady who came to show me the apartment and there's no games with the price - that is, everything's included). One other problem - it's on a relatively big throughway, no trams but quite a bit of traffic. It seems a more international area than the other area I was looking into. There are Brits in the apartment above.

What else happened since my last mail? For the holiday meal I went with the rep. of Keren Hayesod and his family to an Israeli family - some people working for Alcatel. They were a start up bought by Alcatel. There were two others from the start up at the dinner and Kabat (security guy) El Al and his family. A lot of noise but a friendly lively dinner. They did "brachot" in the way we do it because the guy is of Sepharadi origin. But we ate figs instead of dates and no pumpkin. Tons of food.

The next day I went for lunch with a Jewish family here through a connection of my uncle - the Nissim-s. I didn't ask who they were in advance which could have been a problem. Luckily, I wore a sporty suit and not jeans... They turned out to be this very rich family - in the diamond business. The flower arrangement on the table alone was worth easily more than 100 euros... To say nothing of the jewellery they were wearing. The women in the family design jewellery. They were very lively and friendly. Told me a lot about Jewish life in Milan. The food was Persian. I hope I can maintain the connection with them without being considered a gold digger. They seem to be well connected in the community.

Then yesterday evening I was invited to a kidush in the hotel by the unofficial head of the Jewish community in Milano Due (where my hotel is). The guy has been living in the hotel for... 30 years!! I don't know how he does this. I've been there for 2 and a half weeks and am having trouble dealing with it (there's nothing wrong with it, it's just so impersonal...). Anyway, he got some young Rabbi from Jerusalem who can't see but doesn't wear glasses to come over and do the hag for/with them. He had another guy come to this small Kidush. He's been living in Milano for 50 years or so. He fought in the Independence War in Israel, from Bulgaria. An opera singer. Claims to have been a friend of Pavarotti's... A bizarre occasion. I'm glad I know what to do in a kidush. The opera singer didn't which was a bit of an embarrassment. But I left before the gefiltefish...

This evening, I'm invited to dinner at Paola's. She used to work here. She's a good friend and I like her. Also, I'm going to hear a concert this evening, so some culture as well.

I went to the Ambrosio (I think that's the name) library where they have some of Leonardo's notebooks. The pages they had on display from his notes are beautiful to look at. There's also one of his paintings (the Musician) and a few other good paintings (Carravagio, Raphael, and others). The building is also nice (like many Italian buildings).

I'm sampling many ice cream parlours. Haven't found the ONE yet but all are very nice.

That's about it for now. Got to go already. Will write more soon. and I'd love to hear your comments - as always.