Haven't written for a while. Got a lot of things happening. No time to write. But the good news is that barring "force major" on the 20th of Nov. I will be connected at home to the internet (halleluya!!)and will be able to write more and talk to you through messenger, skype or whatever.
In the meantime, some of the recent excitements - First, looks like I just bought a black diesel, shift, Toyota Yaris. Why black? that's the color they had available, why diesel? I'm told it's much more economical (and with oil costing 100$ a barrel this is definitely a consideration....). shift? it seems Italians are not into automatic cars, why? according to them only the handicapped drive automatic and if I want to sell the car here later, looks like I'll have to live with this (not the end of the world for me). Why Toyota? I'm told it's a good, reliable car. We'll see. If all goes as planned I'll have the car on Dec. 5th. and then I can start crisscrossing Europe. In the meantime, I'm using the public transportation, which isn't too bad, some of the time.... Which brings me to my next story:
I went to visit my friends Petra and Renato in their village near Florence last weekend (Petra studied Italian with me in Florence eleven years ago). They live in this lovely place right over a pretty Tuscan valley with a magnificant view. We travelled around, went to a small artists' village, talked to a gold jeweller, enjoyed autumn in Tuscany (beautiful, if you're wondering). Had a great time there (great food and great company). Getting there was fine. Took the Eurostar, sat comfortably, got there on time. On the way back, as it was a holiday weekend all the trains were packed. The one I was supposed to take was coming from the South of Italy (which it seems is nutorious for late trains...). I was told it would be three and a half (!) hours late. I found out there would be an earlier train that didn't require having a reserved seat. This means that the train was PACKED with people. I stood for two and a half hours in a narrow corrider with two Chinese girls squashed against me. A unique experience. On top of this, took the scenic route back to Milan - visited every city on the way.... It took me 8 hours to get back from Florence to Milan (normally it should take about 3 hours). The moral of this part of the story? Travel only with Euro Star or make sure you've got a reservation on a train not coming from the South.... or don't go on a holiday weekend (although I'm very glad I went, haven't seen Petra in 7 years and we probably won't meet again till the spring so...).
On the recommendation of my brother I went to see a David Lynch exhibition here in Milan. Tres Bizarre!! is what I can say after seeing it. I knew I was probably not in the right place for me when I saw the young punky types who came to see the exhibition. Strange music, pictures, and exhibits. Too strange for me, unfortunately.
A place I liked more is the Museum Poldi-Pezzoli. Here is what one web site had to say of this place:
Museo Poldi-Pezzoli - Via Manzoni 12, Milan, ItalySituated in north-east Milan, the Museo Poldi-Pezzoli is a private museum that was established by Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli and opened to the public in 1881. The building itself is a good example of a late 19th-century aristocratic residence in Milan and both the exterior and interior are well preserved. Inside the museum are many exhibits, including Pezzoli's fine collection of sculptures, paintings - many by notable artists, watches, jewellery, glass, textiles, ancient armour and much more.
I like these kinds of places because I like private collections - you see things that someone collected because he/she liked these things - be it pictures, statues, etc. and you can see their preferences, even if it's just that they liked bright colors or something. It's more personal. The Frick Collection in NY is like this as is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
What else? Next week I'll be in Dusseldorf to attend Medica - an exhibition of medical equipment and appliances. We will be promoting Israeli companies and helping them meet relevant Italian companies.
As always, I'd love to hear from you. Do write. Have a great weekend.
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