Finally is Christmas!!

Christmas : Day 4

I'm sleeping and I hear some noise. Steps. I presume. Is it Meggie?? Maybe she can't sleep and she is looking for me?? I decide to wake up and go check the source of the noise. When I exit Meggie's room (well it's Roos' room) I step into Joppe who is also walking around the house. He was not expecting me and gets really scared. Babs is also awake because she has a bad cold and cannot breath...so the 3 of us decide to go downstairs and have a little party with hot chocolate and cookies! At 5am we decide that it's time to go back to sleep! I wake up around 10am, no one is around. Wouter, Babs and the kids are in the living room watching "Ratatouille" (the Dutch version!!)! But we have ro rush again...still some shopping to do! So Wouter and I are off to AH, Blokker and Hema! Then we have to get ready for our Christmas dinner! Bart is finally arrived and we are all invited at Marlous!! Babs makes a meringue chocolate dessert and as usual I eat too much!!! Our time in Holland is over...we have to drive back to Paris...tomorrow is Christmas!

Christmas : Day 3

It's already Sunday! We have to check out early from the hotel because we have to be at Evelien's around 10h30am! Not easy task to fit all the presents in the luggages! When we all succed we drive to Veghel and pay a visit to Eveline, Bjorn, Sela & Jesse! It's always so nice to see friends! Then we are off again to Marlous's! And big surprise : Wouter's grandmother is there too! Oma Louise, is one of my favorite people, probably the only one who accepteded me when I first came in the Deuss-Looten family! We spend some time translating from Dutch to Italian or English to French : is caotic but warm caotic! Marlous prepares a wonderful meal and we all sitting and eating together! Time goes fast and it's already 2pm and my parents and Giovanni have to drive back to Dusseldorf! It's sad to see them leave but I'm happy that we had such a great time...Wouter drives them to the highway...Ciao mamma & papà al prossimo anno!

Christmas : Day 2

Our second day started slowly with a late wake up and a nice breakfast at the French café just around the corner! Then a nice stroll through the cute streets of Den Bosch for some late Christmas shopping (here in Holland there are already the sales!!) then a nice late lunch at Café Hart before going to meet my inlaws in Veghel. My mother in law is famous for her magnificent Christmas set up and you should have seen her house....lights and candles, little houses, big Christmas tree! A real Christmas treat!! Just little after Barbara (Wouter's sister) and her kids Joppe and Roos joined we started the the tradition of exchanging presents! Golden papers and pinky feathers were floating around and excited titters from the children were filling the air of the room! How nice to be all together!!
This warm afternoon ended with a panekoek in Zeeland! Gnammy!! Then back to Den Bosch, in our cute hotel where we take still the time to drink a thé before going to bed....!!

Christmas diary : day 1

The family Christmas week end is already over! Seems just yesterday when I was planning the last details of this mini trip to Germany and Holland and now I'm already back to Paris, back to work for couple of days before leaving on Dec. 28th for London.

The week end was a great success, everything went by the book, everyone had a wonderful time, plus we were blessed with a clement weather and the good mood of the family.

Wouter, Meggie and I, left Paris on Thursday late afternoon and arrived in Bruxelles around 9pm, just in time to watch this amazing lights and music show on the Grand Place, followed by a light dinner before going to bed in our beautiful suite at the Royal Windsor! Next day, Friday 21th, after a delicious breakfast we were off to Dusseldorf to pick up my parents who were arriving from Turin. We got to Dusseldorf Airport half an hour late and finally met with my family. After picking up Gio's car we drove to the center of Dusseldorf and parked in the fancy Konigsallee. Lunch at Barolo's restaurant and stroll throught the beautiful Christmas markets of Dusseldorf! Around 6pm when we started to be frozen and tired we decided to drive towards Holland, where we arrived around 8pm!
Checked in at the Hotel Central in Den Bosch, we finished this intense day with a great dinner at the Brasserie on the Markt Plein, then all very exhausted but very happy we went to bed!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

Hello everyone...I just wanted to drop a quick line to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years. I'm here at work and so is Nancy. We were both stuck working on Christmas..It's not too busy considering I have a moment to write on the blog...lol..So my day will probably be very long..lol..Everyone will be coming over to my house for dinner today. In total there will probably be 31 people there celebrating Christmas. Then we're all going to Nancy and John's place for drinks and karaoke...can't wait for that. But then I'm back to work in the morning so I can't really go over board...we'll see...lol.... So everyone have a safe a fun holiday season and I'll see you all again next year....party hardy!!!! Buon Natale!!!!! Ciao!!!!!

Going to Weihnachtsmarkt in Dusseldorf!

Last Christmas....

12 days to Christmas!

How come I could not find 5 minutes to write?? How it is possible that more than a month passed by since my last post?? Maybe because I worked too much, I travelled to Rome and Barcelona "on duty" and to Turin and Lyon for leisure, I took care of the family and of the apartment and I was also sick for almost two weeks! Nevertheless I'm sorry, again, for this long absence from "amiche e sorelle"! Even Norma is posting more than me! By the way it's great that Norma keeps informing us about her life!
12 days to Christmas! Can you believe it??? And for me Christmas this year is going to be couple of days sooner! I explain : every year we have to choose if we are going to spend Christmas in Italy or Holland! Holland is a better choice if you want to enjoy a full Christmas's experience! On the other hand in Italy there is my family! Jeez so difficult to choose! So this year I came up with a new and brilliant solution! I bring my family (meaning parents + brother) to Holland for a pre Christmas! We will celebrating Christmas on Dec 22nd! Yes my mom has to be back in Italy before December 24th because she refuses to leave alone her 88 years old dad on Christmas day, which I can understand! But who cares if Christmas is on Dec 22nd or Dec 25th?
Christmas is about being with the loved ones...and the date is just an option!!

The next day!!!

Well hello everyone..it's me Norma here. Yes, it's finally the 6th of December and I have survived my birthday yesterday. It was kinda tough considering I am getting older but people just keep on telling me it's only a number. That's bull!!! Many people have wished me happy birthday which was really nice..it kinda makes you feel special on your day! But what I wanted to say was thank you to you Olga, for the messages and the text. I have received all of them and I thank you for remembering me once again over seas. It means a lot!!! Now I have to concentrate on a few more birthdays and finally start Christmas shopping which I truly hate!!! LOL...People this time of year are just miserable and I can't believe how people sometimes forget what Christmas is really all about. It's about family not how much you buy for someone. But that's just my opinion! Anyways, I gotta run...got an appointment. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope you all have a happy and safe one!!!
Talk to you soon!!!

Auguri Norma!!!

Per Nancy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR NANCY!!

Vampires!!

We used to have models walking over our heads. Skinny Russian models with no manners. Living the Parisian life. Which means going out late coming back early in the morning , getting drunk and forgetting to take off the offensive high hills when back home. These nightly creatures were replaced by two little monsters when we moved in the new appartment. One aged 5, the other 7! If the Russian models were making noise on Fridays and Saturdays these two fellows were working full time : 7/7! Then summer came and they moved away. And for a little time it was quite. When we thought that we were settled for peace and quiet our neighbours of downstairs started to make themselves remarked! Loud music, clacking doors in the middle of the night, strange people coming and going at the most odd hours. Couple of nights ago, at 1am the music was so loud that my pillow was wavering in tune...and before going hysterical I asked Wouter to go downstairs to ask these people to stop! I heard him talking and couple of minutes later he was back! He put his head in the bedroom and shouted "Fuc*ing scarry! Our neighbours are vampires!!" I started laughing and asked him " What are you talking about, Vampires??" Many days after we are still wondering if the boys downstairs were getting ready for a Halloween's party or they normally wear black lipstick and gothic shirts...Any how Wouter told me that this was the first and the last time he would go visiting our neighbours...the Vampires!!

Long time no speak!!!

Hey there..it's me Norma!! It's October 28th and I'm here at work and had a bit of time to come on and say hello. I haven't been here in a while so I thought I would share with you what's been happenening so far in my life!! Today is a very long day, not to busy here at work and I'm quite tired considering I went to bed 3 in the morning. A whole bunch of us went to Canada's Wonderland to celebrate the halloween feast that happens in the month of October til Halloween night. It was a scary and funny night. We all had a fantastic time but it was the most coldest night so far..rain and wind all night long!! But we manage to have a great time walking around and going on rides and through mazes. It did get late..it was from 7pm til 1am. They extended the hours due to the amount of people that where there in the park. I could not believe my eyes. I have never seen Wonderland so busy in my life and yet we were able to enjoy some on the rides and walk though the scary mazes. It was an experience and I'll probably do it again next yr. So today I'm paying for it and I just can't wait to get to my bed as soon as I get home.
Other than that..life has been busy with wedding showers,weddings,birthdays or just going out for a drink. Life has been better these days since Steve and I got together. It's been now 3 months and things are great. Him and I met at a bar he use to work at so I have know him for a few years. Who would have ever thought him and I would get together. We are both so glad that it did happen. So...we'll see what the future holds. Well..that's it for today..I gotta get back to work. I will keep you posted on what the future brings and all that sort of stuff!!! Be back soon!!!

Memoirs ...

So many days without a word from me. Exactly 25 days. I even thought that this was the end of "amiche e sorelle". Maybe a new blog, in a new language. But then I love this blog too much. So here I am, again. Many things have happened and yet it's still all the same. Family, work, friends. Family is getting bigger. Barbara, Wouter's sister, is pregnant. Micaela filled the papers to go separete ways from Francis and probably, this time, she will go through with it. Meggie is growing too fast and starting to object to all we say. My brother turned 36. Wouter is dreaming of a house in Tuscany. South Africa won the Rugby World Cup. I'm busy busy organizing the first Warwick event in Rome. This is "my" event and it has to be perfect. Then I'm also busy organizing Christmas'trip to Holland (which by the way is just 60 days away!), New Year's Eve in London and the big expedition to Canada, next year. Little time remains for doing all the other things I love...but I still try to steal little time to read my zen book "L'art de la simplicité" and to watch some nice movies...and apart from the boring, pretentious "The good shepard" I have been quite lucky in my choices. Couple have touched my heart "Blood diamont", "Cinderella Man" and the beautiful Memoirs of a Geisha! Before going to buy my lunch I want to end this post with a phrase that tells so much about me : " I don't want things, I want moments".

One day at the beach...

Like - Don't like

We are becoming like Parisians, we spend the week end away from Paris! After 5 full days working and running in Paris we love to spend our days off away from the craziness of the city. This time was Geneva, Switzerland. Last Friday, on my montly extra day off, we took of around 4pm and we landed in Geneva exactly 50 minutes later. It took us longer from our place to the airport, actually!! Our good friend Fred was waiting for us and he drove us to Christine and John's house where we styaing. Guys what a lovely house! Meggie was so happy to meet Alicia and Maximilien and not even 1 minute later she was gone with them playing!! Wouter and I were showed the pool villa where we would have slept! Jeez the pool villa!! By 6pm we were having the aperitivo in the garden with John and we waited for Michele to join us for dinner by the lake! Saturday started slowly with a long and nice breakfast, chatting and laughing! Then in John's big car we all drove to Nyon to give a look! Yes, because one of the option we are evaluating if, one day, eventually, we move away from Paris is Switzerland. Yes I am missing Switerland...! Why this country??? For two main reasons : one it's couple of hours drive away from my parents, second we have friends living there! But there are also other reason why we came up with such an idea : Geneva is considered one of the best places in the world where to live, there is almost no pollution, the countryside is beautiful and Switzerland is known for its strong economy worldwide especially in finance and banking. So I decided to give a look around as a potential place where to move...one day! And here what I like and what i dislike! Little city with a very convenient airport, no line at customs, friendly people...the countryside is really pretty but the city....is... misses something! First thing it's not Paris....!! Duh...!! I know that I cannot make comparisons but ...still...! Paris is Paris and I will always be in love with "her" even if, one day, I will be living somewhere else!

Random

I have so many stories to write and so little time to do it...! Every day I say to myself " Olga you should write about this episode, or that fact of my day, it would be nice to share this with the one of two people who read this blog"...then million of other things come up and I end up without posting a single word on amiche e sorelle. Ok now in totally random order some of my thoughts : Is it just a coincidence that everytime I think of the subject of a post, Petite Anglaise writes a beautiful "piece" with the same ideas I had in mind??? Then she gets at least 75 comments, and I decide not to write the post because it would just a bad copy???? Just a little example....she write a delighful post about her daughter wanting to have red hair like Ariel...well I have been this close to write the exact same story! Meggie since forever wants to have red hair, just like the Little Mermeid! And I jump in horror thinking of those beautiful almost white hair ...being dyed in red!!! I hate being judgemental. I try not to be but sometimes I can't help it! And here it's why. I have told you about my friend Micaela. The one I used to go to school to and that lives just next door here in Paris. I told you also about her marriage problems. Well, she is still, one year after, in the same shit. And she doesn't see that he is the bad guy! But why in the hell she doesn't see it??? So I told her that I try to understand but deep down I don't! I have a diffult time at work. My boss and my colleagues are all very demotivated. I am too. Well I am working a lot, organizing the first workshop in Italy, which I want to be a success but I am really fad up to work like a dog and never get a compliment. Sometimes a simple thank you would be also welcome. And I don't start with the salary....Even donkeys get a little carrot now and then. No carrots here. To be honest I did not start to search for a new job for the simple reason that next year, for my 40, I want to go to Canada and I need my quota of holidays. Very simple like that. Paris. I love Paris. It's a fact. But sometimes this city gets to my nerves. It's so chaotic, dirty, and expensive that I don't see the beauty I came here for. Parisians are what thet are but as you know they are not famous for being friendly and some days I can tell you that this is not a urban myth. Thay can be real jerks. But this "urban rudness" is at home in London or NY too. It's just the problem of big cities. What I am wondering, for some months now, is if this is the right place for my family??? Oh I don't want anybody to think that I regret to have made the decision to come back to Paris! It was the best choice I ever made in my life. It saved me and saved my marriage. But now that things are really good I would like to offer to my family a more confortable place where to live. And here in Paris confortable goes with too many zeros!A nice appartment, in a nice area can cost more than a milion euro! Sometimes I dream of having a nice house, with a lovely kitchen with a view on a little and blossomed garden. And we cannot have this in Paris. And another thought comes to visit my mind, early in the morning and sometimes late at night. To have another child.

We remember

From Canada...

Hello from Canada, and a special Cherrio from England. Our vacation was great, now I understand why you love to travel sooo much, there are many incredible things to see in this world, Love ya Nancy

Japanese Story

I tried to describe "Japanese Story" but my words did not match the impact this film had on me. Faith and fatality scare me and leave me wondering about life's meaning. But because I want to post about this movie, today, I use a review from the Times Magazines thinking that I wish I could write like that.
A man and a woman set out to explore the Australian outback. Sandy (Toni Collette) is a healthy, hearty geologist, bored and impatient in her role as guide. Hiromitsu (Gotaro Tsunashima) is an emotionally closed businessman who is dangerously insistent on taking the less traveled desert roads. They almost die on one when their SUV gets stuck in the sand.
Thereafter, as romantic convention demands, they find themselves sleeping together. So far, so routine. But then Japanese Story takes an unprecedented turn. Reviewers are often chastised for revealing the end of a movie. But in this case, what can't be discussed is the middle, the remarkable turning point. All we dare say is that what begins as a brusquely stated but rather ordinary romance turns into a meditation on mortality that is harsh, potent and unforgiving.
As unforgiving as the landscape in which director Sue Brooks situates it. This is brutal, unlovely country, indifferent to human enterprise or feelings. It is a perfect match for these damaged, rather hostile people. That they can break through their barriers, which are cultural as well as psychological, and find a few moments of happiness is plausibly managed by Alison Tilson's script and played with a kind of offhand realism by Collette and Tsunashima. They have the rough grace to act surprised by this turn of events. When the landscape exacts its revenge for their happiness, when Sandy faces the consequences of her carelessness, we are surprised by the intensity of our feelings. Japanese Story is a simple, austerely told tale. But there is something memorable, even haunting, about it.

Growing a belly....!

Kathleen is a new friend. We met in Paris in April last year during the first blogging event organized by Petite Anglaise. I liked her immediately. In first istance because she was Canadian. Secondly because of her peculiar "sour" humor and third because of her funny face covered with flecks! Kath has lived in Japan, Middle East, Algeria. We talked and we made plans to go to movies and do girlish things together...and actually we met couple of times. Then Kath moved to Vietnam. Jeez that's far!! Her French "Hubs" signed for a 3 year project in the middle of nowhere in this far East. Since Kath moved out, keeping though her Parisian home, we met several times here in Paris. In our, between working hours "encounters", we spoke about everything...shared many thoughts. Then I guess it was in June when I got an email from her announcing me that she was pregnant! This was such a great news...but living in one of the most secluted areas of Vietnam, couple of hours drive from so called "civilisation" is not the best location to live when you are "growing a belly" so for this reason Kath and Hubs decided that it would be better if Kath would go back home in Canada. This baby will be born in December 2007 but has already travelled the world including a "jet-setter" week end in Budapest!!! Kath has been here for some weeks, first in the south of France, with Hubs and the in-laws, then some days here in Paris doing the famous girlish things with her friends. Pizza Pino last Thursday at lunch and a movie and bolognose pasta at my place this Monday! Great time, lots of laughters and the promise to keep in touch through our blogs and emails! Kath is going back, today, to Regina to be with her parents and to wait for this baby to come to the world! Have a safe flight Kath and take care of yourself!!

In the mood for cooking...

You don't need to be a child to go and see Ratatouille. It's really sooooooooooo cute!! Meggie and I just loved it...we had such a great time ...we felt so light-hearted and I was almost in the mood for cooking.....!!! Yes me, cooking!!! RATATOUILLE is the story of a little rat named Remy who dreams of becoming a great chef despite his family’s wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When fate places Remy in the city of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau...NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

The Ghetto

The week end in Venise was great. Every thing went by the script, with few exception though. My mom did not scream hysterically when she walked through Piazza San Marco, she even added that "I don't give a damned thing about these stupid pigeons!!". Well done mom, you are finally over some erratic behavior! Caroline, the baby-sitter, actually spoke. Every one was in real good mood and even that complainer of my dad enjoyed his time in Venise! Weather was great, food excellent and Meggie was such a sweetheart! I don't know how to describe the joy of hugging her after 3 long weeks! Venise is a overwhelming city : it's just so beautiful but one place in particular touched my heart : the Ghetto. On a wall a headstone says : "Men. Women. Children. Masses for the gas chambers. Advancing toward horror beneath the whip of the executioner. Your sad holocaust is ingraved in history. And nothing shall purge your deaths from our memories. For our memories are your only grave." It's a silent scream what you feel in your ears and you can't walk away without feeling ashamed for what has been done.
On a lighter note Italian are always the same : noisy, neurotic and well dressed...that's why I love them!

Venetian shots!

Venezia

I have been counting the days to our Venise's mini-break since I came back to Paris! After 3 long, long weeks, tomorrow I finally see my bambina again! My parents too, and zio Gio!! 3 full days in Venise to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary and Wouter's belated 40th birthday! I'm really excited about this family reunion, I have been busy organizing it for many months now and I hope that very one will enjoy it! I am so happy to leave Paris, this time, it has been raining, every day, since we got back! 3 weeks of rain, added to a rainy July and a spittig June! A sunny and warm Venise is waiting for us and I can't wait to stroll along the narrow "calle" of this mystical place, eat at some osterie like La Zucca and Al nuovo Galeon", jump on the traghetti when are feet hurt too much from walking and then chase the peageons away while my mom screams hysterically that there is one specific peageon that is staring at her..., try to reason my dad and zio Gio (my brother) to stop fighting for absolutely nothing, and ask Caroline, the babysitter, to mercifully say a word...ohhh it's gonna be fun!!

Gooische Vrouwen

Would you ever think that I could watch and get addicted to a Dutch soap?? Well yes! And I also watch it in Dutch, no subtitles! I watch it and understand just half of it! Damned my Ducht is still so louzy but it doesn't discourage me! It's about four friends in Gooi, a Dutch region where rich people live. One of these four friends, Cheryl, is married to a Dutch singer Martin Morero. She just moved from Utrecht to Gooi. Anouk is an artist. She makes mostly erotic art. Willemijn is a wife and a mother. Her marriage is reserved and sexless. She eats because her frustrations about marriage. Claire is a lawyer and married to Anton. They have a 15 year old daughter: Merel. Anouk, Willemijn and Claire are born in Gooi, Cheryl is a newcomer. These four friends have to deal with the problems of well-being and richness. And many secrets lie behind those "golden" doors! It's a Dutch "Desperate Housewives" but much more funny!!

Few lines for Nancy

Dear Nancy,

you have been waiting so long for this day to come and now it's actually here. Unfortunately your plans have changed at the last moment and Licia and Gigino cannot make to Liverpool with you and consequently you had to cancel your trip to Abruzzi. I know that you are upset about this but I hope you will still enjoy your stay in England. What's important is that Gigino will be fine and that you are with John and the kids and you will be celebrating your in-laws 40th wedding anniversary!

Cheers!

Long live the King!

On August 16th 1977, a tragedy struck the music world. It has been 30 years since Elvis died, and still he is the KING. Fans all over the world are remembering Elvis and his legacy to the world at this time. I know one of this fan...NORMA this is for YOU!

GUESS WHO’S TURNING 40???

In biblical terms the numerical number 40 has significant meaning. Think of the 40 days and 40 nights of rain floods. It took the Israelites 40 years to find the Promised Land, and Jesus spent 40 days in the dessert before his crucifixion. You are about to enter the most amazing time in your life. The past 40 years were all about preparation. Now you are both credible and incredible. 40 is the pivotal power age and here is why:
·You can become a doctor or lawyer and still have time left to practice;
·You can fall in love like a teenager and still have the time to grow up;
·You can have your first wedding anniversary;
·You can have children and still have the time to raise them
·You can move to another country and still have the time to make it your home;
·You can take up a new sport without worrying about arthritis;
·You lived long enough to be sure about some things;
·You can say what you want and others will listen;
·You can still have fun without being medicated;
·You can do something that you have never done in your life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOUTER!!

Ricordi di Viaggio...

Two days in Paris...or more!!

Guys I am back to Paris!! Vacations are over and I am plunged, again, into normal life. Early wake up calls, office/work, home/sleep etc. Well I guess you know what I am talking about. This time it's not easy to be back. I mean, it's never easy but this time it's just little more difficult. Maybe because we had a marvellous time in Italy, maybe because Meggie is still in Italy and maybe because Wouter is in Holland busy with his new job, I find myself little lonely these days. Weather has been "just" awful here in Paris, it was raining when I left, and it's still raining now! Summer has simply forgotten about Paris!
So what the best thing to do?? Go and see a movie with a friend (the girlfriend in question is Micaela) : Two days in Paris was defenitely the right choice to cheer me up and have a good laugh! The movie is a funny comedy about the culture clash when an American discovers the French. The film is a treat because, for once, the joke is on both sides. Julie Delpy, the Parisian actress, wrote, directed and stars in the film. She uses her knowledge from 15 years living in the US to nail the clichés and mock the misunderstandings between French and Americans. You could apply these chichés to all mix-couples and that's why I heard myself laughing pretty loud couple of time...! Long list of ex-boyfriends apart!! Well... I have a little list!!!!

Vedi Napoli...

Apparently I'm on vacation. Since a couple of hours now. But I don't feel it yet. Probably because I'm so tired that my mind actually doesn't realize it yet. It will take couple of days before the stress, of these last weeks, is gone and a new, fresh and beautifully suntanned Olga will replace this one! Tomorrow we are off to Napoli. My old friend Agostino will come pick us up at Capodichino airport and some new adventures will start. So dear friends you will have to be patient and in some weeks you will have all the details about this vacation in beautiful Napoli, Ventotene and Positano! Arrivederci ....!

One year!

Almost 1 year passed by....1 year ago I was still organizing my "surprise" trip to Hamilton with Norma & Nancy. 1 year ago Sandra still had to say "I do" to Jerry! 1 year ago "amiche e sorelle" did not exist yet. In few days many we will celebrate one important event! On July 22nd Sandra & Jerry will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary!! Later, on August 16th this blog will also salute his first year of life! Sandra and my little "sisters" Nancy and Norma were the first reason to start this blog. My way to share fragments of my life with them, my way to fool distance...but as I said once "kilometers don't count if hearts lie close". In this hectic life of mine there isn't a day where I don't spent a thought for you girls! So let's celebrate Sandra & Jerry, let's celebrate friendship, let's celebrate the beauty of life!

Weeds

While I'm waiting for Spooks' season n.4 I decided to give a try to this new serie called "Weeds" and bought myself the first two seasons. On the cover it says that it's highly addictive and it couldn't be more true. I'm never been too much into "joints" when I was young, well sure I tried and smoked some herbs but the side effects of being sleepy and hungry were not so exciting for me...and now that I'm grown up I don't even smoke "normal" cigarettes and I became one of those intollerant ex smokers but nevertheless I found "Weeds" a real treat! I always liked Marie Louise Parker since she played in 1991 "Fried Green Tomatos" and her interpretaion of a widow selling "weeds" to support her family is just great! Despite being billed as a comedy, the perceptively written show is actually a credible look at lives stuck in neutral and people almost trapped by their addiction to a certain level of upper-middle class comfort. The dialogues are irriverent and I just love it. So if you haven'tdone it yet....why don't you give it a try too???

Dinner in the boma

Casalinga

Between the many things we did with Renzo & C., like going to the African flea market in Joburg, or gambling in Sun City, the superb lunch at Casalinga obliges an extra mention here. I love to point out some good address I come across during my travels and "Casalinga" is certainly one of those. The setting is beautiful and the food is really tasteful and portion are extremely generous, especially for an European. My "melanzane al forno" tasted like Italy, Renzo's "fegatini di pollo" smelled like heaven, Wouter had his treat with "Fegato di Vitello", Danie's "Lasagne al pesto" were "cosi' buone" and Jana's finished the biggest portion of "Penne al salmone" I ever seen! We ate so much and we were still so full many hours later that we apologized and refused the meals on the flight back!!! So if you are travelling around Muldersdrift don't miss this stop!

To Renzo & Danie!

Late tonight I receive a text message from Renzo.
The message was so sweet that I decided to publish it, hoping that Renzo wouldn't mind. But why would he?? These are private words dedicated in public.

"Today Danie and I celebrate our 5th year anniversary! Hard to believe! It has been the best 5 years of my life. Not many people can say that they have met their soulmate. I am one of the lucky few. Here's to the next 5 years! xxx Renzo"

Just good bye

One week wasn't enough. Probably not even a month would had been enough to visit this immense land called South Africa. Land of severe contrasts and bold beauty, where the current cultural melting pot has its roots in years of struggle and where history has left a healed wound. The African soil speaks to the ears of people who want to hear his stories. Once you listened to them you will not be the same again. I have a strong relation with this continent, something ancient. Africa is the only place in the world where I can be myself, where I don't need to prove but just be and where I leave a piece of me everytime I leave. There are many pictures in my mind of this journey...sunset in the bush, the leopard chasing, in the dark, impalas, a huge hyena running towards our jeep...but was has made these days so special are people. This would have been just a "trip" if we wouldn't have spent some time with Renzo, Danie & Jana. These people welcomed us in their homes and shared with us a brief moment of their lives and it was for us a privilege to be part of it. On the plane back to Paris Wouter told me "It's great, we have friends in South Africa"...and while from the plane's porthole Joburg's landscape started to become smaller and smaller ...I smiled and knew that this was just an "arrivederci".

Out of Africa

African Diaspora

In the diaspora
he sat down;
And there he wept;
Remembering Africa;
Mouth open, unable to a song.
Eyes full of the ocean;
Mouth imploded with praises;
Thought stacked full of memories,
Memories of Motherland Africa.
In bits he uttered;
Africa, my cherised home;
In the diaspora unable to a song;
I want to come to thee.
Chief Charles O. Okereke

Dedicated to our new friends : Renzo, Danie & Jana and to Motherland Africa!

The day is here!

Ok today is the day! I decided yesterday to take all day off, today, in order to do the last few things in a more relaxed way! Idon't want to be rushing also today!I'm still busy with the luggage..people who know me they remember that I travel overloaded because I never know what to bring. So I'm still wondering if I should take also that shirt that matches those pants. And the luggage becomes heavier because in the end I cannot make a decision and I will bring everything anyway. Since early this morning I have this nasty "caccarella" problem that I hope to solve before getting on a 12h flight. I don't know if it's because of stress or I got cold for sure I'm gonna travel "empty"!! So guys I'd better get going with fixing the apartment for my parents stay and finish up this damn luggage!
If I'll find a internet place I will try to send you a message directly from South Africa otherwise it will be next week!! Ranger Olga is on her way to SA!! Baci

Counting the days...!!

It's unforgivable! I have neglected this blog for so long. But everytime I started a sentence something new came up and I had to put it aside. I feel bad about this. This blog is my way to consecrate little time only to myself, to pick up my thoughts and put them on paper. It's my written therapy not having my shrink here in Paris. Last period has been so hectic that only thinking about it makes over-tired. But instead of talking about what I did I will tell you about what I will do. In 2 days. In exactly 2 days I will be sitting on a night flight direct to Johannesburg in South Africa. Wouter and I are off for a week vacation. The excitement's level is growing by the hour! I cant wait to be on the Arathusa Lodge and go on the safari to see the big 5(The Big Five is a group of animals including the lion, the leopard, the rhino, the elephant and the buffalo who earned their reputations as the most dangerous animals to be hunted on foot. The phrase "Big Five" was coined by hunters of yesteryear - before the advent of the photographic safari.) I'm all set : I have walking shoes, the outfit like a ranger and I bought an excellent digital camera (Panasonic DMC LX2) and I will make plenty of pictures trying to capture the soul of this land and share it with you! So plenty of stories will be on "this" way....