I swear that I am Italian. There must be some kind of Italian blood in me – surely – somewhere…
There’s not – I’m genetically told there’s not – but I really swear that somehow something in me – spirit, soul or mind – is truly 100% Italian.
There’s not – I’m genetically told there’s not – but I really swear that somehow something in me – spirit, soul or mind – is truly 100% Italian.
“First of all, let's get one thing straight. Your Italy and our Italia are not the same thing. Italy is a soft drug peddled in predictable packages, such as hills in the sunset, olive groves, lemon trees, white wine, and raven-haired girls. Italia, on the other hand, is a maze. It's alluring, but complicated. It's the kind of place that can have you fuming and then purring in the space of a hundred meters, or in the course of ten minutes. Italy is the only workshop in the world that can turn out both Botticelli and Berlusconi.”Beppe Severgnini, La Bella Figura: A Field Guide to the Italian Mind
I feel 100% myself when I am in Italy – I feel at home when I am in Italy – and I feel happiness and peace when I am in Italy. When I travel abroad – be it for a weekend, a week or a month, I aim to go when there will be sunshine, warmth, health and a fab time. This weekend we travelled without my ususal requirements.
It was a bit chilly, rainy as heck (I thought the river would sweep me away if I fell – that’s how much rain Verona had) and the weekend held two semi-jet-lagged-still-exhausted travellers in Filip and I – not to mention he got a migraine on the Saturday night, mid-way through our weekend adventure (I didn’t mind as I was shattered anyway and was nice to take care of him) BUT – through it all, did we care? – No, not one bit. Why? Because it was Italy.
I’m sure you’ve read my posts before about my affair with Italy – Florence, Pisa, Rome, Rome, Rome. This time was Verona – meant to be Venice – but Verona and a day trip to Padua instead, and as always it delivered in true style. The food – the culture, the people, the architecture, the landscape, the boutiques, the wine and the absolute style it just oozes. Like I said for me Italy is "me" through and through.
It was a bit chilly, rainy as heck (I thought the river would sweep me away if I fell – that’s how much rain Verona had) and the weekend held two semi-jet-lagged-still-exhausted travellers in Filip and I – not to mention he got a migraine on the Saturday night, mid-way through our weekend adventure (I didn’t mind as I was shattered anyway and was nice to take care of him) BUT – through it all, did we care? – No, not one bit. Why? Because it was Italy.
I’m sure you’ve read my posts before about my affair with Italy – Florence, Pisa, Rome, Rome, Rome. This time was Verona – meant to be Venice – but Verona and a day trip to Padua instead, and as always it delivered in true style. The food – the culture, the people, the architecture, the landscape, the boutiques, the wine and the absolute style it just oozes. Like I said for me Italy is "me" through and through.
Verona’s left me with some resonating thoughts though. When I arrived I wondered if I felt at peace purely because life felt simpler here. It's not unknown that Verona’s a relatively small town. You don’t travel to Verona if you’re looking to work in fashion (Milan) or in business (Rome) or even for Art per se (Florence). For the career moves you’d travel elsewhere – instead for Verona you travel in search of discovering love the way Juliet did in Romeo, or listening to the Opera in the outdoor arena, or strolling down the streets admiring the boutiques without being too trampled on by all of the tourists. Life here is simpler.
Simpler. Simple. The word that I left Verona pondering over. I really feel like life in London amongst Londoners has shattered my understanding, at the best of times, of what a simple life is. And what it feels like. I remember knowing I wanted to have a career, and I wanted to dream big dreams, and live life to the fullest – but also to have life be relatively simple at some stage, so I would have time to really enjoy the moments life treats us so kindly with. In London simple kind of goes out of the window (which in part makes London hold its "coolness"), and instead structure comes in filled with appointments in the calendar and diaries filled to the brim - and "simple" isn’t really defined clearly, if at all.I think there’s a fear of simplicity in that we won’t be viewed as successful or as achieving much if anything. But I really believe simple (for me at least) is the key to my heart. It unlocks my mind in capturing the images of life, and cuts me the slack I don’t seem to do in general. It relieves me of the day-to-day pressure I place on my own shoulders, and lets me get back to just living.
Verona held this key on a platter for me. I strolled and felt more relaxed than I have in quite some time. I felt calm. Maybe it helped having wine at lunchtime too – but the general calmness of this town just really suited my whole being. I really urge you to travel through to Verona and spend some time. Hop on a train as we did and head to Padua – explore and just consume the sights – it’s exactly how its meant to be and whilst you’re mulling over how this country can possibly produce Botticelli and in the same country produce Berlusconi– take a sip of the wine and have hope the culture will remain, their politics will one day be restored and they’ll be led by one who values the simplicity and the amazing country it truly is and all she has to offer.
Simpler. Simple. The word that I left Verona pondering over. I really feel like life in London amongst Londoners has shattered my understanding, at the best of times, of what a simple life is. And what it feels like. I remember knowing I wanted to have a career, and I wanted to dream big dreams, and live life to the fullest – but also to have life be relatively simple at some stage, so I would have time to really enjoy the moments life treats us so kindly with. In London simple kind of goes out of the window (which in part makes London hold its "coolness"), and instead structure comes in filled with appointments in the calendar and diaries filled to the brim - and "simple" isn’t really defined clearly, if at all.I think there’s a fear of simplicity in that we won’t be viewed as successful or as achieving much if anything. But I really believe simple (for me at least) is the key to my heart. It unlocks my mind in capturing the images of life, and cuts me the slack I don’t seem to do in general. It relieves me of the day-to-day pressure I place on my own shoulders, and lets me get back to just living.
Verona held this key on a platter for me. I strolled and felt more relaxed than I have in quite some time. I felt calm. Maybe it helped having wine at lunchtime too – but the general calmness of this town just really suited my whole being. I really urge you to travel through to Verona and spend some time. Hop on a train as we did and head to Padua – explore and just consume the sights – it’s exactly how its meant to be and whilst you’re mulling over how this country can possibly produce Botticelli and in the same country produce Berlusconi– take a sip of the wine and have hope the culture will remain, their politics will one day be restored and they’ll be led by one who values the simplicity and the amazing country it truly is and all she has to offer.
“You may have the universe if I may have Italy” Guiseppe Verdi
NB:
I usually fill my blog with the places I've been that I recommend. So not to fear, please see below two restaurants, a pizzeria, the cafe for espressos and the clothing if you fancy :)We literally stumbled across this place 12 Apostoli- and it was amazing. We met a new friend Gina here, who translated all of the history we learnt about when the owner took us down to the basement to see the old Roman Roads. Fab fab fab!
I usually fill my blog with the places I've been that I recommend. So not to fear, please see below two restaurants, a pizzeria, the cafe for espressos and the clothing if you fancy :)We literally stumbled across this place 12 Apostoli- and it was amazing. We met a new friend Gina here, who translated all of the history we learnt about when the owner took us down to the basement to see the old Roman Roads. Fab fab fab!
When Filip wasn't 100% we just wanted local, simple and good dinner. We asked a local in the neighbourhood where to get easy pizza from and he recommended Il Cappero to us - which was again Amazing. Just nice to be amongst the local life and down to earth nature with fab food.
A restaurant our new friends Monica and Luca suggested we visit (a famous place amongst Italians) was 4 Cuochi (4 Chefs) will be on our to do list when we return, as we missed out on this one. Note: Make sure you book via their email or phone reservations team.
Fab coffee at the bar like the real Italians do it - head here. Simple, easy and good good espressos :)
