New Years Eve, Queenscliff

Christmas 2007

It's Christmas Day and we are celebrating at Bruno & Christy's house.

We spent the morning exchanging and opening Christmas presents whilst sipping Moet champagne. Then after we had celebrated Christmas day with a delicious traditional feast, I rang Marco. He and Tess had just arrived home after attending the Christams Vigil mass at Il Duomo. Hearing his voice made me melt.
He seems so far away, but so deeply inbedded into my heart and soul.
I missing my love - my Florentine Prince.
We can't wait to see one another again.

Buona Natale.
Ti amo Marco.
Ti amo mio amore.

Venice Art Biennial

Marco and I had a wonderul time together in this romantic, enchanting and artistic city. The Venice Art Biennial was brilliant. I've never experienced anything like it before.

Details from various pavilions.

Marco and Jules, Venice

Marco and Jules walking through the streets of one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Recent adventures

It is difficult to know where to begin, as it is has been over 10 weeks since I left Melbourne and naturally there are so many memories and experiences to share.

After initially arriving in Italy I spent two months at Castello in Bisticci, in the mountains of Firenze, Tuscany, where I rented a beautiful villa, art studio and private garden with captivating balcony views over the Tuscan countryside.

The 14th century Castello was situated at the top of a steep hill (400 metre gradient & 1.5 km distance). Each day I traversed this distance to visit the nearest town, to buy my groceries, read the paper, sip lattes and chat to the locals - I aptly named this walk Rapunzels’ drive.

During my time at the villa I slept, had long baths, read outdoors in the garden, dappled with some creative ideas, cycled through olive groves and over Cyprus covered mountains, visited local markets, wrote letters and emails, day-dreamed, cooked beautiful and simple meals, sipped Moscato d’Asti, visited the galleries & theatres in Firenze and planned my solo weekend adventures. These weekend adventures normally commenced with preparing an overnight bag (sometimes including my bike) and concluded at a train station somewhere in Tuscany. The Santa Maria Novelle Train Station in Firenze is always energetic and the bustle of travelers moving through the city feeds my adventurous spirit.

As a result I’ve managed to explore many beautiful towns full of character, charm and photographic vistas. Amongst the memorable places are: Bagno Vignoni and Montalcunico Termes - where there are ancient thermal spas set in the crest of valleys and relaxing health spas. At Bagno Vignoni I had a hot stone massage, bathed in natural thermal spas, sat under a waterfall in the moonlight; Prato - where I attended a contemporary dance production called “Farfella” (Italian for love-stuck butterflies) and visited the contemporary art galleries including Pecci; Attended the open air antique markets in Lucca (home of Puccini) and Arezzo (where ‘Life is beautiful’ was filmed) - at the markets Florentine antique treasures and remnants from castles and churches are displayed in piazzas against the backdrop of renaissance churches and ornate buildings; Sun baked on the white sand beaches of Livorno, along with 5,000 bronzed Italians; Celebrated Easter in Assisi - on Good Friday I joined a religious and solemn procession through town accompanied by a Cardinal, friars, nuns, the solemn recitation of prayers and drums. These processions are traditional in Italy and I found the experience magical and moving. I also loved seeing the frescos by Giotto and Cambue in the Basilica of San Francesco; I recently returned to Assisi to cycle around Umbria and attend a spectacular medieval festival. The celebrations dominated the town with visually extravagant displays including fire throwers, parades, dancing and acrobats. It finished at 4am. I felt like I was at the Venice Carnival; last week I visited one of the most enchanting and inspiring coastal landscapes I’ve ever seen at Cinque Terre, Liguria - fFantastic hiking and kayaking! … many beautiful memories.

A couple of weeks ago a serendipitous and fortuitous chance encounter lead to a job proposal in Firenze and I’ve just recently moved to the historical centre of Firenze. Today I started working as a shop assistant at Casini an exclusive ladies and mens’ boutique in front of the Palazzo Pittti and near the Ponte Vecchio. The location is surreal, the clientele international and affluent and the clothes and accessories exquisite and the staff international, sweet and fun.

I’m slowly settling into Florentine life and finding my niches. I’ve joined the Firenze Rowing Club so will be kayaking on the Fiume River soon and have visited some art academies to enquire about art courses. This weekend I may join a cycling group on a long distance ride, but these Italian cyclists are so attuned to these Tuscan mountains, that riding with them is a little overwhelming, even if the view is wonderful.

Life in Italy is beautiful - fashion, theatre, food “cibo”, spirited and insightful conversations, Renaissance art and architecture, handsome Italians, colorful sunsets over Ponte Vecchio - plenty of opportunities to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Hopefully the attached photos convey some of this beauty.

Living abroad in a foreign speaking country on my own has given me the anonymity and space to breathe, unwind and enjoy all these treasures. I don’t know where the next adventure will lead me, but I just keep smiling and trying to live each moment, with open eyes and heart.

As my dream in Italy continues…

Gordana & Vladamirs Party

Gordana & Vladamirs party..what a blast..!!!

Thanks to Gordana & Vladamir for hosting an awesome party; Thanks to Helena & Carmila - our cocktail glass was never empty; thanks to Marco & Vladamir - we have photographic evidence; Thanks to Sabine, Martina, Olga & Zelka we kept dancing all night; Thanks to handsome Marco (junior) & Yardira for entertaining my Mamma; ... and thanks Mamma for ensuring that the party didn't get too out of hand...

Jules' 37th Birthday Celebration

Could a girl wish for anything more on her Birthday....

A GORGEOUS day!

My Birthday started with breakfast on the balcony of the Quiranelle Hotel, via Nazionale Rome with Mum and ended in Firenze with Marco.

The photo below was taken by Marco as I was about to blow out the candle on my 'Birthday cake' (ok.. dessert 'cause I'm too old for Birthday cakes).

Do you want to know what I wished for....?

Rome

Mum & Jules, Trevi Fountain, Rome.

...and at Piazza Esedra, Rome.

Museo Vatican (above) & marble sculpture from Basilica San Pietro (below), Rome.

September 23rd, 2007

Dinner near Piazza Navona, Rome to celebrate my 37th Birthday.

Sistine Chapel, Rome.

Street performer

Spanish Steps in Rome on a Saturday night...

Cyling - Isola D'Elba

Isola d'Elba
September 2007

Isola D'Elba

Esedra & Jules - La Dolca Vita

September 2007

Isola D'Elba is a natural archipelago island off the coast of Lazio and Toscana. A beloved oasis, which I discovered in August when I went on my "Italian Summer holiday"..

After Mum arrived in Italy to visit me, I decided to take her to Isola D'Elba to get her acclimatised to the Italian way of living.. and relaxing. ... La Dolca Vita... ahhh.. pure heaven.

Above, Breakfast - local style and below dinner with seasonal locals.

One Sunday morning, Mum and I were casually introduced to Rebecca & Ron by Chessi's local icon, long distance swimming champion and humanitarian Piere-Luigi. We had breakfast together in the nearby town and then went to Marciano Alta for dinner the next night.

They are a really interesting couple. Ron is a real character and after a few glasses of red wine had many stories to spin particularly from his adventures as a photographer for National Geographic. Rebecca is sweet, intelligent and down to earth and is a film producer based in London.

Esedra & Jules relaxing on Chessi beach, Isola D'Elba.

"Italian Summer holiday"

August 2007

Jules on the balcony of her beach front apartment in Chessi and an image of her heart's desire...ahhh..one day....

Calabria Summer 2007

Marco & Jules on the road to the Calabrian Coast.

Calabrian coast & our fun fishing expedition with Eugenio.

Red peppers drying under the Italian sun in Calabria.

Driving home to Firenze from Calabria.