First impressions

(Above & below) Train Station Taormina-Giardini

Seated on the balcony is Davide, the owner of the Bed and Breakfast where I stayed at Taormina. The following image was taken from my balcony as I sat eating breakfast and shows a cyclist on his descent from the Strada Statale Numero 114. The following street scenes from Strada Statale Numero 114, were taken on my walk back from Isola Bella and Mazzuro. The "wall art" was captured as I past through a tunnel that lead from a beach anclove to the main road near my accommodation. This hidden beach gave me the privacy and stillness I had been yearning for and allowed me to sunbake, snooze, swim in the Ioian Sea and read on the beach all day. Bliss.

Traveling to Scilia

To travel to Taormina I took: a train from Florence (Tuscany) to Naples (Campania); a train from Naples (Campania) to Villa San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria); a traghetto (the train enters a ship and travels across the Ionian Sea) to Messina (Scilia); and a train from Messina to Taromina. I left Florence at 10am and arrived after 8.30pm... What a journey! I think that it's time I head to bed.

Isola Bella

This morning from the window of my room I awoke to see an endless clear blue sky and the deep, endless and inviting green and blue sea. The beauty of the sea is reflected in the people I meet. I am intrigued by Southern Italy and eager to explore the surrounding towns. Those perched on the hill: Taormina and Castelmola and those that cusp the sea: Giardini-Nexus and Lido.

I didn't realise how much I needed to stop, relax and sleep until I arrived in Scilia. This trip to Italy has been full of work related meetings, committments and travel and I'm exhausted.

Anyway, the weather here is absoultely gorgeous (23 degrees, warm summer days and crisp summer evenings) and so conjucive to lying on the beach daydreaming, sleeping and reading.

Below are images of Isola Bella - my first coastal indulgence.

Absorbing the sights and sounds of Scilia over a caffe latte

Scilia

This morning I'm leaving to travel to Taormina on the Scilian coast. I'm going to Scilia to celebrate Easter, read some novels on the beach and explore another exotic part of Italy.

Google map: ">">">http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=taormina+sicily&oe=utf8&hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Taormina+Messina,+Sicily,+Italy&gl=au&ei=CBXFS9H6KcqOkQWdyaSGDg&ved=0CBAQ8gEwAA&ll=37.85317,15.292969&spn=1.535395,3.515625&z=8>

I'll post photos and impressions after my return to Firenze, but here is a glimpse of what I dream it will be like...pure bliss
"Buona Pasqua".

Con affetto
Jules

Final shipment

Five boxes, three years of storage, two rolls of tape...

and after many hours of packing and some tears I finally arranged the shipment of my belongings from Florence to Melbourne. The process of preparing these containers to be freighted by air and sea to Australia was a physical and emotional roller coaster and a major investment, but fianlly it is done.

Irrespective of what he future holds this was one door that had to be closed.

Palm Sunday

Not even the 3 hour delay caused by day light saving and time changes could abort my intentions to travel to Assisi today. I knew that before I left Italy I wanted to experience what has now become a spiritual tradition, so when I missed the 0805am train to Assisi, I took my sleep deprived body to an early morning breakfast in the historical centre of Florence and then celebrated Palm Sunday at Il Duomo.

Palm Sunday, Il Duomo Firenze.

I am devoted to San Francesco and since 2007 I have travelled to Assisi many times to reflect, pray and give thanks. Each visit is different. This year I thankful for many many blessings and I am praying to remain open hearted, for the courage to continue pursuing my dreams and for my family and friends. I took these intentions and prayers to the Church of Santa Chiara and the Basilica di San Francesco. As always, I walked calmly away and with tears in my eyes.

Basilica San Francesco, Assisi

View over AssisiVespa Piazza Santa Chiara

Basilica Santa Chiara

Tomb of San Francesco, Basilica San Francesco, Assisi

Prima Colazione

Brunch at Cafe Deluxee, Piazza Indipendenza Florence with Giovanna and Marie, my french home buddies.

Sognatrica

After gently awaking to the sounds of the streets of Florence, this morning I descended down the stairs to the cafe next door to my apartment to order my take away mug of cafe latte and nutella filled pastry. After chatting with amx at the bar about the Sicily and Brazil, I returned to the apartment and my bed to read.

A few hours later I arranged tiers of black lace, leather and wool around my torso and tossled my curls before leaving to meet a new friend in a cafe near Santa Croce. Afterwards, I wandered down familiarly foreign cobble stone lanes admiring the ambience of Italy, before meandering through Piazza Santa Ambrogio to buy a prosciuto sandwich for lunch. Next I stopped at the beautiful Teatro del Sale for a coffee and casual conversation with the barista.

I'm now at Biblioteca delle Oblate sitting on the second outdoor terrace with a spectacular view of Il Duomo and surrounded by a selection of charming Italian men. With so many distractions my attempt to edit a book of poetry are destined for failure.

Ah Florence... you spoil me.

Mercato Piazza Santa Ambrogio, Firenze.

Twenty-fifth day of March

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." - Dr Seuss

Immagine

Sulla via viccino Piazza Santa Croce e Bibloteca Nazionale; canatgo sul'Arno a Firenze; una casa che ho passato a caso; fiori a Ristorante 'Open Bar' viccino Ponte Vecchio.

Genitori & Figli

"The joyful moments in our lives make us feel small and the sorrowful moments make us mature."

From the Italian movie Genitori & Figli: Agitare bene prima dell'uso.

College of Nurses

The meeting at the College of Nurses in Florence this afternoon went well.

Finally

my dreams

are coming into focus.

There is light.

There is hope.

The opportunity

I have been praying and working towards

appears to be within reach.

Finally

I can rest

knowing it has not all been in vain

knowning that I will be ok.

Fiume a Panzano in Chanti

Our afternoon at Panzano in Chanti was relaxing and calming. The energy between us was easy and the ambience, with the sound of the river, the mist in the distance and the winter trees laced with the scent of spring, was beautiful.

I felt present and free. No fear, longing, regret or anticipation. Just simple and pure happiness. Accepting everything as it is.

Extended stay

I was due to depart from Florence-Italy on Monday evening, but I have decided to extend my stay in Italy until after Easter. Essentially because after I have attended the next and final professional meeting on Monday afternoon, I'd like to take some time to relax and 'smell the coffee'.

Although it's been a wonderful so journ, the daily energy and concentration levels have been high and my focus to obtain prospective work opportunities in Italy has been all consuming.

My experiences in Florence-Italy have been different to previous visits. This time I have been immersed more deeply into the Italian culture, idosyncracies and burecaucy and I have been confronting my expectations and ambitions with greater clarity.

Without a doubt Italy is beautiful, historical, fascinating and romantic. However, unlike the young Jules who traveled frequently here in her 20's to paint, view art galleries, buy foreign fashion, and attend cultural events; and the Jules who lived and loved here in here late 30's; the Jules of today is searching for the deeper meaning within the kernal.

A definition in process.

When you travel through a foreign city,
you are a tourist.
When you strive to integrate into a foreign city,
you feel like a native,
but look like a foreigner.
When you spend time with foreigners living in foreign city,
you feel less foreign.
When you are accepted into the lives and homes of Italians,
as a friend and lover,
sharing conversations and experiences,
you no longer feel alone or misunderstood,

you feel yourself blossom.
When you walk through the streets of your adopted city,
without attachments,
you feel displaced.

The concept of home starts to develop a new meaning.

Teatro Cantiere Florida, Florence

Contemporary choregraphy in three parts "Vivido, Trillo and Brillo".

A solo performance composed in New York.

Cinemagraphic expression and sculpture like movements.

I tre soli concepiti per assonanza stilitica piu che per consquenialita ono apparentemente privi di drammaturgia, e l'unica strutturale del corpo a dichiarai drammaturgica.

Fortune cookie

In questo momento

Lei ha nuove idee.

Ninenth day of March

Sights & sounds - 8am street view of XXVII Aprile, San Marco, Florence, Italy

Defining "Liberta"

... space to think, breathe & be me; Valentino, cycling gear, steam in my legs, the open road, the sound of my heart beat, the open road, the echoe of traffic and the radio; ego, spirit & muse.

Dumbo feather

Jules today

Contemplating whether it is better to extend my stay in Florence or leave as scheduled.

The aim is to return to Italy to work by the end of the year....

The Beautiful Sadness

The Beautiful Sadness Part 2 of 6 May 2008.

Play and Music by Steven Lin (Pianist); Introduction by Dr. Elliott Wolfe. Supported by The Arts, Humanities and Medicine Program at the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics.

Poesia

Forse, neppure i sogni,
più lievi e più leggiadri,
nati nelle notti
palpitanti di stelle,
hanno ali
cosi leggere
come il pensiero di te
che mi accompagna
e mi toglie
il respiro.

- Mara Faggioli

Shade

I'd find any excuse to hide amongst these shades...

A little sore

Marco has recently completed a sailing course and received his first level sailing license. Last night a Caribbean themed party was held in Prato to celebrate. We traveled to Prato together on the moto and although it was a little chilly, the stars were out and my heart felt open and light. Before attending the party we had un appertivo at a rustic locale in the historical centre of Prato and exchanged in depth discussions about the week. It was an enjoyable night.

Today is Sunday and traditionally I start my day with mass at Il Duomo; but after awaking to the sound of church bells and pouring my first cafe I'm heading back to bed to rest and read, because after my fall * a few days ago today my neck feels a little stiff and the right side of my spine and scapula are sore. Hopefully this afternoon I'll be feeling better and able to catch up with Manuela to see and an art show at Scandicci and attend "Taste". A food and wine festival at Stazione Leopold.

* It was a classic example of me having my head in the clouds. As I descended the stairs directly in front of my apartment, I fell face and chest down onto the cobblestone pavement. Fortunately I had my right hand in my coat pocket otherwise I would have fractured my wrist. My right chest took most of the impact and momentarily it felt like I'd tamponaded my lungs. The pain was severe and I couldn't breathe. When I took my first breathe the sensation of the cold air entering my lungs caused pleuritic sharp pain. As always I was quick to reassure the concerned bystanders that had started to gather around me and after about 5-8 minutes I felt my stamina return and I quickly exited the scene and rushed off to meet Sabine to attend the screening of a French film at Piazza Organissanti.

Farfalla

I stand at my open window
holding between my palms a bright red cafe latte bowl
and sip my morning elixir.

As the steam wafts from its rim
I look down onto Via Zanobi
to observe the people as they cycle, walk and drive by
and look up over the terracotta rooftops
to admire the dome of Il Duomo
and the mist that encases the Tuscan landscape.

After a while the sun begins to warm my face
and I etch the shawl away from my shoulders.

In the background
Radio Subasio is playing a mix of contemporary music
the apartment needs spring cleaning
and the washing needs to be done.

Later I'll go out walking
stop to visit friends
and then finish some sketches and writing
before leaving for Prato to attend a party.

I feel fierce as a lion
but as happy and enthusiastic as a child.

Alice in Wonderland

Surrounded by famous streets in Europe and fresco covered buildings.

Walking in the steps of my dreams. Walking on air.

I do not know where each step

eventually leads

but I'm filled with faith

that this is the path

I need to traverse.

Praying

... for that "one opportunity" to live my dreams in Italy.

Valentino's back!

When I entered my appartment in San Marco two weeks ago, the first thing I did was scan the room for Valentino. However within seconds I realised that he wasn't where I had left him. Or anywhere else visable in the apartment. As I stood in the bedroom after a 24 hour flight, an emotional reunion with my Prince and only the carry on luggage I had traveled with on the plane, I felt a wave of sadness descend. Although I knew that leaving Valentino was a risk, but I never once imagined that we would not see one another again and ride fiercely together.

Before going to bed that afternoon, I resigned myself to the fact that someone must have taken handsome Valentino, used him or broken him. Or that he was stolen and never to be seen again. As my head touched the pillow I thought "sometimes things happen in life that are beyond our comprehension and it isn't about 'what' happens but rather 'how' we deal with these experiences."

Everyone knows how much I adore Valentino, how sentimental he is to me and how much he has been a part of my life and liberta over the last 8 years, but alas it was time for new beginnings.

Within 24 hour, more details regarding what had happened to Valentino emerged. It turned out that Francesca a young female from Southern Italy who had rented the apartment during my absence, had taken Valentino with her, when she left. Without asking the owners permission she told me that she had taken "the bike because he looked like he had been abandoned". She then arranged to have Valentino couried back to Florence. I gave the address of the Hotel below my apartment as the return address in the event that I was away.

I have been anticipating if and when he would arrive and in what condition he would be in.

Yesterday morning as I descended the stairs of my apartment building on my way to Yoga class, I saw the outline of a cardboard box behind the glass door of the Hotel below and let out an exuberant shriek of sheer delight. I could not believe my eyes. My love had returned!!!!

Once inside the apartment, I kissed the outer shell of the box and embraced it's form tightly. I couldn't believe that Valentino was back and that we were reunited.

What happened? I suspect that Valentino got tired of waiting for me to return and decided to have a "little adventure" without me.

Tap, tap, tap

A beautiful image to inspire me as I complete the first draft of a collection of poems.

Neve

I've just opened the shutters of my bedroom and seen small snow flakes falling. What a magical sight.

Festa delle Donne

Manuela's Birthday Celebration

This afternoon we celebrated Manela's Birthday over the traditional Sunday lunch at her parent's home in Sesto Fiorentina. Manela's family are warm and welcoming - sono personne molte dolce e senso pretesse.

Il Duomo

Il Duomo is not only a spiritual haven and a source of artistic inspiritation, it has always been my focal point on the Tuscan horizon.

On Sunday mornings I look forward to attending the latin mass which is accompanied by Gregorian chants at Il Duomo in the historical heart of Florence, because I adore all the poetic scene that unfold before my eyes. The elegance of the Italians, the scent of frankinsese mixed with candle wax, the reverency of the priests, the chaotic race for communion, the devotion of prayers before ornate altars, choral voices ascending to the fresco painted dome, and the scent of frankinsese mixes with candle wax. Here my heart soars and I find true peace and stillness here.