Walk & wine tasting in Greve in Chanti

Greve in Chanti is gorgeous especially at this time of year with all the beautiful autumnal leaves.

Our mid week visit there today made us feel as though we had the whole town to ourselves. It was lovely to be able to calmly wonder through Piazza Vernazza and to walk hrough the Chanti region scattered with vineyards and cyrpus trees. We walked through the rustic and small village of Montefioralle, which is considered to be one of the most ancient in Chianti and is set on a hill eclosed by its original walls. Then we went to a local Entocea to taste some wines, local olive oils and cheeses. Photographic inspiration and good company surrounded me and at the closure of our day, we smiled and laughed on the journey home to Firenze.

Scenes from Greve in Chanti; (above) Piazza Vernazza, Chanti countryside and hill climb, (below)Montefioralle village & rose garden, (lower bottom)Yadira, Yuka, Momi, Yadira & Enrique.

Entocea in Greve in Chanti

Jules walking through Montefiora.

Cycling: Firenze to Olmo

Self portrait at Fiesole

As I'm feeling a little bit nervous about this afternoon's interview with H&M, this morning I decided to go out for a quick cycle from Firenze to San Domenico, Fiesole and Olmo (40km) with Valentino. Great ride!

Distance: Firenze to Olmo (40km)

http://maps.google.com/mapsf=d&saddr=Via+27+Aprile,+50129+Firenze+Florence,+Tuscany,+Italy&daddr=San+Domenico,+Firenze+to:Fiesole+to:Olmo,+Fiesole+Florence,+Tuscany,+Italy+to:Via+27+Aprile,+50129+Firenze+Florence,+Tuscany,+Italy&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=44.882861,10.166124&sspn=3.837672,6.569824&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=12
Architectural details (above) and (below) landscape view of Firenze from San Domenico

(Above) Main Piazza Fiesole (below) Street scenes of Fiesolano or Fiesole: locals reading the paper whilst having their morning coffee; the Fiesole amphitheatre; 'Parione' a local boutique and interior design boutique.

Translator for the Hawks

I was standing outside the British Embassy this afternoon talking one of the security men when a relatively handsome blond man walked unassumingly into the Embassy foyer. Given that I recognised him, I turned to the security guard and explained that he was a 'famous Aussie'. Then when I noticed that this initial statement had very little impact I added "Dermot Brerton is a famous Aussie footballer". However this still had little impact as the secuirty guard was more interested in talking to me, than taking Dermie's measurements.

Anyway Dermie looked a little lost, so I redirected him to the Embassy office. But rather than take my directions he redirected his enquiry to me...(?)

Apparently he had experienced a problem whilst exchanging money at an office near the Ponte Vecchio. Somehow, I ended up acting as the international liaison person and the mediator between him and the police we called to help with the situation. Once the situation was resolved Dermie thanked the police officer and the security guard and walked casually away. He then turned around and say "Hey what's your name?".."Julie-Ann.. yeah thanks."

Once the translation exercise was complete, I finished the discussion I had been previously been engaged in with the security guard, smiled farewell at the police officers and walked away with Valentino. As I was about to cycle away the police officer called out to me.

"Scusa-mi lei puo vienere qui per favore?.." Excuse-me can you come here please?

"Si. Vengo" Ok. I'm coming

"Questo uomo mi ha detto che sei una infermiera e ricerca per lavoro, forse io posso aiutarti?" This man told me that you are a nurse and that you are looking for work, maybe I can help you?

Ironically it appears that Salvo di Castello (the police officer) has just finished his nursing training and after 10 minutes on the phone he managed to contact the Director of Nursing in Florence. I was so surprised - and pleased! You see after months of trying to contact a nursing authority, I actually spoke to this Director only this morning. Finally I had to laugh when he mentioned that his friend was an Australian nurse and she remembered our conversation this morning.

Well at least I'm speaking to the right people.

H & M

Yesterday whilst I was having lunch with Olga in a noisy restaurant in the city centre, my phone rang. Over the sound of the coffee machine and banter around me, I understood that it was DHL (international shipping company) and assumed that Mum had sent me a parcel. Normally to receive a parcel, I have had to proceed with a series of identification questions and procedures and given the amount of noise around me, I casually asked if she could call me back in an hour. An hour later she called - I didn't hear my phone. Half an hour later she called again - but still I didn't hear my phone. An hour an a half later she called 'again', just as I was about to jump into the shower. But this time I answered.

As I sat on my bed with a pen in hand to take down what I thought was DHL's details, I heard her explain that she was ringing on behalf of H&M (a international retail company) in response to a job application I had submitted and to notify me that I had been selected for an interview. I nearly fell off the bed.

When I walked into Hotel Rivoli today to attend the interview, my eyes immediately focused on a fresco in the reception area. I stood and stared at the image in bewilderment, because this fresco has been etched in my mind for 15 years. That is ever since Mum, Dad and I stayed at Hotel Rivoli in 1994. In all my visits to Firenze, I have never found that Hotel - until this afternoon.

The interview process was intense and interesting. Five potential candidates and myself had to complete two exercises. The first was a practical exercise, whereby they stimulated what a day in the life of H&M would be like. As we went through the process of establishing the merchandise for the days trading, we had to pretend to serve customers, demonstrate that we could work cohesively and effective together and answer a series of questions & instructions - all in Italian and all at the same time.

After a brief interval the second activity required us to sit around a table and together discuss and resolve 20 hypothetical dilemmas. After the discussions, they asked each one of us to explain the response of a) the group and b) our professional view. Then we were interrogated to explain these responses - again all in Italian.

At one stage I sat there and thought "What am I doing...? I'm a skilled critical care nurse.. how can I hold my own in this environment, especially when this is a) not my profession b) in a foreign language..?" Then I remembered what so many of you said to me before I left. "Jules your it. Just be you and give it all you've got." And I believe it worked because today they called me to tell me that I was successful and I have been asked to attend stage two of the interview process. Yeah!

Assisi

...Then on Sunday I went to Assisi. Once again the city's beauty and tranquility worked it's magic on me. Prior to leaving, I attended mass at the Basilica of San Francesco and then stayed for the vespa prayers. Unfortunately, I dwindled as I walked to the bus stop and missed the last connecting bus to the train station by 2 minutes. As a result the return journey to Firenze which would have taken 2.5hrs by train, ended up taking me 12 hours to complete (i.e. two bus trips & 3 train rides). I got home at 6.30am!!! Despite this however, I enjoyed the overnight adventure, the different people I met along the way and the coffee stops.. and I was glad that I had my pashmina with me.

Self Portrait whilst having lunch at Ristorante degli Orti, Assisi

(Above) Giotto's fresco of San Francesco in the Basilica San Francesco (inferior) Assisi, (below) religious statues, wooden rosary beeds & memorabilia.

Street scenes & vistas in Assisi: (above) Via San Francesco leading to the Basilica of San Francesco; exterior staircase leading to the superior chapel of the Basilica; marble detail from the exterior of the Basilica; (below) landscape view towards the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi.

A typical day in Assisi; (below) washing, spring cleaning and attending church services and vespa prayers.

(Above) A young couple outside the Basilica San Francesco - she patiently waits while her beau finishes his detailed phonecall; Assisi youth gather to speculate about the activities of their peers; (below) A young babe sleeps while his mother waits at the train station in Perugia to commence their long journey home.

Cycling: Firenze to Olmo via Fiesole

Just had another great weekend.

On Saturday I went cycling with Barbara (who prior to moving to Florence, was a Wall Street banker in New York). We cycled to Olma via Fiesole (total 48km) and then met up with Aldo at Parc Cascine for a bit to eat at dusk. She's a great rider, spirited and fun.

Armstrongs' muse

Marie & Bob's stylish soiree

Marie & Bob are an Australian couple (from Sydney) who have lived and worked in Italy for 38years. They moved to Italy, when Bob was contracted to work for an American-Italian engineering company in Bologna and later they were transferred to Firenze.

Marie is generous, incredibly straight forward and a passionate collector of contemporary Australian art. I recently met this couple at a dinner party for "Australian's living in Florence". Marie and I quickly established a connection based upon our mutual love of contemporary art and "Bella Firenze" and ironically Bob is a keen rower with the Societa Canoteri.

They have a gorgeous apartment in San Croce, overlooking the Arno River and tonight held a stylish soiree to bring together a group of collective & artistic minds. The atmosphere was relaxed, the food and wine - divine and the company stimulating.

Fellow dinner companions included Jonah & Susie Jones (art curators from Melbourne) & their gorgeous 3 year old son Alex; and Sydney based jewellery designer Jasmine.

A lovely night!

(Above) Angelic Alex contents himself with his toys; the evening begins with a toast to Australians living in Firenze; (below) Marie & Bob preparing the salmon; Gorgeous Susie &Alex; Jonah & Jasmine seated at the dining room table; Jules pensively looks on as Mum & babe play.

Cycling: Livorno to Cecina

A gorgeous days cycling along the Tuscan coastline from Livorno to Cecina.



Distance 40km
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Via+di+Salviano,+459,+57124+Livorno+Livorno,+Italy+(Livorno+-+Salviano)&daddr=Quercianella,+Livorno+Leghorn,+Tuscany,+Italy+to:castiglioncello+to:Rosignano+Marittimo+Leghorn,+Tuscany,+Italy+to:cecina+firenze&hl=en&geocode=FYdRmAIdvs2dACEBe1T-wPlQcw%3B%3B%3B%3B&mra=ls&sll=43.536603,10.61142&sspn=0.4908,1.215363&ie=UTF8&ll=43.470861,10.589447&spn=0.245668,0.607681&t=p&z=11

Cycling: Firenze to Greve in Chanti

This afternnon I went cycling from Firenze to Greve in Chanti, via Grassina and San Paolo in Chanti and through a landscape scattered with colorful autumn leaves, vineyards and bathed in sunlight. Whilst in Greve in Chanti I had afternoon tea with Jonah and Susie and played hide and seek with little Alex.


Distance: 35km. Total time: 3.5hrs


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Via+27+Aprile,+50129+Firenze+Florence,+Tuscany,+Italy&daddr=grassina+to:Greve+Florence,+Tuscany,+Italy+to:San+Polo+in+Chianti,+Greve+Florence,+Tuscany,+Italy+to:bagno+a+ripoli+to:via+27+aprile+firenze&hl=en&geocode=&mra=pe&mrcr=2,3&sll=43.659002,11.315362&sspn=0.489803,1.215363&ie=UTF8&ll=43.723723,11.314201&spn=0.122319,0.303841&t=p&z=12

Exploring Pisa & Cyling: Pisa to Livorno

Distance Pisa to Livorno (40km)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Pisa+Centrale+Station&daddr=Marina+di+Pisa+to:Livorno++&hl=en&geocode=FfjmmgIda7OeACFCturIVR8cig%3B%3B&mra=ls&sll=43.69115,10.747595&sspn=0.489544,1.215363&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=11&msa=0&msid=115833288355014160503.000459522b17d6f34448f>

Images courtesy of Valentino

This morning I spent a few hours lying in bed having breakfast and reading whilst the sun streamed into my bedroom through the open shutters and the sounds of Firenze serenaded me – vesaps on the cobblestone streets, Italian music on the radio, and the church bells from San Marco’s Church. A perfect Sunday morning!

This week the weather has changed in Florence. Since Wednesday we have been experiencing these warm beautiful days. Today has been a simply glorious sunny day - clear blue sky, 27 degrees and no humidity or wind. It feels like an early Summers’ days in Melbourne and because it reminded me of the Great Victorian Bike Ride, I decided to take a train ride to a town on the Tuscan coast and spend the afternoon cycling.

Without much planning I took the train from Florence to Pisa and before I began cycling along the coast, I toured the small town’s main highlights and took some photos.

We all gather images in our minds of what certain places will be like. One of the images I hold dear is a photo Mum and Dad took of me standing in front of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa when I was 2 years old - a cute blond curly topped little girl. When I cycled towards the piazza where il Duomo, the Baptistery and Leaning Tower are situated, I felt the anticipation that comes with confronting treasured images. I thought that the Tower was impressive, but the huge crowds in the piazza demystify and detract from it. Surrounding the major sights in the piazza are open lawns and this afternoon they were covered with people lying in the sun snoozing, couples smooching and families playing with their kids. Circling these lawns there are markets selling token souvenirs, cafes and people out ‘walking’. As with most major tourist cities, those out for a ‘passigata’ were dressed and manicured impeccably and both young and old couples were walking arm in arm. Gorgeous atmosphere – but crowded. I weaved through the crowds with Valentino and then on towards the beach at Pisa. At dusk I watched the local fisherman tending their catch and sat on the beach front eating cassato, pinolata and marron gelato. The marina was really lovely - It reminded me of Apollo Bay. Then I continued cycling along the marina at sunset towards Tirrenia and Livorno. And after a long train ride home, I’m now ready for a shower, tea and bed.

One little black earring

I have an ironic story to share. It’s the story of one little black earring.

It all began about a month ago, when I purchased two pairs of earrings from a funky design shop situated in the heart of Florence. I initially selected three pairs of earrings, but in the end I decided two pairs of earrings were indulgent enough. When I got home however, I realized that the sales assistance had accidentally sold me the pair of earrings which I had eliminated and the other pair that I wanted the 'little black earrings' weren’t in the bag. The next day I was leaving early for my ‘northern adventure’, so I returned to the store when I returned to Firenze the following week. I thought it would be quite simple; I’d explain the misunderstanding and the earrings could be exchanged, but due to the stores policy the said I couldn’t exchange the earrings and that I would need to purchase the third pair if I still wanted them. I definitely don’t need three pair of earrings, so I continued to explain that the earrings hadn’t been worn and that it was actually the fault of the shop assistant not mine. In short I wanted to exchange the earrings and leave with the pair I wanted in the first place. Despite the shop being full of Italians customers, I was determined to express my case even if doing it in Italian was immensely confronting and challenging; I continued to stand at the shop counter trying to diplomately but firmly press my case. After 20 minutes of persistent litigation, I finally succeeded in obtaining an exchange.

Yet despite all this effort I’ve ended up wearing the earrings only once or twice. That is to say that when I went to take the earrings off at the hairdressers recently, the back piece fell to the floor and instantly became invisible. We searched and searched and then gave up. I thought "Look it’s no major deal its only the backing". After the hairdressers I cycled home and when I looked in the mirror, I realised that I'd lost one earring.

After weeks of debating as to whether I should go back to the store and purchase another pair, this afternoon I decided to return to the store.

And this is where the story gets strange. As I walked into the store I instantly saw my earrings, however there was only one little black earring on the stand. Possibly the other had been lost or misplaced?... or ??? Anyway I asked the shop assistant if it was possible to purchase ‘one’ earring. She smiled and referred me to the manager, who happened to be the same girl I litigated with previously. Terrific! Thankfully they sold me the earring for half price. But how strange are these series of events....