Gorgeous light on mainstreet!
This saxophone player added the right musical background...
Cute gelateria stand..
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Noto, Sicily
The city of Noto is one of the premier examples of the beautiful sicilian baroque building style. We arrived at sunset and our first glimpse of the city was through a large gate, where the sun made the pavers look like gold! The light was beautiful and we could not have timed it better.
Sicily step by step...
O.k. since this was my 7th visit to Sicily, (I think), Carlo promised to show me a new part of this beautiful island! Yay...So off we went on a three day, two night road trip to the baroque cities in the southeast of the island. We braved the hot temps (in the upper 90's that is almost 40degrees C!)
We started our tour in the city of Noto, where we also spent the night in a hotel in the mountains. "Masseria degli ulivi" which was an extended and converted farmhouse with many new additions and luxurious things like an infinity pool, new bathrooms, a/c and a delicious menu... unfortunately we were left with no a/c during the night and Carlo even set off to find someone of the hotel to assist us at 2:30 AM in the morning! To no avail, we were roasting in our room, even though the cool mountain air was lovely. As we had no window, but only two large french doors, which we did not feel comfortable to leave open, as any mouse other other small critter could have taken up shelter in our room, we opted for leaving the bathroom window open. During the night a small bird must have used the towel holder as its night time roosting spot and we found its marks in the morning!
The owner of the hotel was quite unapologetic for the non-funtioning air conditioning unit and only gave us a 10 Euro discount. Tired and a bit frustrated we set off for a long day of driving through the sicilian country side with two more cities on our radar...
On our first afternoon we visited a natural reserve with an old Tuna cannery....and spent a few relaxing hours at the beach.
All the seagrass was rolled into these little turds! It was funny!
We started our tour in the city of Noto, where we also spent the night in a hotel in the mountains. "Masseria degli ulivi" which was an extended and converted farmhouse with many new additions and luxurious things like an infinity pool, new bathrooms, a/c and a delicious menu... unfortunately we were left with no a/c during the night and Carlo even set off to find someone of the hotel to assist us at 2:30 AM in the morning! To no avail, we were roasting in our room, even though the cool mountain air was lovely. As we had no window, but only two large french doors, which we did not feel comfortable to leave open, as any mouse other other small critter could have taken up shelter in our room, we opted for leaving the bathroom window open. During the night a small bird must have used the towel holder as its night time roosting spot and we found its marks in the morning!
The owner of the hotel was quite unapologetic for the non-funtioning air conditioning unit and only gave us a 10 Euro discount. Tired and a bit frustrated we set off for a long day of driving through the sicilian country side with two more cities on our radar...
On our first afternoon we visited a natural reserve with an old Tuna cannery....and spent a few relaxing hours at the beach.
All the seagrass was rolled into these little turds! It was funny!
Monday, 3 August 2009
Back from Sicily!
Dear Friends!
Carlo and I just returned to Munich last night. For two weeks we've been again basking in the mediterranean sunshine in Sicily, enjoying a trip to the most southern tip of the island and of course eating many, many wonderful meals... It's time to hit the treadmill again...
Pics and more stories to come soon!
Hope all of you are having a happy summer!
Carlo and I just returned to Munich last night. For two weeks we've been again basking in the mediterranean sunshine in Sicily, enjoying a trip to the most southern tip of the island and of course eating many, many wonderful meals... It's time to hit the treadmill again...
Pics and more stories to come soon!
Hope all of you are having a happy summer!
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Jada, you were the sweetest thing!
Jada mysteriously disappeared a few weeks ago. She brought so much joy and love to our lives. She was a constant companion on long walks and around the house. I miss her terribly and wish I knew what happened to her. Wherever she is, I hope she feels the wind in her fur and the sun on her face...as in these pictures. Rest in peace my darling!
I came across this video, which I am so grateful for. It captured her little guttural greeting, which I just love!
I came across this video, which I am so grateful for. It captured her little guttural greeting, which I just love!
I love these pictures of her!
Goodbye Jada!
Inadvertently, while testing out the new camera, Carlo took some of the last pictures of me and my beloved cat, Jada, who disappeared shortly after we had returned to Munich. I miss her and can't believe she is gone...
I had adopted Jada as a kitten while living in Des Moines Iowa in 2002. She appeared one day at the local animal shelter on a cold, snowy day. She was totally emaciated, had ringworm and therefore was very contagious, and had to be kept in quarantine. I was volunteering at the shelter for a few days every week, as time allowed.. and I fell in love with her and adopted her once she was not contagious anymore. Later, I adopted my second cat "Sam", who tragically was also killed a few years ago. They were lovable companions to me, who made the move to Texas with me and spent some very happy years there. I miss them both. Goodbye my loves!
I had adopted Jada as a kitten while living in Des Moines Iowa in 2002. She appeared one day at the local animal shelter on a cold, snowy day. She was totally emaciated, had ringworm and therefore was very contagious, and had to be kept in quarantine. I was volunteering at the shelter for a few days every week, as time allowed.. and I fell in love with her and adopted her once she was not contagious anymore. Later, I adopted my second cat "Sam", who tragically was also killed a few years ago. They were lovable companions to me, who made the move to Texas with me and spent some very happy years there. I miss them both. Goodbye my loves!
Misc. pics from Texas
Here are some shots from our week in Texas after the wedding. We visited a local farm and loved the little baby chickens. How could you not?
Over 300 baby chickens...which will eventually become "organically raised chicken breasts" ...which is sad, but I guess that's life.
Over 300 baby chickens...which will eventually become "organically raised chicken breasts" ...which is sad, but I guess that's life.
The laying hens in their movable hen-house.
Like a pig in mud!!!
Cottonseed, which is fed to the cows and pigs. It has a rich, oily core.
Freshly hatched "Locust"!
Freshly hatched "Locust"!
Hotel in Venice
This is the hotel we stayed at in Venice. It turned out to be a good choice mainly due to its very convenient location (close to Piazza San Marco and bridge over the Grand Canal near the Acadamia Museum.) The room we were in (#47) had two windows on the 3rd floor and views across to an baroque church. Small bathroom, but all newly renovated.
Hotel Bel Sito & Berlino
2517 San Marco, Venice, Italy
+39 041 5223365
www.hotelbelsito.info
Hotel Bel Sito & Berlino
2517 San Marco, Venice, Italy
+39 041 5223365
www.hotelbelsito.info
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Carlo & Ines in Venice
On top of the "campanile"
Sunset close to Piazza San Marco
Before crossing famous "Rialto bridge" in the background
Venezia, Italy
For my birthday, Carlo and I drove to Venice. :D What a nice thing to say and even better to do. Living in Europe does have its perks sometime...
I will have to recap some of my impressions at a later time, but given that it was my first time there and I had a head full of expectations...I have to say that they were all met and surpassed.
Venice is beautiful, extraordinary and unique!
Rialto bridge
Seagull with Sepia!
Flowers galore!
I will have to recap some of my impressions at a later time, but given that it was my first time there and I had a head full of expectations...I have to say that they were all met and surpassed.
Venice is beautiful, extraordinary and unique!
Last light at Piazza San Marco....
Rialto bridgeSome close-ups...
Seagull with Sepia!
Flowers galore!
In the meantime...
Hello all!
It's been a while since I've been able to post on this blog... mainly since there was so much going on in our lives...
Carlo and I had our wedding celebration in Texas and have been busy ever since. Carlo with work and myself with a month long intensive italian course.
For my birthday in June, we braved a roadtrip to Venice, which turned out to be a fabulous 4 day getaway. Some pictures to come.
All is well in Munich. The summer is proving to be a bit rainy, with monsoon-like downpours almost every evening... We are looking forward to some time at the beach, which is comin up soon. July 17. we will be leaving for Sicily and enjoying some time in the sun with Carlo's family.
Until soon!
-Ines
It's been a while since I've been able to post on this blog... mainly since there was so much going on in our lives...
Carlo and I had our wedding celebration in Texas and have been busy ever since. Carlo with work and myself with a month long intensive italian course.
For my birthday in June, we braved a roadtrip to Venice, which turned out to be a fabulous 4 day getaway. Some pictures to come.
All is well in Munich. The summer is proving to be a bit rainy, with monsoon-like downpours almost every evening... We are looking forward to some time at the beach, which is comin up soon. July 17. we will be leaving for Sicily and enjoying some time in the sun with Carlo's family.
Until soon!
-Ines
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