Operation Only Child (OOC) was a success! It was even more fabulous than I had even hoped it would be to have my parents finally come visit me. Of course their original plan of just being lounge lizards with their grand-kitty, looking out over the bay, sipping on local wine and eating fresh mozzarella while I was "locked" in my basement office earning my regular paycheck didn't happen.
I mean, would I really allow that to happen?
Do Neapolitans follow traffic signals?
No.
Some of you followed the airline nightmares via Facebook posts- majorly delayed flights from the US to Amsterdam, Lufthansa strike the day we were supposed to return to Naples, luggage going MIA. Despite these events causing a loss of time on their trip, my fabulous Excel spreadsheet schedule didn't get too mess up. So what did we do? What didn't we do?
Day
1-4 Spent exploring Amsterdam, praying for some warmth and sunshine to force the tulips to bloom.
5 Arrived back in Naples to pick up Neeks and much needed groceries
6 Amalfi Coast and Sorrento exploring
7 Italian cooking class & the meeting of my coworkers over dinner and karaoke
8 Downtown Naples!
9 Rain cancelled the market trip, but Italian mall still experienced
10 Birthday BBQ
11 Drove 700+ miles to Nove, to go dish shopping before dinning and exploring Verona, after dark
12 Left Verona, arrived Parma for the "food tour" and then exploring of Parma in the evening
13 Left Parma, visited War Memorial outside of Florence before arriving in Sienna
14 Windy roads through Tuscany and visiting Montepulciano and Orvieto
15 Mom and Dad explored the town I live in and now know more of the locals than I do!
16 Departed Naples for the California homestead...without major delays or lost luggage.
Official posts will be made within the week and expect a guest post or two as well. The trip was fabulous, and a not so surprising thing I learned- I'm so thankful I'm not really an only child! Two parents and one kid is a terrible ratio for the kid, way too much attention, especially when said kid hasn't seen parents in over 6 months and lives 9 time zones away.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Jammed Packed 48 Hours
In the past several months I've discovered many things about how I travel.
I travel light.
I travel cheaply.
I'll sacrifice a meal if that means I can fit another site in and a gelato stand is located.
And if I'm traveling- I'm definitely a go getter. I'm going to climb the towers, check out the churches, visit shops, spend time in a museum...well, you get the point.
Turns out my cousin is very similar with her methodology so when I picked Tink up with one of her friends early on a Saturday morning at Port of Bari telling them our itinerary, she didn't even bat an eye.
Maybe that's because she was being too entertained as I talked back to the GPS to get to our first destination of Alberello as I heard all about their Croatia travels in the week prior. We finally found the part of the town we were looking for, hit up my favorite trullo for some fabulous liquor samples, and explored the church. The trulli neighborhood isn't all that large, so once our arms were full of shopping bags we found a place to grab lunch.
They were healthy.
I wasn't.
They ordered salads.
I ordered fries.
They got a huge bowl of green lettuce.
I got fries.
We then proceeded to cut across to my side of Italy. Our route looked something like this and let Ravi explore a bunch of new roads. I can only say something like that too because whenever I thought I was going the right direction, somehow it turned out being incorrect. Oh well. It's all part of the adventures and the girls got to experience first hand drivers in Southern Italy. We stopped in Positano for a break in driving, a touch of shopping, and gelati. When in doubt, gelato is the correct answer.
After ending up in downtown Naples on a Saturday evening, Ravi kissing the bumper of a car in front of us, and fighting a ton of traffic...we finally made it home to Nico. He was a little wary of the extra two people walking in with me, but a peace offering was given and all was well with the world. From that point on he was a goof and decided he could hang out with us as we enjoyed 4 pizzas prepared for us (by Joe of course) over hearing about the latest neighborhood drama.
A few short hours later, rested, showered, we trekked back out to Ercolano, another community destroyed by Mt. Vesuvio. It was a treat to have someone else telling me about what we were looking at, even if a lot of the Italian was Spanish sounding. Once we explored every nook and cranny within the escacvation site it was time to head back to Naples for the speedy tour around the Old Town.
We may have sat and ate for some time, but so much of the Italian culture is built around the tradition of eating and sharing meals, it seemed appropriate. As far as specific reactions and some of the crazy experiences, well I'm going to let Tink share those with you. Why? Well, at this point I think I'm immune to some of the craziness of Naples so it's more fun to read about a first timer's reaction than mine.
I travel light.
I travel cheaply.
I'll sacrifice a meal if that means I can fit another site in and a gelato stand is located.
And if I'm traveling- I'm definitely a go getter. I'm going to climb the towers, check out the churches, visit shops, spend time in a museum...well, you get the point.
Turns out my cousin is very similar with her methodology so when I picked Tink up with one of her friends early on a Saturday morning at Port of Bari telling them our itinerary, she didn't even bat an eye.
Maybe that's because she was being too entertained as I talked back to the GPS to get to our first destination of Alberello as I heard all about their Croatia travels in the week prior. We finally found the part of the town we were looking for, hit up my favorite trullo for some fabulous liquor samples, and explored the church. The trulli neighborhood isn't all that large, so once our arms were full of shopping bags we found a place to grab lunch.
They were healthy.
I wasn't.
They ordered salads.
I ordered fries.
They got a huge bowl of green lettuce.
I got fries.
We then proceeded to cut across to my side of Italy. Our route looked something like this and let Ravi explore a bunch of new roads. I can only say something like that too because whenever I thought I was going the right direction, somehow it turned out being incorrect. Oh well. It's all part of the adventures and the girls got to experience first hand drivers in Southern Italy. We stopped in Positano for a break in driving, a touch of shopping, and gelati. When in doubt, gelato is the correct answer.
After ending up in downtown Naples on a Saturday evening, Ravi kissing the bumper of a car in front of us, and fighting a ton of traffic...we finally made it home to Nico. He was a little wary of the extra two people walking in with me, but a peace offering was given and all was well with the world. From that point on he was a goof and decided he could hang out with us as we enjoyed 4 pizzas prepared for us (by Joe of course) over hearing about the latest neighborhood drama.
A few short hours later, rested, showered, we trekked back out to Ercolano, another community destroyed by Mt. Vesuvio. It was a treat to have someone else telling me about what we were looking at, even if a lot of the Italian was Spanish sounding. Once we explored every nook and cranny within the escacvation site it was time to head back to Naples for the speedy tour around the Old Town.
We may have sat and ate for some time, but so much of the Italian culture is built around the tradition of eating and sharing meals, it seemed appropriate. As far as specific reactions and some of the crazy experiences, well I'm going to let Tink share those with you. Why? Well, at this point I think I'm immune to some of the craziness of Naples so it's more fun to read about a first timer's reaction than mine.
Friday, March 8, 2013
"Wait. You're first cousins?"
When I accepted this job, folks warned me that family and friends I haven't kept in much touch with would contact me seeing if they could visit me in Bella Napoli. I shrugged it off because, well let's face it- a single girl a million and 2 miles away from her California roots needs to have friends and family visit her. I already prepared for this by picking out my castle; my cat really doesn't need his own room!
At any rate, one of my cousins contacted me last year to let me know she was going to be spending a semester in Rome. Sweet! After lots of scheduling around trips, training, and availabiliy, Jenny headed down with a roommate. Turns out it was the same day the minions (and their mom) were headed over as well. Woohoo! Full house and for once, the feline to female ratio was tilted in favor of the females. (Seriously, with less than a cat per person you can't be called a cat lady.)
As we sat in my living room devouring hint of lime Tostitos (American food!) it became rather clear to both her roommate and my friend that we really didn't know eachother. How? Well, any conversation that includes us trying to figure out how many times we've seen eachother (2 times...she was a baby the first time and in elementary school the other), trying to list our common relatives, and then asking other small talk questions...I think Jess had it right when I came back up the stairs after shower saying she knew more about my cousin that I did.
Eek.
Over a fabulous dinner at Mariella's, Jenny's roommate finally realized the sad fact- that we are first cousins. Apparently you don't have to really know your second cousin? Once again we tried to explain that between the age difference, distance between CA and IN, and the fact that it was the side of the family that both our families didn't interact with as much it wasn't that big of a surprise.
As our wine glasses remained full and too many plates came and left our table the 4 of us had a fabulous time chatting about stupid things. In some cases, really stupid things. And besides feeling ridiculously full at the end of the night, we actually sort of knew eachother. Sort of.
At any rate, one of my cousins contacted me last year to let me know she was going to be spending a semester in Rome. Sweet! After lots of scheduling around trips, training, and availabiliy, Jenny headed down with a roommate. Turns out it was the same day the minions (and their mom) were headed over as well. Woohoo! Full house and for once, the feline to female ratio was tilted in favor of the females. (Seriously, with less than a cat per person you can't be called a cat lady.)
As we sat in my living room devouring hint of lime Tostitos (American food!) it became rather clear to both her roommate and my friend that we really didn't know eachother. How? Well, any conversation that includes us trying to figure out how many times we've seen eachother (2 times...she was a baby the first time and in elementary school the other), trying to list our common relatives, and then asking other small talk questions...I think Jess had it right when I came back up the stairs after shower saying she knew more about my cousin that I did.
Eek.
Over a fabulous dinner at Mariella's, Jenny's roommate finally realized the sad fact- that we are first cousins. Apparently you don't have to really know your second cousin? Once again we tried to explain that between the age difference, distance between CA and IN, and the fact that it was the side of the family that both our families didn't interact with as much it wasn't that big of a surprise.
As our wine glasses remained full and too many plates came and left our table the 4 of us had a fabulous time chatting about stupid things. In some cases, really stupid things. And besides feeling ridiculously full at the end of the night, we actually sort of knew eachother. Sort of.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Go Figure
In the days leading up to my half way done with living in Naples, things got a little crazy. Not horrible crazy, more like the of course this is happening right now. Long story short- my car window got smashed in hours before I left for Munich this past weekend. I think the phone call to my extended family celebrating Thanksgiving in Napa went something like:
Hey mom! Happy Thanksgiving. Things are good, but my car was broken into. They grabbed my GPS and keys. The GPS doens't work most days so good riddance, but yeah, they have my keys. My gate clicker, the pedestrian door, my alarm sensor, and yeah, both keys to my house. Call someone? It's 4am out here.
No dad, my home address isn't listed as home in the GPS and I'm pretty sure nothing had my address written on it...I don't even know my physical address most days. Already called my landlord in NJ to have him relay the message to his parents since I'll be on on plane when it's a decent hour to call. And yeah, my house is about 20 miles away from here.
All I know is I now have another check in the box for my Naples check list. It's sad, but true, that pretty much we all head over here knowing that at some point we're going to get robbed. Guess it was my time. Poor Ravi has had a rough year, but in the scheme of things it wasn't bad. My car was still there. My purse wasn't snatched. I still have all my IDs (as in the various forms I have, not different names). And perhaps most important- all my locks were changed within 24 hours and my neighbors all took the time to watch (even more closely) who was coming/going from our "compound."
Another thing that I know without doubt is that my Naples family is absolutely (!!!!) amazing. From my first responders checking out the damage and driving me to the airport at o'dark-thirty, coworkers tracking down phone numbers for me while I'm in Germany, discussing repair options, offering transportation and lodging while it got resolved, changing out locks without even being asked, vacuuming all that glass out of my car (talk about giving blood), to my landlady giving me a hug as soon as she saw me. They have all kept the tears from spilling multiple times and never even hesitated to provide the help I reluctantly asked for.
Even today after meeting the famous Bulion, fabulous because he tracked down my window and replaced it in less than 24 hours, I still had issues. Go figure-right? The main driveway gate didn't want to open. After realizing that it was going to be an issued, I circled the block to try again. Lucky for me two guys were standing on the corner (same 2 guys I gave a look to on round 1 because a) I didn't recognize them and b)they were sort of blocking the space I need to get into the driveway) so when I tried again and failed, they realized I needed help. One went over to the door to "encourage" the slacker door. Several honking cars, my car partially in the "gate" and a stubborn door later, his buddy starts directing traffic through. I kid you not, I'm sure I'm known as la americana in these parts because at this point everyone has a story about me trying to get in my freaking driveway.
So (yeah, we're so not done yet) it's about this time that two neighbors that live downstairs are trying to walk out. Ha. Not happening with my car blocking the exit, and street. Then my landlady has a guest or 2 leaving her house. I kid you not, they say something about the door and then le americane...which last time I checked it's just me, but maybe I heard wrong because at this time I was just laughing at the situation, you know 5 Italians trying to help me and none of them spoke English and I'm an Italian level 4 drop out. So I follow the hand motions and back my car out and wait for the signal to get back into the garage. For those of you who know my drive way, you know that the t-intersection there is anything but fun and it needs to be approached just right. But you know, with full visibility back it's amazing how easy it can be after all these months of practice!
As I drove through the gate, the guy who had been so patient with me passed off my telecomando and I gave him my best grazie and sorriso.
Uffa. As frustrating as these things can be I love the fact that when in Italy, you always know you're going to have an audience and if you're lucky enough they just may be willing to help. Okay, maybe if you're rocking the skirt and boots your chances increase and a smile can never hurt, but what I'm saying is for as much commentary/teasing/whatever you want to call it us Americans have about the Italians, I have yet to meet an Italian that I just don't like. Well, should I ever meet the person(s) who crushed Ravi's window I may not care for them but we all know I had a hate/hate relationship with that GPS...I probably would have just handed it over if given that option and spared the nightmare of Ravi's repairs. Oh well, guess I have to have a few challenges for all the amazing adventures?
Who wants to bet that I won't have gate troubles tomorrow when I'm leaving for work???
Hey mom! Happy Thanksgiving. Things are good, but my car was broken into. They grabbed my GPS and keys. The GPS doens't work most days so good riddance, but yeah, they have my keys. My gate clicker, the pedestrian door, my alarm sensor, and yeah, both keys to my house. Call someone? It's 4am out here.
No dad, my home address isn't listed as home in the GPS and I'm pretty sure nothing had my address written on it...I don't even know my physical address most days. Already called my landlord in NJ to have him relay the message to his parents since I'll be on on plane when it's a decent hour to call. And yeah, my house is about 20 miles away from here.
All I know is I now have another check in the box for my Naples check list. It's sad, but true, that pretty much we all head over here knowing that at some point we're going to get robbed. Guess it was my time. Poor Ravi has had a rough year, but in the scheme of things it wasn't bad. My car was still there. My purse wasn't snatched. I still have all my IDs (as in the various forms I have, not different names). And perhaps most important- all my locks were changed within 24 hours and my neighbors all took the time to watch (even more closely) who was coming/going from our "compound."
Another thing that I know without doubt is that my Naples family is absolutely (!!!!) amazing. From my first responders checking out the damage and driving me to the airport at o'dark-thirty, coworkers tracking down phone numbers for me while I'm in Germany, discussing repair options, offering transportation and lodging while it got resolved, changing out locks without even being asked, vacuuming all that glass out of my car (talk about giving blood), to my landlady giving me a hug as soon as she saw me. They have all kept the tears from spilling multiple times and never even hesitated to provide the help I reluctantly asked for.
Even today after meeting the famous Bulion, fabulous because he tracked down my window and replaced it in less than 24 hours, I still had issues. Go figure-right? The main driveway gate didn't want to open. After realizing that it was going to be an issued, I circled the block to try again. Lucky for me two guys were standing on the corner (same 2 guys I gave a look to on round 1 because a) I didn't recognize them and b)they were sort of blocking the space I need to get into the driveway) so when I tried again and failed, they realized I needed help. One went over to the door to "encourage" the slacker door. Several honking cars, my car partially in the "gate" and a stubborn door later, his buddy starts directing traffic through. I kid you not, I'm sure I'm known as la americana in these parts because at this point everyone has a story about me trying to get in my freaking driveway.
So (yeah, we're so not done yet) it's about this time that two neighbors that live downstairs are trying to walk out. Ha. Not happening with my car blocking the exit, and street. Then my landlady has a guest or 2 leaving her house. I kid you not, they say something about the door and then le americane...which last time I checked it's just me, but maybe I heard wrong because at this time I was just laughing at the situation, you know 5 Italians trying to help me and none of them spoke English and I'm an Italian level 4 drop out. So I follow the hand motions and back my car out and wait for the signal to get back into the garage. For those of you who know my drive way, you know that the t-intersection there is anything but fun and it needs to be approached just right. But you know, with full visibility back it's amazing how easy it can be after all these months of practice!
As I drove through the gate, the guy who had been so patient with me passed off my telecomando and I gave him my best grazie and sorriso.
Uffa. As frustrating as these things can be I love the fact that when in Italy, you always know you're going to have an audience and if you're lucky enough they just may be willing to help. Okay, maybe if you're rocking the skirt and boots your chances increase and a smile can never hurt, but what I'm saying is for as much commentary/teasing/whatever you want to call it us Americans have about the Italians, I have yet to meet an Italian that I just don't like. Well, should I ever meet the person(s) who crushed Ravi's window I may not care for them but we all know I had a hate/hate relationship with that GPS...I probably would have just handed it over if given that option and spared the nightmare of Ravi's repairs. Oh well, guess I have to have a few challenges for all the amazing adventures?
Who wants to bet that I won't have gate troubles tomorrow when I'm leaving for work???
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
And Now We Wait...
Got the official dress!
Found the shoes!
Invitations mailed.
Found another dress
Made all necessary reservations.
Now it's time to find the bling.
And when I say bling I'm not talking race medallion...although my newest one being earned in a few weeks may work... And no, also not talking about the one that will live on my left ring finger one day. I am however, talking about something a little sparkly for the ears. Just something little, since it's not my wedding day but my (not so) little sister's big day!
Even after the wedding prep I've been involved in it seems crazy that Nini is getting married in 31 days! (Yep sister, that's your deadline.) Maybe that's because every time I'm asked "how do you like him?" I'm reminded that I haven't met my future brother in law and that I won't until only a few days prior to their union. Good thing my sister has exquisite taste and extended family has met this guy and hasn't said anything too ridiculous! Kidding Chase (and Nina)- anyone who can take a detailed email on "how to be Kate's stand in at Thanksgiving" and go for it rocks in my book.
I've got to be honest, helping plan a wedding from overseas is crazy. Throw in time zone differences, the inability to see any dresses prior selection, no cake tastings, all means I need to count a ton on my amazing parents to do the leg work. It also means that emails are sent out at all hours of the day to make sure things fall into place. But you know what? This is my sister's day and even though the above may sound like complaining it's been totally easier than sharing a room with her growing up. Seriously...do any of you remember those wars?
At any rate, figured I owed you all a "real life update" although boating, Amalfi, and traveling are my real life activities these days...figured you'd want a more "normal person real life" update. For those I will be seeing in less than 30 days I can't wait! Seriously- between the frequent calls home, writing familiar zip codes, and making my lists for the trip home, I think California is becoming my most frequently used word.
Maid of Honor Out.
Found the shoes!
Invitations mailed.
Found another dress
Made all necessary reservations.
Now it's time to find the bling.
And when I say bling I'm not talking race medallion...although my newest one being earned in a few weeks may work... And no, also not talking about the one that will live on my left ring finger one day. I am however, talking about something a little sparkly for the ears. Just something little, since it's not my wedding day but my (not so) little sister's big day!
Even after the wedding prep I've been involved in it seems crazy that Nini is getting married in 31 days! (Yep sister, that's your deadline.) Maybe that's because every time I'm asked "how do you like him?" I'm reminded that I haven't met my future brother in law and that I won't until only a few days prior to their union. Good thing my sister has exquisite taste and extended family has met this guy and hasn't said anything too ridiculous! Kidding Chase (and Nina)- anyone who can take a detailed email on "how to be Kate's stand in at Thanksgiving" and go for it rocks in my book.
I've got to be honest, helping plan a wedding from overseas is crazy. Throw in time zone differences, the inability to see any dresses prior selection, no cake tastings, all means I need to count a ton on my amazing parents to do the leg work. It also means that emails are sent out at all hours of the day to make sure things fall into place. But you know what? This is my sister's day and even though the above may sound like complaining it's been totally easier than sharing a room with her growing up. Seriously...do any of you remember those wars?
At any rate, figured I owed you all a "real life update" although boating, Amalfi, and traveling are my real life activities these days...figured you'd want a more "normal person real life" update. For those I will be seeing in less than 30 days I can't wait! Seriously- between the frequent calls home, writing familiar zip codes, and making my lists for the trip home, I think California is becoming my most frequently used word.
Maid of Honor Out.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Madrid: Tease
Fej & Nini are still in Madrid, but I made it back this morning, and with only mild delays, and an older lady passing out on the flight back.
Our pictures haven't been uploaded. (Shoot, the camera is still in Madrid.) They haven't started their guest posts. Some issues occurred BUT...
we're talking about the kids that entertained ourselves with Fanta bottles in Mexico, built forts in ivy, and made up songs about forgotten suitcase. Although lost luggage wasn't part of the plan, shopping in Europe became part of the cultural experience.
Bottom line is we've always founds ways to keep ourselves entertained no matter what the issues are and this adventure is no exception! Here are a few highlights from the weekend, and yes, expect more explination in the days to come:
Our pictures haven't been uploaded. (Shoot, the camera is still in Madrid.) They haven't started their guest posts. Some issues occurred BUT...
we're talking about the kids that entertained ourselves with Fanta bottles in Mexico, built forts in ivy, and made up songs about forgotten suitcase. Although lost luggage wasn't part of the plan, shopping in Europe became part of the cultural experience.
Bottom line is we've always founds ways to keep ourselves entertained no matter what the issues are and this adventure is no exception! Here are a few highlights from the weekend, and yes, expect more explination in the days to come:
* SANGRIA * hostel * Lost Luggage * walking *
QUALITY-TIME * Aguascalientes * MUSEUMS * Map Issues * Creepy Taxidermy * Cervezas * jamón *
Friday, June 15, 2012
Madrid Day 1
Lookie Who I Found!
Okay, well I guess if we plan to meet in Madrid I was expecting to find them but you know, it's always a great thing to walk into a hostel and be greeted by your rather sleepy sister who just happened to wake up wondering why you hadn't yet arrived.
Yeah, that's right. We stayed in a hostel and once it was located, was a great location in Puerta del Sol and I wanted to explore! Once they woke up from their groggy travel state we got ready to head out. It didn't take that much time since their luggage was misplaced somwhere between San Francisco and Madrid. As I heard about their tight connection in New York, I was happy to hear that their luggage only missed the flight and not them.
We took out towards Plaza Mayor, the main plaza in Madrid. As it was a beautiful summer evening, the plaza was filled with people. The resteraunt tables set out were filling up with the help of employees attracting tourists in various languages. We didn't need that much encouraging; we saw sangria and were on a tapas mission. It was at this first location that I realized my sister's Spanish skills are nothing short of amazing. (Yes, Nina they are!) Granted, I'm the one who took 4 years in high school and still struggle through the El Torito menu, however on this trip to Spain I atleast remembered gracias rather than grazie when stepping off the plane.
After a people watching adventure in the plaza complete with jamon e melon and sangria we headed out for a little exploring and picking up toothbrushes. Wandering the streets with a map but never quite figuring out where we were, I couldn't help but wonder if being directionally challenged is genetic. We found a few churches and made a major loop down by the Palacio Reale and Cathedral. On our way back towards our hostel we stopped for late night gelato. I was exhausted at this point, but my CA time zoned siblings were gearing up again so we got back in time for them to crash. I think my last words to them were "3am is brutal- just you wait." And you know what? Big sis was right!
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