18th December 2009 Home, sweet home

Finally back home for Christmas

It was not easy to get back but I did it. Almost missed my flight. Left hotel 8.30am and headed for Malpensa. GPS could not find satelites - so funny - but the the way from via Toffetti is very easy.
Easy was to get on the truck but not not easy was to drive - till San Goivani the traffic was moving with the spead about 12 km/ hour. This was caused by accidents.
Accidents - this is what happens more often when snowing. One day I saw three of them with different combination of the vehicles. But the picture of peole was the same - standing, smoking cigarets and discussing - no stress at all. I think that small bumbs happen quite often in this country. The conclusion is drawn from ammount of CAROZZERIA places accross all Italy.

Anyway - arrived 10.10 and flight was at 11.00. people from Hertz just took my the keys and I could go.

Check in - I was the last one. I was blessed today with the people at the desk - no payment for the overlaguage. And it was just quite - all this nice things I got on the way. I have not noticed that I collected so many of them. I did not buy a lot but things which will remind me places.
So I have: chocolate form Arezzo;
Olive oil produced by nuns in Tuscany;
Wine from Cormons where I made a break during heavy rain. I saw the winery and the rain stopped;
Panettone from Piemonte;
Coffee from Genova;
Wine from Sud Tirol where I could speak Gearman again;
Sweets from Piemonte;
A book on Agatha Chistie from Milan;

As I look now I got only fragile items. And quite bulky as well.

Back at home - and this strange filling that I do not fill like at home. Marta, who is taking care of my flat while I am in Itlay made some changes which she needed and the flat was a little bit strange to me. I encouraged her to do this - as she is staying here everyday she should fill comfortable in it. I am here just till 11th January 2010.
Next part of my assigment begins in Sicily.

Strange filling.

9th December- La Thuile - Monte Bianco - adventure will find you if you just allow it

What a day .....
If you only let the adventure find you - it will for sure ...

After the experience with mountain driving I made my mind.
No more driving those narrow and icy roads. I planned to live some more years.
And I am very happy that I took this decision.
As I decided I did. I took the bus and another bus.

Anyway- got to the La Thuile. Again - how to find the place. I am becoming an expert in finding Telecom assets. The other institution (apart from Townhalls) which is very helpful is the Tourist Information. And La Thuile has got one of the best I have ever seen. Got the map ... and ... there was my Telecom on the map - even they put an antenna.

.... I love putting my tripod on ice. You fill so comfortable to keep not the cheapest equipment on such firm foundation .....

You do what you can to get the best possible shoots - even it is neighbours garden. Always fill a bit uncomfortable doing that. It is big thing in Italy - private property. Usually people do not mind if you take pictures form their properties - but first is better to ask. Sometimes - is is not possible -like this time.

Got the picture and wet shoes.
Fortunately m shoes are for those which get wet fast and dry fast.

As it was the only one asset in the range of 100 km I had to take - in fact the last one in Aosta and the bus was like in 2-3 hours - I got a nice surprise - time off.

There have been ages I have not been in high mountains. I used to live in Alps - since this time - it is my first trip to the high mountains.
Took gondola to the La Suches. It is ski place - but it was empty - just maybe 10 -20 people.
Strange filling... Snow and now people.

Tried to recognize Monte Bianco - without major success, sat in the sun and tried to keep conversation in Italian (could understand that the lady is from Padvia and they came for long weekend).

Time to get back - this time it was more than one person. And than I have met Francesca and Armando. - my Adventure. I do not know who is happened - but they suddenly asked if I have other plans and if not, maybe I would consider to join them and go to Monte Bianco.

YES YES YES YES
I have not even though about it.
Taking the decision of taking the bus decided the same that I cancell my trip to Mon Blanc. You can not have everything in life. And now I am going. Maybe I should start thinking that I can have everything in life :-)..... No .....

We were lucky the last vagon was just about leaving. Only 30EUR and I have 30 minutes to watch the mountains.
The vagns were becoming smaller with every change (and there where two). I was insisting on having one hour instead of 30 minutes as staff offered us..
The cold and wind - I was not prepared for it at all.
Quick decision - small camera got into Francesa hands and It took my big one. There where the fasted photos I have ever taken in my life - of course using TS lens and tripod.
I think I could manage there 15 minuts in total.

My hands become purple. Old frostbite showed again. Now I know why I do not go back to the mountains.
Cold. Pain. Back to the shelter. Armando gave me his cloves. Helped - fingers got normal colour again. But the photos are taken and I saw Mont Blanc and bitten my record of 3400 m to 3842 m (by this time without climbing).
and I was happy like a kid ....
Still can not believe in it...
and the most important -
I have met Francesca and Armand. A couple from Milan - so sweet people.
Later we had hot and thick chocolate while waiting for my bus and talking, talking, talking....
I need to ask again for this pilgrim way they rode with their bicycles - it is 800 km where people go alone. And this way changes people. We did not finished as my bus arrived.
Next time in Milan . Can not wait ...

Accountings:
Parking in Aosta bus station - all day - 3 EUR
Bus Ticket - Aosta - S.... - Aosta - 5 EUR
Bus Ticket - S....- La Thuile - 1,80 EUR
Lift to La .... = 12 EUR
Lift to Monte Bianco - 30 EUR

The experience and time spent with wonderful people - priceless

The day was just perfect.

8th December - day off and Federica's BIG DAY

Day off ... It means no driving and taking photographs. But instead - post production, accounting, planning ....

The moment of the day was a mass in the village church.

Went there because of my friend Federica.

Let me introduce this very unusual person.

Federika completed studies in communication. Her parents own the best coffee shop in Albiano d'Ivrea. So she is working with them right now. It means - long hours. But whenever you would come there she as well as her parents share with you positive energy.

They are opened from 7 but her parents are at 5 preparing freshly backed broches and other nice things. I got addicted ... to the place and people.

I like this moment in the day - mornings - before work - a cup of coffee and something extra....

Anyway, Federika - although she works with parents, she also took on a huge project on.
It took 12 months to complete the painting presenting the Last Supper. What she told me - it was not just painting but also learning about each of the persons she painted.

The painting itself was presented on the 8th December after the Mess.

The church was full. As I do not speak Italian I just could observe and fill the community.

It looks that the church takes important part in the village life. People just fill comfortable there.
The choir- small but you should hear them singing ... The director was not only directing the choir but also congregation .... And ... people know the songs by heart.

And then the presentation .... And Federika told some words ... and than ... congratulation, observation, discussions ...

All church was possessed with people - they were everywhere - it is obvious that this place is for them ....
It is very difficult to describe the atmosphere I could fill...

It was very special day as well for me. I was happy ....
Very peaceful Tuesday.

7th December 2009 - Valtournanche- Aosta

I am surprised that I write so much but every day brings so much that it is difficult to not write.
Back to work. I managed to take photos of 3 buildings:
1 in Valtournanche and 2 in Aosta.
The first one gave me much to think about driving in Italy. This subject comes almost every single day.
Had to drive again to Valtournanche as there was one Telecom building to take care of.
Started day early. The weather forecast was not clear in terms of snow and rain. For snow I got chains for rain - nothing- just summer tires.....

Everything was OK until I got on the local road 26. Curves and long queue .... of course behind me. And no chance to give the way the fasters ones. Ohhhh.... beeping again, flashing lights ....
I just wanted to stop the car, get off and kill all of them.... Aggression .... But no ... Was driving in complete silence ...

Arrived and than started - to find the building. Went to three places: a shop with souvenirs, laundry and even real estate office - nobody knew what I was talking about. I know my Italian is not a perfect one - but I do really do my best. You should see me - flipping pages in dictionary, using hands even making small performances.... But this time did not help. Someone finally gave me a tip - municipalio (town hall). And it was the right way.
They have a special office with maps, list of all buildings in the county. And the lady talked English. Just told them that I look for a Telecom - she asked if I want to have a map. In the end she draw me a lovely map and I run.
It started to snow - The building was exactly in the place she told me. It is quite to see the antenna - the building looks as a nice villa and is surrounded by trees and other properties.
I have never worked as fast as this time - sliding on pieces of ice, running on snow....
Snow flakes ....

Way back was very similar to the way up. Beeping, flashing....
To make it less painful I tried to find out which cars are the most frequent once in doing such noise.
Brand: BMWs, Vovlvos
Plates: starting with letter D. As mine.
Age of the drivers - does not matter
Sex - does not matter
Well ...

Anyway -came back home quite tired ....

Tomorrow a day off. Frederika from the village coffee shop is showing her painting in village church. She was working on it for a year. It will be after the mess.
I widh we had such great pastries as her parents produce. Will take some home. Typical Piemont ....

6th Dec 2009 Sunday Quincinetto

Staying in Albiano d'Ivrea gives me chance to visit either Piemont or Aosta Valley.
As I had enough mountains and driving roads I do not fill comfortable with I decided to go to a place which I saw with angle of the eye a day before.
It was a group of kind of shelters. They looked like being empty. It was enough good reason to explore unknown.
Put in my GPS the name of the town - Quinicinetto with request to avoid highway. And I got what I asked or - the roads which I wanted to avoid. Narrow and steep with no boarders.
I was to late to change the route - I did not where I was. Totally lost.

And it was fine, just fine. Met a shepherd, saw a cemetery which looks like a monument (cemeteries is a completely different subject), had a short discussion about ways of passing on the road so narrow that hardly could accommodate two cars.

Well - finally I got to the place I was going to. Yes indeed there were shelters. And it looks that they are just used during summer and used mainly for caws. How do I know - it is impossible to not walk on what cows produce in large amount. :-)

People here use every possible way to produce crops. They build terrace on the slopes of the valleys. Hard life ...

On the way back decided to check how the town looks itself. Of course did not think much just drove in and upsss.... the road go to narrow for my Astra. Left side - stone wall - right side -parked cars.
No chance to turn back - time to exercise backwards driving. 3 cars = 6 meters?
Took me 15 minutes.

In the end there were two men watching and entertaining themselves.
Well ... I am happy for them...
They were hunters proud of their trophy - a boar (aprox. 60- 70 kg).
It looks that they had a very good day.

So as I ....

High Monutains - my dreams from youth

What a day. Slept till 8 am - which does not happen very often. The day started with the purchase of the equipment which is obligatory in Aosta Valley.
The chains.
It is something normal here that people have them and keep in their cars from 15th October till end of April.
So... it had to happen to me too.
Roseline (my host) went with me and explained my need of being instructed. It was quite entertaining for all including myself. Frankly speaking - it is not the easiest thing to install the chains. Anyway I need to exercise before Wednesday - when I need to go to La Thuile (very close to Mont Blanc).
Today was the day I dedicated to Matterhorn. Italians call it Monte Cervino.
The road was full packed with cars. I have forgotten that the 8th December is a church holiday and Italy is having long weekend. All small places were crowded - felt like in Zakopane.
Anyway- drove to Cervinia checking from time to time if I am still controlling the car. With the speed of 40 km which drove Italins crazy. They drive.... So beeping and flashing lights - I got used to that.
Anyway arrived to a big parking where I could see my dream and .... there were caravans parked. So surreal filling.
The next place on the way back was a small village Chamois. A small place you can reach only by cableway. No cars and just white. White dry snow. Sun ...

Yes.... sun... I am just talking with Daga on Skype and noticed that something happened to my face. It changed color but why neck is still white ? ....

All day I had the filling that I am surrounded by postcards. I could see the pages from calendars with Alps landscapes.
I think I have enough Alps for some days.

Anyway.... technology .... I am in Italy in a small village near Albano working and still can see how my friends are decorating Xmas tree....

Como-Aosta

Well, plans are nice to make them. Life verifies them quickly. Like today. Arrived yesterday to a small place at Como lake in order to wake up early in the morning and get started to hunt next 4 buildings.
The morning decided to present different face of Como lake. Wet and cold. Heavy rain which turned to be nice snow in the mountains.
Drove as far as I could. And than had to stop and think and decide.
Heavy snow. Narrow road. No equipped with chains and winter tires.
Yes- turned back after some trials to stop the car on the snow.
The very first time I gave up. Well ... it had to be the first time sometime ....
What next - Aosta.
I am glad that changed my mind - the Aosta Valley welcomed me with blue sky and strong wind. Arrived early enough to get two buildings.
The buildings here have roofs covered with stone plates which shine in the sun.
And tomorrow is the day of introduction to the chain world. It looks that I will be not able to avoid such things.

It looks that I do a lot of things here for the first time in my life. It is like learning to live again. Which I love. Can not wait to see what the next day brings.

In this run I have no time to do little research about the places I am going. And... it happened that I just realized that I will see Mont Blanc and Materhorn. The dreams are coming true ...
Just weather.

3 Dec 2009

After 3 weeks race to hunt for 17 big properties and filling the free time with smaller one. Adding stress being in the country language I do not speak made me tired so much that I could force myself to do more just spending quite time at the apartment in Triest.
It was just kind of a temporary home - calming sound of washing machine, ironing, and... planning next phase pf the trip.

And now - one race finished another started - to take photographs in the mountains before snow comes.
It looks that I am late anyway.
Bormio welcomed me with -4 C and icy roads. But a very nice surprise was waiting for me. My goal for today was not far - just 3 minutes walk from the hotel. It was a big thing for me.

When Toskany was asleep the mountains just started to wake up. In almost every town there are build big szopkas. It looks that it is big thing here in the mountains.
And when I heard the Going home for Xmas I felt like flying back home. It is the song which travels with home me every year.

I am sitting in a lovely place - it is family place - agriculture. Lighted in the fireplace. Poppies playing. Quiet. This is what I need to fill like at home.

Bormio 2nd Dec 2009

Bergamo - waiting for text

Bolzano - waiting for text

Venezia

I am coming from the town where water is present almost everywhere - Wroclaw (in Germany still called Breslau).
I love water. I learned swimming when I was 4 and fill no fear but respect it. Love water.
So whenever I go to a place where people coexist with the force of nature my heart is bitting faster.
I was very courious about Venzia. You see so many pictures, hear stories - but I wanted to experience my Venezia. And my Venezia is on water. Those people who are bound to it. The buildings are impressive. Those who invented this town were truly great architects and constructors.
But water - it gives living for all those people living or just working in Venizia.
If there was no water Venezia would have not existed.
I was lucky - got a very nice room in Reisdence with the view on Grand Canal. What a luxury - drinking morning coffee or just brushing teeths on tarrace and whatching the boats passing by.
I could spend all day watching the piece of GC I had access to and never got bored. Boads coming and going. Trams and their passangers - you could immediatelly to recognize people living in Venezia for more than one generation. They are reserved and look at others with kind of distance look like not noticing them.

When I though about Venezia I always thought about gondoloriers. But as I noticed that they are not the only once who work on water. We have taxis, trams, delivery, ambulances, cleaners ... The rush starts very early and stops late.

The boat makes the same sense as a car on the land.
The men and their boats comes to my mind ...

Venezia is defently the place I want to come back for longer.

Ancona - is waiting for text