Finally about wine

Well, I just have noticed that during my trip I have not written even once about wine. Big mistake. i have to admit - I am not a wine person. Which means - I like wine but just can say - is it good for me or not.

I had two times I could be as close to wine as possible. One time in Gorizia and the second, of course, in Toscany.

Two different places and ways of producing wine.

But the approach is the same. - People enjoy it. And they know what they talk about it.

Will talk about next time. :-)

Coffee - things I will still remember No2

Coffee again. I have not noticed how important it become tom me. I always liked to drink it. But most of the time it was instant with milk.
Since I have tested the real one - the question kept coming: "what I will do after the project. How do I survive?"

Than ... the answer ...

Once I was even invited by a private person who just shared a courtyard with the building I was photographing. The older lady asked me if I would like to have a cup of coffee with her. Tried to refuse. But than the question appeared : "You do not want to drink my coffee?" What would you answer? .... And I had home made coffee with a piece of cake.... When I mentioned that it is the same king of cake my grandma used to bake for me - I got 3 pieces more to have for later.

She cooked coffee in the spacial pot. 3 piece thing. Watched carefully. And the very first purchase back home - was this small coffee machine - for three caps espresso.

Coffee - things I will still remember.

Back home - but Italy is still in my head and habits.


I was surprised how coffee is important in the culture which was kind of remote. The first question I was always asked - "would like to have a cup of coffee". It used to happen to me in those big organizations like PRADA or Enel. Do not even think to say - "no, thank you". It was my very first answer - but later learned to say "yes, thank you" and calculate the time for coffee in the working time.
Cup of coffee, short chat - and than work.

The coffee shops were my place of break in the trip and place of short rest. They were also places of information. When I got lost I could find myself there.

The morning coffee with corneto - it become my habit. Than in the afternoon another cup of coffee.

In south of Italy I never asked for water. It was always forwarded with the black, thick and hot drink. The question could be still or sparkling.
Moving north water was less obvious and the question if I would mean american coffee was asked more often.

The one thing was nice though. When I stayed longer in one place I used to choose a coffee shop I was coming to every day. The second day the owner already knew what kind of coffee I drink and once I appeared he used to ask jus kind of confirmation question. I wished I had such place in Warsaw.

It is not the end ...

I was asked today - why I am silent and do not continue writing.

I thought that with the trip finished the blog is completed and finished.
But memories are coming and I have to say - miss Italy. Miss the life of traveling and photographing.
When I was coming back I brought some Italy with me. Ravioli, salami, cheese. The food is almost finished but it helped me in the transition process.
I have small Italy in my neighbourhood - Italians opened a pizzeria. :-) Have you ever had a pizza without tomato souse? This is what they have too.

I think I will keep writing for some time and we will see what comes next. :-)

Photographer's Life_6 - Everything has the end

Today is the day of the official day of the project.

The summary meeting with Pirelli and Celtic was already yesterday.

I want to remember the filling when the clients are happy with the result.

The last photographs of Sarca were taken today early morning.
Prosecco, snacks, chat with Alberto, Silvia and Mario.
Nice time.

I was asked what I will take from Italy.
It is much to write and I think I will give the answer next days.

6 months passed so fast.

What I will meet back home?

I am exited and waiting for new challenges. At the same time sad that something finished.

Toscany - again

Got back to Toscany. It looks like never ending story. And it is all because of Poppi. Small town in Arezzo district always welcomes me with fog and rain and in winter with snow.
But the photo has to be taken. So - It was my third time in Poppi. And ... it was raining. Quick decision - no more trips to Poppi - umbrella out. And photos taken.

Caorle - a small town at the seaside

Sometimes, or let say most of the time when i booked the place had no idea what to expect from the town. There are two main factors which I have to consider:
the budget - the price for the hotel should not more than 90EUR and the distance to the next asset - as close as is possible.
But if I have to drive like about 30 minutes and can spend one evening at the seaside - always choose the walk at the beach.

Caorle - what a nice place. Slowly getting ready for the season.

There was not very regular beach but kind of the path along the sea. The fence between the town and water was built by using massive rocks.

What was my surprise when I got closer. Most of of the blocks which were facing the town were in fact sculptures.

Verbania - I would have never expected ....

I though that I will remember Saturday as a next day of postcards.
But not ... no chance for it.
On the way to Verbania (Lago Maggiore) I saw some stone mills - places I love to explore. The decision was made - to visit one of them on the way back.
And as usually I got lost.
And found myself in a place I would have never imagined to be constructed in Italy.
But why not - look - ROME EUR?
And here I am like in the movie with Charlie Chaplin. Why this connotation - I have no idea.

Camera out on tripod and here we are ....

18th April 2010 Sunday Morning - Varese Lake - Gavirate

It is strange filling. ... Far away from Poland ... not contact ... just radio and internet.
I do not know how does Poland look like now.
What people do and how react.

Is it all true what I see in the net?

Just went for a short walk around Varese Lake - just next to my hotel.

The world outside my country lives is as usual.

Sunday - another day of post cards

Trip to Lago Maggiore - the biggest of the lakes in the Varese region.
Destination - Verbania. As I read they have a lot of beautiful villas with gardens.
It is something very Italian. Villas ... old once or just modern but they are special. Designed with care. The same you can say about the gardens.
Unfortunately, all were closed.
The only one opened was the Villa Taranto - which appeared to be sort of botanical garden.
Nice ... but nothing special for biologist (which I am from my first degree).
Collection of magnolias and Japan roses - this is what I will remember.
Maybe I am spoiled with the Botanical Garden in Wroclaw, which I like very much. But there was one thought coming to me all the time.

People are not clever enough to copy nature.

the Milano Furniture Fairs - new generation comes - Satelite

The most interesting for me was to look at the Satelite part of the show. It is a sector where young designers are presenting their ideas. Most of them are just graduates.
This is the moment in their life were they are meeting face to face visitors and have to introduce to their art.
Yes - art - as the furniture is art.
I was surprised how many Asian students were exhibit their project. But the were also people from Germany, Uruguay.
Some were just working solo others guilt designing groups.
It is place all furniture manufactures should visit. Not to copy the ideas but to find talents.

the Milan Furniture Fairs - Kitchen

I got to kitchen sector with the hope that I will get inspired. My kitchen is still waiting for final decision. It is small but I want to have there everything what it should hold.
So... looked and got a bit upset. Why - all designs, ideas where just for huge spaces. Forgot about my mission of the day and started enjoyed what I saw. How it would be to have a kitchen of the size of your flat...
You can have there totally everything.
Wait ... I liked one staff ... Imagine a table - perfectly flat. And than part of it is rising and there is a shelf coming up with all you need to cook. I want to have it !!!!!!!

the Milan Furniture Fairs - Design part

I took my time there. Took time and my compact camera. looked carefully at what the designers prepared to catch the eye of the visitors.
I was surprised how many of them go back to Bauhaus idea of the furniture.
Some of them got really crazy ideas.
I loved the moving wall. Imagine - conference room. You are in the middle of the important meeting and than .... the wall is moving. Very sensual ...
I could write and write. But it is just a blog about my trip. And it was just one short day I could allow myself to have off. :-(
I wanted to get some catalogues. But they were reserved for press and for potential client. What shall I do to have the press pass next year?

the Milan Furniture Fairs - Entry

It was my very first time I attended such fairs, And .. here we are Milano. I do not know how many thousands of people did arrive. But for sure - the whole word was here. You could see everywhere - in the streets, metro and the most in reception hall.
Organization perfect.
It was not serious statement. Metro - M1 full packed. But the schedule as usual - no more trains to RHO
The ticket system - even Italians were complaining.
In general it took me 1 hour from the metro exit to the halls of the fairs.
One thing was perfectly planned - food. Places at every single corner and the prices just normal. Uffff.....

Sardinia - sand production

I do not know why but I am getting exited with places where is produced sand, stones....
I when I see them I do all I can to enter and take some photos. With this one - I found the hole in the fence and there I was.
The guard found me. But sill allowed to take photos :-)
Nice people.
Place - Sardinia - but exactly - who knows. Close to a mountain.

Hotel I want to forget

Hotels are different.
But this one was the very first in my life I had to clean bathroom by myself.
Yes.
The cleaning lady was using just window spray and sort of liquid which I could not identify.

Incredible. I have experienced hotels where I had to put towel into the shower or just walk in in my flip lops. But this one ...

So - i went to a Supermacato and purchased:
- sponge with soft and hard surface;
- Toilet cleaner - extra strong;
- spray for the ceramic surfaces - extra strong;
- gloves
All costed me 10 EUR. But satisfaction - priceless :-)

30 minutes and bathroom shines.

A... They asked me to pay cash as the terminals are not operating "properly" . I just wander where we are?

I geographical dimensions - on the Italian - Swiss boarder. I am not kidding - really. I can see Swiss boarder from my balcony.

10th APRIL 2010 Poland will be not the same after this day

Saturday morning. Weekend ...

Breakfast, Radio - Chanell 3 PR....

Did not listen to it all the time. Just noticed that something has changed in the voices of the journalist. It was more serious, like starting to cry.

It got my attention - the news - the President, his wife and more other 80 people died today.

Can not still believe.

And only one question comes to my mind. Why did all important people took one plane?

Who did allow to do it?

Hotel Hub - surprised me :-)

The reality of my life here is that I almost every night I sleep in different bed in different hotel.

I leave one hotel end do not know where I am going to overnight. The next one is booked just 30 minutes my arrival. This is the reality of life which I accepted and quite enjoy it.
I do not count how many of them I have seen already.

The one thing I try to avoid is to sleep in business type hotels. They are perfect for the short trips.

I did one exception and got very surprised. I mean in very nice way ...

I am sensitive to space and how it is used ...

When entered the Hub Hotel I just got attracted with the interiors. Combination of cement, wood, coper, glass. But still welcoming.
Additionally, the reception. People nice and helpful.

I know this place will develop its own history. The design will change as the space allows for it.

But I do hope that one thing will not change - hospitality...

Photographer's Life_5 - Properta Privata

What kind of connotations you have with the word "ITALY"

Maybe it is going like that - easy going people, laid back?

There is one thing they do not get relaxed at all.

This is called "PROPERTA PRIVATA". Which means "Private property".
The signs with those two words are visible almost everywhere.
It means - do not entry, do not park, keep yourself far away.
Otherwise - there are eyes watching you. And if you cross the magic line - you will hear "Seniora - properta privata" - usually from an older lady :-).

So where should I park my car if there are only "Properta Privata" around? Sometimes I am lucky and can find something like 200m away. It is not a problem to walk and than I am happy to do so.
But if not ...
How long can you drive looking for free space?

So - I just leave my car at properta privata and often have luck - nobody notices. If not - have discussions and negotiations in my Italianish.

The other thing I have noticed is that people get more tense about this statement as yo go north.