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Posts Tagged ‘travel’

A Lame Duck American

Posted in Americans Abroad, Expat in Italy, Italy, Living abroad, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel, tagged on August 14, 2012| 10 Comments »

There’s a mind-set you adopt when you’re about to move far, far away.  You become a short-timer drawing an arbitrary line in the sand – a sort of invisible cut-off date after which you won’t be forming any new relationships.  Now when I meet someone I’m tempted to say, “Hi, my name is Toni and you can’t get attached to me.”  I’ve put into place a “friend moratorium” because I just can’t like any more people – it hurts too much to leave them.

A perfect example is Reggie. I met her just under the wire at a Starbucks on Union Street about a month ago.  She is hysterically funny, super smart and very cool. Now I’m going to miss her, damn it! 

When it rains, it pours…

Wouldn’t you know it?  The other day on the ferry a handsome man smiled at me PAST THE DEADLINE!  

I was thinking…perhaps some rules are meant to be broken?

by Toni DeBella

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deYoung Museum: Thing #1 I Will Miss About San Francisco – International Art and Exhibitions

Posted in Italy, Orvieto, San Francisco, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2012| 11 Comments »

Leaving San Francisco isn’t going to be easy.  I love this city and will miss everything about it.  I remember the first day I moved here.  I stepped out onto the stoop of my apartment building, looked around and decided there was nowhere in the world I would rather be…then I found Orvieto. Italy.  In the next three months I am going to enjoy every single minute of my life here, appreciate all the things San Francisco and Marin County have to offer, and say good-bye with no regrets…

….Goodbye deYoung Museum.

August 4, 2012: Jean Paul Gaultier at the deYoung Museum, Golden Gate Park

I exited the Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibition at the DeYoung Museum today flabbergasted.   I am shattered by Gaultier’s genius.  I’ve never seen clothes so beautiful, expressions so unfiltered, gowns so outrageously sublime, outfits so over-the-top delightful.   Each one was lovely and funny and smart and more incredible than the next.  His masterpieces are astonishing.  I wonder if Jean Paul Gaultier knows how brilliant he is?  I think so.

Tartan Man

 

Madonna and his iconic bustier

by Toni DeBella

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An Italian Chef, Grazie!

Posted in Expat in Italy, Food in Italy, Italians, Italy, Orvieto, Rome, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 24, 2012| 8 Comments »

It’s already bad enough that I have to be so far away from Italy right now, but on top of that, I’m completely tortured by the separation from the food in her restaurants!

San Francisco is a big, big foodie city known for its fine, cutting-edge dining, exquisite winemaking, and a strong, Italian-American heritage.  Whenever possible, I eat in Italian restaurants but honestly, lately there seems to be something missing.  The Olive Garden just isn’t cutting it for me any more.

Dining in Italy is the sum of its parts; a package deal where food and wine don’t tell the whole story – relationship, personal connection and graciousness are also part of the equation.  When I am in San Francisco it’s not so surprising then, that the places I feel the most comfortable and want to frequent are those owned, operated and staffed by native Italians. Ristorante Ideale in North Beach is one of my favorites. (Read 7 Tastes of Italy).  Owner and Chef Maurizio Bruschi creates a scene that makes the walk through his door, a walk into Rome. 

…and then there was dinner last evening at Ristobar in the Marina District.  The food was amazing in taste and presentation, but the icing on the cake was a personal visit to the table from the new Chef de Cuisine, Michele Belotti from Bergamo – young, talented and an artist with food.  I was transported again…this time just a little farther to the north.

Ristorante Ideale: http://www.idealerestaurant.com/; 1315 Grant Ave, SF 94133 (415)391-4129

Ristobar: http://www.ristobarsf.com/; 300 Chestnut Street, SF 94123; (415) 923-6464 

by Toni DeBella 

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WANTED IN ROME

Posted in Expat in Italy, Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Rome, Travel, Umbria, tagged , , , , , , , on July 16, 2012| 23 Comments »

LOOKING FOR WORK IN ITALY:

Background and Education:

University Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Performance (Physical Education – don’t get any funny ideas), Graduate Degree from School of Hard Knocks.

 

Prior Work Experience:

Freelance Legal/Executive Administrative Assistant (yeah, Secretary), Single Mom (yes, it’s a “real” job), Mural/Faux Finishing business owner since 1991, Government Affairs Regulatory Assistant (really), Commercial/Television Actress (yes, really).

 

Recent Work Experience:

Blogger, Freelance Travel Writer, Copywriter, Editor (knows the difference between favorite and favourite), TEFL Certified English Teacher (who isn’t?), Personal Assistant, Olive Oil Sales Rep, Relocation Coordinator, Vacation Concierge, Video Travel Host, and International Pet Escort.

 

Hobbies and Interests:

Italy.  Available Immediately.

by Toni DeBella

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Bougainvillea Birthday

Posted in Expat in Italy, Italy, Orvieto, Travel, Umbria, tagged , , , , , , , on July 6, 2012| 14 Comments »

It was the summer of 1988. In commemoration of the birth of my son, I planted a small fuchsia bougainvillea in a planter just under our front window. The vine was scrawny and spindly, and the few flowers on it had fallen off, leaving only a sad green twig in the ground. I worried that this bougainvillea wouldn’t make it through the winter. Shortly thereafter we relocated across town, leaving the bougainvillea to fend for itself.

Last week on my way to meet a friend for lunch, I unexpectedly found myself in our old neighborhood and came upon our flat on Green Street. The exterior of the apartment hadn’t changed much over the years except for one thing…there was a luscious, gigantic bougainvillea climbing the side of the building.  Amazingly, almost a quarter of a century later, this plant not only survived; it flourished.

Today marks the anniversary of the day, twenty-four years ago, when my son came into the world and when that little twig of a bougainvillea took root and began to grow. 1988 was a very good year for little boys and bougainvilleas.

by Toni DeBella

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Forza Azzurri…

Posted in Expat in Italy, Italian Soccer, Italians, Italy, tagged , , , , , on July 1, 2012| 5 Comments »

 …is the battle cry of Italians everywhere.  

I used to love American baseball, but I’ve changed alliances.  I’ve been told that if you live in Italy, you’d better like soccer.  

I watched Thursday’s European championship semi-finals along with a contingency of German and Italian expats in a café in Sausalito.  When Italy won I felt a warm, tingling feeling inside.  I think it was pride.

Tomorrow is the meeting with destiny and Spain….

Forza Azzurri!

by Toni DeBella

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Writer’s Block:

Posted in Culture, Expat in Italy, Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel, writing, tagged , , , , , on June 24, 2012| 19 Comments »

Dictionary.com defines writer’s block as follows:

“a usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with the writing of a novel, play, or other work.”

Bingo!

Now that I have a diagnosis and understand the symptoms, I’m ready to find a cure.

This paralyzing syndrome, I’ve discovered, is quite common among those who write on a regular basis. There are different schools of thought on what brings about writer’s block in the first place – the most common seems to be that writer’s block is a vicious cycle generated from a fear that your work might not be good enough, followed by anxiety, which in turn stops the flow. It could be caused by a lack of inspiration or maybe you don’t have enough interesting material to write about.

Whatever the cause, writer’s block steps on your creativity hose, preventing ideas and coherent thoughts from making it onto the page. An acute ailment, this disorder must be eradicated before it becomes a chronic condition. If you’re determined to snuff out this insidious and confidence-blowing virus once and for all, here are some suggestions from writers who’ve had “the block” and overcame it:

#1: Take a break. Walk away from the project and do something fun.

#2: Sit down and type ten of the worst pages you’ve ever  written.

#3: Turn off your computer screen and write as fast as you can. Edit later.

#4: Give your ideas time to form and try writing about a variety of different things.

#5: Seek therapy.

#6: Make a schedule and stick to it. Write everyday.

#7: Eat chocolate and make yourself a nice cup of tea.

#8: Have a change of scenery.

#9: Be authentic in your writing: if it’s not working it may be a “lie”. 

#10: Go to Italy immediately for inspiration!

Thanks to fellow expat writers Debbie Oakes, Barbara Zaragoza, Giuliana Sica, Rhonda Walker, Mark Leslie and Lisa Chiodo for their contributions to this post – I couldn’t have done it without you.  “Write on”!

by Toni DeBella

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Writing a Blog about Italy: Where Strangers are Friends You Haven’t Met Yet.

Posted in Expat in Italy, Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on June 15, 2012| 25 Comments »

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Some live around the corner, some across an ocean. Sometimes your buddy-o-meter goes off and you get a certain vibe about someone that defies proximity – a unique kindred connection that isn’t a function of time or space.

She was the very first person to read and comment on this blog just over a year ago. We became Facebook friends. She had an irreverent sense of humor, coincidently also has a son named Andrew and loves Italy. She’s a fantastic cook. I’m a fantastic eater. We say things like “Ciao cugina” (Hi cousin) and banter on the computer like childhood friends.

We finally had our first meeting in North Beach last night. Dinner, chit-chatting (we even let her husband get a word in edgewise, from time to time). We shared chilled shot glasses of her homemade Limoncello and the waiters joined us for an after-dinner toast. How did I think the evening went? Let’s just say a visit with me in Orvieto is in the works.

I never expected this blog to be such a portal for funneling wonderful and dynamic people into my life. I’ve been fortunate to have a network of warm and supportive cohorts introduced to me through this medium.  They consist of a mixture of “real-time” and “web-based” friends, but friends nontheless. Among the Hall of Famers: a very “accommodating” family of five; a gal destined for Umbria; a mad renovating mommy; a floating foodie, a lake dweller, a stage fright-prone rock star; and a Chianti-drinking-but-not-while-driving adventurer.

That little “Like” button has “virtually” changed my life.

Check them out: 

The Beehive Hotel & Cafe and Cross-Pollinate

Renovating Italy

Living & Working a Dream Life in Europe

Destination Umbria

An Italophile

Follow Your Nose

by Toni DeBella

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Italy Envy

Posted in Americans Abroad, Expat in Italy, Italy, Orvieto, Piazza Navona, Rome, Travel, Umbria, tagged , , , , , , , on June 6, 2012| 12 Comments »

“Nothing is as obnoxious as other people’s luck.”― F. Scott Fitzgerald

Envy is a malicious emotion in which a miserable and narcissistic person craves the misfortune of others and begrudges their success. From the Latin word Invidia, envy is considered so nefarious it’s ranked number six among the Seven Deadly Sins. Some days I admit it – I’m a sinner…I envy the entire population of Italy.  

 “Envy is for people who don’t have the self-esteem to be jealous.”― Benson Bruno

Jealousy, similar to envy, is often defined as “resentment against a rival, suspicion or fear of losing someone or something you love.”  Hummm…

You know, I am not going to allow myself to linger any longer in these emotional black holes.  When I find myself in this unhealthy state of mind, I’ll just remember that the merry-go-round of life spins and spins and there are more than enough brass rings to go around.  I’ll wait and be patient for I am about to come around again for another grab at the prize. Negative moods are neither good for your soul nor your skin. 

Envious or jealous is just no way to be.

by Toni DeBella

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The Golden Gate Bridge: A Diamond Anniversary!

Posted in Expat in Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2012| 5 Comments »

“My arms are flung across the deep,

Into the clouds my towers soar,

And where the waters never sleep,

I guard the California shore.”

– Written by Joseph P. Strauss, Chief Engineer, Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District, 1937

May 27, 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the most famous and recognizable span in the world: The Golden Gate Bridge!  Like The Eiffel Tower, The Coliseum, The Great Wall of China and Big Ben, no caption is required on this postcard – the image speaks for itself, it says “San Francisco, California, U.S.A.”

The Golden Gate Bridge is named for the strait it traverses and not, as many people believe, for its color.  The bridge isn’t gold but painted International Orange – a color that sets it apart from its magnificent surroundings while also enhancing the visibility for ships passing through the gate in and out of San Francisco’s harbor.  Just three miles long, the bridge conveniently connects urban with nature, leading the way to the wonders of the Marin Headlands. It’s estimated that nine million visitors come to walk across this bridge every year.   Really? Is that all?

Living just a few miles down the road from the bridge, I have the pleasure of traveling across it weekly.  I have to say that I never ever get tired of it – after so many years of driving over this glittering, harp-like structure, it still gives me a thrill! I dig Joseph B. Strauss’ art deco architecture, the dramatic view of the Pacific Ocean, the panorama of the City’s skyline, and all those tiny little sailboats dotting the waters of the windy bay.

You may be asking yourself, “What does the Golden Gate Bridge have to do with Italy”?  Absolutely nothing, but I felt I had to take a moment to post a tribute to my “other” hometown’s “Il Pointe” and say Auguri!

Happy 75th Birthday, Golden Gate Bridge! I have to say, you don’t look a day over 50!

by Toni DeBella

l’Estate a San Francsico, Al Saltapicchio, Orvieto

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