Sunday, June 11, 2006
Video Highlights
Monday, May 29, 2006
The Mario Andretti Driving Award
It's time once again to present the Mario Andretti Driving Award. During each trip to Italy someone distinguishes themselves with their unique driving abilities or performance.
In 2004, Cole won this award after trying to squeeze a car through a narrow gate. You can read about Cole's award here: http://grazie2004.blogspot.com
This year, the award goes to John for driving the wrong way on a traffic circle.
Actually, there's more to the story than that. John was initially travelling the right way on a traffic circle but missed his exit. Rather than continue around the circle and try again, he immediately pulled a U-turn and then drove out the entrance (against oncoming traffic) in the direction he wanted to go.
Now that's driving!!!!
In 2004, Cole won this award after trying to squeeze a car through a narrow gate. You can read about Cole's award here: http://grazie2004.blogspot.com
This year, the award goes to John for driving the wrong way on a traffic circle.
Actually, there's more to the story than that. John was initially travelling the right way on a traffic circle but missed his exit. Rather than continue around the circle and try again, he immediately pulled a U-turn and then drove out the entrance (against oncoming traffic) in the direction he wanted to go.
Now that's driving!!!!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Cleaner Than Clean
Ever try to use an Italian washing machine?
Well...Mary (yes, that Mary) decided to wash some clothes today and it didn't work out the way she planned. First, she accidentally put house cleaning liquid in the washing machine rather than laundry detergent. And then she set the machine to the desired cycle and pushed the Italian version of the "run" button.
SEVEN hours later the machine was still running at high speed, washing her clothes. There also seemed to be plenty of suds visible. (Talk about clean clothes!!!)
Last we heard she was going to start over.
Well...Mary (yes, that Mary) decided to wash some clothes today and it didn't work out the way she planned. First, she accidentally put house cleaning liquid in the washing machine rather than laundry detergent. And then she set the machine to the desired cycle and pushed the Italian version of the "run" button.
SEVEN hours later the machine was still running at high speed, washing her clothes. There also seemed to be plenty of suds visible. (Talk about clean clothes!!!)
Last we heard she was going to start over.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Tuscan Speed Tasting
I remember hearing about trips to Europe in the 70's and 80's that featured 22 countries in three days.
Well...if you think that's hectic, just try a trip that features five (5) wine tours in three days. Add to that the fact that the wineries are often several hours away from each other, AND our host Antonio is an Italian race car driver, and you get what I call "Tuscan Speed Tasting."
The wine tours themselves are wonderful and pleasant. It's just traveling at 90 miles per hour (not kilometers) on curvy roads from one location to the next while fighting jet lag and lack of sleep makes it a somewhat stressful experience. In other words, better planning will be on everyone's feedback form after the trip. (There was a rumor of a potential prison break but the warden doubled the guards before such an attempt could be made)
Next week we have four more wine tours and I'm already starting to see stainless steel tanks in my dreams. I hear that group #2 has TEN wine tours scheduled, so bring your favorite stress reducer.
Thank god we're now in Cesanatico and able to just relax on the beach. Barbara says to tell every one hello!
More later!
Well...if you think that's hectic, just try a trip that features five (5) wine tours in three days. Add to that the fact that the wineries are often several hours away from each other, AND our host Antonio is an Italian race car driver, and you get what I call "Tuscan Speed Tasting."
The wine tours themselves are wonderful and pleasant. It's just traveling at 90 miles per hour (not kilometers) on curvy roads from one location to the next while fighting jet lag and lack of sleep makes it a somewhat stressful experience. In other words, better planning will be on everyone's feedback form after the trip. (There was a rumor of a potential prison break but the warden doubled the guards before such an attempt could be made)
Next week we have four more wine tours and I'm already starting to see stainless steel tanks in my dreams. I hear that group #2 has TEN wine tours scheduled, so bring your favorite stress reducer.
Thank god we're now in Cesanatico and able to just relax on the beach. Barbara says to tell every one hello!
More later!
What's So Great About Italy?
Every time I visit Italy I realize why I like it so much. Despite problems with maps and directions, I see a country and a culture that is very different than the United States. The people here value:
- beauty over commerce
- conservation over consumption
- preservation over profits
- health over convenience
- life over work
There is so much we can learn from these people....
- beauty over commerce
- conservation over consumption
- preservation over profits
- health over convenience
- life over work
There is so much we can learn from these people....
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Merit Badge Awards
The "driving in Italy merit badge" is not easily earned. You have to be able to overcome a snake pit of confusing signage, a complete lack of rules, poorly drawn maps, missing signs, wacky drivers and general chaos. (But as Robin likes to say...it all just seems to work)
Nonetheless, I would like to recognize two people who have earned a merit badge for their driving skills -- Cole and Robin. Both found their way to our hotel in Piedmonte in just about 3 hours, WITHOUT A USABLE MAP. This is no small accomplishment folks.
Congratulations to Cole and Robin!
Nonetheless, I would like to recognize two people who have earned a merit badge for their driving skills -- Cole and Robin. Both found their way to our hotel in Piedmonte in just about 3 hours, WITHOUT A USABLE MAP. This is no small accomplishment folks.
Congratulations to Cole and Robin!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
When Will We Ever Learn?
The drive from the Milano airport to our hotel in Piedmonte was suppose to take about 3 hours. But (you guessed it) we discover the driving directions provided by the hotel had...shall we say...some incorrect information. Such as the autostrada on the hotel's map was brand new and not open yet. Plus the labels for some roads were flat out wrong.
So we end up with people scattered all over the Piedmonte region looking for a roads that don't even exist. Some people actually traveled all the way to Torino in search of a false hope.
The bottom line....the trip to our hotel didn't take 3 hours. In fact, for some people it took more like 12 hours. Which means about 25% of the group arrived at the hotel at 6 AM the following day. Just in time to get up and drive to our first wine tasting. (more about that later)
Some day we will realize the term Italian Map is an oxymoron.
So we end up with people scattered all over the Piedmonte region looking for a roads that don't even exist. Some people actually traveled all the way to Torino in search of a false hope.
The bottom line....the trip to our hotel didn't take 3 hours. In fact, for some people it took more like 12 hours. Which means about 25% of the group arrived at the hotel at 6 AM the following day. Just in time to get up and drive to our first wine tasting. (more about that later)
Some day we will realize the term Italian Map is an oxymoron.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Our Schedule
The Plan
Here we go again.
Time to learn more about Italian food and wine through direct experience.
The Grazie Gang is headed for Peidmont and Tuscany.
Ciao!
Time to learn more about Italian food and wine through direct experience.
The Grazie Gang is headed for Peidmont and Tuscany.
Ciao!
