The 'Unie' Experience

Close to the center of Cork sits the University of County Cork. This is a beautiful campus that stretches across the city, blending in easily with the neighborhoods and hillsides.
A great way to get a feel for an area is to spend time on campus, eat at the Student Union and check out posters to see what might be happening.
The campus grounds and buildings are immaculate and have hidden surprises everywhere. [We stumbled onto a display of ancient stones that had 'writings' on them.]
Eating at the Student Union is often a great way to get good food at a reasonable price!
Today was also a wonderful experience of sitting in on a musical session of a young student playing the piano accordian, accompanied by a guitarist. They played traditional Irish music with the 'concert' lasting about an hour. This worked out well because the afternoon rain shower was well in force.
I'm not complaining about the weather, mind you . . . after all, there is a reason why the grass is as green as it is!
Till later!

Pubs, pints and music

I'm not sure it's possible for me to describe the beauty of Ireland in words that have not already been used by others far more talented than myself.
Even in February, the green of the land has a depth of color unlike any other green I have ever seen. I doubt my photos (which will be posted once I head back to the States in April) can capture the hue, but we'll see . . .
Cork, Ireland is a city that moves to the music of the pubs. I've been told there are around 500 pubs in Cork alone . . . though I've only been to a few.
Though they are all called "pubs" their names don't use that word - more typically they are "bars". This is the best place to head for lunch, but generally, they don't serve dinner.
At Charlie's Bar, there are the 'regulars' - most of whom are musicians.
The night I was there, there was a small 'ruckus' and a guy was assisted in leaving the establishment (one too many pints, perhaps), but the music of Handsome Chris and Mick the Butcher played on.
One of my very favorite pubs is located in Castletownbere in West Cork - MacCarthy's Bar and Grocery. This is a bar of some renowned as Pete McCarthy wrote about it in his book, McCarthy's Bar. I was able to purchase the book, A Doctor's War written by Aidan MacCarthy, the father of the Nicki who now runs the pub with her sister Adriene.
There is even a plaque that hangs in the pub stating that James Joyce pronounced the pub as an authentic Irish Pub!
The trip to West Cork was so worth it, even though the cold, rainy, blustery weather seems to have caught up with me!

Arividerci, Italy!

(Feb. 13)
The last night in Italy was spent in Torino, so time for a few final thoughts.
Everyone I have met has been extremely friendly. Often I have heard, "I want to practice my English!" And so conversation begins.
On the streets of Italy, people do not walk, they stroll. Expecially on weekends. After coming from New York, this took some getting use to. The pace in general is much more leisurely than in the States. Something I could definitely get use to!
The antiquity of architecture is everywhere. It's nothing to see, hear and experience information from the 10th, 11th centuries and forward. Buildings are built for permanence - when you walk on the floors there are no creaks!
The topography in northern Italy is extremely hilly. As a result, the bridges for highways are a sight to behold! I'm trying to imagine the construction involved in literally buildings streets in the air. In addition to this, the tunneling through the hillsides is a necessity.
Homes, farms, vineyards and villages are scattered on terraced landscapes and up hillsides. The narrow roads wind their way up and down, often with little more than inches to spare from on-coming traffic.
Well, that's it from Italy. On now to Ireland!

Oh, the people I've met and the places I've seen !

One of best advantages of staying with friends is the chance to be part of their everyday life - fitting into the routine.
Even with my lack of Italian, I have been able to figure out the 'jist' of most conversations, and reading smiles and body language can go a long way.
We have visited with four different families for afternoon coffee, tea, or wine. We have also been to numerous musical concerts and will be heading to an opera tomorrow.
We went with the musical group (about 40 people) to Torino (Turin)last week for the whole day.
In the morning we visited a newly restored Museum. The original building was a castle built during the days of the Roman Empire. During this time, the first capital of Italy was here in Torino. As the centuries progressed, the building was added on to and so during the Medival era, there was great expansion. We were even able to walk through the area that had been the moat!
During the 15th and 16th century, more renovations took place. The present day collection is about 30,000 items with about 8,000 on display. We only had a quick walk through, as the guide pointed out, you need to come back and spend time really enjoying.
After lunch the group headed to the opera and I was on my own to explore! (Since I was a last minute arrival, there wasn't enough tickets. Not a problem at all for me!)
While at an internet cafe I met three travelers: one girl from Ireland, another girl from NY who was currently working in London, and a young gentleman from Atlanta, Georgia.
I had time to go for coffee at a wonderful coffee bar. While there I started up conversation with 4 Italian women, one of whom spoke very good English. They were all from Torino and very proud of their city.
You can still see the impact of the Olympics from last year (in a good way!)
I have enjoyed my time in Italy, but I'm also looking forward to the next adventure. I head to Ireland on Valentine's Day!
Till then!

One of best advantages of staying with friends is the chance to be part of their everyday life - fitting into the routine.
Even with my lack of Italian, I have been able to figure out the 'jist' of most conversations, and reading smiles and body language can go a long way.
We have visited with four different families for afternoon coffee, tea, or wine. We have also been to numerous musical concerts and will be heading to an opera tomorrow.
We went with the musical group (about 40 people) to Torino (Turin)last week for the whole day.
In the morning we visited a newly restored Museum. The original building was a castle built during the days of the Roman Empire. During this time, the first capital of Italy was here in Torino. As the centuries progressed, the building was added on to and so during the Medival era, there was great expansion. We were even able to walk through the area that had been the moat!
During the 15th and 16th century, more renovations took place. The present day collection is about 30,000 items with about 8,000 on display. We only had a quick walk through, as the guide pointed out, you need to come back and spend time really enjoying.
After lunch the group headed to the opera and I was on my own to explore! (Since I was a last minute arrival, there wasn't enough tickets. Not a problem at all for me!)
While at an internet cafe I met three travelers: one girl from Ireland, another girl from NY who was currently working in London, and a young gentleman from Atlanta, Georgia.
I had time to go for coffee at a wonderful coffee bar. While there I started up conversation with 4 Italian women, one of whom spoke very good English. They were all from Torino and very proud of their city.
You can still see the impact of the Olympics from last year (in a good way!)
I have enjoyed my time in Italy, but I'm also looking forward to the next adventure. I head to Ireland on Valentine's Day!
Till then!

One of best advantages of staying with friends is the chance to be part of their everyday life - fitting into the routine.
Even with my lack of Italian, I have been able to figure out the 'jist' of most conversations, and reading smiles and body language can go a long way.
We have visited with four different families for afternoon coffee, tea, or wine. We have also been to numerous musical concerts and will be heading to an opera tomorrow.
We went with the musical group (about 40 people) to Torino (Turin)last week for the whole day.
In the morning we visited a newly restored Museum. The original building was a castle built during the days of the Roman Empire. During this time, the first capital of Italy was here in Torino. As the centuries progressed, the building was added on to and so during the Medival era, there was great expansion. We were even able to walk through the area that had been the moat!
During the 15th and 16th century, more renovations took place. The present day collection is about 30,000 items with about 8,000 on display. We only had a quick walk through, as the guide pointed out, you need to come back and spend time really enjoying.
After lunch the group headed to the opera and I was on my own to explore! (Since I was a last minute arrival, there wasn't enough tickets. Not a problem at all for me!)
While at an internet cafe I met three travelers: one girl from Ireland, another girl from NY who was currently working in London, and a young gentleman from Atlanta, Georgia.
I had time to go for coffee at a wonderful coffee bar. While there I started up conversation with 4 Italian women, one of whom spoke very good English. They were all from Torino and very proud of their city.
You can still see the impact of the Olympics from last year (in a good way!)
I have enjoyed my time in Italy, but I'm also looking forward to the next adventure. I head to Ireland on Valentine's Day!
Till then!

Dining as it was meant to be!

There is no way I can recant all of the incredible meals I've been enjoying, but more than just the food is the process and progress of the meal itself.
We don't include antipastas all of the time, but what a great way to start! One of my favorites has been a mediums size red pepper (not a bell pepper, but about the size of a golf ball). It is stuffed with a green olive and anchovie. The peppers are then marinated in a spicy olive oil.
We have had these served with a variety of cheeses, foccasia, sliced deli meats and veggies. This is also served with a sweet sparkling wine (I forget what it's called.)
Next is the main course which often has been cooking for an hour - all homemade! Vegetables from the garden or fresh from the market, cooked in a sauce and served with either pasta, couscous, rice or potatoes. All of this is followed by garden salad and dessert.
Yesterday we had a delightful visit from a young girl who wanted to practice her English (she lived and worked in London for three years, so does very well!). She brought dessert with her - her mother is a pastry chef. She had made a torte which reminds me of a pie shell made of cake, with a custard filling, topped with a meringe. Yum!
Of course, glasses of red wine are on hand. The meal is leisurely and the conversation is endless!
Wish you were all here to enjoy this!

The Art of Technology

A part of this personnal sabbatical was to take the opportunity to truly immerse myself in the culture of the region. Being in Acquafredda has given me the chance to do this.
This does come with compromise, however. High speed internet connections have not made their way to the small village, so being online means a choice of dial up or head to the library in Millesimo.
As many of us remember, dial up connections are iffy at best. When I've been able to actually get to my emails, read anything and answer one or two, it has taken over an hour. (The computer disconnects from the phone line about every 5 minutes!)
Going to the library means knowing what time it opens (after 4:00 during the week, not on Mondays and on Saturday mornings).
With all of that said, I'm having a fantastic time and will try to keep you all posted when I can.
The pace is much slower and there is so much to truly savor!
Till later! Ciao.