letter from varese, italia
seeconrun's posterous
Filed underfriends
I just got the email that made my day. My dearest friend Natalie and her beau, Nate, are traveling around Europe for six months, and I just got an update on how they've been doing. Their farm stories, talk of beautiful sights and all that food they're eating just makes me hungry and wanting to read more! Thought I'd share with you as an inspiration to go somewhere, Granada, Sardinia, anywhere!
Dear family and friends!
Sorry this email is getting to you several weeks late.
Here is an update on what we have been doing in the past two months or so:
Nate and I started our travels in in Pollensa, Mallorca where we WWOOF-ed ( Willing Workers on Organic Farms) . The farm, the little quaint town of Pollensa were absolutely beautiful!! The farm produces organic olive oil (which was delicious!) using a very old and impressive pressing system (which I have pictures of.) The farm is owned by am American family living in Washington, D.C. and we worked alongside the ground-keeper, a local Mallorquin. We were given 50 Euro a week per person to buy food, and we had our own separate apartment in the house. Nate and I enjoyed cooking together every night, using the olive oil from the press. On the weekends, we walked to the cute town, especially enjoying the open air markets on Sunday.
After that we spent two days in Barcelona and Nathan was completely blown away by La Sagrada Familia, which we were able to see the interior of. We of course also loved Park Guell and the other architectural gems in the city.
Then it was off to Granada, Spain! I have been wanting to go to Granada ever since I saw a poster of the Alhambra. We worked on an organic goat-raising and cheese-making farm about 30 km away from the city. Most of our work involved taking care of the goats, which I really enjoyed! Goats are pretty darn cute! (Especially, the little baby goats who dance around) We herded them and make sure that they grazed on the pasture. The farm reminded me of the hippy coops I lived in in Berkeley. At the house were other volunteers from Italy, Germany and Spain. We ate fresh and cured goat cheese pretty much every day (as well as milk and amazing yogurt!) YUMMMMM. Although the weather was COLD COLD COLD, the beautiful landscapes, cute goats, delicious cheese, and hilarious hippy farm owner (Rafael) made it definitely worth it!!!
Although we loved the goat farm, it was nice to reconnected with civilzation in the city of Granada. The town reminds me of UC Berkeley in the fact that many of the residents are students, and there is definitely a bohemian vibe to the place- although Berkeley cannot lay claim to having the Alhambra right smack in the middle. Nathan, a German volunteer at the farm and I stayed at a lovely guest house near the Mirador San Nicolas, which overlooks the Alhambra and the beautiful snow-covered mountains. Emily would also love Granada, because with the purchase of one or two drinks, you get UNLIMITED TAPAS!!! (Sorry if this whole email is about FOOD, haha)
From there was the city of SEVILLA. Nathan was pretty blown away by the city- it was incredibly beautiful. The cathedral housing the remains of Christopher Columbus and the Plaza de Espana (where witch-burnings took place during the Inquisition) were definite highlights. Also the bloom of orange trees everywhere in the city was an amazing thing.
From Sevilla we fly to Sardinia, Italy. Highlights there include the beautiful beach and archeological sties at Nora, an ancient Phonencian and then Roman city (outside of the capital) and staying in a quaint town called Bosa near Alghero in the north.
Then it was off to ROMA where Emily's friend PAOLA was incredibly hospitable!!! We stayed at her apartment a good 5 or 6 nights! I absolutely loved Rome and had a hard time leaving. Nathan and I did not know how to express our gratitude to Paola and her roommate (because we don't really know what they like), so we cooked them a Mexican dinner with hand-made torillas and an assortment of fresh salsas. They really enjoyed it!!
Then it was off to an herb-distillation farm (Podere Santa Bianca) in Pomerance in the province of Pisa, which of course is in beautiful Tuscany. The farm was established only a few years ago by Claudio Gaiaschi, who was a successful photograher in Milan but wanted a change of pace in life and renovated an abandoned farm. They grow lavender, rosemary, thyme and (not sure what it is called in english, but they it "CREE-ZOH"). Needless to say, it was the best smelling farm yet! We ate dinner with Claudio and his wife every night and Nathan offered to cook Mexican food one night. I was incredibly anxious at the thought of cooking for TUSCANS (Claudio's partner was born and raised in Tuscany), seeing that they are incredibly proud of their food culture. They then invited two other foodie Tuscan friends to the dinner. Needless to say I was nervous about the meal, but we made fresh corn and flour tortillas, a variety of salsa, chicken fajitas, and rice. THEY LOVED IT!!! They ate everything--- and we made a lot. What a relief.
Then we spent one night in PISA, took funny pictures in front of the Leaning Tower and then spent about three nights in the cute little town of LUCCA, in Tuscany. We had a great time biking around the city, and we even set up a vegetable garden for the young woman we stayed with.
From there we spent three nights in FLORENCE, which was expensive but definitely a treat. We slept in a hostel near Piazzale Michaelangiolo, which over looks the city- it was the best view in town. The obvious highlights were the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery, which we wasily spent 4.5 hours in. I loved the Botticelli's and Caravaggio's.
Then it was off to Amedeo's place in Varese. We have had a nice week here and are about to take off to Torino, again to hang out with Paola and her family.
All in all, our experience thus far has been nothing short of amazing. We are constantly meeting great people, eating good food and learning new things (like the best way to herd goats, haha).
Oh, and par for par, every city we have been in is full of Senegalese street vendors. The majority of them get a little freaked out when a tall white guy from the States starts speaking to them in their language.
Anyhoo, sorry this is getting to you so late. I really miss all of you!!! Big hugs and Kisses,
Nat & Nate
these are some of my favorite things
friends. food. together.
these were taken from this past thanksgiving. it was cold and rainy. there was a lot of yummy fall fixtures. mashed potatoes. potato gratin. pumpkin pie. we even had decorative corn taken from a prior holiday party. plenty of spiced cider to go around. rounds of apples to apples and taboo. i was on the winning team.
we were all laughing. having a good time. any excuse to bring friends and food together.
feel good email from a friend
my friend amber sent me this. thought i'd share it.Think about them one at a time before going on to the next one. It
> Does Make You Feel Good, especially the thought at the end of #44.
>
>
>
> 1. Falling in love.
>
> 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
>
> 3. A hot shower.
>
> 4. No lines at the supermarket
>
> 5. A special glance.
>
> 6. Getting mail.
>
> 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
>
> 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio
>
> 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
>
> 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
>
> 11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
>
> 12. A bubble bath.
>
> 13. Giggling.
>
> 15. The beach.
>
> 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
>
> 17. Laughing at yourself.
>
> 18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
>
> 19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
>
> 20. Running through sprinklers.
>
> 21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
>
> 22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
>
> 23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
>
> 24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
>
> 25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
>
> 26. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
>
> 27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
>
> 28. Playing with a new puppy.
>
> 29. Having someone play with your hair.
>
> 30. Sweet dreams.
>
> 31. Hot chocolate.
>
> 32. Road trips with friends.
>
> 33. Swinging on swings.
>
> 34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
>
> 35. Making chocolate chip cookies.
>
> 36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
>
> 37. Holding hands with someone you care about.
>
> 38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or
> bad) never change.
>
> 39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much
> desired present from you.
>
> 40. Watching the sunrise.
>
> 41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another
> beautiful day.
>
> 42. Knowing that somebody misses you.
>
> 43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
>
> 44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people
> think.
> Does Make You Feel Good, especially the thought at the end of #44.
>
>
>
> 1. Falling in love.
>
> 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
>
> 3. A hot shower.
>
> 4. No lines at the supermarket
>
> 5. A special glance.
>
> 6. Getting mail.
>
> 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
>
> 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio
>
> 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
>
> 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
>
> 11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
>
> 12. A bubble bath.
>
> 13. Giggling.
>
> 15. The beach.
>
> 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
>
> 17. Laughing at yourself.
>
> 18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
>
> 19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
>
> 20. Running through sprinklers.
>
> 21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
>
> 22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
>
> 23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
>
> 24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
>
> 25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
>
> 26. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
>
> 27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
>
> 28. Playing with a new puppy.
>
> 29. Having someone play with your hair.
>
> 30. Sweet dreams.
>
> 31. Hot chocolate.
>
> 32. Road trips with friends.
>
> 33. Swinging on swings.
>
> 34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
>
> 35. Making chocolate chip cookies.
>
> 36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
>
> 37. Holding hands with someone you care about.
>
> 38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or
> bad) never change.
>
> 39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much
> desired present from you.
>
> 40. Watching the sunrise.
>
> 41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another
> beautiful day.
>
> 42. Knowing that somebody misses you.
>
> 43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
>
> 44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people
> think.
sisterhood of the traveling pants returns
my best friend fe is back home for spring break!
reflections on this semester
it's my last night in washington, d.c. holy shit. i don't believe it. sure my bags are packed, my room is empty and there's no food in the kitchen cabinets, but still i feellikei'll wake up in a couple days and head for work at the greenpeace office. a bunch GOTers have left for home.. for good. to me, it's only as if they've left for a short vacation sort of like thanksgiving. michelle just packed her car and is heading back to new hampshire. now it's hit me. no more cruising on our bikes or in her car with the plastic bag-window shield which read "have a nice day." funny story was that someone broke one of her back windows all to take her adapter and dance shoes. they didn't even take the printer/scanner/photo-copier chilling in the trunk! oh well, no more.. no more sightseeing and me takingabajillion photos like a happy go-crazy tourist. no more waiting for each other to get out of work late at night at jaleo or austin grill. no more salsa dancing or getting into clubs with "our" IDs. no more hanging out with our friends, aaron and edgar. no more thrift shopping for one-dollar dresses. no more indulging chili and chocolate shakes. no more lemon grass tofu! what am i going to do with myself? it's a sad and scary thought to think of not hanging out with my sidekick, mitch. there's no doubt we had the time of our lives, and for that i'm so very thankful. she better be reading this while planning for our summer excursion in south america. so many people and adventures have impacted my life these past several months. ah, amazing. thank you, thank you! the people at GP--especially my coordinators, amy and jon. two of the most patient people who are understanding and insightful in every way. my mentors and friends. my fellow GOTers--acclamations all around. i've learned that when--"damn, that shit's fucked up" to do something. oh, the go-arounds, the travels, the campaigns, the damn petitions and simulations. good times. my friends at jaleo-- always made me smile and really enjoy doing what i do. thanks for welcoming with warm hugs and kisses and good spanish food. friends outside of gp and jaleo --because of you, i was much cooler in the two workplace realms. thanks for good company and conversations and even at the much needed times, clean laundry. thinking about leaving dc is making me nostalgic--i'm sad about it all. at the same time, i couldn't be more happy. living in dc for the semester has brought so much light to my life--the wealth of knowledge and all-around experiences in the travels of just being in our nation's capitol, driving along the coast, topennsylvania, campaigning in florida, more campaigning in amsterdam and much more fun, the trainings and speakers, the last-minute trip and big event in new york city, the interactions with all different people at so many different locations, the established relationships and friendships, the hard work ethics, the extensive online pcc courses, the museums and monuments, the bars and dance clubs, the good food, books and music. everything. my time and enjoyment here has come full circle and i can satisfyingly saythati'm ready to go. i'm excited for home and all that lies ahead.
i'm lettin' my hair down!
Tonight's girls night out. And I can't think of a better song to describe the euphoria of being with my best girl friends than Corrine Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On." The lyrics, the beats, and her oh, so sultry voice.. makes for a fun and sweet friday night ride with the gals!"Put Your Records On"Three little birds, sat on my window.
And they told me I don't need to worry.
Summer came like cinnamon
So sweet,
Little girls double-dutch on the concrete. Maybe sometimes, we got it wrong, but it's alright
The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same
Oh, don't you hesitate. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow. Blue as the sky, sombre and lonely,
Sipping tea in the bar by the road side,
(just relax, just relax)
Don't you let those other boys fool you,
Gotta love that afro hairdo. Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alright
The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change.
Don't you think it's strange? Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow. Just more than I could take, pity for pity's sake
Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger
When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer.
Do what you want to. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. Oh, You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.Watch this cute little boy sing along to her on YouTube. It's hilarious. And for the real live performance by the woman herself.
And they told me I don't need to worry.
Summer came like cinnamon
So sweet,
Little girls double-dutch on the concrete. Maybe sometimes, we got it wrong, but it's alright
The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same
Oh, don't you hesitate. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow. Blue as the sky, sombre and lonely,
Sipping tea in the bar by the road side,
(just relax, just relax)
Don't you let those other boys fool you,
Gotta love that afro hairdo. Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alright
The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change.
Don't you think it's strange? Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow. Just more than I could take, pity for pity's sake
Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger
When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer.
Do what you want to. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down. Oh, You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.Watch this cute little boy sing along to her on YouTube. It's hilarious. And for the real live performance by the woman herself.
