Gullian

Streets of Sicily

April, 2013

When in Sicily…

April 2013

Sicily’s Finest Men

Italy is well known for its well dressed people. No matter the place or occasion, they’re alway don the appropriate attire. For instance, white jeans in winter is a complete no. Open toed slippers in spring is still a no. Colours, fabrics, everything must be worn when the time is right.  Ah, European ethics that I’ll miss in the US.

April 2013

La vita è una fantasia

Bologna held a beautiful tribune for Lucio Dalla tonight. The concert was in Piazza Maggiore and was attended by thousands of Bolognesi. I leave you with one of my favourite songs, Canzone. 

View from my Balcony: snowy night in Bologna

Here’s to hope. HE has great things planned for us. I know it. And that makes me happy. 

Buona notte. 

1st March 2013

Cobbled Streets of Bologna at Nighttime

Photo taken by my dear friend, Kati.

While in Orvieto…

Photo taken in December, 2012

Street Art in Siena

One of my favourite Italian cities is Siena. It was our first stop on our Roadtrip during the winter holidays 2012/2013. We stayed in a cute little B&B named Camollia, which was perfect because we could easily walk to the city center. As is the case in many old Italian cities, the city center is located within old “wall” structure, the core from which the cities later expanded (Bologna is one such city). We arrived in Siena just a day before Christmas and were able to enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights decorating its cobbled streets (I’ll share them in the next blog post). The food was outrageously good (even by Italian standards). Or at least that’s we thought! Enchanted as we were with the lights and happy ring to the air. I definitely plan on going to Siena once more before leaving Italy. Siena in summer has got to be even more beautiful than Siena in winter! Can’t wait!

This photo was taken in Siena, city center
December, 2012

“Methinks I will not die quite happy without having seen something of that Rome of which I have read so much.” 
— Sir Walter Scott

My sentiments exactly! Although, I have to admit that I had been to Rome before my visit this winter. The first time I saw Rome in all its summer glory was several years ago. But I feel that was a very touristy visit, standing in long queues to enter the Vatican City, following the guide book, etc. This time I decided to stay with a dear friend of mine. She’s Italian and her family is from Rome. You can imagine my delight at getting a personal tour of the city from its locals. We walked on cobbled stones, had morning cappuccini, visited the Forum, Vittorio Emanuele II monument, went boating on a lake (picture in the next post), caught the golden sunset on Piazza di Spagna, saw the ugly statue of the Baboon (an unfortunate tale, really) and ended the day with seeing a marching band in Piazza del Popolo. My trip didn’t end here, though I’ll end this blog post here. More places and stories on the next one!

Baci,
N 

I would like to be like Rome when I am an old lady

“…Rome doesn’t compete.
Rome just watches all the fussing and striving,
completely unfazed.
I am inspired by the regal self-assurance of this city,
so grounded and rounded,
so amused and monumental,
knowing she is held securely in the palm of history.
I would like to be like Rome when I am an old lady.” 
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

I took this photo when I was visiting my friend this winter. Fell in love with Rome. But hey, don’t we all fall for her? :)

Much love,
N