Monday, January 26, 2009

Siena, 24 gennaio.

It rained.

And rained.

But with her boots and her brolly, E was ready for anything!



The streets were deserted, but for a few hardy souls.













Don't go this way...



...go that way!



Even the famous Campo was deserted.







We sought refuge in the Duomo...







...and in a pastry shop...


(the choux pastries filled with hazelnut cream were AMAZING, BTW)

...and in Benetton, where I was very lucky to survive an attack from a rabid ladybird. Phew!



I'm home in less than two weeks, kids! I can't wait to see you all.

L xox

Friday, January 23, 2009

It is not allowed to attach your bike to the fence...



Clearly.

Prato, 17 genn.

(This post is dedicated to all the Italians who told me, "You're going to PRATO?? Whatever for?? Prato is dull and boring - come to Firenze instead!")

I went for a walk on Saturday morning.

The first thing I came across was this art on the side of an abandoned warehouse just outside the old city walls.





I can't decide whether they're clouds, fungi, or jellyfish. What do you think?

Then I walked alongside the ancient walls of Prato city.







As someone who comes from a very young country (from a western perspective, anyway - to the native inhabitants of Australia our country is as old as time itself), seeing walls that have stood for many hundreds of years is just awesome. You Europeans don't know how lucky you are to be surrounded by so much history!

The next thing I stumbled upon was a lovely little piazza, complete with a fountain and flowerbeds offering a splash of colour to an otherwise grey setting.







Finally, as I was heading back to my flat for lunch, the clouds cleared, and someone was obviously optomistic enough to hang their washing out to dry.



See, doubters? Prato may LOOK deadly dull and boring, but you just have to look a little closer.. there are all kinds of wonders to be seen.

xox Lil.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Philosophy.

"Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" - Anne Shirley.

Yes, I know I'm 16 days late, but this quote from Anne Of Green Gables sums up my philosophy and my resolution for the new year. In 2009, I will strive to make treat each day as a brand new day, and to wipe the slate clean at night.



To this end, I'm thinking about having an actual slate, and writing on it every night, and then wiping it clean. I don't know. Is there another ritual of some sort that I could incorporate into my life? How do you get rid of negativity and bad thoughts in your life?

xx

Thursday, January 15, 2009

l'inverno.

Lucca, yesterday.











Just when they grey was beginning to be too overwhelming, a shot of bright colour would chase away the darkness.



Fun fact! Lucca is the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, and pretty much every second cafe or bar in Lucca is named after him.







The train home was like a trip back in time. Check out the wallpaper at the end of the carriage!



On the way home we were quiet...





...but once home, the wine and beer flowed!!





E xox