and not the queen, but, our Elizabeth who is 14 today!
Here she is 3 years ago when she last visited us in Italy. We were in the Cinque Terre at Vernazza where we had stopped for lunch. Elli has her trusty Harry Potter in one hand and is petting a cat with the other!
Wow! How time flies. Now Elizabeth toots her flute and has traveled all the way to China to do so! You are a regular Crockford, passport in hand always ready to go!
Happy Birthday - you teenager you! We hope all your dreams come true today and everyday. Enjoy life and enjoy your day.
And, sorry for the photo on your Uncle Ed's blog. Your Uncle Sam just loves that photo of you. He took it when our Sarah was just a wee infant and you were a terrible two!
Buon Compleanno a te!
Krista, Sam, Sarah and Anna
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Sarah and Nonna Lucia
Two weeks ago, while Sarah was on a jet plane heading for the Bahamas, her classmates went on their annual school field trip. This year they went to Grosseto for 3 days. Grossetto is on the coastline of Tuscany. The kids and teachers stayed at an agriturismo, basically a working farm that is seconds as a hotel. Since the students were studying the Italian Nobel Laureate, Giosue Carducci her class also stopped in Bolgheri to see the tomb of his Nonna Lucia who he immortalized in his poetry. Sarah and her class had to memorize and recite parts of his poem, "Davanti San Guido" for her Italian literature class last month. A bit like reciting parts of Romeo and Juliet in English lit.... Anyway, little Sarah fell in love with this poem and memorized the whole thing! By the way, she got a A +++ for reciting it completely in class. On the way back from Resta all the kids were in the Costa's car. Lucky Silvio. Sarah somehow convinced Joanne and Silvio that she was extremely disappointed that she did not get to see the infamous Nonna Lucia's grave because she was in the Bahamas. Joanne is always one for a cultural diversion and since Sarah recited the poem several times in the car, I am sure Anna and Davide had their ears covered, how could she say no? After a few quick turns off the Autostrada - there we were - on the magnificent "Viale dei Cipressi" - Cypress Road - if you will, on our way to Bolgheri, that is, us and a few thousand other day trippers who now come to drink the even more famous and very rare wine, Sassicaia, and SAY they paid homage to Carducci. Imagine the parking! Porca Miseria!
See Sarah in that photo? Look how happy she is! She got to walk same road and see and smell the same exact cypress trees that spoke to Carducci and inspired his famous poem:
DAVANTI SAN GUIDO
I cipressi che a Bólgheri alti e schietti
Van da San Guido in duplice filar,
Quasi in corsa giganti giovinetti
Mi balzarono incontro e mi guardâr.
Mi riconobbero, e - Ben torni omai -
Bisbigliaron v?r me co 'l capo chino -
Perché non scendi? perché non ristai?
Fresca ? la sera e a te noto il cammino.
Oh si?diti a le nostre ombre odorate
Ove soffia dal mare il maestrale:
Ira non ti serbiam de le sassate
Tue d'una volta: oh, non facean gi? male!
Nidi portiamo ancor di rusignoli:
Deh perché fuggi rapido cos?
Le passere la sera intreccian voli
A noi d'intorno ancora. Oh resta qui!
Bei cipressetti, cipressetti miei,
Fedeli amici d'un tempo migliore,
Oh di che cuor con voi mi resterei -
Guardando io rispondeva - oh di che cuore!
Ma, cipressetti miei, lasciatem'ire:
Or non ? pi? quel tempo e quell'et?.
Se voi sapeste!... via, non fo per dire,
Ma oggi sono una celebrit?.
E so legger di greco e di latino,
E scrivo e scrivo, e ho molte altre virt?;
Non son pi?, cipressetti, un birichino,
E sassi in specie non ne tiro pi?.
E massime a le piante. - Un mormorio
Pe' dubitanti vertici ondeggi?,
E il d? cadente con un ghigno pio
Tra i verdi cupi roseo brill?.
Intesi allora che i cipressi e il sole
Una gentil pietade avean di me,
E presto il mormorio si fe' parole:
Ben lo sappiamo: un pover uomo tu se'.
Ben lo sappiamo, e il vento ce lo disse
Che rapisce de gli uomini i sospir,
Come dentro al tuo petto eterne risse
Ardon che tu né sai né puoi lenir.
A le querce ed a noi qui puoi contare
L'umana tua tristezza e il vostro duol;
Vedi come pacato e azzurro ? il mare,
Come ridente a lui discende il sol!
E come questo occaso ? pien di voli,
Com'? allegro de' passeri il garrire!
A notte canteranno i rusignoli:
Rimanti, e i rei fantasmi oh non seguire;
I rei fantasmi che da' fondi neri
De i cuor vostri battuti dal pensier
Guizzan come da i vostri cimiteri
Putride fiamme innanzi al passegger.
Rimanti; e noi, dimani, a mezzo il giorno,
Che de le grandi querce a l'ombra stan
Ammusando i cavalli e intorno intorno
Tutto ? silenzio ne l'ardente pian,
Ti canteremo noi cipressi i cori
Che vanno eterni fra la terra e il cielo:
Da quegli olmi le ninfe usciran fuori
Te ventilando co 'l lor bianco velo;
E Pan l'eterno che su l'erme alture
A quell'ora e ne i pian solingo va
Il dissidio, o mortal, de le tue cure
Ne la diva armonia sommerger?.
Ed io - Lontano, oltre Appennin, m'aspetta
La Titt? - rispondea -; lasciatem'ire.
? la Titt? come una passeretta,
Ma non ha penne per il suo vestire.
E mangia altro che bacche di cipresso;
Né io sono per anche un manzoniano
Che tiri quattro paghe per il lesso.
Addio, cipressi! addio, dolce mio piano!
Che vuoi che diciam dunque al cimitero
Dove la nonna tua sepolta sta? -
E fugg?ano, e pareano un corteo nero
Che brontolando in fretta in fretta va.
Di cima al poggio allor, dal cimitero,
Gi? de' cipressi per la verde via,
Alta, solenne, vestita di nero
Parvemi riveder nonna Lucia:
La signora Lucia, da la cui bocca,
Tra l'ondeggiar de i candidi capelli,
La favella toscana, ch'? s? sciocca
Nel manzonismo de gli stenterelli,
Canora discendea, co 'l mesto accento
De la Versilia che nel cuor mi sta,
Come da un sirventese del trecento,
Piena di forza e di soavit?.
O nonna, o nonna! deh com'era bella
Quand'ero bimbo! ditemela ancor,
Ditela a quest'uom savio la novella
Di lei che cerca il suo perduto amor!
Sette paia di scarpe ho consumate
Di tutto ferro per te ritrovare:
Sette verghe di ferro ho logorate
Per appoggiarmi nel fatale andare:
Sette fiasche di lacrime ho colmate,
Sette lunghi anni, di lacrime amare:
Tu dormi a le mie grida disperate,
E il gallo canta, e non ti vuoi svegliare.
Deh come bella, o nonna, e come vera
? la novella ancor! Proprio cos?.
E quello che cercai mattina e sera
Tanti e tanti anni in vano, ? forse qui,
Sotto questi cipressi, ove non spero,
Ove non penso di posarmi pi?:
Forse, nonna, ? nel vostro cimitero
Tra quegli altri cipressi ermo l? su.
Ansimando fugg?a la vaporiera
Mentr'io cos? piangeva entro il mio cuore;
E di polledri una leggiadra schiera
Annitrendo correa lieta al rumore.
Ma un asin bigio, rosicchiando un cardo
Rosso e turchino, non si scomod?:
Tutto quel chiasso ei non degn? d'un guardo
E a brucar serio e lento seguit?
Yup, it is true, Sarah knows every last word to this work! And, she translated the meaning/importance of it for Sam and I! Sometimes I really have to ask myself, "Who is this child of ours?"
A presto!
Krista
See Sarah in that photo? Look how happy she is! She got to walk same road and see and smell the same exact cypress trees that spoke to Carducci and inspired his famous poem:
DAVANTI SAN GUIDO
I cipressi che a Bólgheri alti e schietti
Van da San Guido in duplice filar,
Quasi in corsa giganti giovinetti
Mi balzarono incontro e mi guardâr.
Mi riconobbero, e - Ben torni omai -
Bisbigliaron v?r me co 'l capo chino -
Perché non scendi? perché non ristai?
Fresca ? la sera e a te noto il cammino.
Oh si?diti a le nostre ombre odorate
Ove soffia dal mare il maestrale:
Ira non ti serbiam de le sassate
Tue d'una volta: oh, non facean gi? male!
Nidi portiamo ancor di rusignoli:
Deh perché fuggi rapido cos?
Le passere la sera intreccian voli
A noi d'intorno ancora. Oh resta qui!
Bei cipressetti, cipressetti miei,
Fedeli amici d'un tempo migliore,
Oh di che cuor con voi mi resterei -
Guardando io rispondeva - oh di che cuore!
Ma, cipressetti miei, lasciatem'ire:
Or non ? pi? quel tempo e quell'et?.
Se voi sapeste!... via, non fo per dire,
Ma oggi sono una celebrit?.
E so legger di greco e di latino,
E scrivo e scrivo, e ho molte altre virt?;
Non son pi?, cipressetti, un birichino,
E sassi in specie non ne tiro pi?.
E massime a le piante. - Un mormorio
Pe' dubitanti vertici ondeggi?,
E il d? cadente con un ghigno pio
Tra i verdi cupi roseo brill?.
Intesi allora che i cipressi e il sole
Una gentil pietade avean di me,
E presto il mormorio si fe' parole:
Ben lo sappiamo: un pover uomo tu se'.
Ben lo sappiamo, e il vento ce lo disse
Che rapisce de gli uomini i sospir,
Come dentro al tuo petto eterne risse
Ardon che tu né sai né puoi lenir.
A le querce ed a noi qui puoi contare
L'umana tua tristezza e il vostro duol;
Vedi come pacato e azzurro ? il mare,
Come ridente a lui discende il sol!
E come questo occaso ? pien di voli,
Com'? allegro de' passeri il garrire!
A notte canteranno i rusignoli:
Rimanti, e i rei fantasmi oh non seguire;
I rei fantasmi che da' fondi neri
De i cuor vostri battuti dal pensier
Guizzan come da i vostri cimiteri
Putride fiamme innanzi al passegger.
Rimanti; e noi, dimani, a mezzo il giorno,
Che de le grandi querce a l'ombra stan
Ammusando i cavalli e intorno intorno
Tutto ? silenzio ne l'ardente pian,
Ti canteremo noi cipressi i cori
Che vanno eterni fra la terra e il cielo:
Da quegli olmi le ninfe usciran fuori
Te ventilando co 'l lor bianco velo;
E Pan l'eterno che su l'erme alture
A quell'ora e ne i pian solingo va
Il dissidio, o mortal, de le tue cure
Ne la diva armonia sommerger?.
Ed io - Lontano, oltre Appennin, m'aspetta
La Titt? - rispondea -; lasciatem'ire.
? la Titt? come una passeretta,
Ma non ha penne per il suo vestire.
E mangia altro che bacche di cipresso;
Né io sono per anche un manzoniano
Che tiri quattro paghe per il lesso.
Addio, cipressi! addio, dolce mio piano!
Che vuoi che diciam dunque al cimitero
Dove la nonna tua sepolta sta? -
E fugg?ano, e pareano un corteo nero
Che brontolando in fretta in fretta va.
Di cima al poggio allor, dal cimitero,
Gi? de' cipressi per la verde via,
Alta, solenne, vestita di nero
Parvemi riveder nonna Lucia:
La signora Lucia, da la cui bocca,
Tra l'ondeggiar de i candidi capelli,
La favella toscana, ch'? s? sciocca
Nel manzonismo de gli stenterelli,
Canora discendea, co 'l mesto accento
De la Versilia che nel cuor mi sta,
Come da un sirventese del trecento,
Piena di forza e di soavit?.
O nonna, o nonna! deh com'era bella
Quand'ero bimbo! ditemela ancor,
Ditela a quest'uom savio la novella
Di lei che cerca il suo perduto amor!
Sette paia di scarpe ho consumate
Di tutto ferro per te ritrovare:
Sette verghe di ferro ho logorate
Per appoggiarmi nel fatale andare:
Sette fiasche di lacrime ho colmate,
Sette lunghi anni, di lacrime amare:
Tu dormi a le mie grida disperate,
E il gallo canta, e non ti vuoi svegliare.
Deh come bella, o nonna, e come vera
? la novella ancor! Proprio cos?.
E quello che cercai mattina e sera
Tanti e tanti anni in vano, ? forse qui,
Sotto questi cipressi, ove non spero,
Ove non penso di posarmi pi?:
Forse, nonna, ? nel vostro cimitero
Tra quegli altri cipressi ermo l? su.
Ansimando fugg?a la vaporiera
Mentr'io cos? piangeva entro il mio cuore;
E di polledri una leggiadra schiera
Annitrendo correa lieta al rumore.
Ma un asin bigio, rosicchiando un cardo
Rosso e turchino, non si scomod?:
Tutto quel chiasso ei non degn? d'un guardo
E a brucar serio e lento seguit?
Yup, it is true, Sarah knows every last word to this work! And, she translated the meaning/importance of it for Sam and I! Sometimes I really have to ask myself, "Who is this child of ours?"
A presto!
Krista
Another Weekend in Tuscany!
I do have friends in the right places!
Easter in the Bahamas followed up by a long weekend in Tuscany. How perfect is that? We no sooner arrived back in Chiavari Joanne invited us to join her family at their home at Resta. Being that it was a long holiday weekend, Liberation Day was Tuesday the 25th, so Monday was a holiday too, "Ponte" they call it here in Italian it means "Bridge". Whatever! 4 day weekend, lets roll.
The weather was gorgeous, the company wonderful, and The Costa's hospitality, as always, overwhelming.
We managed a trip on Monday to Altesino to purchase wine and were given a personal tour by the vineyard manager who by the way is Joanne's neighbor at Resta. After a lovely glass of the latest Brunello we were off to Montalcino for dinner. Here we found a "Festa" going on that was raising money for the local football team - judging from the lines at the cash register - most likely the best funded in Italy. We ate grilled meat, pasta, and crostini till we were busting at the seams. Joanne and I finished off our meal with a Vin Santo and cantucci along the walls of Montalcino watching the sunset! Life is good sometimes.
You can read more about our stay at Resta at Joanne's blog. Photos are here.
Ciao!
Krista
Easter in the Bahamas followed up by a long weekend in Tuscany. How perfect is that? We no sooner arrived back in Chiavari Joanne invited us to join her family at their home at Resta. Being that it was a long holiday weekend, Liberation Day was Tuesday the 25th, so Monday was a holiday too, "Ponte" they call it here in Italian it means "Bridge". Whatever! 4 day weekend, lets roll.
The weather was gorgeous, the company wonderful, and The Costa's hospitality, as always, overwhelming.
We managed a trip on Monday to Altesino to purchase wine and were given a personal tour by the vineyard manager who by the way is Joanne's neighbor at Resta. After a lovely glass of the latest Brunello we were off to Montalcino for dinner. Here we found a "Festa" going on that was raising money for the local football team - judging from the lines at the cash register - most likely the best funded in Italy. We ate grilled meat, pasta, and crostini till we were busting at the seams. Joanne and I finished off our meal with a Vin Santo and cantucci along the walls of Montalcino watching the sunset! Life is good sometimes.
You can read more about our stay at Resta at Joanne's blog. Photos are here.
Ciao!
Krista
Friday, April 21, 2006
End of an Era...
That is right. Our life in California officially ended yesterday. We are no longer owners of a home in San Diego. In other words. We are homeless.
Yesterday, while we were recovering from our journey, we closed escrow on our former home in San Diego. A bit anti-climatic, I know. It was all done by fax, internet, and UPS. Somehow it doesn't feel real - we no longer have a house in sunny San Diego. Though I only lived in the home for a little more than two years, I feel that is was, in fact, my home. The only home that was my own.
Sigh.....
Life moves on, and who better to say that than a Crockford. It may be my adopted name, that is, I took it from Sam. The Crockford way is to keep moving. So, onward we go. Next stop? Who knows. Only thing I know, is Sam and I want a home in the hills of Italy. Piemonte, to be exact, the Langhe if you need to know. Our summer project is to search for that perfect home, sip some good wine, and find a good architect to help us realize our dreams. Hey, and a home with a pool.... awesome dude!
Ciao for now!
Krista
Yesterday, while we were recovering from our journey, we closed escrow on our former home in San Diego. A bit anti-climatic, I know. It was all done by fax, internet, and UPS. Somehow it doesn't feel real - we no longer have a house in sunny San Diego. Though I only lived in the home for a little more than two years, I feel that is was, in fact, my home. The only home that was my own.
Sigh.....
Life moves on, and who better to say that than a Crockford. It may be my adopted name, that is, I took it from Sam. The Crockford way is to keep moving. So, onward we go. Next stop? Who knows. Only thing I know, is Sam and I want a home in the hills of Italy. Piemonte, to be exact, the Langhe if you need to know. Our summer project is to search for that perfect home, sip some good wine, and find a good architect to help us realize our dreams. Hey, and a home with a pool.... awesome dude!
Ciao for now!
Krista
Easter in the Bahamas! Wow!
Ok. I am back and I had a fantastic time in the Bahamas. Sam, the girls, and I are roasted and toasted and in love with the island life. Our friends Peter and Pippa were the ever gracious hosts! We had a 5 star holiday from the moment we landed in Miami. No sooner we touched down in Miami, Peter was there to pick us up and take us to our hotel that he had aranged for us, The Setai, in South Beach - Amazing! The girls crashed in their beds while Sam and I had a wonderful dinner in the hotel's restaurant! The next morning Peter whisked us away in his private plane to his home and waiting family in Nassau. We had lunch and a change of plans. Since the weather was bad, the seas heavy with 15 foot waves, the decision was made to go on to our final destination that night not the next morning as planned. We would leave for the Exumas, by plane not boat. Peter's wife, Pippa and their kids, our girls and I would go on by plane that afternoon, Sam and Peter would take the yacht down the next morning. Personally, I think the boys wanted to get rid of the girls... fine by me. I wasn't arguing. Sarah is famous for getting seasick. Pippa, the kids and I landed in Staniel Cay right in front of a huge storm, we had a bumpy ride and rough landing. That was only the beginning. We had to get in a small boat and journey out to their island. Talk about an adventure! The seas were high and the wind was blowing from right where we wanted to go. We arrived just as the skies opened up and the rain poured down! At least we made it somewhat dry!
Sam, Peter, and another friend Michael, made it out the next day on the yacht and the party finally could begin. We were joined by more of Peter and Pippa's friends from Nassau on the following day, and by Easter we were 16! 10 adults and 6 kids! We ate, drank (at times a bit too much), and generally had a great time. We spent time on the beach, went swimming, snorkeling, and even sailing. There was so much to do and see there never was a dull moment. The weather improved and the temps stayed warm and the breeze cool. It was a picture perfect holiday.
The Easter Bunny came and left his baskets and the kids colored many eggs and seashells. Daddy lost some money playing poker and Mom read a book. Not bad.
Sarah and Anna fell in love with the Bahamas and I must say, I agree with them. Now, how do we figure out a way to move there?
With all of our plane hopping we even managed to squeeze in a visit with dear old Dad. He met us in NY at the airport during our layovers to and from Miami. He even brought me chocolate chips to take home! He is the best.
If you would like to take a peek at out photos go here here here and here.
Once again, I have to thank my darling husband for planning this all and Peter and Pippa for making it all happen. This was the best holiday I ever had and the best gift Sam has given me. What a year 40 is turning out to be!
A presto!
Krista
Sam, Peter, and another friend Michael, made it out the next day on the yacht and the party finally could begin. We were joined by more of Peter and Pippa's friends from Nassau on the following day, and by Easter we were 16! 10 adults and 6 kids! We ate, drank (at times a bit too much), and generally had a great time. We spent time on the beach, went swimming, snorkeling, and even sailing. There was so much to do and see there never was a dull moment. The weather improved and the temps stayed warm and the breeze cool. It was a picture perfect holiday.
The Easter Bunny came and left his baskets and the kids colored many eggs and seashells. Daddy lost some money playing poker and Mom read a book. Not bad.
Sarah and Anna fell in love with the Bahamas and I must say, I agree with them. Now, how do we figure out a way to move there?
With all of our plane hopping we even managed to squeeze in a visit with dear old Dad. He met us in NY at the airport during our layovers to and from Miami. He even brought me chocolate chips to take home! He is the best.
If you would like to take a peek at out photos go here here here and here.
Once again, I have to thank my darling husband for planning this all and Peter and Pippa for making it all happen. This was the best holiday I ever had and the best gift Sam has given me. What a year 40 is turning out to be!
A presto!
Krista
Monday, April 10, 2006
Too Close To Call
Ooh.... now this race is getting exciting!!!! Do I really have to leave tomorrow? Looks like we are going to have an election cliffhanger once again!
Election cliffhanger grips Italy
Berlusconi may win after all..... Hey, this is looking an awful lot like the last presidential election in the United States. Didn't the major news networks get it wrong by following exit polls? They called the vote in favor of Kerry, when in fact, Pres. Bush won. Maybe it is a case of no one really wanting to say who they voted for. That is why exit polls are notoriously wrong. Both Berlusconi and Bush are so "unhip" and "uncool" who would admit that the actually voted for either of them? Even though, in fact, they did. Are the media whores once again whipping up a story to keep us interested in what we may not really be interested in anyway? Hmmmm......
Time will tell and hopefully we will have an election result in the morning and Italy will have a new Premier, or, maybe not....
Me? I am off to finish packing and go to bed. This is my last post till I return from our holiday. I hope the Easter Bunny is generous to all and I will post photos of "Our Bahamian Adventure" when we return!
Ciao!
Krista
Election cliffhanger grips Italy
Early estimates suggest that turnout for the elections was high
Italy's general election is turning into an extremely close race, with early results pointing to a slender lead for PM Silvio Berlusconi.
Mr Berlusconi's centre-right coalition may narrowly retain control of both houses of parliament, according to projections from the Nexus pollsters.
Earlier, exit polls pointed to a narrow lead for his centre-left challenger, Romano Prodi.
Polling stations closed at 1500 (1300 GMT), after two days of voting.
The Nexus projections, carried on the state broadcaster Rai, gave Mr Berlusconi's forces 49.9% in the Chamber of Deputies (lower house), and Mr Prodi's bloc 49.6%.
For the Senate the projections gave Mr Berlusconi's bloc 158 seats and Mr Prodi's 151.
Another six Senate seats are for overseas constituencies, seven for life senators.
Correspondents say exit polls in previous Italian elections have often turned out to be inaccurate.
Berlusconi may win after all..... Hey, this is looking an awful lot like the last presidential election in the United States. Didn't the major news networks get it wrong by following exit polls? They called the vote in favor of Kerry, when in fact, Pres. Bush won. Maybe it is a case of no one really wanting to say who they voted for. That is why exit polls are notoriously wrong. Both Berlusconi and Bush are so "unhip" and "uncool" who would admit that the actually voted for either of them? Even though, in fact, they did. Are the media whores once again whipping up a story to keep us interested in what we may not really be interested in anyway? Hmmmm......
Time will tell and hopefully we will have an election result in the morning and Italy will have a new Premier, or, maybe not....
Me? I am off to finish packing and go to bed. This is my last post till I return from our holiday. I hope the Easter Bunny is generous to all and I will post photos of "Our Bahamian Adventure" when we return!
Ciao!
Krista
Genoese Educazione
I am cutting and pasting this for all of you to see. Who would have ever thought little Genoa would make the headlines of BBC news? Last time we where in the headlines was the G8, and that was for the protestors and headliners, and back in 2001. Pre 9/11!
Politicians disappoint Genoa voters We're all suffering from Berlusconi-itus!" exclaims Luigi Pastorini, an 85-year-old pensioner.
He has lived in this prosperous and traditionally left-leaning northern port city his whole life.
"It's a disease that attacks the organs of the state," he says, his white moustache barely hiding a smile. "But, don't worry, it isn't fatal. We just succumb to bouts of it now and again."
Across this city of 600,000, people are heading to the polls to decide who they want to govern Italy.
Former economics professor Romano Prodi is heading a centre-left group of parties against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the flamboyant media mogul who has led the country's longest-serving post-war coalition government.
Strong trade unions representing the thousands of workers in the port's heavy industries and a well-respected university have shaped Genoa's proudly leftist character.
In the narrow alleys and dark streets that criss-cross each other next to the port sits the Lorenzo Garaventa primary school.
Genoa has Italy's biggest port and is traditionally left-leaning Here the earliest voters have newspapers tucked under their arms and a few stop to grab a slice of the region's famous dimpled focaccia bread for breakfast.
Massimo Giacometti and Francesco Dell'Orto, a former chef and hairdresser respectively, say they voted for Prodi's centre-left Union coalition.
"But we voted for the centre-left a bit grudgingly," Massimo says.
Francesca nods in agreement. "There were all those insults! And Prodi just refused to fight back," she adds.
Strong views
Italy's parliamentary election campaign has been aggressively acrimonious, with mud-slinging and insults on both sides obscuring facts and policies.
Italians tell the BBC News website how they will vote
Giovanni, 32, who works in a record shop in the city centre, is more outspoken. "I voted for the Communist Party. I hate Berlusconi and I want to get rid of him. He's embarrassed us internationally. It's made me almost ashamed to be Italian."
"I'm voting for the Lega," says defiant 68-year-old Elio Perdiucci, to the consternation of his wife.
Italy's Lega Nord is a small but vocal right-wing party advocating federalism for the country's richer northern regions and campaigning on a strongly-flavoured anti-immigration ticket.
"They, at least, are clean - they haven't had their fingers in the till!" he says, referring to the numerous corruption scandals that have shaken Italian politics.
"But Elio, that's not true," protests Francesca, who voted for Mr Prodi.
"This is a democracy, my dear. I can say what I like, can't I?"
Church, cake and state
On the other side of town, perched on a hill overlooking the bay, sits Castelletto. Here the streets are broader, lined with trees, and numerous pasticcerie - cake shops - tempt passers-by with their pastel-coloured tarts and chocolate eggs wrapped in ribbon.
The city takes pride in its rich, colourful history
By mid-morning the steps leading into the Mazzini school are crowded with people in their Sunday best.
Mass has just ended and now, clutching woven palm fronds in one hand and electoral cards in another, people are coming vote. Their next stop will be the cake shop for something sweet to round off their Sunday lunch.
"I voted for the centre-left for the Chamber of Deputies and for the centre-right for the Senate," said 33-year-old Chiara as she left the polling station. "I don't feel that there is a single party which really represents what I feel, so I ended up voting for both sides."
"I'm a practising Catholic and I always used to vote Christian Democrat," explained Signora Adrianna, 77. "But there are so many parties now that I'm confused. So I voted for the Pensioners' party - so that they start to listen to us."
Augusto Ettore, a 44-year-old office worker, says he voted for Gianfranco Fini's centre-right party, the National Alliance.
"I went to hear him speak a couple of weeks ago and I was very impressed. He is self-confident, assured. The centre-left can forget getting a vote from me - they're just spinning fables."
Two nuns stumble up the steps and then down again, moments later, rather flustered. "We've got the wrong polling station!" one smiles apologetically as they head out into the drizzle.
There you have it.....
An education into the mind of "I Liguri". If you click on the link above in the headline, you can find a link for more photos of Genoa!
A presto!
Krista
Politicians disappoint Genoa voters We're all suffering from Berlusconi-itus!" exclaims Luigi Pastorini, an 85-year-old pensioner.
He has lived in this prosperous and traditionally left-leaning northern port city his whole life.
"It's a disease that attacks the organs of the state," he says, his white moustache barely hiding a smile. "But, don't worry, it isn't fatal. We just succumb to bouts of it now and again."
Across this city of 600,000, people are heading to the polls to decide who they want to govern Italy.
Former economics professor Romano Prodi is heading a centre-left group of parties against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the flamboyant media mogul who has led the country's longest-serving post-war coalition government.
Strong trade unions representing the thousands of workers in the port's heavy industries and a well-respected university have shaped Genoa's proudly leftist character.
In the narrow alleys and dark streets that criss-cross each other next to the port sits the Lorenzo Garaventa primary school.
Genoa has Italy's biggest port and is traditionally left-leaning Here the earliest voters have newspapers tucked under their arms and a few stop to grab a slice of the region's famous dimpled focaccia bread for breakfast.
Massimo Giacometti and Francesco Dell'Orto, a former chef and hairdresser respectively, say they voted for Prodi's centre-left Union coalition.
"But we voted for the centre-left a bit grudgingly," Massimo says.
Francesca nods in agreement. "There were all those insults! And Prodi just refused to fight back," she adds.
Strong views
Italy's parliamentary election campaign has been aggressively acrimonious, with mud-slinging and insults on both sides obscuring facts and policies.
Italians tell the BBC News website how they will vote
Giovanni, 32, who works in a record shop in the city centre, is more outspoken. "I voted for the Communist Party. I hate Berlusconi and I want to get rid of him. He's embarrassed us internationally. It's made me almost ashamed to be Italian."
"I'm voting for the Lega," says defiant 68-year-old Elio Perdiucci, to the consternation of his wife.
Italy's Lega Nord is a small but vocal right-wing party advocating federalism for the country's richer northern regions and campaigning on a strongly-flavoured anti-immigration ticket.
"They, at least, are clean - they haven't had their fingers in the till!" he says, referring to the numerous corruption scandals that have shaken Italian politics.
"But Elio, that's not true," protests Francesca, who voted for Mr Prodi.
"This is a democracy, my dear. I can say what I like, can't I?"
Church, cake and state
On the other side of town, perched on a hill overlooking the bay, sits Castelletto. Here the streets are broader, lined with trees, and numerous pasticcerie - cake shops - tempt passers-by with their pastel-coloured tarts and chocolate eggs wrapped in ribbon.
The city takes pride in its rich, colourful history
By mid-morning the steps leading into the Mazzini school are crowded with people in their Sunday best.
Mass has just ended and now, clutching woven palm fronds in one hand and electoral cards in another, people are coming vote. Their next stop will be the cake shop for something sweet to round off their Sunday lunch.
"I voted for the centre-left for the Chamber of Deputies and for the centre-right for the Senate," said 33-year-old Chiara as she left the polling station. "I don't feel that there is a single party which really represents what I feel, so I ended up voting for both sides."
"I'm a practising Catholic and I always used to vote Christian Democrat," explained Signora Adrianna, 77. "But there are so many parties now that I'm confused. So I voted for the Pensioners' party - so that they start to listen to us."
Augusto Ettore, a 44-year-old office worker, says he voted for Gianfranco Fini's centre-right party, the National Alliance.
"I went to hear him speak a couple of weeks ago and I was very impressed. He is self-confident, assured. The centre-left can forget getting a vote from me - they're just spinning fables."
Two nuns stumble up the steps and then down again, moments later, rather flustered. "We've got the wrong polling station!" one smiles apologetically as they head out into the drizzle.
There you have it.....
An education into the mind of "I Liguri". If you click on the link above in the headline, you can find a link for more photos of Genoa!
A presto!
Krista
and Silvio votes....
and, according to the latest exit polls... Il Cavalieri is not winning the election this time. Prodi has pulled ahead. But, we all remember the infamous exit polls of the last US election. Kerry was winning wasn't he? Then by some miracle, at the midnight hour, Georgie boy pulled ahead.
When will we know who will win? Hopefully by tomorrow. Me? I will be off to the Bahamas with the family in tow for a week long Spring Break in the sun. We will be staying with friends and because the local mobile phone provider has no contract with Vodafone... We are incommunicado! And, lucky us, we have a 3 hour stop over in NY both ways. Grandpa Jack will help us pass the time in the airport.
In 24 hours I will be in Miami waiting for that plane to whisk me away to the best beaches in the world.... Wish you could be there with me.
Buona Pasqua a tutti!
Krista
When will we know who will win? Hopefully by tomorrow. Me? I will be off to the Bahamas with the family in tow for a week long Spring Break in the sun. We will be staying with friends and because the local mobile phone provider has no contract with Vodafone... We are incommunicado! And, lucky us, we have a 3 hour stop over in NY both ways. Grandpa Jack will help us pass the time in the airport.
In 24 hours I will be in Miami waiting for that plane to whisk me away to the best beaches in the world.... Wish you could be there with me.
Buona Pasqua a tutti!
Krista
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Happy Birthday Champ!
Today is my dear old Dad's 81st Birthday! Grandpa Jack is getting older and better.
Lets see....
Dad has survived...
1. Childhood. No easy feat growing up during the Depression. Irish Catholic Mom. Swedish Lutheran dad, families who didn't get on so well. Imagine that? 4 siblings, all healthy and alive - outliving their spouses. My grandma must have done something right.
2. WW II. Amazing how scoring in the top 3% on a math exam can change your fate. Dad managed to be in school for most of the war and ended up stationed on the only atoll in the South Pacific that the Japanese never bombed. How is that for luck? According to him, the biggest danger was chopping off your thumb trying to crack open a coconut. You could be court martialed for that!!! For the record, Jack still has 2 thumbs.
3. Divorce. Yes, the sixties came and went and left my dad a single father with an infant (that be me) at the age of 41. He raised my brothers and I the best he could and we all are doing just fine. You have to give credit where credit is due.
4. Sexual Revolution.. Not a topic I really want to talk about. Better to leave that discussion to "The Champ", according to him, that is his nickname. Wonder who gave him that? When Jack visits, this seems to be the one topic he likes to talk about the most with Sam and his friends. Leave me out of this one.
5. Giving away his daughter to marriage. Yup, that no good boyfriend of mine turned out to be a not so bad husband and father. Dear old dad has been nothing but a pillar of support and just thinks Sam is great. In fact, favorite past time of theirs? Making fun of me.
6. Grandchildren. 3 Gorgeous granddaughters. Not bad.
7. Bypass surgery. See if you live long enough anything can happen. Even being part of a trial for some newfangled procedure. Dad was lucky to live to see the day when you could have a bypass with out opening the chest. Age has its advantages.
8. Cars, furniture, kitchens, and dogs.... For the last 20 years, every time Dad buys a new car, improves the house, or even gets a new puppy.... First thing he says... "This one will take me to the grave". Hmmm. That was 3 cars ago, two new kitchens, 2 home remodels, and last week he bought a new recliner and sofa! By the way, he outlived all his dogs. Please dad, no more puppies. Lesson here. You can never plan your exit from this place. Live every day to its fullest. Make sure you drive in style and recline in comfort. And who needs to pick up poop from a dog anyway?
There you have it. Next milestone? I have no idea. Lets hope it is one of his granddaughters' High School graduations!
According to Hugh Hefner... Who, by the way, shares his birthday with "The Champ" and turned 80 today, 80 is the new 40!
Happy Birthday Dad!
Krista
Lets see....
Dad has survived...
1. Childhood. No easy feat growing up during the Depression. Irish Catholic Mom. Swedish Lutheran dad, families who didn't get on so well. Imagine that? 4 siblings, all healthy and alive - outliving their spouses. My grandma must have done something right.
2. WW II. Amazing how scoring in the top 3% on a math exam can change your fate. Dad managed to be in school for most of the war and ended up stationed on the only atoll in the South Pacific that the Japanese never bombed. How is that for luck? According to him, the biggest danger was chopping off your thumb trying to crack open a coconut. You could be court martialed for that!!! For the record, Jack still has 2 thumbs.
3. Divorce. Yes, the sixties came and went and left my dad a single father with an infant (that be me) at the age of 41. He raised my brothers and I the best he could and we all are doing just fine. You have to give credit where credit is due.
4. Sexual Revolution.. Not a topic I really want to talk about. Better to leave that discussion to "The Champ", according to him, that is his nickname. Wonder who gave him that? When Jack visits, this seems to be the one topic he likes to talk about the most with Sam and his friends. Leave me out of this one.
5. Giving away his daughter to marriage. Yup, that no good boyfriend of mine turned out to be a not so bad husband and father. Dear old dad has been nothing but a pillar of support and just thinks Sam is great. In fact, favorite past time of theirs? Making fun of me.
6. Grandchildren. 3 Gorgeous granddaughters. Not bad.
7. Bypass surgery. See if you live long enough anything can happen. Even being part of a trial for some newfangled procedure. Dad was lucky to live to see the day when you could have a bypass with out opening the chest. Age has its advantages.
8. Cars, furniture, kitchens, and dogs.... For the last 20 years, every time Dad buys a new car, improves the house, or even gets a new puppy.... First thing he says... "This one will take me to the grave". Hmmm. That was 3 cars ago, two new kitchens, 2 home remodels, and last week he bought a new recliner and sofa! By the way, he outlived all his dogs. Please dad, no more puppies. Lesson here. You can never plan your exit from this place. Live every day to its fullest. Make sure you drive in style and recline in comfort. And who needs to pick up poop from a dog anyway?
There you have it. Next milestone? I have no idea. Lets hope it is one of his granddaughters' High School graduations!
According to Hugh Hefner... Who, by the way, shares his birthday with "The Champ" and turned 80 today, 80 is the new 40!
Happy Birthday Dad!
Krista
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Here we go....
Tomorrow starts the voting for a new Premier in Italy.... Will it be 5 more years of II Cavalieri or a new dawn with Il Professore or Mortadella depending on who you ask about Romano Prodi?
As per ABC news.....
Weakened Berlusconi Faces Challenger
Click on the link to read the rest....
All that I can add... Is this should be a fun ride. The last election Berlusconi won hands down. But, the comments spewing from his mouth as the campaigning winds down indicates - this election should provide more drama than the recent Bush/Kerry showdowns and Bush/Gore chad drama.... I say - let the counting begin!
Divertiti!
Krista
PS.... If I had to place my bet on who will win.... I hate to put it in writing, but, I think Berlusconi is going to win. There I said it.
As per ABC news.....
Weakened Berlusconi Faces Challenger
Flagging Economy Puts Bush Ally Berlusconi at a Disadvantage As Italy Chooses a Premier
ROME Apr 8, 2006 (AP)? After a nasty election campaign, Italians are deciding this weekend whether to dump Premier Silvio Berlusconi and opt for his distinctly less flamboyant challenger.
Defeat for Berlusconi would end a five-year government that is Italy's longest-serving since World War II, and deprive President Bush of a staunch ally who has sent troops to Iraq.
If opponent Romano Prodi is slightly ahead and voters in the Sunday-Monday election are in a foul mood, they have reasons: The economy is going nowhere, jobs are scarce and the health system is in crisis.
But Italians don't seem too inspired by their choices: Berlusconi is a conservative media mogul and erstwhile cruise-ship crooner with a talent for saying outrageous things; Prodi is a center-left economics professor and former premier.
Both lead fractious coalitions of parties. Prodi's Union ranges from pro-Vatican moderates to Communists. Berlusconi's House of Freedoms coalition includes Christian Democrats, former neo-fascists and an anti-immigrant party.
Berlusconi was elected on high hopes that his knack for making money would translate into a business boom for Italy but economic growth has ground to a halt and even business leaders are turning their backs on him.
While only a faint echo of France's student protests over jobs, legions of young Italians express frustration over a work world that increasingly strings them along with short-term contracts instead of the "Perfect Job" their parents often found.
Income tax rates for many in the middle class are near 40 percent, but citizens see too little return on their tax euros. In the national health system, to cite just one example, waits for a routine mammogram or heart test can last months.
Berlusconi's critics accuse him of passing a raft of laws tailor-made to protect his business interests, and ignoring urgent issues facing the economy such as Italy's rapidly declining competitiveness, high public debt and growing job insecurity.
The premier has also been kept busy fending off prosecution over alleged corruption and conflict of interest in his media empire, which includes Italy's largest private television network, and his publishing, insurance and real-estate interests.
Click on the link to read the rest....
All that I can add... Is this should be a fun ride. The last election Berlusconi won hands down. But, the comments spewing from his mouth as the campaigning winds down indicates - this election should provide more drama than the recent Bush/Kerry showdowns and Bush/Gore chad drama.... I say - let the counting begin!
Divertiti!
Krista
PS.... If I had to place my bet on who will win.... I hate to put it in writing, but, I think Berlusconi is going to win. There I said it.
Meet the New Boss....
Yes, that is right, I am back.... Finally, I am blogging. Sorry for the hiatus, but, I have been busy busy busy.
Big news, I have been elected / chosen to be the new President of the American Women's Club of Genoa! Here is a photo of the coffee morning I had with them last Friday in my home. It was a great success and I was able raise over 130 euros for FAWCO, the Federation of American International Women's Clubs Overseas. For more info on who they are and what they do, click on the link found on the sidebar.
Sam's business is humming along and that has been keeping me plenty busy, though, I have managed to escape his tyrannical ways by going to the gym 3 days a week! Yup, I am a gym rat again. I moved all the way to Italy and I found myself, not a handsome Italian personal trainer, but, a fellow New Yorker! From Flushing no less. He spots and motivates me as I work out and while we talk, we are providing a free English lesson to his staff and other clients. The world is small, isn't it?
Post more later.... Off to purchase shoes for Anna. I desperately need to get ready for our trip to..... The Bahamas!
Cheers!
Krista
Big news, I have been elected / chosen to be the new President of the American Women's Club of Genoa! Here is a photo of the coffee morning I had with them last Friday in my home. It was a great success and I was able raise over 130 euros for FAWCO, the Federation of American International Women's Clubs Overseas. For more info on who they are and what they do, click on the link found on the sidebar.
Sam's business is humming along and that has been keeping me plenty busy, though, I have managed to escape his tyrannical ways by going to the gym 3 days a week! Yup, I am a gym rat again. I moved all the way to Italy and I found myself, not a handsome Italian personal trainer, but, a fellow New Yorker! From Flushing no less. He spots and motivates me as I work out and while we talk, we are providing a free English lesson to his staff and other clients. The world is small, isn't it?
Post more later.... Off to purchase shoes for Anna. I desperately need to get ready for our trip to..... The Bahamas!
Cheers!
Krista
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