A Pillar To Post
Aaayyyy - Ciao! Come Stai?
Sto bene, sto bene - grazie!
Whilst this year continues to slide away into nothingness and enlist itself as simply the year of COVID-19 it's not quite Christmas yet. Instead, "Happy Holidays" for both the girlfriend and I represented a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of business and a chance for us to return to her native land of Italy.
Divvin't worry - there's ganna be loadsa pictures. So if you're a listener rather than a reader - you're ganna have to scroll away...
As is the case for the rest of society - this year's been a very different one, with additional hurdles to what we'd hoped to have, but have had to overcome nonetheless. Yet overcome we have and will. We've experienced redundancy situations at both places of work that have now bypassed, but are likely to re-raise their ugly heads, and the workload has subsequently crept up for both of us throughout the year with projects both at work and at home alike, that have significantly eaten away into the lock down that we've all encountered.
But with rooms painted, a garden that was 90% done, and the man-cave that's now about 75% complete, now was the time to forget about it all, especially work, and focus on Ferragosto, family and friends - and forget we did.
Starting with drinks in our very own "Strawberry Corner" area of our garden on the evening, and then the usual bus (or train) trip to Manchester Airport the next morning, this represented a good opportunity to have my first Greggs in months - it just had to be done didn't it?! Nee steak beak on this occasion though, I went continental with a croissant. Geet posh. Oh and a ham and cheese sandwich for the journey.
As a side note - I'm not sure why there's virtually zero flights direct from Newcastle to Italy given the population in the United Kingdom. However, maybe this is a good thing. One thing about Italy is that it hasn't whored itself out to the likes of British folk who are simply looking for an England with a sun. Instead, it's maintained and protected its traditions and aspects of it's culture.
As a side note - I'm not sure why there's virtually zero flights direct from Newcastle to Italy given the population in the United Kingdom. However, maybe this is a good thing. One thing about Italy is that it hasn't whored itself out to the likes of British folk who are simply looking for an England with a sun. Instead, it's maintained and protected its traditions and aspects of it's culture.
Marked oot and masked we got on the Megabus and set off on our travels - the masks protecting us from COVID-19 but more importantly any stench of Mackemland or the smog of Middlesbrough. (Sorry my intra-regional readers or listeners...😏)
With nowt of note on the journey there, (except Tanita putting one bell-end in the airport right for questioning my gentlemanly behaviour), off we flew to Pisa for a late evening arrival at the locally based, bed and breakfast of A Casa di Lucia.
Both immaculate and pragmatically placed, and at a perfectly reasonable price - this acted as our overnight base before we began the Italian leg of our journey the next day.
Off we trotted and into the pleasant town centre - not far from the B & B, and up to the sunlit, Arno river - which we'd cross and venture to the storage centre where we dropped our luggage off before heading to the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II - the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century.
Then, to do the obligatory visits of the leaning tower and it's surrounding buildings. All dressed as a character from 'Benidorm' according to one best friend...
Then, a short walk around the city walls and back through the city centre to the riverside and a chance for our first feast of food. A fresh panini and a board of various meats and cheeses, with a midday Birra Moretti and wine to help cool the jets. Delicious...
Well, despite spending 10 minutes shiteing myself about the wasp that had made itself at home.
Back towards the train station and to make the first leg of our Italian journey - a short regional train from Pisa to Firenze (Florence). With only a few hours to kill before our 6 hour train Journey to Lamezia, we sought to tick off a few of the local landmarks - starting with the awe-inspiring Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
Moving on, and in to the city centre where we visited the Piazza della Signoria and in particular the Palazzo Vecchio which stands at its centre. Another outstanding building, surrounded by impressive statues and artwork - before visiting the Ponte Vecchio which, admittedly, wasn't quite what I'd expected (maybe i'd mistaken it for another bridge).
We looped back around and to the old market place, where locals would stroke a warthog to gain perceived luck - long before Pumba became popular, and passed the entrance to the old town before returning to the train station with bottled beers and snacks at hand.
Time to pig out 🐷 Pardon the pun.
Our train journey South to the region of Calabria was delayed both at the beginning and throughout despite misconceptions that in Italy "at least Mussolini got the trains running on time", and we arrived in Lamezia at around 11:30pm (around an hour late). However, some solace could be taken in the fact that we'd seen some wonderful countryside on Italy's Western coast and passed some hidden gems along the way - as well as larger cities such as Napoli (Naples) and Roma (Rome) which are maybe for future visits.
United with her family - we were met by Tanita's brother (Loris) and dad (Francesco) and took the journey back to their (original) home town of Serra D'Aeillo - a somewhat typical Calabrese town, that is situated on the hilltops and offers a backdrop to the coastline towns of Campora San Giovanni and Amantea which we'd travel to, and through, on numerous occasions, namely for the beach and for food. It was here that the relaxation would truly start.
For the next 12 night's we'd stay at the home of Tanita's (unfortunately deceased) grandmother, making up for lost time with her mam, dad and brother whom she hadn't seen since Christmas or for around a year. With photo's of all of the family present, and religious ornaments scattered around on the cabinets and walls - this very much had the feel for what I can only assume is a typical Italian home.
Using this as a base which we'd return to for phenomenal feasts of local food, largely cooked by the wonderful Delia (Tanita's mam), we'd travel to beautiful destinations along the Calabrian coastline in our locally rented car - an old Fiat Punto which I'd jokingly described as the 'Silver Bullet'.
Here, Loris and Tanita took up - what we later discovered, was the daunting task of driving. Selfish, impatient and somewhat dangerous, cars glide in and out of traffic and drivers pay no consideration for one another, only how quick they can get to their destination, which often made for interesting travel, occasionally at the expense of Tanita's sanity. The only downside to a fantastic trip. Or it certainly seemed that way - but maybe in England we are simply overly polite? Something which Francesco kindly mentioned to me as I said "grazie" for each and every thing that happened. 😅
However, this acted as a convenient and worthwhile addition to our trip which allowed us the freedom to go where we wanted and when we wanted, and likewise did the same for Mr Hedgehog (Loris 😂)...
Just one of those places was the coastline town of Scilla, which a castle stood at the top of, at the top of the bay and buildings were buried into the hillside - Scilla offered itself as an ideal holiday hangout, for which we spent around half a day. With English music playing from local bars and Tennants on sale maybe this was more geared to the foreign tourist, but was nonetheless quite the spectacle - as it overlooked the Italian island of Sicilia (Sicily).
However, this acted as a convenient and worthwhile addition to our trip which allowed us the freedom to go where we wanted and when we wanted, and likewise did the same for Mr Hedgehog (Loris 😂)...
Just one of those places was the coastline town of Scilla, which a castle stood at the top of, at the top of the bay and buildings were buried into the hillside - Scilla offered itself as an ideal holiday hangout, for which we spent around half a day. With English music playing from local bars and Tennants on sale maybe this was more geared to the foreign tourist, but was nonetheless quite the spectacle - as it overlooked the Italian island of Sicilia (Sicily).
It was here that Tanita was stung by a jellyfish - the little bastard. Ironically, a Jellyfish is called Medusa in Italian - as Tanita emerged from the water with a stoney face and snake like hair. 😂 Sorry pet.
The pain and suffering didn't stop there though, with the windy trek back up the bay in the blistering heat being a collective pain that Loris, Delia, Tanita and Zaira (Loris' girlfriend) all suffered, as well as my good self. Then there was a journey home in the persistent Punto, that took a few whips to get up to speed and a stop at the traffic lights which saw one wasp land on Loris and before we could react stung him. A somewhat comedy moment in retrospect - whereby I couldn't understand the commotion, and once I did, shat myself as Loris sat with the wasp on the front of his vest. My instant reaction being to squash the wasp by slamming it with my hand. Obviously not the brightest of ideas. This, before Loris found a tissue, squashed it and passed it to me for me to throw it out the window.
Sorry mate - Wasps aren't my thing!
But if anything was ganna soothe the pains from the heat or the stings it'd be some belter Italian gelato (ice cream). Frankly, it's worth gannin to Italy purely for that. Chocolate and cookie flavour on this occasion. Buonissimo.👌
And on the subject of chocolate - we spent most other days at the beach, at varying destinations such as two of the beaches at nearby Coreca but mainly at the "Golfetto" where Tanita turned a nice chocolatey brown colour by the end of our trip. Whereas I concluded the transition of milk, to gammon steak, to lobster to a medium rare (beef) steak (being generous).😅
As yi can imagine, as an Englishman without any prior knowledge of Italian (before meeting Tanita) trying to understand Italian has proven somewhat difficult already, but with the addition of a Calabrese accent it often leads to mass confusion. I guess - who am a to say when we aal taak Geordie. 😆
Near the end of wu trip both Tanita and I took a trip to another hidden gem - Belmonte. With streets that appeared to be fresh out of The Italian Job, winding down the hillside and alcoves and coverings at every turn. We stumbled across a nice little, hidden restaurant where we'd sit by the fresh limes and grapes that were growing and try to "shoo" away the wild cats that were after our delicious food. Finally, we had spent some time just the two of us, and away from speaking Italian (or desperately trying to in my case) - but hey ho, "when in Rome..." 😏
A busy flight schedule would see us return home to blustery winds, despite an excellent landing by the KLM pilot. This comment acting as a desperate attempt to gain discount for our next flight. 😅
So a trip where I'd experienced those living in Rome, experienced their airport and their train station but not Rome itself. Maybe next time, Maximus Decimus...💪
Joking aside - most people can do the touristy sightseeing - whereas both there in Italy and at home - I have the opportunity to experience more than just that.
The pain and suffering didn't stop there though, with the windy trek back up the bay in the blistering heat being a collective pain that Loris, Delia, Tanita and Zaira (Loris' girlfriend) all suffered, as well as my good self. Then there was a journey home in the persistent Punto, that took a few whips to get up to speed and a stop at the traffic lights which saw one wasp land on Loris and before we could react stung him. A somewhat comedy moment in retrospect - whereby I couldn't understand the commotion, and once I did, shat myself as Loris sat with the wasp on the front of his vest. My instant reaction being to squash the wasp by slamming it with my hand. Obviously not the brightest of ideas. This, before Loris found a tissue, squashed it and passed it to me for me to throw it out the window.
Sorry mate - Wasps aren't my thing!
But if anything was ganna soothe the pains from the heat or the stings it'd be some belter Italian gelato (ice cream). Frankly, it's worth gannin to Italy purely for that. Chocolate and cookie flavour on this occasion. Buonissimo.👌
And on the subject of chocolate - we spent most other days at the beach, at varying destinations such as two of the beaches at nearby Coreca but mainly at the "Golfetto" where Tanita turned a nice chocolatey brown colour by the end of our trip. Whereas I concluded the transition of milk, to gammon steak, to lobster to a medium rare (beef) steak (being generous).😅
It was here that we'd visit almost daily, and meet up with other holiday-makers who were from Serra and now lived around Italy. All of which were returning home for their summer "Ferragosto" break. Some came from Roma, where we'd passed by en route, some from Firenze which we briefly stopped in and Tanita's family which now live near Lago di Garda (Lake Garda).
These folk weren't too dissimilar from those I attend Newcastle matches with. The fratellis (not a band, but a band of brothers), who'd all been friends for pretty much a lifetime. Just some of the good people of Serra', with their respective wives and families. All of whom made the time and effort to make me feel welcome, offering food and drink and conversation where arm-waving, gesticulating, synonyms or Google Translate would work.
It was these interactions that made me realise, that whilst stereotypes can occasionally have a good basis or foundation, we're all the same, deep down. Who doesn't like good weather, food and company? Oh and football, don't forget sport - the go to subject for most blokes when all else fails.
Which means now I have trips to Empoli, Roma and Milano all to be made...⚽
However, one notable difference and one that didn't come as a surprise was that most social events centred around food, rather than drink as it does in the UK. In our time there not only did we share time with Tanita's family at home for tea, but we shared time with her close and family friends in Amantea, Falerna and in the town square in Serra' - Where I enjoyed them singing local songs whilst I sat itching for a chance to bring them the joys of the Blaydon Races. 😅
Here's the sound recording for anyone who is interested...
As yi can imagine, as an Englishman without any prior knowledge of Italian (before meeting Tanita) trying to understand Italian has proven somewhat difficult already, but with the addition of a Calabrese accent it often leads to mass confusion. I guess - who am a to say when we aal taak Geordie. 😆
Near the end of wu trip both Tanita and I took a trip to another hidden gem - Belmonte. With streets that appeared to be fresh out of The Italian Job, winding down the hillside and alcoves and coverings at every turn. We stumbled across a nice little, hidden restaurant where we'd sit by the fresh limes and grapes that were growing and try to "shoo" away the wild cats that were after our delicious food. Finally, we had spent some time just the two of us, and away from speaking Italian (or desperately trying to in my case) - but hey ho, "when in Rome..." 😏
A busy flight schedule would see us return home to blustery winds, despite an excellent landing by the KLM pilot. This comment acting as a desperate attempt to gain discount for our next flight. 😅
So a trip where I'd experienced those living in Rome, experienced their airport and their train station but not Rome itself. Maybe next time, Maximus Decimus...💪
Joking aside - most people can do the touristy sightseeing - whereas both there in Italy and at home - I have the opportunity to experience more than just that.
Undoubtedly, it was a beautiful trip to some beautiful places, and for some beautiful food and drink, but perhaps the most beautiful thing of all was experiencing a 'proper' Italian lifestyle and a culture that strongly puts time with family and friends at it's centre. After all, it is people that create and carry culture and the rest are just time stamps and snapshots...
Ciao for now
😉
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