Before & After Torino: Fontana Angelica

Just Finished Reading: InterRail

  I decided to get into the sprit of this novel, about the adventures of one man's InterRailing travel, by reading it on a train. The Italian intercity no. 504 from Liguria to Torino to be exact. Every time author Alessandro Gallenzi described his travel companions as he went from place to place, I secretly looked around to see if I was riding with any similar characters.

The book starts out with a smack in the face literary as the main character Francisco gets shoved stepping off a train and falls flat on his face. Little did he know that the one person who came to his rescue (Pierre) would end up involving him in international scandals involving multiple wives, multiple countries, and multiple private detectives.

Pierre is one of those rare shady people who can pull of living a luxury lifestyle without having any money. His motto is "Intelligent animals don't pay. Noodleheads pay." Brilliant words to live by in my opinion. It's the out of control and impulsive Pierre that's the interesting character in this book. Pushover Francisco is merely the slightly boring storyteller. Think of a Nick Carraway/ Jay Gatsby type of relationship.

I won't say any more and leave the rest as a surprise but if you have ever euro-passed your way through Europe, or just wanted to, you will find this book a fun read.

Favorite quote p.42: "Everything is beautiful in this country, he thought. "I could fall in love with a lamp-post here."

Find out which city he was talking about!: InterRail by Alessandro Gallenzi 

Only in Italy

  File this under things you don't see everyday. A modern car parked in front of a medieval village.So Italian.

What's So Cool About the Euro?

  Art. That's what's cool. Each country in the European Union has designed their own 1 euro coin with an image that best represents their country. Some are guessed easily. Some you have to read to find out where it's from. It's a fun game to look at the image and to break down symbolism. Italy is pretty easy. Greece is my very favorite. The owl reminds me of Bubo the owl from Clash of the Titans.

Flavor of the Month

  The flavor of the month at Grom for August is Mango. It tastes just like eating a mango. It's not creamy. It's not sweeter. If you love eating mango you will love this flavor. If you don't, it won't change your mind. I am of the later.

Museo di Antichità

  One of the most admired museums in Torino is the Museo di Antichità. It houses artifacts from the area dating from ancient civilazations up until the Roman city. As modern Torino was built on top of a Roman fort and settlement, many fine artifacts have been uncovered over the years. Some of my favorite items are the everyday things, the pile of oil lamps, the jewlery, the cutlery, the tombstones for loved ones.

Museo di Antichità
http://museoarcheologico.piemonte.beniculturali.it/
Via XX Settembre, 88 - Torino

A Tourist's Take On Torino

  I love finding blogs and videos with other peoples experiences of Torino. I found this one recently and her enthusiasm is adorable.

Before & After Torino: Church of Don Bosco

Flavor of the Month

  The flavor of the month at Grom for July is: Peach Gelato with Toasted Amaretto Cookies. It's refreshing and it's not to sweet. The only downside is that the peach flavor is slightly weak. Would love some real fruit chunks to peach it up even more.

Is Clet Abraham in Torino?

  I think he might be. Famed French artist Clet Abraham has left his mark on Torino by transforming a boring street sign into a humorous work of art. Clet began his street sign transformations in Florence where he has lived for the past 20-something years. Then he expanded. Now his cheeky signs can be found all over Italy and, according to his Facebook page, London. Really it's so simple but I love it when an artist can change the way we see an everyday object. I found this sign (above) on Via Barbaroux.

 (This image of Clet was found here, all other images were taken by me)

It's a Torino thing.

                                      Juve vs. Toro on the cover of this months Torino magazine.

Annoying Italian Ads

  They wont stop playing this ad and so I hear "oh oh oh mi piace" in my sleep. Get out of my head! Here it is so you can get it stuck in yours too.

Before & After Torino: Via Pietro Micca

My New Favorite Italian Street Sign

  This is the: "If you run people over with your bike they fall like dominos" sign.

Winner Winner Fishy Dinner

  I love the way they serve fish here in Italy. You order. They bring the dead fish to your table so you can approve it's freshness. They take it away to the kitchen and the chef roasts it in the oven. The waiter brings it back to you on a rolling table where he precedes to slice, de-bone, and plate it table-side...and you still don't have to tip here.

A Walk Along the Seaside

  This weekend I walked and Pier ran along the Ligurian coastline. I enjoyed the view and snapped some pictures while watching Pier feel the burn.

Plus, I invented a new game to play at the beach I'm calling: GAY or EUROPEAN?

Being Pier's Caddy

  I offered my personal and non-skilled caddy services to Pier yesterday as he took in a few holes after work. Fact: We were the youngest people on the course that day by at least 30 years. I learned: why electric carts were invented. Tip: Take mosquito repellent or risk to be eaten alive.

Food Glorious Food

Here are a few of the delicious summer dishes we have been eating recently.
                                                                 
                                                                            Eggplant Lasagne

                                                                     Shrimp and Pesto

                                                      White Fish in Lemon and Olive Oil

This was the best White Wine I have EVER had. I tried to break down what made me love it so much and I came up with 1. it's earthy 2. It's fruity and 3. It's dry. I have decided that that combination makes me drink the entire bottle like it's water in a desert.

Before & After Torino: The Consolata

Sweet Ride!

  The Ferrari Club of Italy veroomed their way into Rapallo this weekend and then proceeded to park wherever the hell they wanted. Sidewalks, pedestrian roads, hotel courtyards...who's gona tell them to move? No one. After all, they are so pretty and shiny.