Friday, July 02, 2004
The 2004 Grazie Travel Awards
The ballots have been counted and the results are in. And the winners are:
The Skipper's Skipper Award - (Kevin)
They say truth is stranger than fiction. How can the same person win the Italian National Sailing Competition (J/24 class) and then hit a parked boat with his car, ALL IN ONE WEEK? Obviously Kevin has a unique set of navigation skills. We've heard a rumor that toy maker Mattel will soon start selling a skipper's outfit for the "Holiday Kevin" doll. How exciting!
The Mario Andretti Driving Award - (Cole)
The Avis representative summarized Cole's driving performance in just two words..."nice damage." I guess those Italian fences are a lot harder to beat than they look.
The ToastMaster Award - (Desirèe)
What an inspiring toast Desire proposed, over and over and over again..."to Italy, sunsets and sculacciate." (Sorry folks, you'll have to look up that third word yourself)
The "I Don't Know Where We're Going, But We're Sure Making Good Time" Award - (Angela)
Angela likes to drive fast. And naturally she wants to be in the lead whenever we're driving somewhere. In fact she'll gladly take the lead, even if she has no idea where we're going. But wherever it is, I'm sure we'll get there fast.
The Umbrella Twirling Award - (Joel)
Let me begin by saying Joel is not gay. However, anytime you put an oversized umbrella in his hands he certainly begins to make people wonder. Joel’s talent must be seen to be appreciated. Check out this photograph: (click here)
The Italian Vocabulary Award - (Warren)
After studying the Italian language for five months, Warren discovered he is still no match for a 2-year-old Italian boy. Elia (the son of Barbara and Daniel) was observed correcting Warren's mistakes on several occasions.
The "Get Your Hands Off My Pizza (Maker)" Award - (Laura)
Laura staked her claim early. She was determined to get to know (in the Biblical sense) the pizza chef who worked near the piazza in Tropea. Laura protected her turf with vigilance and tenacity. What happened between them? Only the pizza maker knows for sure.
The Lost Luggage Award - (Grace)
This could be a first in the world of travel. The airlines lost Grace's luggage both going to and coming from Italy. Just a coincidence or bad luck you say? It doesn't stop there. The company processing Grace's pictures lost three rolls of her film. Let's see you top that!
The "I'm Not Italian, I'm Irish" Award - (Robin)
With a name like "Robin Kathleen Lowry" you'd think everyone would know that you're Irish. But people end up going by appearance rather than name so Robin wins the award for the number of times she had to set the record straight.
The "I'm Named After a City in Sicily" Award - (Patti)
That's right, there's actually a city in Sicily named Patti, which is obviously a name of distinction.
The "Your Credit Card is Not Authorized" Award - (Jerica)
Swipe once; swipe twice; swipe three times. Never have so many Italian credit cards been declined in such as short period of time. These Italian guys need to find a credit counselor.
Send additional award nominations to Warren.
The Skipper's Skipper Award - (Kevin)
They say truth is stranger than fiction. How can the same person win the Italian National Sailing Competition (J/24 class) and then hit a parked boat with his car, ALL IN ONE WEEK? Obviously Kevin has a unique set of navigation skills. We've heard a rumor that toy maker Mattel will soon start selling a skipper's outfit for the "Holiday Kevin" doll. How exciting!
The Mario Andretti Driving Award - (Cole)
The Avis representative summarized Cole's driving performance in just two words..."nice damage." I guess those Italian fences are a lot harder to beat than they look.
The ToastMaster Award - (Desirèe)
What an inspiring toast Desire proposed, over and over and over again..."to Italy, sunsets and sculacciate." (Sorry folks, you'll have to look up that third word yourself)
The "I Don't Know Where We're Going, But We're Sure Making Good Time" Award - (Angela)
Angela likes to drive fast. And naturally she wants to be in the lead whenever we're driving somewhere. In fact she'll gladly take the lead, even if she has no idea where we're going. But wherever it is, I'm sure we'll get there fast.
The Umbrella Twirling Award - (Joel)
Let me begin by saying Joel is not gay. However, anytime you put an oversized umbrella in his hands he certainly begins to make people wonder. Joel’s talent must be seen to be appreciated. Check out this photograph: (click here)
The Italian Vocabulary Award - (Warren)
After studying the Italian language for five months, Warren discovered he is still no match for a 2-year-old Italian boy. Elia (the son of Barbara and Daniel) was observed correcting Warren's mistakes on several occasions.
The "Get Your Hands Off My Pizza (Maker)" Award - (Laura)
Laura staked her claim early. She was determined to get to know (in the Biblical sense) the pizza chef who worked near the piazza in Tropea. Laura protected her turf with vigilance and tenacity. What happened between them? Only the pizza maker knows for sure.
The Lost Luggage Award - (Grace)
This could be a first in the world of travel. The airlines lost Grace's luggage both going to and coming from Italy. Just a coincidence or bad luck you say? It doesn't stop there. The company processing Grace's pictures lost three rolls of her film. Let's see you top that!
The "I'm Not Italian, I'm Irish" Award - (Robin)
With a name like "Robin Kathleen Lowry" you'd think everyone would know that you're Irish. But people end up going by appearance rather than name so Robin wins the award for the number of times she had to set the record straight.
The "I'm Named After a City in Sicily" Award - (Patti)
That's right, there's actually a city in Sicily named Patti, which is obviously a name of distinction.
The "Your Credit Card is Not Authorized" Award - (Jerica)
Swipe once; swipe twice; swipe three times. Never have so many Italian credit cards been declined in such as short period of time. These Italian guys need to find a credit counselor.
Send additional award nominations to Warren.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
The Trip Home
Tomorrow we leave for Naples and our trip back to the U.S.
We'll have plenty more stories and lots of pictures to share when we get back.
Arrivederci!
We'll have plenty more stories and lots of pictures to share when we get back.
Arrivederci!
Brad and Anna
Brad asked Anna to marry him at the top of Mt. Etna in Sicily. She accepted and is now wearing an engagement ring.
Does this guy know how to be romantic, or what?
Does this guy know how to be romantic, or what?
You've Got a Friend in the Mafia
Angela's car CAUGHT ON FIRE while she was driving in Reggio Calabria. With smoke billowing out from under the hood, Italians came from all directions to suggest she get out of her car.
She asked a handsome ragazzo for help and soon there were six Italian men working on finding a replacement rental car. The handsome young man indicated that his father "knows many people" in Italy, so fixing the problem should be very easy. Others nearby actually pointed to one of the men and said "mafioso." After much discussion with Eurocar, Angela was given money and a free hotel room and told that a new car would be ready for her the next day.
Unfortunately, Elton John was playing a concert in town so there were no hotal rooms avalaible. And once again the friendly mafioso found a solution. Anglea, Coemala and Natalie would stay at his seaside home, where they were treated like royality. Plenty of food, drink and recreational activities were made available.
Isn't life wonderful?
She asked a handsome ragazzo for help and soon there were six Italian men working on finding a replacement rental car. The handsome young man indicated that his father "knows many people" in Italy, so fixing the problem should be very easy. Others nearby actually pointed to one of the men and said "mafioso." After much discussion with Eurocar, Angela was given money and a free hotel room and told that a new car would be ready for her the next day.
Unfortunately, Elton John was playing a concert in town so there were no hotal rooms avalaible. And once again the friendly mafioso found a solution. Anglea, Coemala and Natalie would stay at his seaside home, where they were treated like royality. Plenty of food, drink and recreational activities were made available.
Isn't life wonderful?
Thursday, June 10, 2004
How do these things work?
One of the best parts of travelling in Europe is figuring out how things work. Two examples:
Joel was in the restroom at an AutoGrill and needed to flush the toilet. So he pulled a nearby cord and set off the emergency alarm.
Grace and Robin got into the elevator at our hotel in Sicily and pushed the button for the lobby level. Nothing happened...and then the lights went out. So they stood in the dark and giggled for a while. Later they discovered it was necessary to hold the button in.
It's all part of the adventure.
Joel was in the restroom at an AutoGrill and needed to flush the toilet. So he pulled a nearby cord and set off the emergency alarm.
Grace and Robin got into the elevator at our hotel in Sicily and pushed the button for the lobby level. Nothing happened...and then the lights went out. So they stood in the dark and giggled for a while. Later they discovered it was necessary to hold the button in.
It's all part of the adventure.
Monday, June 07, 2004
The Vespa Diaries™
Life doesn't get any better than Southern Italy.
More highlights:
The owners of our villa cooked dinner for us last night. About 20 other friends and relatives joined us.
The six people who lost their luggage on our flight here finally got their luggage back.
Laura did some heavy breathing with a local Italian guy named Credit Card Mossimo. (This is the same guy who attempted to swipe Jerica during Grazie trip number one, but was declined)
Kevin hit another car (it was parked) and then hit a boat (also parked...on land) while parking his car at the villa. No injuries or serious damage were reported.
Desirèe walked into a table in a restaurant and almost knocked it over. We though her leg would be severely bruised (Mary even bet money on it and ended up losing 5 Euros) but she was up and dancing the Saltza the very next night.
Patricia was molested by an 8 year old Italian boy while walking in TROPEA. Evidently he grabbed her ass, then ran.
And finally, Angela burned her leg while riding on a motorcycle with some Italian guy.
So that's it for today. Tomorrow we're off to Sicily and more adventure in the Italian sun.
More highlights:
The owners of our villa cooked dinner for us last night. About 20 other friends and relatives joined us.
The six people who lost their luggage on our flight here finally got their luggage back.
Laura did some heavy breathing with a local Italian guy named Credit Card Mossimo. (This is the same guy who attempted to swipe Jerica during Grazie trip number one, but was declined)
Kevin hit another car (it was parked) and then hit a boat (also parked...on land) while parking his car at the villa. No injuries or serious damage were reported.
Desirèe walked into a table in a restaurant and almost knocked it over. We though her leg would be severely bruised (Mary even bet money on it and ended up losing 5 Euros) but she was up and dancing the Saltza the very next night.
Patricia was molested by an 8 year old Italian boy while walking in TROPEA. Evidently he grabbed her ass, then ran.
And finally, Angela burned her leg while riding on a motorcycle with some Italian guy.
So that's it for today. Tomorrow we're off to Sicily and more adventure in the Italian sun.
More Wine Please
On Friday we drove from VENOSA to the Librandi winery in CIRO MARINA. Unfortunately the 3-hour drive took five and a half hours so we were a little bit late. The tour was one of the fastest wine tours on earth.
We then had another great meal with Raphael Librandi (son of the founder) and Harry Harmonica played music while we ate.
After lunch we were given a tour of the vineyard which required riding in the back of a pick-up truck. Several of the girls exited the truck with bruised bottoms. I (Warren) managed to get lost on the way to the vineyard so I missed riding in the pick-up.
Mike and Jean (Carr) stayed the night in a palace in CIRO MARINA, and the rest of us drove about 3 hours to TROPEA. We arrived at our villa (Rocca di Vadaro) at sunset.
We then had another great meal with Raphael Librandi (son of the founder) and Harry Harmonica played music while we ate.
After lunch we were given a tour of the vineyard which required riding in the back of a pick-up truck. Several of the girls exited the truck with bruised bottoms. I (Warren) managed to get lost on the way to the vineyard so I missed riding in the pick-up.
Mike and Jean (Carr) stayed the night in a palace in CIRO MARINA, and the rest of us drove about 3 hours to TROPEA. We arrived at our villa (Rocca di Vadaro) at sunset.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
They Call This Sunny Italy?
The weather is not cooperating on the first day of our trip. It has been raining cats and dogs much of the day and the nearby town of VENOSA even had some local flooding. But that hasn't dampened our spirits. Here are the highlights:
We toured two wineries today and have been eating some awesome food...orrecchiete, veal chops, antipasti del giorno and even some french fries. Molti tipi di pietanze!
Our host at Agrituristica La Maddalena (the place we are staying in VENOSA) has been simply magnifico. Arnaldo has arranged local tours, cooked wonderful food for us, and provided a local guide.
Joel has made friends with some of the staff...okay, he met a cute girl who works here. So he eats his meal with the staff members in order to get more face time.
Desirèe tried to speak Italian to a worker in a drugstore today, and after 5 minutes of stumbling the person told her "you might as well just speak English."
And as always, everytime I turn around someone from Grazie is helping bus a table or serve a drink. I guess old habits die hard.
Tomorrow we head to Cira Marina for more wine tasting and then on to TROPEA for hopefully more fun "in the sun."
More later!
We toured two wineries today and have been eating some awesome food...orrecchiete, veal chops, antipasti del giorno and even some french fries. Molti tipi di pietanze!
Our host at Agrituristica La Maddalena (the place we are staying in VENOSA) has been simply magnifico. Arnaldo has arranged local tours, cooked wonderful food for us, and provided a local guide.
Joel has made friends with some of the staff...okay, he met a cute girl who works here. So he eats his meal with the staff members in order to get more face time.
Desirèe tried to speak Italian to a worker in a drugstore today, and after 5 minutes of stumbling the person told her "you might as well just speak English."
And as always, everytime I turn around someone from Grazie is helping bus a table or serve a drink. I guess old habits die hard.
Tomorrow we head to Cira Marina for more wine tasting and then on to TROPEA for hopefully more fun "in the sun."
More later!
Friday, May 28, 2004
Wine Tasting Schedule
Our first stops will be a tour of the Cantina Venosa winery in Venosa (Basilicata Region) and the Librandi winery in Ciro Marina (Calabria Region).
Group #1 Lives to Drink Another Day
Group #1 came back on Monday (May 24) with big smiles on their face. We hear that Ty fell in love, lost her purse and got a great suntan (but not in that order).
