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| 25 Jun 2007 09:44:52 am |
 FESTA DI SAN GIOVANNI |
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June 23-24, 2007: The festival of San Giovanni (Saint John) is a major event as Saint John is the patron saint of Torino. The festivities last nearly 2 weeks and build up to the "burning of the bull" on Saturday and the parade and fireworks on Sunday. The bull is the symbol or mascot of Torino and in the main piazza (Piazza Castello) they built the equivalent of a 50 meter bon-fire with a wooden bull at the top. The legend states that if the bull falls to the right then good luck for Torino for a year, if it falls to the left, bad luck ensues. Well, this ground hog day-esk activity is slightly rigged by those ingenious Italians and the bull always falls to the right.... Bon Fortuna!! On Sunday, like may Italians, we headed to the country side to enjoy a classic piedmontese lunch at an "agriturismo". These are farm restaurants that serve only fresh ingredients and home cooking in the classic style. The name of this particular spot was Tre Tigli or Three Limes and was 6 courses of heaven. We sat outside on the hilltop patio enjoying the breeze, the views, the wine, the food, and most of all the company (some colleagues from GV). After nearly killing myself is a gluttonous rage... again... I came home for a nice afternoon nap. The girls summoned more energy than I could muster and went out for the grand finale and saw the fireworks over the Po River. They both said "best they have ever seen" and I was almost jealous until I remember my full belly and just smiled. Every weekend should be dedicated to John... I mean San Giovanni!  |
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Posted By : John
| Category : News |  Comments[99] |  Trackbacks [0]
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| 19 Jun 2007 08:09:27 am |
| Our Venetian Adventure |
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| June 15-17, 2007: With our Ford Galaxy rental van fully loaded with beer and panini, we rocked out to some custom mixes of the Killers, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park and Pearl Jam on our way to the Heineken Jam Music Festival in Venice. What we did not plan for was a natural disaster. Yes.... the first tornado in forever came up the coast and dropped squarely on the park hosting the concert. It felled trees, damaged the stage and knocked over sound and lighting towers injuring 30 people. The police cancelled the entire 4 day affair in the wake of this destruction and we had 100,000 shocked and bewildered people mulling around in a mild depression. Now, this is not Kanas or Oklahoma... this is Venice, Italy. Unbelievable!!! After we recovered from the emotional shock we realized that we were still in Venice and things could be worse. We decided to make the best of it and in the end had a wonderful time. The Saurday weather was beautiful and since Sherrie and Sam had never been to Venice, we played tour guides and hit San Marco, the watch tower, the Rialto, the shopping, and some small side streets. We settled down in a perfect square in the shade and enjoyed some sweet Campari cocktails and relaxed. That evening we hit Trotteria Antica Carbonera, a classic old Venetian style restaurant. I enjoyed the very best steak tartar or "crudo" of my life (raw filet chopped and mixed with onions, spice, capers, cognac, quail egg, tabasco, etc). A great meal can turn me around faster that anything! We returned home on Sunday, still with a little disappointed but with great memories of Venice and good times spent with friends. |
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Posted By : John
| Category : News | Comments[89] | Trackbacks [0]
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| 13 Jun 2007 06:34:28 pm |
| Weekend Holiday: Man vs. Woman |
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June 9-11, 2007: This is a classic what men like versus what women like scenario. The ladies (aka Lisa and Sherrie) went on a tourist filled sister fest to Rome for the weekend. The men (aka John and friends) ate monster steaks from the BBQ, drank grappa, cognac, and anything else not tied down, smoked cigars, played cards, and generally lounged around all weekend. You be the judge of which one sounds better!
The girls story: While John was busy having a man weekend, the girls jetted off to Rome. The trip started with a simple 50 minute flight which landed us into the heart of Rome where we were "upgraded" to a special junior suite. Day one consisted on the Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps, Pantheon and an unexpected Presidential sighting. After braving an hour long demonstration against President Bush, we headed to a quiet cafe for an excellent 3 course dinner. Day two was all about the Forum/Colosseum. Most of the day was spent taking in the different views of both the Colosseum and the Forum from places such as the top of Vittorio Emmaneule Monument and finishing at a pizzeria facing the Colosseum. Monday greeted us with long lines at the Vatican along with blazing sunshine for the third day in a row. The smallest country in the world is certainly the most breathtaking (the Sistine Chapel can do that to a person). We also lost our breath walking the uneven winding 320 stairs to the dome of St Peters Cathedral. All in all the trip was amazing and the 65,000 steps that were pounded through Rome are ones that we will never forget.
The guy story: While the girls were busy having a woman weekend, I.... worked out, got haircut, bought 2 kilos of gorgeous fillet, marinated meat, took a cafe, went shopping at Zegna and Gucci in Biella (north of Torino), ate a wonderful pizza that reminded me of Fiori's (local joint back in the 'Burgh), took nap, started BBQ, cooked meat, ate perfectly prepared meat, ate homemade Caesar salad with bread (thanks Sam!), drank a superb 2001 Barolo, rubbed belly, drank a 5 year aged grappa, played cards, drank cognac, smoked a Cuban, played more cards, drank more, slept (long time), ate a buffala mozzarella, enjoyed a gelato, watched rugby, watched French Open, ate pasta, watched movie, went to bed..... very happy!
Click on here for more pics! |
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Posted By : John
| Category : News | Comments[97] | Trackbacks [0]
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| 04 Jun 2007 07:45:40 am |
| Camminmangiando ! |
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| June 3, 2007: Fede and Laura again invited us to the yearly Camminmangiando event. For those of you not familar, this is a "walking and eating" tour through the wine region of Ghemme. This is the 11th year for the event and our second. Camminmangiando is an all day eating and drinking fest and starts early with registration at 10:00, then the welcome Champagne and off to the first of 6 courses. The route takes us through the beautiful vineyards and small towns over 8.5 KM with 2 stops for antipasti, 1 for risotto and pasta, 1 for "tapulone" (donkey!), then cheese and fruit and finish with dolce, coffee and grappa around 18:00. Long day in the sun and tons of walking, eating, drinking, laughing, etc! Sherrie joined us and was welcomed into a unique local tradition on the very first day and ate her first donkey! This is really a classic Italian Day with everyone singing and enjoying the "best of life". Bravi! |
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Posted By : John
| Category : News | Comments[96] | Trackbacks [0]
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| 04 Jun 2007 07:31:24 am |
| La mia seconda moglie è arrivato! |
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| June 2, 2007: Translation is "my second wife has arrived!" Lisa's sister Sherrie has arrived to live with us for the summer from Germany since her husband Matt is off in Afganistan. |
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Posted By : John
| Category : News | Comments[99] | Trackbacks [0]
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