What’s Opera Doc

I am, sadly, not very cultured.  As a result I recently took in my very first opera, Aida.  I would have to say if you must attend the opera I have found the way to do it.  First of all it was an Italian opera by Verdi in Italy.  Second the venue was in the Verona Arena, a smaller version of the Coliseum in Rome built in the 2^nd century.  The only downfall to the spectacular production and beautiful singing was the fact that the guy playing the role of the warrior was HUGE.  As a result I spent most of my time hearing Elmer Fudd in my head instead of the singers.  Other than that, additional entertainment was provided by the Italian men covering their heads with plastic bags during the brief rain delay…so as not to get their hairdo ruined.

So was it worth it…definitely.  I may never see another opera but I am glad I went.  It was truly unbelievable to see the sets, hear the singing and taking in an evening at the Verona Arena but in the end nobody sings like Elmer.

For more check out: 

http://www.spike.com/video/whats-opera-doc/2779535

http://www.arena.it/en-US/HOMEen.html

A Lovelady Day

A bit of explanation first.  Lovelady is the small town in East Texas where my family owns land, some cows, a few horses and assorted farm/ranch items like tractors and four wheelers.  A Lovelady day usually occurs when you are on the last day of your trip having someplace pressing to be and usually involves a quickly setting sun.  It is at this precise moment when something, neigh everything, falls apart.  The tractor/truck/4 wheeler/cow/horses breaks/gets stuck/is lost/escapes and then at that exact moment it rains.  You get the idea, everything that could go wrong does at exactly the worst time.  The curse apparently live in Italy too.

A few days ago I went into buy my month set of gas cupons for the cars and the guys working the office points out my ration card expired the day prior.  It’s no real problem, I can still get my June allotment, but I will need a new card.  This surprises me a bit considering that I had no cars in Italy in June and prompts me to worry that my car registration is on the brink of expiration too.  THIS IS A BIG DEAL!  The Italian Police can confiscate your car, and you won’t get it back, if you are found driving without registration and indeed there has been a rash of it around here.  I begin to worry, here we are five days before leaving to go to the States and it’s Thursday, Monday is a US holiday and I must make a three hour round trip to get the inspection/registration done.  Additionally, the blinker just quit working…that day!  This means it won’t pass inspection.

Fortunately I had ordered a blinker a few months ago because when it was really cold and snowy the blinker would quit.  When I got my parts in the mail, however, the blinker was back in full working order…until I needed it.  No big deal, I’ll take off early on Friday, swap it out, grab the kids, because of course Lauren has something that afternoon and I am supposed to be Mr. Mom, and head out.  45 mins, 2 body panels, 5 bolts, 8 screws, 2 wiring clips, removing the entire headlight assembly I realize the blinker bulb I ordered is NOT THE RIGHT ONE,  It doesn’t fit, OF COURSE IT DOESN”T FIT!  Covered in grease and sweat and just past the point of raving lunatic I run out to check if the other car is ok, just in case.  I had planned on loaning the car to my new boss until he gets his car and while we are gone.  DISASTER # 5, it expires in two weeks.  So now I am facing the classic car fixing delima.  I have one car that works and another in pieces but the one in pieces is the one I need to work!

I punt.  I take the other car and the kids to get it good to go.  While I’m there the lady helping notices that the other car is expired and nearly cries.  Then she says, “make sure you stop here first chance you get!”  I sure will; a month from now after I have driven an hour and a half to get there.  Pray for me and hope the Cops are at coffee.

Happy Anniversary

In honor of our one year anniversary in Italy I thought I would post something that sums up our experiences…perfectly!

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/flash

For more Italian fun check out: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/

It’s the Schnitzel

Ahhhh Bavaria. Such a well organized, clean and wide-smooth road break from Italy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Italy, but it is nice to take in the breath taking mountain views, cool weather and some good German food. While Lauren is not as convinced, I probably lean toward the Bavarian fare more than the Ferrara version of Italian food…but in the end it’s like apples and oranges and can’t be rightly compared. My week long trip to the small town of Oberammergau for work was a good excuse for me to bring the family along and show them about. We took in the Neuschwanstein Castle, took a cable car to the top of a mountain and did a bit of hiking. Unfortunately the weather and Lauren’s cold kept the family tied to the house the first couple of days and the once a decade crowd for the Passion Play that doubles the population of the town everyday did crimp the enjoyment a bit, particularly when eating.
It seems that a good number of the guests book all inclusive deals with their hotels/the Passion Play, which includes their dinner at certain restaurants. The play’s marathon performance lasts from 2pm to 5pm and then resumes at 8pm and runs until 10pm. That results in an all out sprint for table space and beer drinking time at ALL the local eateries. Let me tell you little old Canadian ladies might not be as friendly as you might expect if you try to cut them off heading for the Beirgarten. Despite the crowd and some “when’s daddy going to be home” bordom, we had a great time and are glad to be back to the warm weather, bumpy roads and good wine of Italy.

Buckle Up Kids, It Might Get Rough

As mentioned previously Naples is a very “interesting” city, full of contrasts and dangers, as Italians and the Napalese say “It’s not Italy…It’s Naples”. The things I found interesting there was the food (no surprise) and the people. The food in Naples is VERY different from the Northern Italian fare I have become accustomed to and more closely, although not exactly, resembles the Italian food in the US. Additionally the people there bear a striking resemblance to the characters that grace the screen on Jersey Shore, The Sopranos and other typically Italian-American mobster type shows. Despite the more familiar eats, the place still strikes you with a need to check your wallet every once in a while. I’ll share 2 examples; one is a firsthand account and the second was relayed to me about the guy whom I replaced in Italy.
Driving in foreign lands is an experience, and Naples (like Greece and places in the Middle East) kicks it up two or three notches. A few tips for driving in Naples: there are no lane lines, yes they are there but they mean nothing. Helmets on motorcycles and scooters “are required”…but nobody says you have to wear it you just must be in possession of it. And most importantly, as told by my colleague who is a Naples native, “traffic lights don’t mean go or stop, they are there to advise you that there is an intersection and the color on which you cross it is just an indication of the danger you face.” The perfect example was shortly presented as we drove to dinner. The driver, a stereo typical German colonel, stopped as a light turned red only to receive a torrent of insults from the Italian passengers in the car as well as the three drivers that blew by (in the oncoming traffic lane) honking, cussing and making hand gestures out the window. At the next light the driver learned his lesson well and blew through the red signal, only to be herranged again, because apparently there are a few “stopping red lights” in Naples and that was one of them…nobody explained how you know the difference.
Use caution when buying things from a street vendor and as my boss advised my predecessor this means don’t stop to talk to these guys in Naples. But undeterred the guy was lured by the cheap price of a top of the line video camera; it was a steal I’m sure. So a price was negotiated and the guy carefully watched the vendor box up his camera, put it in a bag and hand it across the table. Money was exchanged and the two parted. Back in his hotel room the guy realized he just paid about 200 Euros for a BRICK…but he said the expert bait and switch sleight of hand was worth the price of admission; better than a Vegas show.

Napoleon Complex

Again feeling like a serious world traveler, I headed off to Naples for work just two days after our return from Paris. The city of lights truly lives up to its reputation. The museums are beautiful, the food was amazing and everywhere you look is a beautiful building filled with art. While viewing the Eifel tower just as the sun was setting and the lights were coming on was probably the highlight, the Arc de Triumph was a close second. Although commissioned by Napoleon, he did not survive to see its completion and his body was only paraded though it upon his return from his exile on Elba nearly 20 years after his death. The view from the top is breathtaking and does not require the hours of waiting in line that comes with the view from the Eifel tower. From the top you can see down the wide, tree lined avenues of Paris and into rolling the French countryside.
By stark contrast Naples is city built on and between a mountain and the coast and no vantage point gives a sweeping view of its cramped, dirty, potholed streets. My best description of Naples is one word: contradiction. On one hand the city hosts buildings dating from ancient Greece through the Renaissance. The view over the bay and out to the Isle of Capri is idyllic and the rugged coastline is a natural wonder. In sharp contrast the traffic and chaos of the streets keeps your attention rapped and denies you the view of the beauty. Additionally the people of Naples have a bad reputation and their lack of consistent garbage service leaves the city sidewalks and alleys dangerous and literally in mountains of trash.
Despite their differences, both cities live up to their reputations and both deserve a visit.

A Short Respite

I know everyone has been very disappointed at my lack of postings lately, but let’s say I have been on a “creative rejuvenate holiday.” Really what I mean is I’ve been too busy drinking wine, watching my kids play in the back yard and enjoying the company of my friends to think about topics to blog about. Additionally, as we approach the one year in Italy mark, I was beginning to find it increasingly difficult to find things that truly stand out. Part of that is probably because I have acclimatized to the Italian modus operandi.
The only note worthy exception is the ongoing construction on the road I drive to work. It seems that the goal of the construction is to turn a narrow, bumpy curvy country road into the worst paved road in Italy; which will of course qualify it for the world champion of worst paved roads. In order to accomplish this feat they must first tear up random sections of the road, second, alternately fill in the sections with huge truck loads of gravel or shovels of asphalt, third, leave the piles of gravel loose on the road to be thrown up by passing cars to hit your windshield or “securely pack” the asphalt down with a thick soled boot (with the same results as the gravel). Finally they must begin and end work on sections of the road at random, alternately leaving the equipment to block parts of the road or at a randomly designated interval remove all equipment for an undetermined number of days. The work then begins again, regardless of the state of the previous section, in a new spot.
Have no fear, the last few weeks have been providing me a wealth of topics. As such the blogging will resume in earnest…after I locate my glass.