Part 2:
Visiting Fabian:
At this point in the trip I was pretty used to the train system around Germany. Over my first two months in Italy I haven't been asked for a ticket on any form of transportation and things never run on time. In Germany, things are basically the complete opposite. It was nice to get places on time, but taking the trains from city to city is not really cheap...and the attendants checked my ticket every time, without fail.
After Munich I headed to Wetzlar, which is a small city not too far from Cologne. A good friend of mine, Fabian, who is on the German gymnastics team lives and trains out there, so I went to visit him for a few days. Fabian is an incredible gymnast who has had a great deal of success in his career. In Germany he is very well known, and since he lives in a small city he is bombarded by fans and media all day. It was pretty different to see a gymnast get so much recognition out on the street. I got a glimpse into what it would be like if gymnasts were superstars like in major sports.
Wetzlar is surrounded by lots of farmland and after being in big cities the previous few nights it was relaxing waking up in the morning and seeing rolling green hills. Fabian took me to see the Braunfels Castle which is only a few km from Wetzlar. The castle sits at the top of a hill, so as you drive up you get a glimpse of the entire structure in one view. Here’s what it looks like from the road...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Braunfels_Schloss.jpg
We toured the grounds a little bit and some of the little town at the base of the gates. A Christmas market was in the process of being set up, but it still wasn’t open. Every city I went to in Germany mentioned their Christmas market and how they are such a huge part of the holidays. Unfortunately, I arrived a couple days before they all opened and I missed out on the this German tradition.
The next day I went to gymnastics practice with Fabian. He has been training in the same gym his whole life and his father has always been his coach. It was great to be back in a gym again and it made me want to get up and do some real gymnastics...almost. I wish I would have taken the opportunity to go and train with him when I was still competing. It would have been interesting to share techniques and training methods. I had many training camps with the Japanese gymnasts over the years, and those were some of the most productive weeks of my career. Working with other athletes who are at the top level is always fun and motivating.
I left Fabian's place on Friday morning and headed for the last leg of my trip...Cologne. I was hoping to find another great hostel when I got there, but the place I had booked was a tiny hotel and it wasn't quite the friendly atmosphere I was expecting. I walked the streets seeing the obvious sites...Kolner Dom, chocolate museum, shopping district...but I still wasn't really enjoying it as much as some other spots. I did however get a chance to see their Olympic museum. For me, that was the highlight of the city. Germany has a long history of gymnastics, so a good portion of the museum was dedicated to all things gymnastics. They had one of those original pommel horses that had a fake horse head on one end (you can see the pic on my facebook page.) I can't imagine what it was like to swing on that thing!!
To cap off my less than great trip to Cologne, I lost my wallet on my last night! Retracing my steps for a good two hours led to nothing, and so I had to make the most of my last 5 euro. I don't know if it was stolen or what, but it was a pretty disappointing way to end a great trip. I've been getting all my credit card and ID stuff sorted out over the past few weeks, and I have everything finally figured out.
I'm back in Rome now and I've been incredibly busy. I'm working at Louis Vuitton for the month to make a couple bucks and meet some people...but it's a hectic schedule that I trying to get used to. I'll write more about LV in the next entry.
I also have to mention something about my sports teams. At the moment, just about every one of the teams I root for are playing at absolutely pathetic levels. Here's a quick rundown...
1.NY Giants-promising start to the season. Now it will be a struggle to just make the playoffs...but we did beat Dallas both times this year! The Jints haven't been the Super Bowl contender I was hoping for.
2.NY Mets- where do I start! Problems at every level. They were an embarrassment last season. What makes it even worse is that the Phillies and the Yankees were in the World Series.
3.Lazio-haven't won a game since August. I'm living in a city where 75% of the people are Roma fans, so it can be a little irritating listening to everyone telling you to constantly change teams.
4.NJ Nets-just set the record for the worst start if NBA history (0-18)...ouch.
5.NY/NJ Redbulls- Worst team in the MLS.
The one saving grace this year has come from the unlikeliest of sources. The Stanford Football Team led by that bulldozer Toby Gerhart!! I doubt he'll win the Heisman because didn't have too much preseason hype and he won't be playing in a BCS game, but he is as deserving as anybody in the country with the way he has carried the team. Beat USC, Oregon, and ND. 8-4. Our first bowl game in 8 years... GO CARD!!
Oh, one last thing. I'm pretty sure I could eat prosciutto sandwiches everyday for the rest of my life and be completely happy. I'm not talking about a sandwich like in the US that is normally filled with endless amounts of extra toppings...just good fresh bread and thinly sliced prosciutto. Perfect. Maybe not the healthiest option, but oh so good...
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Germany: Part 1
I'm finally back in Rome after a long trip throughout Germany. I made it to six cities over the nine days I was there, so by the end I was pretty exhausted.
Because I did so much while I was out there, this will be "Part 1" of my Germany trip and I'll put up part two in a couple days.
Breakin in Dusseldorf
Ok, so the first thing on the agenda when I got to Germany was a breakdancing competition outside of Dusseldorf. A good friend of mine who used to be a gymnast and later a performer in La Reve in Vegas, is now part of a big breakdancing crew in the US called Full Force. They were invited to compete in this battle and he asked me if I wanted to come check it out. I had nothing better to do, so I got on a plane to Germany and went to check out my first breakdancing experience.
The battle was in what looked like an old warehouse that seemed ideal for the event and it was packed. The crowd had a pretty eclectic group with hip hop listening teenagers sitting next to grandparents with their grandchildren.
Being a gymnast, I can really appreciate the difficulty of breakdancing, but watching it firsthand was just awesome. There were teams from all over the world and even though Full Force didn't win (they lost in the semi-final to the eventual winner, Belgium) they had a distinct style that in my opinion was not matched by the other teams. At the end of the battle two 8 year old kids came out and did a little show for the crowd...it was incredible. One of the kids did air flairs! I'm sure most of you don't know what those are so here's a quick video of what they look like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAnNXYTK6uk&feature=related
...wow.
Gymnastics Stop #1
From there I took the train to Stuttgart where I got the chance to watch the Champions Trophy competition. My old coach from the OTC, Vitaly, and one of my old teammates, Joey, were there competing, and it was great to be able to watch them out on the floor. The prize for winning the Champions Trophy was 15,000 Euro and a brand new convertible Mercedes...where were those prizes when I was competing?!! The gymnastics community is small so at big competitions like this one I not only get to see friends from the USA, but from all over the world. We all went out and had a chance to enjoy the Stuttgart nightlife a little bit.
While I was in Stuttgart I stumbled upon a German holiday tradition, Gluhwein. It's hot red wine that they mix with spices and a little piece of fruit. I can see why Germans like this stuff during the cold winters!
Hangin in Munich
Next stop on the trip around Germany was Munich. I stayed in a hostel for the first time and met a bunch of people from around the world who are doing the same thing as me...just taking some time and traveling the world. It was interesting to see where their travels had taken them and what cities they thought were worth checking out. After spending a few days there seeing the sites, taking the tours, and of course drinking the beer, Munich has now been included in my list of favorite cities (of course it's a long list that includes NYC, SF, Rome, Tokyo, Paris...). One of the coolest things I learned about Munich was that before the war Hitler had the Munich city plans and all the major artwork taken to a secret location in the Alps so that if the city was damaged they could rebuild in the same way. Well, it was just about completely destroyed by air-strikes and instead of rebuilding in a modern way, they found the original city plans and artwork Hitler had hidden and rebuilt the entire city! Looking around the city you can't tell that just about everything is 60-70 years old. Munich is a city rich in tradition and they are people who are very proud of what they have to offer. They also seem to have a pretty big rivalry with Berlin which I wasn't aware of. I still haven't visited Berlin, but I'm sure I'll get there at some point so I can make my own comparisons.
Here are some other things I did in Munich:
-visited the BMW museum and showroom. I've now seen the BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche museums. All very different...and all worth seeing. (Also, saw the stadium from the '72 Olympic Games which is close to the museum).
-went running in the "English Gardens." This park in the city is also twice the size of Central Park in NYC. That's the second city I've been to in the last couple weeks that had a park of that size. (Dublin was the first)
-went to the Deutsches museum. It's one of the biggest science museums in the world. I spent about and two hours there and I saw about a third of it. You could spend a couple days in this place seeing everything.
-had a beer at the famous Hofbrauhaus. I was told it's a tourist trap with pretty high prices, but you have to experience it once, right?? Right.
In Part 2...
-visiting Fabian in Wetzlar
-Cologne and a bad ending to the trip.
Because I did so much while I was out there, this will be "Part 1" of my Germany trip and I'll put up part two in a couple days.
Breakin in Dusseldorf
Ok, so the first thing on the agenda when I got to Germany was a breakdancing competition outside of Dusseldorf. A good friend of mine who used to be a gymnast and later a performer in La Reve in Vegas, is now part of a big breakdancing crew in the US called Full Force. They were invited to compete in this battle and he asked me if I wanted to come check it out. I had nothing better to do, so I got on a plane to Germany and went to check out my first breakdancing experience.
The battle was in what looked like an old warehouse that seemed ideal for the event and it was packed. The crowd had a pretty eclectic group with hip hop listening teenagers sitting next to grandparents with their grandchildren.
Being a gymnast, I can really appreciate the difficulty of breakdancing, but watching it firsthand was just awesome. There were teams from all over the world and even though Full Force didn't win (they lost in the semi-final to the eventual winner, Belgium) they had a distinct style that in my opinion was not matched by the other teams. At the end of the battle two 8 year old kids came out and did a little show for the crowd...it was incredible. One of the kids did air flairs! I'm sure most of you don't know what those are so here's a quick video of what they look like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAnNXYTK6uk&feature=related
...wow.
Gymnastics Stop #1
From there I took the train to Stuttgart where I got the chance to watch the Champions Trophy competition. My old coach from the OTC, Vitaly, and one of my old teammates, Joey, were there competing, and it was great to be able to watch them out on the floor. The prize for winning the Champions Trophy was 15,000 Euro and a brand new convertible Mercedes...where were those prizes when I was competing?!! The gymnastics community is small so at big competitions like this one I not only get to see friends from the USA, but from all over the world. We all went out and had a chance to enjoy the Stuttgart nightlife a little bit.
While I was in Stuttgart I stumbled upon a German holiday tradition, Gluhwein. It's hot red wine that they mix with spices and a little piece of fruit. I can see why Germans like this stuff during the cold winters!
Hangin in Munich
Next stop on the trip around Germany was Munich. I stayed in a hostel for the first time and met a bunch of people from around the world who are doing the same thing as me...just taking some time and traveling the world. It was interesting to see where their travels had taken them and what cities they thought were worth checking out. After spending a few days there seeing the sites, taking the tours, and of course drinking the beer, Munich has now been included in my list of favorite cities (of course it's a long list that includes NYC, SF, Rome, Tokyo, Paris...). One of the coolest things I learned about Munich was that before the war Hitler had the Munich city plans and all the major artwork taken to a secret location in the Alps so that if the city was damaged they could rebuild in the same way. Well, it was just about completely destroyed by air-strikes and instead of rebuilding in a modern way, they found the original city plans and artwork Hitler had hidden and rebuilt the entire city! Looking around the city you can't tell that just about everything is 60-70 years old. Munich is a city rich in tradition and they are people who are very proud of what they have to offer. They also seem to have a pretty big rivalry with Berlin which I wasn't aware of. I still haven't visited Berlin, but I'm sure I'll get there at some point so I can make my own comparisons.
Here are some other things I did in Munich:
-visited the BMW museum and showroom. I've now seen the BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche museums. All very different...and all worth seeing. (Also, saw the stadium from the '72 Olympic Games which is close to the museum).
-went running in the "English Gardens." This park in the city is also twice the size of Central Park in NYC. That's the second city I've been to in the last couple weeks that had a park of that size. (Dublin was the first)
-went to the Deutsches museum. It's one of the biggest science museums in the world. I spent about and two hours there and I saw about a third of it. You could spend a couple days in this place seeing everything.
-had a beer at the famous Hofbrauhaus. I was told it's a tourist trap with pretty high prices, but you have to experience it once, right?? Right.
In Part 2...
-visiting Fabian in Wetzlar
-Cologne and a bad ending to the trip.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Lazio-Milan
I got my first taste of the world of calcio (soccer) this past weekend. My beloved Lazio went up against one of the most decorated teams in history, AC Milan. Lazio lost the game 2-1, and are in the middle very rough patch...ok, they are playing terrible right now and haven't won a league game since August! It's pretty embarrassing, especially in a city like Rome, where most people are fans of the other soccer team in town, Roma. Even my own family are relentless about making sure I'm aware of how bad Lazio is right now (besides myself, only my father and brother are Lazio fans...everyone else sides with Roma).
I was lucky enough to attend the game with a friend who is also Lazio obsessed. We showed up to the stadium about an hour early to make sure we got a good parking spot. Parking around the Stadio Olimpico is just like parking anywhere else in Rome, a mess. When we got out of the car there was a random guy guiding people into available spots. He had no affiliation with the team, stadium, or city. He just shows up on game days and hopes for tips. A tip to this guy also helps to ensure that he will keep an eye on your car during the game to make sure nothing happens to it...without the tip, I was told, he would be more likely to turn a blind eye to a thief or he might try to take something from your car himself!
Walking up to the stadium was a little different than events I've been to in the US. The main difference was the large number of cops in riot gear strategically placed around the stadium. Unfortunately, soccer games in Italy (and in other countries in Europe) can get violent sometimes. Lazio fans in particular are known for being a little extreme with their support. I didn't experience any of this negative behavior from the fans though. Aside from Lazio losing the game and the torrential downpour during the entire game, it was an amazing experience.
In fact the best part were the fans themselves. The seating is set up so the two ends of the stadium, behind the goals, are devoted solely for the diehard faithfuls...known as the "Ultras." In particular, the Lazio "Ultras" are the Irriducibili. They dominate the Curva Nord (North Curve), while the Romaniste (Roma fans) take the Curva Sud (South Curve).
Growing up the Curva Nord had been this special place that I always wanted to experience first hand, but never had the chance. I wanted to cheer alongside my fellow Lazio fans and sing the songs of our team.
First of all, they are an incredibly organized group. Thousands and thousands of fans waving huge flags while singing in unison different songs all throughout the game is an impressive sight. Most of the songs are dedicated to ripping into the owner of the team, who everyone seems to hate with a passion.
They live and die with each pass. One moment they are booing and yelling at a player for a silly mistake. Before they even have a chance to take another breathe they are clapping for the creative play of someone else. It is funny to listen to all the fans, especially because they are right on in their assessments most of the time. Their soccer IQ is unbelievable. That's everybody...the 80 year old grandfather and his 13 year old grandson, to the teenage couple on a date. They all know the beautiful game inside out.
After watching the game and the way the fans interact with the players, I think I know why the fans get so riled up, especially when there team is doing poorly. Of course they want their team to win. Who doesn't. But more than that, they want the players to care as much about the team as they do. We are in an era where it's more about the money than it is about the passion or love of the team/sport. These fans have grown up with only this team and when they see a player lack enthusiasm on the field, they are insulted. To them wearing that jersey is an honor, and every time a player steps on the field wearing that light blue/white (Lazio colors) they should play like it's their last game.
Yes Lazio lost the game, but after the final whistle was blown the whole team came over to the Curva Nord and clapped to the fans thanking them for their constant support. I could tell that this meant more to them than winning or losing. They want to be a part of Lazio...and the team showing their appreciation allows the fans that connection they desperately seek. It was my first time at the stadium and even I appreciated them coming over. I will go back to watch Lazio again soon, and I too will live and die with each pass like the rest of the Curva Nord.
I was lucky enough to attend the game with a friend who is also Lazio obsessed. We showed up to the stadium about an hour early to make sure we got a good parking spot. Parking around the Stadio Olimpico is just like parking anywhere else in Rome, a mess. When we got out of the car there was a random guy guiding people into available spots. He had no affiliation with the team, stadium, or city. He just shows up on game days and hopes for tips. A tip to this guy also helps to ensure that he will keep an eye on your car during the game to make sure nothing happens to it...without the tip, I was told, he would be more likely to turn a blind eye to a thief or he might try to take something from your car himself!
Walking up to the stadium was a little different than events I've been to in the US. The main difference was the large number of cops in riot gear strategically placed around the stadium. Unfortunately, soccer games in Italy (and in other countries in Europe) can get violent sometimes. Lazio fans in particular are known for being a little extreme with their support. I didn't experience any of this negative behavior from the fans though. Aside from Lazio losing the game and the torrential downpour during the entire game, it was an amazing experience.
In fact the best part were the fans themselves. The seating is set up so the two ends of the stadium, behind the goals, are devoted solely for the diehard faithfuls...known as the "Ultras." In particular, the Lazio "Ultras" are the Irriducibili. They dominate the Curva Nord (North Curve), while the Romaniste (Roma fans) take the Curva Sud (South Curve).
Growing up the Curva Nord had been this special place that I always wanted to experience first hand, but never had the chance. I wanted to cheer alongside my fellow Lazio fans and sing the songs of our team.
First of all, they are an incredibly organized group. Thousands and thousands of fans waving huge flags while singing in unison different songs all throughout the game is an impressive sight. Most of the songs are dedicated to ripping into the owner of the team, who everyone seems to hate with a passion.
They live and die with each pass. One moment they are booing and yelling at a player for a silly mistake. Before they even have a chance to take another breathe they are clapping for the creative play of someone else. It is funny to listen to all the fans, especially because they are right on in their assessments most of the time. Their soccer IQ is unbelievable. That's everybody...the 80 year old grandfather and his 13 year old grandson, to the teenage couple on a date. They all know the beautiful game inside out.
After watching the game and the way the fans interact with the players, I think I know why the fans get so riled up, especially when there team is doing poorly. Of course they want their team to win. Who doesn't. But more than that, they want the players to care as much about the team as they do. We are in an era where it's more about the money than it is about the passion or love of the team/sport. These fans have grown up with only this team and when they see a player lack enthusiasm on the field, they are insulted. To them wearing that jersey is an honor, and every time a player steps on the field wearing that light blue/white (Lazio colors) they should play like it's their last game.
Yes Lazio lost the game, but after the final whistle was blown the whole team came over to the Curva Nord and clapped to the fans thanking them for their constant support. I could tell that this meant more to them than winning or losing. They want to be a part of Lazio...and the team showing their appreciation allows the fans that connection they desperately seek. It was my first time at the stadium and even I appreciated them coming over. I will go back to watch Lazio again soon, and I too will live and die with each pass like the rest of the Curva Nord.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Halloween in Dublin
Anyone who really knows me will tell you that I watch a lot of movies. Not only do I watch them, but I have a tendency to memorize them as well. I'll admit it can be a little bit ridiculous at times, especially for those who have no idea what I am talking about most of the time. This love of movies sometimes gets incorporated into my travels as I start to see similarities between new people/places and the fictional characters I know from my constant movie watching.
A few weeks ago I went to London for the first time. When I got to the Liverpool Street Train Station I felt like I had landed in the world of Harry Potter (Yes, I am a big Harry Potter fan).
Well, if London was Harry Potter then Dublin, to me, was without a doubt Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original movie)! The small cobblestone streets, distinctive Georgian houses, and of course the factory in the middle of the town. The only difference was that in this case, it wasn’t a chocolate factory. It was the Guinness beer factory.
Just as in Wonka’s factory, Guinness has high walls surrounding most of the perimeter giving the impression that whatever is going on inside is not to be seen by the outside public. Of course, you don’t need a golden ticket to get a tour of the Guinness factory. After getting inside, I was hoping find some kind of beer factory worker equivalent to an Oompa Loompa or maybe a beer river, but no luck.
Before I got to Dublin many of my friends who had visited the city before told me that if there was one thing I needed to see while I was there it was this factory...and they were right. The place is very impressive, with seven floors not only devoted to the history of its beer, but also to the city of Dublin. I’m not a big beer drinker, but the free pint of extra cold Guinness at the seventh floor bar with its 360 degree views of the city was the highlight of the tour. Definitely the best glass of beer I’ve ever had.
I was in Dublin over the weekend to celebrate my cousin Gianni’s birthday. I was invited to tag along with a group of his friends and I had a great time. When the bill came at the end of our dinner I was expecting to split Gianni's portion with the other people at the table. Apparently, in Italy when a person celebrates their birthday they take all their friends out for dinner and pay for it. I had never heard of that before and I was surprised when I saw my cousin get up to pay the bill. I guess I'll have to be prepared when my birthday rolls around this year!
His birthday is on Halloween, but in Italy Halloween isn’t really a big deal. Ireland on the other hand, celebrates Halloween the just like the US. When we went out early in the day and my cousin and all his friends saw all the costumes, they got excited and wanted to dress up for the night as well. We didn’t really have time to do anything elaborate, so we ended up going to a costume shop and bought 9 identical wigs and mustaches. The description on the package was “70’s TV personality.” We were basically all dressed as Will Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy from Anchorman. We definitely turned some heads as we walked down the street that night.
Overall, I had a great time in Dublin despite the cold and rainy weather. I kind of expected that, and so it didn’t bother me that much. I’d love to go back to Ireland if I get the chance while I’m out here.
I’ll be heading to Germany next week to watch some gymnastics, breakdancing, and visit a bunch of different cities.
Some other interesting notes from Dublin:
-There is a park in the middle (Phoenix Park) of Dublin that is twice the size of Central Park in NYC. It’s enormous.
-It was weird to see a Starbucks again while I was in Dublin. Italy is very protective of its coffee and Starbucks is not allowed in the country. I haven’t seen that circular green sign in a while up until this past weekend.
-The Subway (sandwich shop) in Dublin sells a bacon sandwich for 1Euro. Bread and Bacon...that’s it. I don’t remember ever seeing that on the menu in the US.
-There is an impressive list of writers who have direct connections to Dublin . The list includes James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and Bram Stoker just to name a few.
A few weeks ago I went to London for the first time. When I got to the Liverpool Street Train Station I felt like I had landed in the world of Harry Potter (Yes, I am a big Harry Potter fan).
Well, if London was Harry Potter then Dublin, to me, was without a doubt Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original movie)! The small cobblestone streets, distinctive Georgian houses, and of course the factory in the middle of the town. The only difference was that in this case, it wasn’t a chocolate factory. It was the Guinness beer factory.
Just as in Wonka’s factory, Guinness has high walls surrounding most of the perimeter giving the impression that whatever is going on inside is not to be seen by the outside public. Of course, you don’t need a golden ticket to get a tour of the Guinness factory. After getting inside, I was hoping find some kind of beer factory worker equivalent to an Oompa Loompa or maybe a beer river, but no luck.
Before I got to Dublin many of my friends who had visited the city before told me that if there was one thing I needed to see while I was there it was this factory...and they were right. The place is very impressive, with seven floors not only devoted to the history of its beer, but also to the city of Dublin. I’m not a big beer drinker, but the free pint of extra cold Guinness at the seventh floor bar with its 360 degree views of the city was the highlight of the tour. Definitely the best glass of beer I’ve ever had.
I was in Dublin over the weekend to celebrate my cousin Gianni’s birthday. I was invited to tag along with a group of his friends and I had a great time. When the bill came at the end of our dinner I was expecting to split Gianni's portion with the other people at the table. Apparently, in Italy when a person celebrates their birthday they take all their friends out for dinner and pay for it. I had never heard of that before and I was surprised when I saw my cousin get up to pay the bill. I guess I'll have to be prepared when my birthday rolls around this year!
His birthday is on Halloween, but in Italy Halloween isn’t really a big deal. Ireland on the other hand, celebrates Halloween the just like the US. When we went out early in the day and my cousin and all his friends saw all the costumes, they got excited and wanted to dress up for the night as well. We didn’t really have time to do anything elaborate, so we ended up going to a costume shop and bought 9 identical wigs and mustaches. The description on the package was “70’s TV personality.” We were basically all dressed as Will Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy from Anchorman. We definitely turned some heads as we walked down the street that night.
Overall, I had a great time in Dublin despite the cold and rainy weather. I kind of expected that, and so it didn’t bother me that much. I’d love to go back to Ireland if I get the chance while I’m out here.
I’ll be heading to Germany next week to watch some gymnastics, breakdancing, and visit a bunch of different cities.
Some other interesting notes from Dublin:
-There is a park in the middle (Phoenix Park) of Dublin that is twice the size of Central Park in NYC. It’s enormous.
-It was weird to see a Starbucks again while I was in Dublin. Italy is very protective of its coffee and Starbucks is not allowed in the country. I haven’t seen that circular green sign in a while up until this past weekend.
-The Subway (sandwich shop) in Dublin sells a bacon sandwich for 1Euro. Bread and Bacon...that’s it. I don’t remember ever seeing that on the menu in the US.
-There is an impressive list of writers who have direct connections to Dublin . The list includes James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and Bram Stoker just to name a few.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Running Out of Gas Can Sometimes Be a Good Thing
Almost all the time, running out of gas on the highway can be awful. Fortunately, what could have been terrible experience turned out to be another great one that revolved around what else, FOOD! I’ll get to the story in a minute...
I went to the Vasco Rossi concert other night in Ancona, with my cousin Gianni and some of his friends. Ancona is about 3 1/2 hours from Rome...not a short trip.
First of all, the concert was amazing. I had never really listened to Vasco’s music, but he is huge out here. The arena was packed and people who were out of their minds from start to finish.
We didn’t have tickets to be on the floor level, but we someone worked our way down there. From the floor we made it all the way to the front of the stage, and had the best spot in the house. Believe me it was not an easy task working our way through the craziness that is an Italian crowd (I don’t know how many of you have seen this video, but you should watch it to get a better idea of how things are around here. It’s pretty funny...unless you are stuck in one of the situations!! At about 3:10 there is an exact demonstration of what it was like waiting in line to get into the concert...and we stood in line like that for two hours before we even went in...a whole lot of fun!!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWNGLv8w74
At the end of the concert I caught one of the drumsticks and I was able to rip off a piece of the shirt he tossed to the crowd. I didn't expect to get caught up in the moment like everybody else. I wasn’t a fan of his before the concert, but I am now.
Ok, so the reason for this entry is not the concert...it’s what happened on the ride home from Ancona. There were 7 of us riding back when my cousin realized we were just about out of gas in the middle of nowhere a few hours outside of Rome. We quickly pulled over at the closest exit and went looking for gas in this tiny town. Not only did we find gas, but we found lunch too...
It just so happened that the town we stumbled into, was also a town where one of the other riders in our car had relatives. These relatives own a restaurant in town and we decided to stop and have a bite to eat...which turned into a three hour meal that left me stuffed for two days!
As soon as we sat down, the eating began. The first course was a huge bowl of pasta fagioli (pasta and beans). It’s kind of like Italian comfort food. Not very fancy, but always a great dish. To be honest I could have just had this bowl and I would have been fine until dinner.
Next, came the antipasto. We each got our own plate of bruschetta and a few pieces of thinly sliced prosciutto. The bruschetta was simply done, but the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly toasted bread, top quality olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt. That is without a doubt what Italian food is all about...super fresh ingredients combined really well to make excellent flavors. Most of the time, Italian food doesn’t need to get too complicated.
Next, came the house specialty...Ravioloni (one GIANT ravioli). It was the size of the entire plate, stuffed with a ricotta and spinach, smothered with marinara sauce and parmigiano cheese. The owner said that she is one of the only people that still makes this kind of pasta, so it was not something you would normally have on a menu. I could tell she was proud of this dish...and rightfully so, because it was so well done.
Normally, the pasta dish is followed by the meat portion of the meal. Here, the pasta was followed by, what else, another pasta dish! Homemade fettuccine with a similar tangy marinara sauce and parmigiano. I was offered enough that could have easily fed three people. I had to turn down most of it, because at that point I could barely breathe...
...but I kept on eating anyway.
After the pasta came two platters filled with different kinds of meats. Lamb, beef, sausage. Again, just simply grilled with a little lemon...fantastic.
**NOTE: The whole time we drank jug after jug of homemade wine. Sometimes, homemade wine can be a little nasty, so you have to be a little careful. This was not the nasty variety...it was a perfect compliment to the food we ate.
French fries came next...that’s right french fries. I don’t know what it is, but Italians love their french fries. At this point, I really couldn’t eat anymore. I only had few.
The meal ended with coffee, pastries, and limoncello. What was supposed to be just an unexpected side trip for gas turned out to be an amazing meal. I think Italians are used to these kinds of meals, so to them it’s nothing too special. To me however, it’s still something I need to share with other people.
When we left, the owner refused to take money for the meal. It was on the house because it was for family and friends of family. The hospitality that Italians show to guests is something special. It makes me feel like I haven’t done enough for my guests in the past...that will change from now on!
I went to the Vasco Rossi concert other night in Ancona, with my cousin Gianni and some of his friends. Ancona is about 3 1/2 hours from Rome...not a short trip.
First of all, the concert was amazing. I had never really listened to Vasco’s music, but he is huge out here. The arena was packed and people who were out of their minds from start to finish.
We didn’t have tickets to be on the floor level, but we someone worked our way down there. From the floor we made it all the way to the front of the stage, and had the best spot in the house. Believe me it was not an easy task working our way through the craziness that is an Italian crowd (I don’t know how many of you have seen this video, but you should watch it to get a better idea of how things are around here. It’s pretty funny...unless you are stuck in one of the situations!! At about 3:10 there is an exact demonstration of what it was like waiting in line to get into the concert...and we stood in line like that for two hours before we even went in...a whole lot of fun!!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWNGLv8w74
At the end of the concert I caught one of the drumsticks and I was able to rip off a piece of the shirt he tossed to the crowd. I didn't expect to get caught up in the moment like everybody else. I wasn’t a fan of his before the concert, but I am now.
Ok, so the reason for this entry is not the concert...it’s what happened on the ride home from Ancona. There were 7 of us riding back when my cousin realized we were just about out of gas in the middle of nowhere a few hours outside of Rome. We quickly pulled over at the closest exit and went looking for gas in this tiny town. Not only did we find gas, but we found lunch too...
It just so happened that the town we stumbled into, was also a town where one of the other riders in our car had relatives. These relatives own a restaurant in town and we decided to stop and have a bite to eat...which turned into a three hour meal that left me stuffed for two days!
As soon as we sat down, the eating began. The first course was a huge bowl of pasta fagioli (pasta and beans). It’s kind of like Italian comfort food. Not very fancy, but always a great dish. To be honest I could have just had this bowl and I would have been fine until dinner.
Next, came the antipasto. We each got our own plate of bruschetta and a few pieces of thinly sliced prosciutto. The bruschetta was simply done, but the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly toasted bread, top quality olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt. That is without a doubt what Italian food is all about...super fresh ingredients combined really well to make excellent flavors. Most of the time, Italian food doesn’t need to get too complicated.
Next, came the house specialty...Ravioloni (one GIANT ravioli). It was the size of the entire plate, stuffed with a ricotta and spinach, smothered with marinara sauce and parmigiano cheese. The owner said that she is one of the only people that still makes this kind of pasta, so it was not something you would normally have on a menu. I could tell she was proud of this dish...and rightfully so, because it was so well done.
Normally, the pasta dish is followed by the meat portion of the meal. Here, the pasta was followed by, what else, another pasta dish! Homemade fettuccine with a similar tangy marinara sauce and parmigiano. I was offered enough that could have easily fed three people. I had to turn down most of it, because at that point I could barely breathe...
...but I kept on eating anyway.
After the pasta came two platters filled with different kinds of meats. Lamb, beef, sausage. Again, just simply grilled with a little lemon...fantastic.
**NOTE: The whole time we drank jug after jug of homemade wine. Sometimes, homemade wine can be a little nasty, so you have to be a little careful. This was not the nasty variety...it was a perfect compliment to the food we ate.
French fries came next...that’s right french fries. I don’t know what it is, but Italians love their french fries. At this point, I really couldn’t eat anymore. I only had few.
The meal ended with coffee, pastries, and limoncello. What was supposed to be just an unexpected side trip for gas turned out to be an amazing meal. I think Italians are used to these kinds of meals, so to them it’s nothing too special. To me however, it’s still something I need to share with other people.
When we left, the owner refused to take money for the meal. It was on the house because it was for family and friends of family. The hospitality that Italians show to guests is something special. It makes me feel like I haven’t done enough for my guests in the past...that will change from now on!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
You Sound Like You're From London!!
I’m back from my trip to London. I had a great time over there, but it’s good to be back in my own bed. This was my first trip to England’s capitol and I can see why so many people love it over there.
To me, if you’re American, it kind of has the feeling of “Europe for Beginners.” Aside from the lack of a language barrier, it has many aspects that reminded me of NYC. Great night life, cool little shops all over the place, and an incredible public transportation system. Actually, the Underground is definitely better than the NYC subway. The lines are easier to understand, the “Osyter Card” (equivalent to the Metrocard) is very convenient to use, and I didn’t see one rat on the tracks while I was there the whole week...haha!! Don’t get me wrong, I love NYC. It’s my favorite city in the world, and it’s the one I compare all others too. I’m just saying that London does the subway a little bit better.
I did the tourist thing one day, and I tried to hit up as many of the sites as I could. Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Parliament, The National Gallery Museum, etc. I saw it all on my five hour walk around London. My legs were devastated afterward, but it was worth it. Another cool thing about the city is that many of the museums are free! That was a pleasant surprise considering the $300 I exchanged at the airport worked out to be around 8 pounds (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea...you gotta love the strength of the dollar).
While I was in London I had the opportunity to meet up with some photographer friends of mine, Jonathan Anderson and Edwin Low, who are based out of London. They have worked with a ton of top athletes all over the world and have some amazing books out (check out “Athlete Warrior” if you get a chance). They gave me a tour of their studio and we discussed working together on something in the near future.
They also took me to this private club they belong to called “The Royal Automobile Club.” It’s the kind of place that I will never have enough money to become a member myself, so I soaked in the experience while I had the chance. Probably the highlight of the club is the pool. It has the feel of an ancient Roman bath with mosaic tile columns and intricate ceiling work. I got to do a few laps in the pool and I spent some time in the Russian Bath, which was a great way to relax after having walked the city the previous day.
I also have to mention the soccer game that my college roommate Brad (he’s studying at London Business School right now) and I went to early in the week. It was England vs. Belarus at Wembley Stadium for World Cup Qualification. For those who don’t know, Wembley Stadium is one of the great arenas in the world, and to be able to see the English National Team play was something I will never forget (Side Note: I am and will always be a diehard fan of the Italian Team, but this was still a cool experience...FORZA AZZURRI!).
Believe it or not, I did go to the competitions too while I was in London. I kept a daily blog of some highlights for Inside Gymnastics. If you want to see what I thought of the meets go to www.insidegymnastics.com. I also put up some pics of London on my facebook page.
I also wanted to send my condolences to the family of Yuri Ryazanov and to the Russian Gymnastics Federation. Yuri was killed earlier today in a tragic car accident. He had just won the All-Around bronze medal at World Championships over the weekend. The gymnastics community has lost a great athlete and champion.
To me, if you’re American, it kind of has the feeling of “Europe for Beginners.” Aside from the lack of a language barrier, it has many aspects that reminded me of NYC. Great night life, cool little shops all over the place, and an incredible public transportation system. Actually, the Underground is definitely better than the NYC subway. The lines are easier to understand, the “Osyter Card” (equivalent to the Metrocard) is very convenient to use, and I didn’t see one rat on the tracks while I was there the whole week...haha!! Don’t get me wrong, I love NYC. It’s my favorite city in the world, and it’s the one I compare all others too. I’m just saying that London does the subway a little bit better.
I did the tourist thing one day, and I tried to hit up as many of the sites as I could. Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Parliament, The National Gallery Museum, etc. I saw it all on my five hour walk around London. My legs were devastated afterward, but it was worth it. Another cool thing about the city is that many of the museums are free! That was a pleasant surprise considering the $300 I exchanged at the airport worked out to be around 8 pounds (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea...you gotta love the strength of the dollar).
While I was in London I had the opportunity to meet up with some photographer friends of mine, Jonathan Anderson and Edwin Low, who are based out of London. They have worked with a ton of top athletes all over the world and have some amazing books out (check out “Athlete Warrior” if you get a chance). They gave me a tour of their studio and we discussed working together on something in the near future.
They also took me to this private club they belong to called “The Royal Automobile Club.” It’s the kind of place that I will never have enough money to become a member myself, so I soaked in the experience while I had the chance. Probably the highlight of the club is the pool. It has the feel of an ancient Roman bath with mosaic tile columns and intricate ceiling work. I got to do a few laps in the pool and I spent some time in the Russian Bath, which was a great way to relax after having walked the city the previous day.
I also have to mention the soccer game that my college roommate Brad (he’s studying at London Business School right now) and I went to early in the week. It was England vs. Belarus at Wembley Stadium for World Cup Qualification. For those who don’t know, Wembley Stadium is one of the great arenas in the world, and to be able to see the English National Team play was something I will never forget (Side Note: I am and will always be a diehard fan of the Italian Team, but this was still a cool experience...FORZA AZZURRI!).
Believe it or not, I did go to the competitions too while I was in London. I kept a daily blog of some highlights for Inside Gymnastics. If you want to see what I thought of the meets go to www.insidegymnastics.com. I also put up some pics of London on my facebook page.
I also wanted to send my condolences to the family of Yuri Ryazanov and to the Russian Gymnastics Federation. Yuri was killed earlier today in a tragic car accident. He had just won the All-Around bronze medal at World Championships over the weekend. The gymnastics community has lost a great athlete and champion.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Likes/Dislikes
My parents left yesterday morning, so I am now on my own. I decided to go downtown for the day and wander the streets. It was another beautiful day, and there were people everywhere. It’s pretty difficult to pick one favorite spot in Rome, but I have to say that Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps) is incredible. The street leading up the the steps is Via Condotti (the Rodeo Dr. of Rome). It’s lined with the most expensive shops in the world and makes for some great window shopping. I MIGHT be able to afford a pair of socks from one of the stores, but with the weak dollar even that might be tough. I was however, able to go to a Louis Vuitton party the other day at the shop on Via Condotti. A friend of my cousin is the director of the store, and so I was invited to the event. I’ve never been to something like that before, so it was a pretty cool experience.
Here are some more of my likes/dislikes so far...
Like: The beauty of the “passeggiata.” This is basically an evening stroll around town normally before a late dinner. It gives a chance for the people to have an aperitivo, some gelato, meet up with friends, or just people watch for a little bit. It’s very casual and no one is ever in a hurry...it’s just about enjoying the night. (I put up a great picture of four old men during their passeggiata).
Dislike: Graffiti around the city. Rome is filled with sights that are absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, there is graffiti almost everywhere. What makes it even worse is that it’s not even artistic/creative graffiti. I can at least appreciate the artistic talent of some of the graffiti in places like NYC. In Rome it all looks like it was done by some eight year old kid.
Like: The fruit and vegetable markets. There is a great market around the block from my apartment. Everything is seasonal and fresh. I’m looking forward to what’s available in the winter, but right now I don’t mind eating peaches the size of grapefruits.
Dislike: All the smoking. I can’t stand cigarette smoke and it’s tough to escape.
Like: Rome is (in my opinion) the most romantic city in the world. Of course there are many places I haven’t been and I’m biased a bit, but walking around the streets at night is stunning. At the moment I don’t have a girlfriend, but when I do this is the city I am taking her to first. Plus, romantic comes from the word Roma. Ok, I made that up, but it seems to work right?? Haha!!
Dislike: There are water fountains all around Rome that continuously run all day and night. They are charming and the water is very clean and fresh. But why not put little on/off knobs on them? You want a drink...turn to left. You’ve had enough...turn to right. Seems pretty simple.
That’s it for now. I’m leaving for Worlds in London on Tuesday, so I’ll be there for the week cheering on Team USA. I’ll also be writing for Inside Gymnastics, so if you get a chance check it out.
I also put up some pics on my facebook page which was a little easier than putting them on this site. Let me know what you think!
Here are some more of my likes/dislikes so far...
Like: The beauty of the “passeggiata.” This is basically an evening stroll around town normally before a late dinner. It gives a chance for the people to have an aperitivo, some gelato, meet up with friends, or just people watch for a little bit. It’s very casual and no one is ever in a hurry...it’s just about enjoying the night. (I put up a great picture of four old men during their passeggiata).
Dislike: Graffiti around the city. Rome is filled with sights that are absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, there is graffiti almost everywhere. What makes it even worse is that it’s not even artistic/creative graffiti. I can at least appreciate the artistic talent of some of the graffiti in places like NYC. In Rome it all looks like it was done by some eight year old kid.
Like: The fruit and vegetable markets. There is a great market around the block from my apartment. Everything is seasonal and fresh. I’m looking forward to what’s available in the winter, but right now I don’t mind eating peaches the size of grapefruits.
Dislike: All the smoking. I can’t stand cigarette smoke and it’s tough to escape.
Like: Rome is (in my opinion) the most romantic city in the world. Of course there are many places I haven’t been and I’m biased a bit, but walking around the streets at night is stunning. At the moment I don’t have a girlfriend, but when I do this is the city I am taking her to first. Plus, romantic comes from the word Roma. Ok, I made that up, but it seems to work right?? Haha!!
Dislike: There are water fountains all around Rome that continuously run all day and night. They are charming and the water is very clean and fresh. But why not put little on/off knobs on them? You want a drink...turn to left. You’ve had enough...turn to right. Seems pretty simple.
That’s it for now. I’m leaving for Worlds in London on Tuesday, so I’ll be there for the week cheering on Team USA. I’ll also be writing for Inside Gymnastics, so if you get a chance check it out.
I also put up some pics on my facebook page which was a little easier than putting them on this site. Let me know what you think!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Pietracupa
I briefly mentioned Pietracupa in my last entry, but I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t devote an entire entry to this special place. This tiny village in the hills of Molise (a region of Italy) is where my father was born, and while my mom was born in New Jersey, her parents are from this same place.
Growing up, if I wasn’t at the Jersey Shore, this is where I spent my summer vacations. We would go every few years, but because of my gymnastics obligations I wasn’t able to go as much as I would have liked. A good number of my greatest and most vivid childhood memories are of my time spent in Pietracupa.
So you have a better understanding of the kind of place I’m talking about, there are only a few hundred people that live in Pietracupa all year round (I think it’s more like ten, but we’ll say a few hundred) and it’s tucked away in the hills a few hours southeast of Rome. The surrounding green hills give the impression that you could be living in an area where hobbits reside. The whole town is built in and around this massive rock. As you drive up from the south it remains hidden from view. Suddenly, the rock comes into sight and the whole village reveals itself. As a kid waiting for that moment where I would see Pietracupa again for the first time after a few years was like waking up on Christmas morning.
During the month of August many of the families that have connections to the town come back for vacation and the town becomes alive. We would spend our days playing calcetto (soccer on a smaller field where the teams are made up of five players instead of eleven), eating, going to the beach, and hanging out at the town bar many times until the sun came up.
It is a very isolated spot that allows for a very simple way of life...basically the complete opposite of living in a big city like Rome. Not many changes have been made to the town over the years and that is what one of the things I love about it. Pietracupa will always be very special to me, and I can’t wait to spend more time there now that I am retired from gymnastics.
Side Note: While I was in Pietracupa over the weekend, I went to a relatives masseria (basically a farm) where he has a bunch of fig trees. I don’t know how many of you have had fresh figs, but they are amazing!!! With figs, the general idea is that the uglier they look, the better they taste. They have a honey like sweetness to them that I haven’t found in another fruit. The amount we collected should have lasted us a couple weeks. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help myself and I’ve just about finished them already...haha!!
Growing up, if I wasn’t at the Jersey Shore, this is where I spent my summer vacations. We would go every few years, but because of my gymnastics obligations I wasn’t able to go as much as I would have liked. A good number of my greatest and most vivid childhood memories are of my time spent in Pietracupa.
So you have a better understanding of the kind of place I’m talking about, there are only a few hundred people that live in Pietracupa all year round (I think it’s more like ten, but we’ll say a few hundred) and it’s tucked away in the hills a few hours southeast of Rome. The surrounding green hills give the impression that you could be living in an area where hobbits reside. The whole town is built in and around this massive rock. As you drive up from the south it remains hidden from view. Suddenly, the rock comes into sight and the whole village reveals itself. As a kid waiting for that moment where I would see Pietracupa again for the first time after a few years was like waking up on Christmas morning.
During the month of August many of the families that have connections to the town come back for vacation and the town becomes alive. We would spend our days playing calcetto (soccer on a smaller field where the teams are made up of five players instead of eleven), eating, going to the beach, and hanging out at the town bar many times until the sun came up.
It is a very isolated spot that allows for a very simple way of life...basically the complete opposite of living in a big city like Rome. Not many changes have been made to the town over the years and that is what one of the things I love about it. Pietracupa will always be very special to me, and I can’t wait to spend more time there now that I am retired from gymnastics.
Side Note: While I was in Pietracupa over the weekend, I went to a relatives masseria (basically a farm) where he has a bunch of fig trees. I don’t know how many of you have had fresh figs, but they are amazing!!! With figs, the general idea is that the uglier they look, the better they taste. They have a honey like sweetness to them that I haven’t found in another fruit. The amount we collected should have lasted us a couple weeks. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help myself and I’ve just about finished them already...haha!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Settling In
So I’ve been in Rome a week. Thanks to my parents and cousins I’ve been able to get a lot done.
Over the years I’ve been to Italy many times, but this is the first time my father has had to show me so much of his old neighborhood. For the most part, I’ve learned where to go for all my daily necessities. Since I won’t have a car out here, I’ve had to learn the public transportation system (more on that in a minute). I can now get to the gym each day and to the center of Rome by myself. I’ll learn the rest as I go.
In this first week I’ve already been to four different gyms. Only one of them has been a gymnastics gym though. Two of my young cousins do gymnastics here and they go to a gym owned by a former Italian Olympian, Carmine Luppino. Randomly, my parents ran into him at the ’07 World Championships and the Beijing Olympics and have become friendly with him. I stopped by the other day to say hello to him and to the kids. It was pretty cool to see how excited the kids were that I was there. It was a thrill for me too!
Aside from working out I’ve also been spending a lot of my time eating. I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten more pasta over this past week than I’ve eaten over the past 10 years...and it’s all been delicious! Last night some of my cousins took me to this little town just outside of Rome, Ariccia, where for about $20 you basically eat until you can’t move. It was pretty amazing. At least ten different appetizers, two pasta dishes, three desserts, and wine. These types of places do not exist in the US...
Tomorrow morning I’m going to my parent’s village, Pietracupa. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, but I haven’t been there in five years so I’m excited to get back. I’ll put some pics up this weekend.
Here are a few of my observations of Rome so far...
-If you are used to driving in the US, I wouldn’t recommend driving in Rome...ever. I’m pretty sure that driving laws are all optional in Italy. Red lights, one way streets, no parking zones...they seem to be more suggestions than actual law. My favorite is the way people park their cars. I don’t think there are any official parking spots in the city...ok, let me re-phrase. Everywhere you stop is a potential parking spot. Basically if your car can fit, park...even if it’s in the middle of the street.
-The bus system can also be interesting. First of all, don’t expect to find a bus schedule. Buses just show up. Sometimes not for an hour and sometimes they show up back to back. Yesterday I waited for my 671, and I watched as four of the 170 line went by before my bus came. I can’t really explain the system. Oh, and make sure you are standing in the middle of the street hailing the bus down, because if you are sitting at the bus stop when they drive by, they won’t even stop...that’s happened to me a couple times already.
-Everything you’ve heard about Italian food and meals is true. The food is amazing and they offer you amounts that you couldn’t possibly eat in one sitting. Apparently, when you say you’ve had enough to eat that is code for “Give me three more helpings.” Take out does not really exist, so whenever I’ve been out I’ve felt an obligation to overdue it so I don’t waste food. Not that I’m complaining.
-There is a gelateria (ice cream shop) every fifty feet...maybe less.
-The three hour shutdown of the city (1-4pm) is a beautiful thing. Time spent with family and napping is something we don’t get enough of in the US.
-Probably the best time to go anywhere is when a soccer game is on. Just about everyone in the city religiously watches the games. Most grandmothers could tell you who the coaches of Roma or Milan are, and who the teams play next Sunday...they love their soccer. Fortunately, so do I!!
Over the years I’ve been to Italy many times, but this is the first time my father has had to show me so much of his old neighborhood. For the most part, I’ve learned where to go for all my daily necessities. Since I won’t have a car out here, I’ve had to learn the public transportation system (more on that in a minute). I can now get to the gym each day and to the center of Rome by myself. I’ll learn the rest as I go.
In this first week I’ve already been to four different gyms. Only one of them has been a gymnastics gym though. Two of my young cousins do gymnastics here and they go to a gym owned by a former Italian Olympian, Carmine Luppino. Randomly, my parents ran into him at the ’07 World Championships and the Beijing Olympics and have become friendly with him. I stopped by the other day to say hello to him and to the kids. It was pretty cool to see how excited the kids were that I was there. It was a thrill for me too!
Aside from working out I’ve also been spending a lot of my time eating. I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten more pasta over this past week than I’ve eaten over the past 10 years...and it’s all been delicious! Last night some of my cousins took me to this little town just outside of Rome, Ariccia, where for about $20 you basically eat until you can’t move. It was pretty amazing. At least ten different appetizers, two pasta dishes, three desserts, and wine. These types of places do not exist in the US...
Tomorrow morning I’m going to my parent’s village, Pietracupa. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, but I haven’t been there in five years so I’m excited to get back. I’ll put some pics up this weekend.
Here are a few of my observations of Rome so far...
-If you are used to driving in the US, I wouldn’t recommend driving in Rome...ever. I’m pretty sure that driving laws are all optional in Italy. Red lights, one way streets, no parking zones...they seem to be more suggestions than actual law. My favorite is the way people park their cars. I don’t think there are any official parking spots in the city...ok, let me re-phrase. Everywhere you stop is a potential parking spot. Basically if your car can fit, park...even if it’s in the middle of the street.
-The bus system can also be interesting. First of all, don’t expect to find a bus schedule. Buses just show up. Sometimes not for an hour and sometimes they show up back to back. Yesterday I waited for my 671, and I watched as four of the 170 line went by before my bus came. I can’t really explain the system. Oh, and make sure you are standing in the middle of the street hailing the bus down, because if you are sitting at the bus stop when they drive by, they won’t even stop...that’s happened to me a couple times already.
-Everything you’ve heard about Italian food and meals is true. The food is amazing and they offer you amounts that you couldn’t possibly eat in one sitting. Apparently, when you say you’ve had enough to eat that is code for “Give me three more helpings.” Take out does not really exist, so whenever I’ve been out I’ve felt an obligation to overdue it so I don’t waste food. Not that I’m complaining.
-There is a gelateria (ice cream shop) every fifty feet...maybe less.
-The three hour shutdown of the city (1-4pm) is a beautiful thing. Time spent with family and napping is something we don’t get enough of in the US.
-Probably the best time to go anywhere is when a soccer game is on. Just about everyone in the city religiously watches the games. Most grandmothers could tell you who the coaches of Roma or Milan are, and who the teams play next Sunday...they love their soccer. Fortunately, so do I!!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Bella Roma
So I've started up my blog again...only it's a little different this time. I'm no longer blogging about my training, but rather about my adventures as I travel over the next year. I recently moved to Rome and I've been getting used to my new life abroad. I have duel citizenship with Italy and I still have many relatives that live in Rome. The last week has been great...busy, but great. I've been getting all my paperwork in order(Italian version of social security number, new cell phone number, setting up a bank account, etc.).
I've also been going to a gym each day to work out. Not gymnastics, just cardio and weight type stuff. The gym is called OLYMPIA EUR (EUR is a area of Rome). It's one of the nicest gyms I've ever seen. Along with the normal cardio machines and weights, it also has an awesome spa with a sauna, hot and cold plunge, waterfall baths, and a bunch of other stuff. It might be a little too high class for me...the business card of the gym says "Only for Gorgeous People." HAHA!! I'm surprised they let me in!!
So far the Italian people have been great. They do have some interesting habits though. I'll explain a little more with future later entries, and I'll include some pics. In the meantime, feel free to leave me questions that you'd like answered or even places that you'd like to know more about and I'll do my best to go check them out.
Ciao,
Dave
I've also been going to a gym each day to work out. Not gymnastics, just cardio and weight type stuff. The gym is called OLYMPIA EUR (EUR is a area of Rome). It's one of the nicest gyms I've ever seen. Along with the normal cardio machines and weights, it also has an awesome spa with a sauna, hot and cold plunge, waterfall baths, and a bunch of other stuff. It might be a little too high class for me...the business card of the gym says "Only for Gorgeous People." HAHA!! I'm surprised they let me in!!
So far the Italian people have been great. They do have some interesting habits though. I'll explain a little more with future later entries, and I'll include some pics. In the meantime, feel free to leave me questions that you'd like answered or even places that you'd like to know more about and I'll do my best to go check them out.
Ciao,
Dave
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