Kunstdame – RedRedCircle - Exploring Italy with Curiosity

1. Cogne: Alpine Italy

Journal Entry: 24 Luglio The bus just left Aosta, heading back to Milano. I have been visiting my friends, Ewa and Piotr, in Cogne for two days where the “uniform” is hiking shorts and boots, muscular, suntanned legs,...

2. Goodbye Mary

It would have been impossible to leave Milano without saying “goodbye” to Mary. Our first meeting is a story in itself, finally happening last March after much anticipation. We’ve seen each other a few times since...

3. Hot Like a Sauna

It’s been toasty-o here in Milano lately, with temperatures in the high 80s to high 90s, and humid. When I walk out of my apartment, it’s like walking into a sauna! I’m grateful to have air conditioning. One solution...

4. Carlotta Café – Milano

Octopus as tender as a dream, served warm and simply, with potatoes, olives and olive oil. Fish and pasta prepared and presented with an expert hand. Warm-hearted hosts, all family, welcome their guests into an easy, comfortable dining...

5. Another History Lesson

My “History Buff on Wheels“, Angelo, went rolling past me along the canal this morning. In a cycling daze and not recognizing him, I nodded and said the usual “ciao” as one cyclist to another. Mere moments later,...

Reconciling What Remains

It’s Thursday afternoon. On Saturday morning a car and driver will meet me here at my apartment and drive me, with whatever I’m carrying home to Seattle, to Milano Malpensa Airport. Though...

Cogne: Alpine Italy

Journal Entry: 24 Luglio The bus just left Aosta, heading back to Milano. I have been visiting my friends, Ewa and Piotr, in Cogne for two days where the “uniform” is hiking shorts and boots,...

Into Mountainous Valle d’Aosta

On Thursday, the bus pulled away from a 95 degree day in Milano and headed into increasingly blustery skies in the Valle d’Aosta at the far northwest of Italy. (Find it on the map here.) I shot a...

One Week ’til Blastoff

One week from today, at this time, I will have schlepped my bags by taxi and train to Milano Malpensa airport; checked in, with machine gun carrying guards in the mezzanine above me; gone through security;...

Goodbye Mary

It would have been impossible to leave Milano without saying “goodbye” to Mary. Our first meeting is a story in itself, finally happening last March after much anticipation. We’ve seen...

My Raw Meat Salad

I’m going to miss my Insalata di Bresaola, my salad of dried, cured (raw) beef. Boo hoo. They can’t bring bresaola into the U.S. from Europe because of the mad cow disease X years ago… But...

Hot Like a Sauna

It’s been toasty-o here in Milano lately, with temperatures in the high 80s to high 90s, and humid. When I walk out of my apartment, it’s like walking into a sauna! I’m grateful to have...

Carlotta Café – Milano

Another History Lesson

My “History Buff on Wheels“, Angelo, went rolling past me along the canal this morning. In a cycling daze and not recognizing him, I nodded and said the usual “ciao” as one cyclist...

Hanging “58″

“What’s the 58 for?” “You don’t know? It’s all over the internet. It’s supposed to repel flies. Two weeks ago I had flies all over the place before I hung that...

Full But Not Scholarly

This is not a scholarly blog with a foundation in formal Art or European History. I’m the first to admit my ignorance in those realms. And on the web, one can find formal information and imagery...

Fish Snob That I Am

I have caught and cooked a LOT of fish in my life and I cook it well enough that I’m a snob about eating fish at a restaurant. My friends know this about me. I’ve sent fish back to the kitchen...

Minnie & Michelangelo at the Castle

The little girl was unrestrained and so pleased with herself. She and I both saw the humor of her Minnie Mouse joining Michelangelo’s unfinished Rondanini Pietá. As I think about it further, I wonder...

Jackrabbits Like the Morning

Since it’s been so toasty here lately, I took my bike ride in the morning today, heading out from the house just after 8:00. When I got to the field that had been full of rapeseed and red poppies...

Megan’s Leaving!

Megan and I met while struggling through Italian classes together in the winter. We had come here for different reasons, but found ourselves learning what we could together to communicate… and a friendship...

Tasting Wine with Friends

The grape varieties and resulting wines here in Italy are numerous and quite different than in the U.S. What better way, then, to learn about the wine I’m drinking than to take a wine-tasting class....

The Perfect Summer Lunch

When it’s beastly hot outside, what could be a more perfect lunch than sublimely-ripe melon with culatello prosciutto, and some near-fist-sized, plump, fresh figs? Add artisan pasta dressed with...

Sardenara: Not-Quite-Pizza, with...

Last Friday, after my whirlwind morning in Genova, I continued on to Sanremo for what was likely my last visit with my “landlady” Sandra and her husband, Mauro, before my departure from Milano....

Marina Pavani: Antiques in Genova

It all started with hat forms on Milan’s Grand Canal. Five weeks ago I went to the Mercatone Antiquariato – Antique Market – along the Naviglio Grande and saw hat bases made of coarse...

Turgid Toes

I just took my shoes off as it approaches midnight and I have turgid, little, sausage toes! It’s still 81 degrees out on these 90+ degree days and I’m so grateful for the invention of air conditioning....

About Maureen

At home in Milano, Italia ...here in Italy to fill my mind and heart with imagery, experiences and friendships with the people I encounter along the way. I look forward to a year in Milano, with side trips away from this hub, to all parts near and far. Exploring Italy with curiosity!

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