That's right, we flew into Calgary last night. Had a fitful sleep and now Jeremia and I will head back to home to the windy city. Lies and JP are in Holland for the next few days and then head to Montreal to visit JP's parents. Mom and Dad are home, and Lance is back in Vancouver for a few days before he heads back to Calgary for the summer.
What an amazing experience, that I would not change for the world. We all got alone great, we grew closer together as a family and were able to experience some fantastic new places.
Can't wait to see all you readers, we missed our friends, and are glad to be home too!
Ciao
Friday, May 22, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"a Mangialunga"
A walk through the paths and villages of Levanto Valley, tasting local typical dishes and wines!! ~ 14th edition ~
On Sunday we were planning on driving to Lucca. BUT... before we left, Dad was walking through a square and saw a ton of people... so we had to see what all the fuss was about!
It was called the "a Mangialunga" a community event that happens every year, walking through the entire Lavanto valley.
So we decided to sign up and we hit the trail at around 11:30 and walked to seven villages. It was really hot, really steep and really fun!
We all did well, Mom was a rock star and made the whole trip, even though it was really hard... she did awesome!
Here is a run down of the local food we were able to taste at each of the villages, we also were given local wine at each village, and also lots of fun music:
Ridarolo: "Focaccia" with Olives
Fontana: Minced lard (not my fave...) with bread
Chiesanuova: Salted potato pie
Legnaro: Trofie noodles with pesto sauce
S. Bartolomeo: Stew rabbit ligurian style
Pastine: Vegetarian fried pastries
Lerici: Broad beans with Salami
Vignana: Strawberries with red wine
Giaradini: Dessert
It was all very good, and quite the experience!
We were the only English speaking people on the entire trip.. it truly was something for the locals, that we were able to sneek in on.
Charlie was a hit, dancing at all of the towns, he is so much fun to be around!
On Sunday we were planning on driving to Lucca. BUT... before we left, Dad was walking through a square and saw a ton of people... so we had to see what all the fuss was about!
It was called the "a Mangialunga" a community event that happens every year, walking through the entire Lavanto valley.
So we decided to sign up and we hit the trail at around 11:30 and walked to seven villages. It was really hot, really steep and really fun!
We all did well, Mom was a rock star and made the whole trip, even though it was really hard... she did awesome!
Here is a run down of the local food we were able to taste at each of the villages, we also were given local wine at each village, and also lots of fun music:
Ridarolo: "Focaccia" with Olives
Fontana: Minced lard (not my fave...) with bread
Chiesanuova: Salted potato pie
Legnaro: Trofie noodles with pesto sauce
S. Bartolomeo: Stew rabbit ligurian style
Pastine: Vegetarian fried pastries
Lerici: Broad beans with Salami
Vignana: Strawberries with red wine
Giaradini: Dessert
It was all very good, and quite the experience!
We were the only English speaking people on the entire trip.. it truly was something for the locals, that we were able to sneek in on.
Charlie was a hit, dancing at all of the towns, he is so much fun to be around!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Beautiful Cinque Terre
It is our fourth day here in Lavanto, and we are really enjoying the hiking and the surrounding beauty. But more than that, I am really appreciating the way of life here in Italy... let me try to explain a little of how people do things here:
1. Everything is Fresh... from lemonade to pesto... it's healthy and tasty.
2. Everyone takes a mid day break to enjoy a long lunch and maybe even a nap.
3. After work... it seems like the entire town congregates in the square (which is right below our deck) for playing... there are kids EVERYWHERE... and visiting for the adults. (it's so nice to see people enjoying each other in community)
4. Exactly at 7pm, people walk home to enjoy dinner with family, with lots of pasta and wine.
5. Gelato seems like it may be an essential ingredient of life... there is a Gelateria on very corner... on a hot day like today it was essential for me!
6. Church bells are the only way of telling time here and no one really seems in a rush... ever.
7. Most of the time we can walk down the main street, that’s how few cars are out, more people ride their bikes or walk.
8. No super markets here... it's all little shops, the butcher, the baker, the veggie market... all closer than it would take you to walk around super store... it is lovely, and you MUST bring your own bag... that is not an option.
9. People here talk with their hands, love little blond boys like Charlie, and are very friendly.
It is wonderful and I sure think these Italians have figured out a lot more than how to make a good pizza!
1. Everything is Fresh... from lemonade to pesto... it's healthy and tasty.
2. Everyone takes a mid day break to enjoy a long lunch and maybe even a nap.
3. After work... it seems like the entire town congregates in the square (which is right below our deck) for playing... there are kids EVERYWHERE... and visiting for the adults. (it's so nice to see people enjoying each other in community)
4. Exactly at 7pm, people walk home to enjoy dinner with family, with lots of pasta and wine.
5. Gelato seems like it may be an essential ingredient of life... there is a Gelateria on very corner... on a hot day like today it was essential for me!
6. Church bells are the only way of telling time here and no one really seems in a rush... ever.
7. Most of the time we can walk down the main street, that’s how few cars are out, more people ride their bikes or walk.
8. No super markets here... it's all little shops, the butcher, the baker, the veggie market... all closer than it would take you to walk around super store... it is lovely, and you MUST bring your own bag... that is not an option.
9. People here talk with their hands, love little blond boys like Charlie, and are very friendly.
It is wonderful and I sure think these Italians have figured out a lot more than how to make a good pizza!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Photos of the week
Taking in the views from St. Paul.
Fountain in St Paul de Vance
This was in a small hill town called "St. Paul de Vance" lots of artist's hang out up here
The film festival was starting the day we left Cannes, it was really cool to see all the set up, lots of buzz around this town!
Taking in the views on the "route de Crete" Over looking the fishing village of Cassis
Fishing boats in Cassis on the way out of Nice
Mothers Day! Our last day with the whole family!
on to Italy....
Well we have had another great week. Last time I wrote, it was our last day in Spain. That afternoon Jeremia and I went for a huge bike ride to Cape de Cruz. It is the most eastern part of Spain, and the landscape looks like you could be on the moon.
The next day was Mothers Day! We had to drive all the way to Aix en Provence... close to Marseille. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun being together for the whole family. We had a great dinner in Provence at a crapery.
On Monday we had to send Jeremia and Rudy home... they flew out early in the morning and we headed out to the French Rivera. Cannes was first and it was great to see where Lies and JP lived two years ago, we also went to their favorite restaurant... it was soooo good!
We then spent the next two nights in Nice. It was really fun. We explored the area, walked the beach and shopped. we were also able to head up to a small town in the hills that was called St. Paul de Vance. A hot spot for artists through out the ages. Lots of cool galleries and stunning views.
On Wednesday we headed to Italy!! Drove through Monaco and all the tunnels, we remembered and talked about this drive that we did as a family 12 years ago... Lance did not remember much of it, so it was good to take the drive again! Charlie did pretty good, he is so easy going.
We are now in Lavanto. A very small village, one town north of the Cinque Terre. We are planning on hiking and exploring the area for the next week. We have a great 3 bedroom apartment and we are cooking wonderful Italian meals!
Today we did our first hike to Montorosso, the most western village of the five. It was a hard hike but worth it!! More hiking tomorrow, and I will send more photos soon too. Much love!
The next day was Mothers Day! We had to drive all the way to Aix en Provence... close to Marseille. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun being together for the whole family. We had a great dinner in Provence at a crapery.
On Monday we had to send Jeremia and Rudy home... they flew out early in the morning and we headed out to the French Rivera. Cannes was first and it was great to see where Lies and JP lived two years ago, we also went to their favorite restaurant... it was soooo good!
We then spent the next two nights in Nice. It was really fun. We explored the area, walked the beach and shopped. we were also able to head up to a small town in the hills that was called St. Paul de Vance. A hot spot for artists through out the ages. Lots of cool galleries and stunning views.
On Wednesday we headed to Italy!! Drove through Monaco and all the tunnels, we remembered and talked about this drive that we did as a family 12 years ago... Lance did not remember much of it, so it was good to take the drive again! Charlie did pretty good, he is so easy going.
We are now in Lavanto. A very small village, one town north of the Cinque Terre. We are planning on hiking and exploring the area for the next week. We have a great 3 bedroom apartment and we are cooking wonderful Italian meals!
Today we did our first hike to Montorosso, the most western village of the five. It was a hard hike but worth it!! More hiking tomorrow, and I will send more photos soon too. Much love!
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