Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tacos
You may know that tacos are one thing that we really miss from home. We finally gathered the ingredients and equipment (um, that's a tortilla press and the right flour) here to make them ourselves, and tried for the first time last night for John's birthday. We were quite impressed with ourselves. Check out the delicious results! And happy birthday to John!
Milan!
As promised, some documentation of our trip to Milan. First things first - we recommend not going to Milan in August. Luckily we were there on a Sunday, and were already expecting everything to be closed. Many, many, many of the shops and restaurants had signs like these:
saying that they were closed for the entire month of August!
Thanks to all the Milanese being on vacation, we got a very good deal on the new-ish NH design hotel in Milan. It was rather overdesigned, with crazy furniture in every corner.
This was the "entryway" to the hotel.
And this was the restaurant (which was mostly closed, except for limited room service and breakfast!)
We did not let all the closed things deter us. Nor the heat - it was over 90 the entire time, and humid! We managed to find some small, windy, shady streets to explore:
And then we happened upon a very old galleria type outdoor covered mall thing, which reminds me of the copies we have in the states. This one, even though it was old and charming and ornate, still somehow seemed kind of cheesy!
The galleria opened up onto a huge square where the Duomo was
It was one of those cathedrals where you can climb to the top and walk on the roof, giving spectacular views of the city and up-close views of the roof architecture.
I think my favorite part of the city was seeing this tiny, unassuming church. It was in the Canal district, where there were countless cafes, restaurants, and bars, and with them, tons of people getting ready to go out for the night. The outside of this church was as you see it here - plain brick, heavy, dark. We walked by the first time, and there was a service going on inside - and you could see that it was incredibly elaborate and beautiful on the inside. It was a nice little jewel to discover in such a busy neighborhood!
saying that they were closed for the entire month of August!
Thanks to all the Milanese being on vacation, we got a very good deal on the new-ish NH design hotel in Milan. It was rather overdesigned, with crazy furniture in every corner.
This was the "entryway" to the hotel.
And this was the restaurant (which was mostly closed, except for limited room service and breakfast!)
We did not let all the closed things deter us. Nor the heat - it was over 90 the entire time, and humid! We managed to find some small, windy, shady streets to explore:
And then we happened upon a very old galleria type outdoor covered mall thing, which reminds me of the copies we have in the states. This one, even though it was old and charming and ornate, still somehow seemed kind of cheesy!
The galleria opened up onto a huge square where the Duomo was
It was one of those cathedrals where you can climb to the top and walk on the roof, giving spectacular views of the city and up-close views of the roof architecture.
I think my favorite part of the city was seeing this tiny, unassuming church. It was in the Canal district, where there were countless cafes, restaurants, and bars, and with them, tons of people getting ready to go out for the night. The outside of this church was as you see it here - plain brick, heavy, dark. We walked by the first time, and there was a service going on inside - and you could see that it was incredibly elaborate and beautiful on the inside. It was a nice little jewel to discover in such a busy neighborhood!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Italy, part 1
This weekend we met up with our favorite Norweigens in Italy. After a quick drive from Nürnberg to Munich, flight on to Milan, and drive out to Rapallo, we made it to the Italian Riviera! We had perfect weather ... here are some photos:
The harbor in Portofino (we were so close ... I think if i had photographed a bit to the right, the multimillion dollar yacht would have been in the picture!)
We spent most of Friday on the beach. You paid to "rent" a chair and a towel.
The harbor in Rapallo. We took a boat from here down to the Cinque Terre.
The most remote town of the Cinque Terre.
The most remote town of the Cinque Terre.
Beginning the walk to one of the towns.
It was unbelievably hot the entire time, which would have bothered me, had it not been for the number of swimming opportunities.
Swimming opportunity 1
Swimming opportunity 2
Pictures from Milan to follow!
The harbor in Portofino (we were so close ... I think if i had photographed a bit to the right, the multimillion dollar yacht would have been in the picture!)
We spent most of Friday on the beach. You paid to "rent" a chair and a towel.
The harbor in Rapallo. We took a boat from here down to the Cinque Terre.
The most remote town of the Cinque Terre.
The most remote town of the Cinque Terre.
Beginning the walk to one of the towns.
It was unbelievably hot the entire time, which would have bothered me, had it not been for the number of swimming opportunities.
Swimming opportunity 1
Swimming opportunity 2
Pictures from Milan to follow!
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