Ziatitina

…in London it could happen, right? At the end of the day it’s a massive city with close to 8 million people from all over the world. Yes, we do get our bomb scares, the odd bag forgotten in the middle of a train station causes total chaos and we hear, see and eventually live a lot of bad things. But it could be worse and even if you think you are somehow accustomed to certain sights or prepared for situations, there are moments in which you just get somehow….agitated.

Last night, it’s approximately quarter to six and I’m on my way by tube from Charing Cross to Oxford Street. I could have easily done that by bus, but given the traffic that time of day I would have been late for my drinks appointment with John. So far nothing special. We arrive in Oxford Circus and the usual masses of people welcome you once you step on the platform. Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me at all that during peak times they close this station on a regular basis…you literally walk into a sea of human bodies each of which is actually walking in a different direction. Trust me, it’s possible. How, is beyond me.

So, here I am in the middle of bodies trying to find my closest exit when an automated voice comes on ” Would Inspector Sam please come to the Operations Centre immediately” and that repeated every 5 seconds. Now, I am not stupid and it helps if you have worked in hospitality before. Our chief of security at the time was very proud of his code-sentences for any sort of emergency and would randomly test us if we remembered their meaning. I know for example, that an alarm in a larger establishment, could be a hotel, goes off in the control room first and staff in charge have approx 3 minutes to either acknowledge ( and switch it off) or make it active in the entire area. Well, here I am and I know exactly what’s going to happen…3 minutes…no problem, enough time to get out of there asap without being caught in the panic.

In fact, by the time I am half way up the escalator the station goes into full alarm with evacuation. No idea why, , but this is were it gets interesting. You can clearly tell Londoners and non-Londoners apart. Panic is written on the faces of those that have never had this before and suddenly everyone gets into movement. Nobody runs though…you arrive at the barriers, which are obviously open, but the Londoner….still swipes his/her Oyster card on their way through!!!

Fantastic, I was still giggling to myself when I got out a few seconds later. We have all clearly been totally brainwashed with this Oyster Card thing – swipe in and out, and even a tube station evacuation does not affect that. I say we, because somehow and unintentionally I did it myself. I still do not know why or what made me do that…but hey, I guess I am brainwashed myself.

I really hope nothing major happened, I think I heard a siren later on, but the fire brigade was going in the opposite direction. So, this whole system does actually work – even in one of the busiest tube stations in Central London. Well done guys. I have to admit though that even if I was smirking to myself my heart was racing. I guess I am not totally used to this as yet…even after living here for 6 years.

Oh yes, this definitely is worth a mention: as of 15th October I have officially been in London for 6 years. Scary or what? Not as much as a tube evacuation, but still…it has a certain importance.

Good night

Me x

She’s back! Whoo-hooo…well, not really. After 10 fantastic days in sunny Italy little me is back in London thinking about the brilliant time I had and trying not to fall asleep again. Tired is a total understatement, but that really is my own fault. Too much vino, good food, long walks through Milan and lots and lots of catching up with my Italian gang..do I need to say more? I obviously will.

It’s Tuesday morning ( 2nd October) and I am on my way to Gatwick airport with – what I thought – a lot of spare time. I have even cecked the travel situation, but how could it have been any different than my usual nightmare? Well…here you go, once on the Circle Line towards Victoria it did not surprise me at all when we suddenly got stuck in High Street Kenisington because of a faulty train in Victoria. What a classic!!!!!… so here I am, outside the tube station with my suitcase trying to catch a cab. Found one, after about 10 minutes and we obviously got stuck in traffic ” I swear these constructions weren’t here this morning , Love” was the comment from the cab driver. Whatever…just get me to Victoria. Half an hour later, 20 Pounds poorer, and a good hour and something after I had left home I was finally on the Gatwick Express. Mpf, not the way you want to start a 10 day holiday, really. I have never really been a massive Easyjet fan, but on this occasion it was tolerable, and obviously my own choice to travel a little cheaper for once. I’d like to share a recommendation though… 1. do not, under any circumstance, even think about having one of their pizza slices. I tried it because I was really hungry, bleah!! Food poisoning is definitely the next step 2. Should you ever fly from Milan Linate notice that you will be taken to the plane by bus, so as long as you are in group A or B it doesn’t make any difference whatsover. Park yourself next to the front left or right door and you’re among the first ones on the plane!

Anyways, Milan welcomes me with a delightful bright blue sky and 25C. Bliss.

A few hours later I finally get a chance to see everyone for Adelaide’s Birthday dinner. Pictures tend to speak for themselves, but here a little selection….

Ade, Bene & Tine

Zia Dada & Zio Ale

Simo & Ade

Dome & Daduzza

This is what I call a SERIOUS plate of pasta!!!!

It’s all in the accessories. The Birthday girl making the best out of her presents

On Wednesday morning dad & I drove from Milan to Civitanova Marche, a lovely little city in the Centre of Italy on the Adriatic Coast. The secret about this place is not necessarily the seaside, but a few miles inside with it’s splendid hills and hidden corners where it almost seems that time has stopped. Just by driving up the steep road to Civitanova Alta o Montecosaro you know that you are approaching a different side of italy. The trees along the street are already coloured for autumn and the view literally takes your breath away. We have been going there for years, and now my parents have bought a little flat on one of the hills above Civitanova. Mum is still fighting on a daily basis with the italian builders ( from what I have seen they are slightly more challenging than english ones ) so dad and I went down there for some moral support and have a few relaxing days. The truly summery temperatures allowed me to spend a lot of time sitting in the sun, have coffees with mum on the terrace of the nearby bar, drive throught the countryside and visit some of the many “spacci” ( discounted fashion outlets that is) and have some fantastic italian food. Yes, I ate like a pig, just in case you were wondering…..

The stunning view from our balcony

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere. In late summer this entire field is full of sunflowers, a breathtaking view.

3 days in Civitanova went way too quickly, but I had to return to Milan so on Saturday afternoon I jumped on a train. I must have picked the right day, because shortly after Rimini & Riccione it started pouring down with rain. Trains in Italy are ok, mostly delayed for absolutely bizarre reasons, but if you have some time and patience you’ll get there…eventually. In fact, 6 hours and 20 minutes delayed we finally reached Milano Centrale and after a swift 45 minutes wait at the taxi stand I was on my way to Dada’s flat for a little get-together/flat warming party. The rest of the week went by way too quickly….

Sunday… did nothing at all the entire day, except a brief aperitivo at Serendepico near the castello Sorzesco with Ade and Dome

Monday… massive walk around Milan with Brera, the Dumo, corso Vittorio Emanuele, the Galleria, la Scala…that took me about 4 hours. Brilliant.

Tuesday… lunch with Ade at the Bar Manzoni, another very long walk and a pit-stop at the office for some e-mails. Evening at the English Pub with Dome. A few pints can never harm anyone, right???

Wednesday… visit to Bene’s new flat and lunch at the Noon. Met with Fra and her little princess at Smooth and then digged out very old memories with Bene over dinner at her home. What a laugh…there’s nothing better than looking at old pictures and realising that yes, indeed, we’re all getting a lot older.

“Princess” Bea

Thursday… another long walk around & coffee with Ste at the Baglioni Hotel. Then a late aperitiv at Noon with Ste, Ade and Bene.

Friday… Lunch with Mum & Dad and then aperitivo with Dafne at Serendepico, a Calzone on the go with Dada & Ale, met the others at Speakeasy for a few drinks and then it got really late

That’s it, I’m back and glad I actually had the time to put all this together I’m hoping to be flying back to Italy at the beginning of November, but firstly I will have to ficus on the work changes that took place on the Monday morning before I left. We’ll see, but it would be great if this would work out. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Tesorini miei, con una lacrimuccia ho messo insieme tutta la mia vacanza ricordandomi dei momenti splendidi che abbiamo passato insieme. Vi voglio tanto bene, sapete che i prossimi mesi saranno decisivi per tante cose……come si dice? Tutte le cose succedono per un motivo, no?

Baci

Tine