Il Palio di Siena

So, this morning I stumbled upon a YouTube video of Il Palio di Siena and by coincidence it is taking place TODAY in Siena (of all places!)  If you read the comments, there is much debate over the treatment of the horses and certain foreigners who do not understand the historical significance of this event. I hope by being one of these foreigners that I do not offend, but I find it such a striking and breathtaking custom.

Il Palio di Siena is a horse race that takes place twice a year.  Its origins stem from medieval times and I feel transported while watching il corteo storico, a magnificent pageant with costumes, flags and procession. The race involves jockeys riding bareback around the Piazza del Campo and often results in injury for the riders and horses. The goal of this post is not to discuss  the animal rights issue, but really to recognize and applaud something as cherished as this custom when our world has lost so much of these origins. For a country as rich in history as is the Italian tapestry, I feel they are giving us a great gift in keeping their heritage alive. 

Impatient.

Today I am frustrated. What I have not shared as of yet is that my greatest wish is to move to Italy, or barring that, anywhere in Europe. This is 100% for me and is independent of any guy or romance. My thirtieth year and the break up of my engagement has just opened my eyes to life's possibilities and I want those possibilities to start immediately.

It is easier said than done. I have looked into securing a working visa and it would only be eligible for six months with no possibility of renewal, without coming back to Canada for the months of paperwork should a company wish to sponsor me. The best opportunity is hopefully finding a company to sponsor me before I go there, but this is a challenge in itself. I work for an international firm which is supportive of a transfer when the economy improves, but this will likely be a year at the earliest.  While this is positive, when you decide upon your life's next journey, you want the journey to start right away. 

I have been trying to tap into my networks to see if anyone knows of any European companies looking for a marketing and PR professional. My work primarily involves media relations, business development, press release/white paper/presentation/speech writing and social networking and I was previously involved with advertising, sponsorships, event management, direct mail/email etc.  I have managed most of the communications function, save graphic design, and having worked for a Fortune 500 firm, there is so much I can offer.  I currently manage all public relations for our company's Canada/Michigan/Upstate NY district. 

I guess I am a little lost about where to turn. I am trying the social networking route as well as personal "offline" connections, but the task just seems so large and I lack direction. 

So, this post serves a two-fold purpose -- 1. it is my rant for a frustrating day and 2. if anyone has any suggestions about where to turn, I would be so grateful. 

Monterosso --land of the fair...

Monterosso al Mare is a town and commune in the province of La Spezia, part of the region of Liguria (northern Italy). It is one of the five villages in Cinque Terre. Read more.

Being a fair-skinned, blonde, blue-eyed girl, who no one mistakes for an Italian, I particularly like the following statement:

Historically, many of the villages on the Mediterranean were walled to protect against attacks from the sea. This area of the coast was often attacked by Muslim pirates and Vikings. Viking influence can still be seen in the occasional fair-skinned, red-headed children of the native villagers in the region.

It is good to know that my Danish and Scottish ancestry loved Italy as much as I. 

Who says 'I love you' over Skype...the joys of a long distance relationship

Long distance relationships are hard.  I think any relationship where one needs to get on a plane to see the one they care for is challenging, but make that flight 17 hours and include a 9 hour time difference and it is nearly impossible.  Still, the things one does for love.

S and I quickly found our routine.  I would wake up at 6 am for work (3 pm in Firenze) and we would facebook chat for an hour as I put on my makeup and have my morning coffee.  This quickly became my favourite part of my day and would leave a smile on my face as I faced another day at the office.  We later discovered Skype -- free online video chat -- and this brought everything to the next level. On many occasions S would be online until 3 or 4 in the morning if it was a Sunday evening for me.  We would toast one another with a glass of wine and talk about how much we missed each other. We could do this for hours without it getting old. We never turned to any questionable online "tactics", but even just seeing his movements and mannerisms was so sexy. He is the most handsome and charismatic guy I have ever met.

During this time, S played such a pivotal role in my life. Emerging from an engagement and depression, he allowed me to realize that there was more out there for me. Being thirty and recently single was not the end of the world and he made me feel like I was beautiful, exciting and desirable. It is much easier to get over a relationship when you have someone telling you how much they care for you. He would send me song clips and the most romantic emails -- even considering the language barriers. I once got a postcard with our names written in a heart. It reminded me a little of the paper valentines I would get as a ten year old girl in puppy love, but overall, it just embodied the casual and flirty nature of our relationship.

I have heard "I love you" twice in my life from a partner. First time was my former fiance and the second time was one morning over Skype. Not necessarily the way I imagined it would go, but one has to compromise on their fairy tales under such conditions. He was so cute and shy in saying so. It was certainly the first time I heard "Ti amo" and especially "Te dua" (in Kosovaro). I can't explain it, but I really do love him. I love who he is, how he makes me feel and how he makes me feel about myself.  He is an incredibly caring and special person and while he may be miles away, he is worth the extra effort to make it happen.

The Grooviest Village in Italy -- Calcata

Calcata is a small village north of Rome and takes the "hilltop town" to a new level.  It sits atop volcanic cliffs and was once condemned by the Italian government for fear that the the historic centre would collapse. The NY Times once called it the "Grooviest Village in Italy" and I call it simply stunning!

Gaeta

Gaeta, a small Italian town, is located to the south of Rome en route to Naples. It is situated on a beautiful gulf and its strategic military position and enchanting environment has made Gaeta a secure harbour since the time of the Roman Empire. The coast around the small town is called the Riviera d'Ulisse because ancient poets like Homer and Virgil wrote of its grandeur and beauty.  Beaches, coves, antiquity, charm, culture and picturesque town make Gaeta a place to explore as well as relax.  

Top 10 Attractions in Florence

Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio -- Florence's most famous square is Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the historic center and a free open-air sculpture exhibit.

Il Duomo - Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore -- Florence's most popular site is its Duomo (cathedral), the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. The huge Gothic duomo was begun in 1296, consecrated in 1436, and holds 20,000 people.

The Baptistry -- The Baptistry of John the Baptist, from the 11th century, is one of Florence's oldest buildings. Its exterior is made of green and white marble and has three sets of amazing bronze doors 

Campinile - Bell Tower -- The Campinile, bell tower, is in Piazza del Duomo. The first story was designed by Giotto and it is commonly called Giotto's Campinile. Buy a ticket and climb the 414 stairs (no lift) for great views of the Cathedral and its dome and the city of Florence and surroundings.

Ponte Vecchio -- The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), built in 1345, was Florence's first bridge across the Arno River and is the only surviving bridge from Florence's medieval days (others were destroyed in World War II). The Ponte Vecchio is still lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry.

Galleria degli Uffizi -- The Galleria degli Uffizi holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art but it's also Italy's most crowded museum. You can buy tickets ahead to avoid long lines. The Uffizi holds thousands of paintings from medieval to modern times and many antique sculptures, illuminations, and tapestries.

Galleria dell' Academia -- Florence's Galleria dell' Academia holds important paintings and sculptures from the 13th-16th centuries. Michelangelo's David, probably the most famous sculpture in the world, is in theGalleria dell' Academia as well as other sculptures by Michelangelo.

Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace -- Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Giardino di Boboli, a huge park on a hillside in the middle of Florence behind the Pitti Palace. Here you'll find beautiful gardens and fountains and a great view of Florence from the Forte Belvedere.

Santa Croce, in Piazza Santa Croce, is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of several important Florentines including Michelangelo and Dante. The vast interior contains some exceptional stained glass windows and frescoes

Shopping -- Florence has some of the finest shopping in Europe. In Florence you'll find leather goods, paper goods, and jewellry as well as nice souvenirs and art productions. Florence has a number of open air markets selling food, clothing, and antiques.