Friday, June 6, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Zia
My sister Melissa arrived on Sunday, May 25. She flew in to Rome and then took the train to Jesi. We met her at the train station and then showed her around the town. We did take her to Francesca’s favorite place—the park.
On Monday we meandered around town and saw some of the sites to include the “home depot” and “famous footwear” type stores. We also went into a store called “Euronics” that was like Best Buy. I plan to keep Joe far away from that because they have a huge selection of espresso machines.
Today we picked up the rental car. It is a C3 Citroen. Not large, but it does the trick.
We went to Numana in the Conero peninsula and drove through part of what is called the Conero Riveria. It was beautiful. The water was cool, but the sun warmed us enough to brave the clear blue water.
The beach in Numana has small pebbles instead of sand and you can see Mt. Conero from the beach. It is spectacular.
Tomorrow we venture to Sengallia and parts north along the beach in the Marche.
On Monday we meandered around town and saw some of the sites to include the “home depot” and “famous footwear” type stores. We also went into a store called “Euronics” that was like Best Buy. I plan to keep Joe far away from that because they have a huge selection of espresso machines.
Today we picked up the rental car. It is a C3 Citroen. Not large, but it does the trick.
We went to Numana in the Conero peninsula and drove through part of what is called the Conero Riveria. It was beautiful. The water was cool, but the sun warmed us enough to brave the clear blue water.
The beach in Numana has small pebbles instead of sand and you can see Mt. Conero from the beach. It is spectacular.
Tomorrow we venture to Sengallia and parts north along the beach in the Marche.
Ancona
On Saturday, May 24, we went to Ancona. Ancona is about 30 kilometers from Jesi and is accessible by both train or bus. Joe had mentioned to his classmates that we might go to Ancona and two of them suggested we go together by bus. We met at the Piazza Republica in Jesi Saturday morning and proceeded to the bus depot.
Upon arriving in the “centro” of Ancona we were in the midst of a huge street market. This market was has vendors throughout the bus depot type piazza and along two of the main streets that lead to the port. There was all kinds of stuff from art to jewelry to clothes. We even spotted some booths with belly dancing type attire. It was very interesting.
We split up from Sadao and Massa and went to the port area and saw the Arco di Traiano that was built around 200 BC. Ancona has probably been a port city for as long as a city has existed in that particular spot. From Ancona you can catch ferries to Croatia, Turkey, and Greece to name a few places. The store fronts and restaurants along the port are very diverse and you can tell that there is a blending of many cultures in Ancona.
After we met back up for lunch we went to a great seafood restaurant and walked along the main street that has a tree lined promenade down the middle. At the end of this street we found a huge monument that was being renovated and stairs leading down to the Adriatic. We walked down the stair and saw many people sun bathing (few swimming, the water is still pretty cold). Once we arrived at sea level we noticed these old style double garage doors lined up along the base of the cliffs. We were able to look into a few that were open and they went about 10-15 yards into the cliff side. People had boats, some had nice kitchenette type facilities, and we even saw a group of elderly Italian women sitting around a card table drinking wine and playing cards. These spots might have once been owned by commercial fisherman, but now they seem to be owned more individually for recreational purposes.We did not seem the other noteworthy monuments in Ancona so we plan to return.
Upon arriving in the “centro” of Ancona we were in the midst of a huge street market. This market was has vendors throughout the bus depot type piazza and along two of the main streets that lead to the port. There was all kinds of stuff from art to jewelry to clothes. We even spotted some booths with belly dancing type attire. It was very interesting.
We split up from Sadao and Massa and went to the port area and saw the Arco di Traiano that was built around 200 BC. Ancona has probably been a port city for as long as a city has existed in that particular spot. From Ancona you can catch ferries to Croatia, Turkey, and Greece to name a few places. The store fronts and restaurants along the port are very diverse and you can tell that there is a blending of many cultures in Ancona.
After we met back up for lunch we went to a great seafood restaurant and walked along the main street that has a tree lined promenade down the middle. At the end of this street we found a huge monument that was being renovated and stairs leading down to the Adriatic. We walked down the stair and saw many people sun bathing (few swimming, the water is still pretty cold). Once we arrived at sea level we noticed these old style double garage doors lined up along the base of the cliffs. We were able to look into a few that were open and they went about 10-15 yards into the cliff side. People had boats, some had nice kitchenette type facilities, and we even saw a group of elderly Italian women sitting around a card table drinking wine and playing cards. These spots might have once been owned by commercial fisherman, but now they seem to be owned more individually for recreational purposes.We did not seem the other noteworthy monuments in Ancona so we plan to return.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
2nd week so far
Well for those of you who are world-wide weather buffs, you already know that it has been in the low to mid-60s and rainy all week for us here. For those of you who don't, it has been rainy and in the low to mid-60s all week. So what do two American females do when it rains besides sit in the 2 room apartment and watch Italian tv? Shop!
On Tuesday Francesca and I ventured to the edge of Jesi to an "centro commerciale" where there is a good sized grocery store and some stores. One of them is the Italian version of Home Depot. They have pre-made outdoor wood burning ovens and I am ever so tempted to determine how much it would cost to send one back to Charlotte. The next time we venture by there, I'll take pictures. This would be a great asset to our pizza and bread making--there is nothing like wood-fired pizza.
Two of the other stores we found were very similar to Old Navy and Famous Footwear. Needless to say, Francesca got a new dress, baseball cap, and sandals (she really needed new sandals since we hadn't made it to the store for those prior to our departure).
I have been watching the Italian women and their fashion and it is quite interesting. Western style boots are huge here. Not only that but low cut jeans with maybe 2-3 inch zippers--even the grannies are sporting them. Yesterday (Wed.) Francesca and I went to the main street in the town center and I ended up going into a store calls "mad's" and purchased some "Euro-jeans" since it is cold and I didn't bring any long pants and a shirt. I like low-cut pants but I'm not used to pants being this low. I'll get a picture up soon.
In terms of the television, we have been enjoying some shows that we normally see in the US but are dubbed in Italian--Power Rangers, The Flintstones, Happy Days, and Sponge Bob. There have also been some intersting Italian shows. Hopefully all of this viewing will help us with our Italian language abilities 8-).
We have continued our visits to the Gelateria. Ciro & Pio is our favorite and the people who work there recognize us. I think we confuse them since sometimes Francesca is the only one partaking in this wonderful dessert. Last night she had hers alone and instead of a cone ordered a cup. The lady must think we're crazy to give our child daily gelato, oh well.
Joe gets back tonight, he has enjoyed his trip to the Trentino, plus he visited an artisanal beer maker on this trip and will be bringing me a present (can't have too much or those jeans won't fit).
My sister Melissa arrives on Sunday and we plan to rent a car for the week. One place that she has requested we visit is San Marino--a small principality (i.e. tax free zone) on the northern border of the Marche region. It is about an hour drive. We also plan to explore the Conero Penninsula that is not accessible by train. There is at least one historic site where Napoleon's forces blockaded the British.
Other than that it is open. For those of you who are reading and have questions, please email them or post them.
On Tuesday Francesca and I ventured to the edge of Jesi to an "centro commerciale" where there is a good sized grocery store and some stores. One of them is the Italian version of Home Depot. They have pre-made outdoor wood burning ovens and I am ever so tempted to determine how much it would cost to send one back to Charlotte. The next time we venture by there, I'll take pictures. This would be a great asset to our pizza and bread making--there is nothing like wood-fired pizza.
Two of the other stores we found were very similar to Old Navy and Famous Footwear. Needless to say, Francesca got a new dress, baseball cap, and sandals (she really needed new sandals since we hadn't made it to the store for those prior to our departure).
I have been watching the Italian women and their fashion and it is quite interesting. Western style boots are huge here. Not only that but low cut jeans with maybe 2-3 inch zippers--even the grannies are sporting them. Yesterday (Wed.) Francesca and I went to the main street in the town center and I ended up going into a store calls "mad's" and purchased some "Euro-jeans" since it is cold and I didn't bring any long pants and a shirt. I like low-cut pants but I'm not used to pants being this low. I'll get a picture up soon.
In terms of the television, we have been enjoying some shows that we normally see in the US but are dubbed in Italian--Power Rangers, The Flintstones, Happy Days, and Sponge Bob. There have also been some intersting Italian shows. Hopefully all of this viewing will help us with our Italian language abilities 8-).
We have continued our visits to the Gelateria. Ciro & Pio is our favorite and the people who work there recognize us. I think we confuse them since sometimes Francesca is the only one partaking in this wonderful dessert. Last night she had hers alone and instead of a cone ordered a cup. The lady must think we're crazy to give our child daily gelato, oh well.
Joe gets back tonight, he has enjoyed his trip to the Trentino, plus he visited an artisanal beer maker on this trip and will be bringing me a present (can't have too much or those jeans won't fit).
My sister Melissa arrives on Sunday and we plan to rent a car for the week. One place that she has requested we visit is San Marino--a small principality (i.e. tax free zone) on the northern border of the Marche region. It is about an hour drive. We also plan to explore the Conero Penninsula that is not accessible by train. There is at least one historic site where Napoleon's forces blockaded the British.
Other than that it is open. For those of you who are reading and have questions, please email them or post them.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sunday May 18
Joe has four classmates, three of whom are from Japan. Joe invited all of the class over for an early Sunday dinner. He went to the daily market and bought fresh monk fish, mussels, squid (calamari), and scampi. I went at a different time to buy our vegetables. The classmates brought dessert--flan and a cake with pine nuts and ricotta. It was delicious, but we forgot to take pictures. Francesca bonded with Kaichi and Massa and had a great time. After eating we went on a passagiata (walk) to the park. Along the way we heard people honking horns and saw them waving soccer flags. There was a big soccer match on Sunday for some sort of Italian league and the fans were celebrating. When we arrived at the park, there was an impromptu pep rally. People were waving flags, sporting jerseys and "do-rags", and jumping up and down singing. It was great to watch.
After our walk we walked through the historic part of Jesi to the Piazza de la Republica. The other students in the class live in an multi room apartment and they showed it to us. The pictures of the views from the hills are from there balcony. Their apartment is "in" one of the walls of the old city.
It was a great time!
Joe is currently on a "field trip" to the Trentino region which is one of the most northern parts of Italy. He will return Thursday.
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