and so on...sorry it's taken so long

(12:14 p.m. in Kansas/Chicago—evening in Italy) August 13, 2006

Perhaps my favorite of blog entries to write to date!!!

Yesterday (Sunday) we took an afternoon drive up the mountain where our host, Bill wanted to take us to a restaurant off the beatin’ path where he had made friends with the family that runs the restaurant and garden. The drive itself was rather beautiful and after one wrong turn we turned around at a small bar, Bar de Andrea and thoughts of good friends at home (Miss Frigolett) set a positive note of things to come. Before I knew it we were traveling through tunnels and over mountain bridges, there was simply too much to take in and my camera couldn’t keep up with the pictures composed in my mind.

Over and around a beautiful old bridge we found ourselves lake side in the mountain town of Barcis. Barcis was simply marvelous. The mineral run off from the surrounding limestone had created the most luscious and desirable shade of green, sea foam shades that were clean without appearing pure, holding the illusion of solidity and structure—the silent and powerful lake was held captive in the mountain and graced the town side as if in sanctuary to its elegance. Barcis contained most my hearts desires, water, mountain, and architectural simplicities. I firmly announced Barcis induction to the list of places I wouldn’t mind living…

The family run restaurant, found at the top of makeshift roads—a right turn from the main roadway up the mountain—was charming, very Italian in character and perched with simplicity next to the restaurant maintained garden overlooking the mountain/lake valley! No words can describe the sight—it must be seen though one’s own eyes!

That evening we ate dinner with Bill’s neighbors Mark and Carol. Mark is also a Chief in the Air Force and he and his wife are newly weds. She recently joined him in Italy and their home is quite beautiful, very large and windy and simple in design (I plan on getting some pictures of it before leaving).

Of course Bill grilled a spectacular meal of peppers and shrimp, Carol provided the salad and the whole evening was very special. We had plenty to drink and an equal amount of photo’s to prove it and parted ways around 11 p.m.—several late evenings in row starts to take its toll…but what an amazing day!!!! L’italia è proprio bella!

August 14, 2006

VENICE VENICE VENICE!!!

How do you describe Venice? Perfect! Beautiful! Incredible!??? Venice spoke to me in a way no other city has ever done before. I immediately felt at home in this small but rather outspoken city. Each alley giving way to another way of alley’s…it was like all my dreams and illusions come to life. The gondola’s were somewhat cheesy and like the men that steered them they fit right into the deluge of the cities grandeur. I am in love with Venice and they say that is what Venice is about—so I’m headed in the right direction…

I would rather stay lose in my description of the city—for it is something to be experienced by one’s own eyes…but I can share my few pearls of Venetian wisdom (Bill will discuss pearls of wisdom in a later blog…hehe)…this is what I have learned of Venice…

The men selling fake Prada on sheets down the streets occasionally gather their merchandise in a hurry; fleeing from cops—watch out, they will run you over if you get in their way. The places that serve pizza by the slice over the counter window have the best price and the tastiest slice—don’t waste your time on a sit-down meal (its over-rated) save that for a country town in Italy. The vendors can be a bit pushy, therefore buy your treasures of the patient and kind of heart shop-keepers, regret is a nasty thing to waste a Euro over. And…last but not least, Venice is to be experienced, not prepared for or mapped about!

That night my Mother and I split a pizza (which apparently you don’t do) but those suckers are huge…and Bill and I made up nicknames for one another…I am LB or Little bit (which he has taken to calling me) and he is BB or Bello Bill! I know—we’re silly—but you have this much wine and your bound to adopt names of sorts…hehe! Ciao for now!

Tuesday August 15, 2006

Today we traveled to Victoria Venetto for the Artisan’s Faire! Victoria Venetto is at the end of many winding roads in the mountain valley filled with vineyard after vineyard and hill after hill. It was an incredible drive where we gladly pulled off the side of the road for photo’s on a regular basis. Bill complains of my taking pictures constantly but today I really saw him pull away and start taking some rather artistic shots of his own. I told him he was making me proud as he bent down and took some interesting perspective shots of the vines and grapes as well as me and my Momma.

The artisan faire was spectacular—the closest thing to the renaissance festival I’ve seen. Short of costumes and fake accents, the town was filled with incredible artisans, good food and plenty of wine to go around. I found my boyfriend the perfect gift—created by a beautiful and artistic Italian man in a small shop around the corner. He wished the best to Brent and to his creation wanting to know where it was going and that the new owner would appreciate it appropriately! I love the care and thoughtfulness put into relationships here…there is an age and honesty you come to appreciate after a few days and this was one of many examples…

We ran into an Italian friend of Bills. A wonderful woman named Christina with designer clothes and big blond hair. We shared several cups of espresso and vino with Christina and her boyfriend that day and again at dinner…I love Italy and am finding the language much easier than expected! I’ll be back again—and soon!

August 15, 2006

My Mother and I spent the entire day in Venice!!!! We had a wonderful time together. It was a bit exhausting to be walking around all day avoiding the crowds etc…but it went from rainy to sunny and its hard to tell which was better…I simply love Venice and all it entails…if there was ever a town that spoke to my heart strings it was Venice…I love it!

Enough said!!!!

August 16, 2006

The only day dedicated to rest and relaxation. My Mom and I went on a walk and rested all day! I was a bit homesick for my bird and my friends (b and g’s) and we sorted pictures and caught up on sleep! We have until Sunday!

Tonight we crossed the street from Casa Di Trevino to a little restaurante where I had more wonderful food and found out just how incredible Bill’s Italian is…

I getting rather comfortable with the succession of traditions to be found at mealtime…I might be adopting a few things into my own mealtime traditions at home. For now I am going to bed. Tomorrow we are off the Aviano Air Force base to see and F-16 and learn a little more about Bills accomplishments…

He has written a short Blog—(it’s the Vino talking…hehe that I am going to include J: hehe—no, this has been an amazing experience that I gather we wouldn’t have experienced without the amazing friendliness and wiliness for life that I’ve been privileged to partake in from our grand host. Props to Bill Trevino…and Italian Texan and his many pearls!


BB’s Addition to Lisa Blog (aka, little-bit, LB):

Where to start??? As guests go…not soooo much to say. However, as special visitors from the Land of OZ…holy shit!!! Give ‘em two rooms…they sleep in one…hmmmm! Not a good first impression, but I’ve seen worse. Resa and Lisa were easy to feed…point them to a “ristorante” and they were taking care of business. LISA is on lithium for photographers…not sure the dose is exactly right, but damn she takes a lot of pics..and some were good!

But to be honest, LISA is MY favorite!!! Without giving mom RESA the big head, I’m better for knowing LISA! Although, she really needs to understand many of my “pearls of wisdom!” You cannot imagine where I took these ladies during their visit, but trust me…every location was unique and hard to find (if you were a tourist). And to answer you question: NO YOU CANNOT VISIT WITHOUT AN INVITATION! However, those lucky enough to come with LISA may catch a break.

We took lots of pictures…ate lots and lots of great food…drank more awesome wine…enjoyed lots of after dinner “digestivo” drinks…and of course super desserts and coffee! I can validate or invalidate anything “alleged to have happened” except those moments when they rested in their room…some things I just ought not know about!

Best wishes from a Texan in northern Italy…signing off…vi auguro una bella vita pieno di tutte le cose più belle della vita!!!

Bill, aka “BB”