It's been a busy, exhilirating, frustrating, and exhausting trip. I've barely had any time to process all of the experiences and no time at all to blog. But I wanted to share a few photos and will blog more about the trip once I return stateside! After leaving Sharm El Sheik on Monday, we spent two days in Luxor, and yesterday we arrived in Cairo. Today it's a tour of the Egyptian Museum and walk through Islamic Cairo and the markets. Tomorrow to the Pyramids. More soon!
I am on the surprise 40th birthday celebration tour. It started in LA with an amazing surprise dinner and tomorrow I'm having a real Danish birthday lunch. I'm so excited. We were greeted yesterday at the airport by my dear cousin Lone, and kids, and aunt Henny. Waving flags the whole thing. This has been a wonderful week. (I haven't even told you about the wondrous 2nd annual Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival -- but will when I return stateside next week.) For now, I am enjoying family, friendship, fellowship and food. This is the best birthday ever!
The last day in Rome couldn't have been better. I got a good workout in before heading to the American Academy where we had lunch with Margaret and her husband, Matthew. Matthew is a photographer who's enjoying a year-long residency there. It really seems like heaven--the ultimate artist residency. Margaret gave us a tour of the building and gardens and then treated us to lunch which is prepared for them daily by a Chez Panisse chef. It was divine. We stuffed ourselves, enjoyed a coffee and then walked back to our hotel through Trastavere and by the Pantheon!
The flight home was easy and happily uneventful (unlike my flight out two weeks ago) and now I'm back home. The adventure is over. I've got some fun photos, an extra pound or two (well worth it), a pile of laundry, and many wonderful memories.
This should be a long love letter to Pippo and Pinna DiGiovanni! They have been so incredibly hospitable. We've eaten the best food--we call it Restaurant DiGiovanni--we have reserved seats for lunch and dinner every day of our stay. We've had amazing conversations (in a strange blend of English and Italian). And so much laughter!
We are in Sicily and being hosted by the mostest of hosts: the DiGiovanni's, the in-laws of my buddy Fanshen (who is here too with hubby, Diego).
Pippo made the most incredible Easter meal. I'll have to fill in the details later with accurate Italian spelling. Then a walk by the sea with niece to make room for more food! The whole time lots of good talk and good fun and laughter. More photos soon. But now I must really take a nap. After another amazing lunch, I've run out of steam, and must gather my strength for the next meal!
It was a lovely day: an excursion to see Stonehenge and a stroll in Bath proper with a visit to the famous Roman Baths. But oh how I hate being a tourist in a tourist destination: herded, and crowded and bustled about from one numbered sign to another looking at things that are no longer really there. It's the strangest thing: these audio tours. Dozens of people crowded around rocks that are sectioned off for display and we stare at the rocks while we listen to some bit of information from the audio guide about what the rocks used to look like. But still there are highlights of the day:
1. Well, seeing Stonehenge. It's a World Heritage site--on that long list of things you must see before you die.
2. Well, seeing the famous Roman Baths--but really, the best part was when a mallard--probably as tired from the rain and the cold day--flew down and took an afternoon swim in the warm therapeutic water.
Now, there's dinner; tomorrow a massage in the hotel spa; and then back to London for a fabulous meal at my favorite Indian restaurant in the world. And then Sicily for Easter dinner with friends! More from the road!
After a very difficult trip across the Pond--my flight out of JFK was delayed by 15 hours which I meant I slept in an airport lounge on Saturday sitting up--I finally arrived at close to midnight Saturday. The last few days have been incredibly fun. Here to celebrate my friend's 40th birthday. We had a blast. London dressed itself up gloriously for my best buddy, Rayme, who's never been to Europe before, with tons of sun. I saw parts of the city I never ventured before because it was too cold or too wet or too both. We saw the changing of the guards --quite by accident--and strolled through the lovely Notting Hill neighborhood. Lunch at a sidewalk cafe brought us an unexpected adventure: meeting best-selling author Simon Astaire! He gifted his book to me and I can't wait to read it. We walked along the Thames. We saw two plays: one at the Old Vic (Thank you to Tina and Kathleen) and one on the West End (Plague Over England--an extraordinary cast). There was some shopping. I think I found a good dress for Book Expo for me--and of course, there was much talk and wine drinking. Tea at Claridge's with a discreet playing of happy birthday and dinner at a wonderful Argentinian restaurant called Gaucho. Rayme headed home this morning--let's do it again, it was so much fun! Hubby and I continue the adventure today in Bath, tomorrow Stonehendge, and then off to Sicily on Sunday to reunite with my partner-in-crime Fanshen and husband for a family Easter celebration. Ah, vacation! Love it.
Last night we ate at an exquisite open-air cliffside restaurant that overlooks the bay called Tentaciones. It was a gorgeous night and we started with champagne. I fell in love with an amazing statue that looked like a Giacometti that decorated the space. (Kind of looks like Obama don't you think?) The food was as impressive as the surroundings. It was a set prix-fixe five-course meal--each plate better than the previous one: salmon roll stuffed with mahi mahi tartare, mixed salad with roasted tomatoes and parmesan and walnut dressing, onion soup with Pernaud, grilled red snapper with yellow lemon sauce and julienned vegetables, and a coffee mouse on a dark-cookie crust for dessert. All of this we consumed with a fantastic Mexican chardonnay. Who knew Mexico had such good wine?
I had to workout this morning after all that food. But then there was massage, an early lunch, and a three-nap afternoon. Not bad for a weekend vacation. Tomorrow it's back to reality.
This relaxing thing is difficult. I broke out my laptop while I was supposed to be lounging and sunning myself and enjoying the guilty pleasure of reading Cosmo mag and Us Weekly. I limited myself to just a half hour and then put the computer away to head off for a little adventure in town. We had delicious fish and lobster tacos at La Sirena Gorda and strolled along the town streets. Sampled some mezcal and walked around some more. We returned to the hotel and the sound of the bay filled my dreams as I napped. So there's not much to report except that it's still beautiful here. The sun's about to set and I'm going to go see how it shows off today!
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