I first heard Luciano play at Stefano's Antica Hostaria Pacetti. He was performing with his wife, Donatella. Together they are Susto e Soranzio.
They have become friends. Friends who were kind enough to invite Helen and I into their beautiful home on the hill one evening, friends who generously share their world with us.
I took the following photograph during an aperitivo performance at Stefano's restaurant one evening ...
This morning, in dire need of an espresso after a superb yesterday, I wandered over to Mentelocale Cafe with my laptop hoping to put together a post while drinking that coffee.
I sat down and set myself up at Mentelocale Cafe then realised I stepped into the maelstrom that is the International Music Festival. The 'background' music playing as I work here is mind-blowingly good. As in, non-stop concerts at the major courtyard of Palazzo Ducale - from 09.30 until 13.30.
Genova retains its superb reputation with me. It's a city where I have learned to accept the unexpected will happen. Later, wandering the ancient city streets, marching bands would appear randomly ... complete with baton-twirling girls, smiles pinned in place, uniforms immaculate.
Let's just say it was surreal but quite 'Genova' for me.
But this post is really about yesterday.Yesterday I passed by a lovely local woman I had photographed and chatted with, by chance, more than two years ago. She had been leaning on a windowsill and I had asked if I might photograph her. She agreed then had come down to chat with me.
Fast-forward to May 2014, last time I was here in the city, and I recognised Paola at a table next to me at a cafe here in the city. I said hi, not sure she would remember me photographing her but she did.
Then yesterday, on the way back to the apartment, I passed her again. She lives in a beautiful fishing village not too far from the city and I live in Belgium. I don't take these random meetings forgranted.
We stopped and chatted for a little bit, as she was wondering if I was still here from May. I ended up telling her of the 'New Way of Seeing' project. I mentioned I was taking my business partner out to the village I had met her in and she invited us to visit her.
After a coincidence (or two), we ended up spending some enjoyable hours talking with her. It was so very good to finally sit down and talk.
But honestly, the coincidences that are happening on this visit are remarkable. We are meeting the people we are meant to meet but that seems to be the way it unfolds here in Genova. Every time I come here, I find another reason to love the city more ... if that's possible.
Then last night, we had another sublime dinner at Stefano Di Bert's remarkable restaurant, at the invitation of singer and bass guitarist, Donatella and Luciano. I met these three via Alessandra, a woman I feel so very privileged to know. I met Alessandra via Barbara, again it feels like a privilege to call her a friend, and I met Barbara via the most adorable Francesca.
It's like that here in the city.
Stefano, once again, presented a huge range of the most divine wines matched to the most exquisite food. It felt like we were eating and drinking some kind of sublime art collection ... perhaps. A marriage of beautiful food and really good wine was almost overwhelming at times.
It was another rather relaxed 'after midnight' walk 'home' through this city I love so well.
Voila .. it has been like that so far. No camera, no photos. I'm sorry. I arrived here so tired that I have been leaving my camera behind. This situation should change tomorrow ...
Meanwhile, the shot that follows ... I was up on my bed working on my computer, mezzanine floor, old Rolli palace, huge windows open, beautiful view of the street down below and realised I really must share. I am so loving this place.
I don't even know where to begin ... last night perhaps, when Alessandra organised a dinner for a few of her friends and I was invited along. It was outstanding.
Donatella Soranzio sang, with Luciano Susto on bass guitar, and they were sublime. I felt so very fortunate to be there listening. Video by Federico will follow, as it was he who packed his camera and filmed events as they unfolded but they are on youtube as Susto e Soranzo. And you will see, it was one of those 'pinch me, I'm dreaming' moments, there at Stefano Di Bert's exquisite restaurant called Pacetti Antica Ostaria.
And Stefano ... what a host. He brought out plate after plate of truly divine food, accompanied by the loveliest of wines ... so many divine wines that came along on that gastronomic journey. Food and wines from both Friuli and Liguria. Stefano, Alessandra, Federico, and Donatella are all from the Friuli region.
1.30am saw Stefano, Barbara, and Alessandra walking me back through quiet city streets to my apartment. This morning, I have to admit that I woke, and lay very still ... checking for hangover damage. It turns out, the story is true, there is no hangover with good wine and believe me, we had had a lot of very very good wine.
It was one of the most enjoyable evening's I've had in a long time.
Today I had appointments all over the city, ending with a Napoli pizza at my favourite pizzeria on Via Ravecca.
Actually, yesterday I also had lunch with Francesca. 'The' Francesca from Le Gramole. We laughed often but the dish below, the Troccoli, that made us laugh most of all because I told her of New Zealand's Huhu Grubs ...
I have eaten a Huhu Grub and if you clicked on the link you will have seen why I might have found my Troccoli slightly disconcerting.
I'm too tired to write of everything, although I must add that I also had the pleasure of meeting Sibilla Iacopini. And I'm enjoying this new apartment in another part of the city. I'm top floor, with a small balcony and french doors that I open each morning as a way of beginning the day.
I'll take some photographs when my days stop spinning but really ... I love the spinning.