A Recipe for Dreaming

The streets in Genova pull me out into them ... I can spend hours walking there, lost in the now.  I am missing those days where images came in through my camera lens as a deluge of colours and textures.

In New Zealand I was the kid and later, the woman, who disappeared constantly ... on my bike or in the car, with my dog, I was off, in search of a place to dream.  Rivers, lakes, the beach or, more simply, a school field.

In Genova I find that space more easily in a cityscape than anyplace else I've lived so far.  It used to be Nature, now it seems  that this remarkable old Italian city can soothe my soul.

Karla Verdugo, Artrist

I met Karla Verdugo on my first days back here in Genova. 

She was exhibiting her art on Via San Lorenzo, nestled in amongst Amadeo, Franco, Angelo, Santo, Jane, Luciano, and Rossi.  Little did I know that this group would open and let a wandering kiwi into their midst in the most generous of ways.

Yesterday, I went back and spent the day with them, and Karla was my tireless translator.  We laughed often and there are so many stories totell about these delicious people but not today.  This is simply to post my photograph of Karla and to thank her for translating a most magical day.

Amedeo Baldovino, Artist

I met Amedeo Baldovino on my first day back in Genova.  He displays his work with a group of artists on Genova’s Via San Lorenzo.  I had noticed his work on past visits but didn’t like to bother him.  Each time I would think, ‘next time’ and wait for the courage to converse.

This time we talked, via another artist there on the street, Karla Verdugo ... a kind and patient translator of Italian to English and back again.  And I’m so glad that we did.

A plan was made to meet up yesterday, a photography session, a blog creation, and so much intense conversation and laughter.  Shannon is in the process of creating a blog for Amadeo, and others, and I photographed the bulk of his work on display yesterday.

Next weekend, I’m going back to get the stories of everyone else there.  I don’t quite have the names of everyone but there is an 83 year old who looks like he might be in his late 50s or early 60s, there is the artist who used to be a musician and traveled the world on cruise ships, and there is the man who is so proud of his grandchild. 

I love the warmth I find here in Genova.  The people have been so very kind but for now, here is a small taste of Amedeo Baldovino’s work.  This work is my particular favourite ...

 

Genoa!

It was a 1 hour and 15 minute flight to Milan ... perhaps 60euro.

Pippa, an old friend from New Zealand, not seen in 5 years, was there waiting for me in the arrivals hall in Milano.  It was so good to see this woman who knew me before I went wandering in a serious other-side-of-the-world way.  We negotiated the bus to Central Station in Milano, then the 2 hour train to Genova and voila, I was back in this place that has surely stolen my soul.

The apartment door opened with the key Paola had given me and she talked me through turning on the hot water via a phone call where I am sure that I exuded a simple deep happiness about returning. I walked to the supermarket, successfully navigated supplies, then Pippa and I had one of those fabulous pizzas for dinner later that night ...  amid much belly-laughter and that delicious silliness that persists between old friends despite any passage of time.

Today has been about two cappuccinos, excellent cappuccinos that you surely only find here in Italy. 
A divine foccacia breakfast - where the plain and the onion foccacia turned up on our table, with something I don’t know the name of but we both loved.
Photos and stories to follow, as this forno is surely one of the best fornos anyplace.

My new wifi cafe is a vegetarian restaurant just along the street from where I am staying and I couldn’t resist talking to the lovely people who work there.  Photographs and words to follow on this truly excellent cafe.  He introduced me to the farinata guy along the road, and I will post photographs and stories next week sometime. 

I think it is well-known that I am in love with a hilltop view here, the one out at Boccadasse and I took Pippa to visit with it today.  She’s a beach-lover and hilltop sitter like me and we talked for a long time, photographs to follow of how it was up there on the lookout after drinking limoncello at the bar in the old fishing village below. 

We returned to the city, visited my favourite bookshop and then came back via the supermarket and farinata shop for our dinner supplies.

It’s hot here, and just so very beautifully Italian.  I’m never sure that I will find the strength required to leave however ... I have more than a few days here to wrap up the Genova section.  Bear with me while I get those photographs and tidy up the interviews collected, find the new ones ... and then, well, you can join me from your place over there and visit the city of Genova with me.

Ciao!

Italy is everything and more ...

Paola woke me at 4.45am Brussels-time, I think.  The memory is vague at this other end of the day.

The taxi took us to the airport and the plane had us in Milan by 8.30am - a fast flight. Paola explained it, suggesting that 'traffic' was lighter at that time of the day, making us both laugh some.

She's driving our little bright bright yellow Fiat, the one that Hertz gave us. It's the latest model and you can't help but smile when you see it.

Genova is stunning ... better than every place so far maybe.
We have wandered, bookshopped, and eaten lunch.  Dinner tonight was simply aperitivo - there so much more food than a tapas snack.

I've been out roaming, looking for a corkscrew for that wine that found its way into the apartment while Paola catches up with a friend who just had a baby.

I don't think I'm lost ... I know the internet shop is on a piazza close to the apartment, so it's just a matter of leaving and setting off in the right direction.

Well yes, it could be that the map is back 'home' on my bed.

It's been a good day so far, just in case you were wondering. I hope yours was too.
Arrivederci!!