Age 40...Accepted...Embraced...Celebrated....

Okay.....as most of you know...had a little difficulty turning 40.......

We had this grand 3-year plan that I was going to turn 40 in Italy and Piddle was going to turn 60!

Well.......as was our luck...or whatever...we had to return to the States...and some say that I may have turned 40 while I was there....however I refused to acknowledge this special occasion until I returned to Italy.....

Today....I acknowledged it! This is such a beautiful city.....that I think I have found a place to celebrate!

We will actually be celebrating all year in Italy...but this was truly the moment that I allowed myself to feel it! And I'm telling you 'younger' friends of mine......it feels pretty good!

Just a quick note as usual: If you are reading this from the top down...don't....this was my last post for Amsterdam....go down to the bottom and read your way up on the post titles....and as always...you can click on the picture to enlarge it....there are some beautiful places in this city.....

Before and After our Transformation

Okay...a little background....

In Amsterdam...everyone has a bicycle and everyone has a hat.....we noticed this right off....

This first picture is of us on the very first day we arrived.....

So.... we set about transforming ourselves into a bit more of a local and not a so much a tourist....

shopped shopped shopped...in all the little markets....every day....

Had great fun......

And finally you can see our finished product....

We felt very Amsterdam-'y'

May I Take Your Order?

Okay....Tell me....What the Hell would you order? Go ahead...click on the picture of the menu to enlarge it....recognize anything? Maybe a few words here and there right?

Well....this is about all we saw....but I can tell you that we didn't have one bad experience....maybe it was luck...or maybe they just have excellent food in Amsterdam...

I did discover mint tea while I was here....I know I know....maybe I should have discovered it before now in my life...I am 40 after all.....but I did discover it and absolutely love it....I have planted some mint in my herb garden at The Poggiolo....can't wait to drink my own mint tea!

I'll make you some when you get here!

Ah...and finally..The Red Light District

Okay...it's not as scary as you were thinking right?

Well...of course we visited during the day...wasn't sure I wanted to be there at night...so we braved it during the day....
You see the little red lights outside the buildings...well at night these glow red of course ...hence the name "Red Light District"....
It is open all day and night....day time...wasn't very busy....mostly tourists I think wanting to see the infamous Red Light District....
But we can say we were here!

What About Bob

Seems everywhere we went...they were talking about Bob......these are just a couple of pictures that I took....I usually didn't think about taking a picture....

Bob is very famous here..... :)

The truck says something like: "Our Bob Drives Already Your Empty Bottles"....of course this is loosely translated...I just put it into my translator and this is what popped out....what it actually means is anyone's guess......

I'm guessing Bob is the guy who picks up your recyclable bottles? ???????????

City of Bicycles

Bicycles are a way of life here.....I have about 47 thousand pictures...but once again...Piddle wouldn't let me post them all.......but I have put a few of the best ones depicting the atmosphere....

You know how we have "2-car families" in the States...well here most families have at least 2 bikes....

You don't see too many vehicles....not a lot of places to park...streets are very narrow....and just busy busy busy...parking for vehicles in the city is about $5 an hour to park.....

We loved sitting and just watching all walks of life whiz by on their bikes...businessmen, moms with kids, grandmas...you name it....we saw it......

We LOVED it!

Rembrandt, Van Gogh and a Little Culture

Although I am more fond of Van Gogh....most of these pictures are around the Rembrandt Corner....no matter where we went...we usually migrated back to this corner...it was our favorite for people watching, culture, history...bicycles...and everything else it seemed......

You'll also see the museum behind us....in Amsterdam there is a Van Gogh and a Rembrandt Museum as well as many others.....

You see the artist painting on the bridge...you see this kind of stuff all over the city...there is definitely a huge eclectic population here...... we loved it!!!!

Everywhere we went....there was culture................

Cool Buildings and Monuments

Okay, I know these aren't the best photos....but they are of some awesome cathedrals and monuments around town....of course, we haven't figured out what all of them are about....

The last building you see is on the west side of town in the Jordaan area....We stayed just down the canal and around the corner from this building....

This is the building that Ann Frank could see from her house....you remember in school....when you read The Diary of Ann Frank....she stayed with her family and several other jews in the attic of a house for 2 years during the Nazi occupation...until they were finally caught and sent to concentration camps......we stayed just around the corner from the Ann Frank House.....(not sure I have all my facts straight on the history of Ann Frank...just wanted to jog your memory!!) :)

Didn't I tell you ......so much history.......

Crooked Houses

Okay.....I have tons of pictures like these......but Piddle wouldn't let me post all of them....I hate the word "cull" now.....

These crooked houses are everywhere.......because this town is built on ground below sea level (sound familiar).....the pilings that the houses and buildings are built upon...are sinking....thus making the houses crooked.....the city won't let the owners fix them however because they claim it is the "character of Amsterdam" and they don't want that destroyed....

You'll also notice how skinny and tall the houses are.....this is because when building the town...the land was at such a premium that the city would only allow you to build your house a few feet wide....the cost of the building permit was based on the width of the structure....thus very skinny and 4 to 5 stories tall was the typical structure of houses...

The second place we stayed was on the west side of town....and this was the "upper crust" area of town and the houses are about twice as wide....because they could afford the permit...I'm not sure I have any pictures from there...but you may see some.....

Our Neighborhood in Amsterdam

Okay......so this was where we stayed the first week in Amsterdam and by far our favorite part of the city...we didn't want to leave....

De Waag was just steps away from us...we stayed in an apartment on the corner of this square...

Every morning we would walk out our door, walk to the corner and take a picture of another beautiful day...didn't matter if it was raining or sunshiny...every day was beautiful....

We stayed in the Nieuwmarkt area....It is one of Amsterdam's most beloved squares....We loved it...De Waag is the building you see in the background of many of our pictures....it is Amsterdam's largest surviving medieval building. Dating back to the 15th century, the Waag originally was one of the fortified gates to the city. As Amsterdam expanded, it was converted and has served many purposes....once a house for public weights and measures. At the end of the 17th century, the Surgeon's Guild built an amphitheater at the top of the tower to house public dissections as well as private anatomy lessons.....it was famously depicted by Rembrandt's painting "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp"....today it has a restaurant at the bottom and is just a monument I believe....

This is by far the area to stay in if you ever get the opportunity to visit......

Central Station of Amsterdam

Okay, so the Central Station is somewhat of a landmark itself.....you see it in the 3rd photo down....it is incredible...this is where you can catch the train, the tram, the canal bus or the regular bus......or a taxi if you choose....

The first picture is what you see when you step out of the train station....you actually see so much more.....but a picture couldn't capture it...so many cathedrals, palaces, duomos...etc....incredible!

The second picture is of the parking lot for Central Station....you'll notice the absence of automobiles.....bicycles are a way of life here.....there were thousands upon thousands of bicycles...it is the most efficient way around this city......I couldn't get over all of the bicycles....

The last picture is a photo of the entrance to the first bathroom I have had to pay to use....it was 50 cents....and you have to have exact change...and if you don't.....you will stand there for about 10 minutes trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to get past those glass doors to use the restroom...finally the bathroom attendant (you can't see HIM in this picture...yes it was a man) noticed I was a tourist and gave me change for my 1 euro coin...of course he couldn't give me a 50 cent piece....which I know he could have...but gave me like 17 coins to put into this machine..yeah...he knew I had to go...anyway...finally get the glass doors to open...and this way to the men's and this way to the women's....men and women everywhere....ugh!....but I was brave...went to my little stall...which I promptly and securely locked....and well... you know....then I came out....was leaving the bathroom...now do I tip the attendant? or just duck my head and get the hell out of there to the safety of Bob waiting just outside?

I chose the latter.......okay...so a virgin moment for me....won't be the last...as I will soon find out....

Our First Trip Out of Italy (well actually our second)

Okay, forget all of your pre-conceived opinions you have of Amsterdam....we Americans have been misled for way too long....

Okay, so the only thing we (Americans) know about Amsterdam is legal prostitution and marijuana...right?

Well....you are about to be blown away....oh yes, they have the taboo legalized...but that is about 1% of what Amsterdam has to offer......

We finally got all of our paperwork for Italy completed...found a car....got our house situated...as you all know..that took us about 2 and 1/2 months..a flight back to the states...and a few thousand extra dollars......so we were ready for R&R.....

Roundtrip tickets to Amsterdam were $112..out of Rome....so we thought we could fly there...rent a car and explore Nothern Europe.....

You'll have to bear with me on these pictures...I think I took at least 300 pictures...narrowed them down to 140 that I wanted to post on the blog...then Piddle made me cull out some more....so I have many more threads of pictures...such as all the unbelievable houseboats...that I am so in love with...all of the bicycles.....great structures...coffeeshops....leaning houses...and culture is everywhere......

But I have narrowed them down to these 11 or 12 posts....hope you enjoy....as much as we did...we had to extend our trip for another week just to take it all in......

Airline Tickets Found

Hey just wanted to let those interested know the flight we just found for a roundtrip ticket to Rome.

Actually, our family found some great prices on flights that I wanted to pass along for those keeping their eye out for the best prices.....It is from Delta.....directly from their website. It is the same flight we have taken over here twice now. It is the shortest overall flight time with only one layover in Atlanta. So you don't have to switch planes in another country.

Tulsa to Rome
Delta Flights 5328/820
Tulsa (TUL) to Atlanta/Atlanta to Rome (FCO)
Return flight: 821/5273 (Rome to Atlanta/Atlanta to Tulsa)
$665 Roundtrip (including all fees and taxes)

or

Fayetteville to Rome
Delta Flights 5111/820
Fayetteville (XNA) to Atlanta/ Atlanta to Rome (FCO)
Return Flight: 821/5267 (Rome to Atlanta/Atlanta to Rome)
$596 Rountrip (including all fees and taxes)

These prices were for a rountrip from May 26th returning June 10th.....so it is peak tourist season...by far the best prices we have seen.....so if you are looking...now might be a good to to plug in your dates and see what they have to offer......generally the rule seems to be the closer you get to the travel date the less expensive it gets...but there is just a small window...because at some point (which is the mystery here) they get jacked up to like triple the price....we just haven't figured out their system yet...so we just keep checking back often.....anything you can find under a $1,000 is a good deal in my opinion...and anything under $800 is a steal......

If this little format is a bit too confusing....shoot me an email and I can send you a copy of the actual itinerary...which may help you a little more.....

But generally the flights numbers stay the same...especially from Atlantat to Rome...the 820/821...was the same flight numbers we have taken on the two occasions we have had to make it....

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can clarify anything for you.......

It has become more and more difficult to find anything with just one layover....most flights combos we find have at least 2 layovers...otherwise....pretty pricey!

Still wouldn't hurt to check all the online places...there are so many...we have never found the best price from Delta's website...so maybe this is a new trend with them....who knows.....

Happy hunting.......

Snow showers in the Umbrian Mountains

Okay...if this is your first post to read during the month of March....STOP.....close out of this and go down to the last post of March...which is actually the beginning....looks like you are going backwards....but it actually posts the last post at the top....understand.....

Anyway...these are pictures of the mountains around us.....it has been raining here all week...and one day I think maybe Wednesday...we had a huge thunderstorm with tons of rain...when we got up the next day and drove around...which seems to be our daily routine..we just can't get enought of the hillside (I know Roger....you are tired of the scenery pictures...but just humor me one more time).....anyway...when we made our daily drive around the countryside on Thursday...there was all this snow on the mountains...so when we were getting rain, the mountains were getting snow....

Isn't it absolutely breathtaking? You definitely need to click on these pictures to enlarge them!

The one picture that has the grape vineyard in the foreground with the brown oak trees in the middle is a special scenery...because you don't see many oak trees here...mostly all pine and evergreen if there are any...but most of the land is cleared off to farm.......

We couldn't have found a more perfect place to spend the year! The best of Italy !

Cafe and Sambuca

This is me drinking my cafe (ca-fay) (coffee) with a shot of Sambuca.....some kind of liquor...couldn't quite make out what kind...but it is something typical of Italy that they put in their coffee...and you see how tiny this cup is...well it is twice the size of what you normally get and if you were to see inside it...there is less than a half cup of coffee...I think less than a 1-oz shot....amazing...but boy is it strong...so I guess you don't need much...just a shot of caffeine...I think it must work like a shot of adrenaline in your veins...so you don't need much....we'll let you try it when you get here....
(it's funny to see that at every road side gas station or convenient store...there is always a bar inside and people stop in to have a cup of coffee with a shot of liquor in it...then they are on their way...they just stand up at the counter and drink their coffee and they are on their way...they don't even have styrofoam "to go" cups available I don't think) and yes, they are drinking liquor and back out on the roads...scary huh? keep that in mind when you are driving on Italy freeways...

It was a full course meal today...we ate and drank all day long...to celebrate...you know....our Fiesta De La Donna....

We brought cheese dip and guacamole as appetizers..and a bottle of wine....they loved it.....they had never had mexican food...as if that is so mexican...but they loved it...
For the main course we had all of that meat you saw Piddle cooking on the barby....lamb, pork, beef, chicken, shish-ka-bobs, steaks...everything, had some roasted eggplant (melanzone)..and awesome salad that Leyla fixed, bruschetta...(typical bruschetta is the toasted bread, with olive oil, salt and garlic..how can that be so damn good...but it is..), with wine of course...
Then we had our mimosa cake with our shots of limoncello
Then we had some great coffee with our shot of Sambuca..and some great chocolate...

When we couldn't eat anymore...we finally bid them farewell......and told them we would see them in a week......
Our next adventure takes us to the Netherlands....we leave at 6a.m in the morning from Rome...landing in Amsterdam...we are going to just piddle around for a week.....checking out everything in that part of Europe...we figured we needed some R&R after our grilling 2 months of getting all of our paperwork together, going back to the States, finding a car, setting up house...we are exhausted...glad we got here early so that we will have everything figured out by the summer when you all get here.....can't wait....
We'll send more pics from our adventure this week...but I can't promise that all the pictures will be in focus ! ha/ha

So stay tuned.......

Handsome Drunks and Limoncello

Okay, let me just tell you where we are in our day of celebration...you know..."Fiesta De La Donna......"

We started out with wine before the meal....had red and white wine during the meal......oh yeah, and Piddle had a Heineken while manning the grill....I had the wine....

Then we moved on to the meal....with wine....

Had our Mimosa Cake...with a shot of limoncello....this is Piddle and Paolo with the limoncello shot....very strong..but oh so good.....

Grace (like most Italians from the Naples' area) makes her own limoncello....Grace is not from Naples however......and she has promised to teach me how to make my own limoncello...can't wait.....

(Paolo claims to be the Italian version of the America's cheap drunk) Remember I told you that Paolo and Leyla don't like wine...they don't ever drink...just occasionally....we will work on that ...while we are here..and try to convert them.....Piddle is such a bad influence ! :)

Oh, and I forgot to tell you about the "handsome" part.....every time we get together with Leyla and Paolo...I get an Italian Lesson...I love it...poor Paolo is always trying to teach me new words and phrases...I say "Poor Paolo"...because he gets so exaspirated with me because I can't roll my damn R's...no matter how many times I try...I just can't make my tongue do that...but he is a good sport and teaches me new words all the time...in return he tries to always learn new English words....he can speak some English...but has a harder time understanding it....especially me ...because I talk so fast...he is always telling me...."Please Please LaDonna....speak slowly..."...Leyla many times has to be our interpreter....

Anyway....today Paolo learned the word "handsome"....in Italian....they say "bello".....so all day long Piddle was saying...you know...."because we are handsome"...or "two handsome men"..all day long........anyway...that seemed to be the word for the day....

The two phrases I learned today were: "Que Fai" (kay- fa-ee)(What are you doing?) and "Dove Vai" (Doe-vay-va-ee) (Where are you going?)

Love the lessons.....

Cookie

This is Grace's new puppy "Cookie"......she has had her for 2 days now....she is the best puppy...a little German Shepherd....

Leyla and Paolo got her for Grace to replace her old German Shepherd "Lara" that just passed away a few weeks ago......

Some of the hunters in the area put poison along the roads to keep the fox and big animals from killing their rabbits and small game that they like to hunt....I guess that their big guns aren't a big enough edge...they have to poison the bigger animals to keep them from getting their game...anyway Lara must have eaten the poison from the road...and she died about 3 weeks ago.....Grace has been very sad....and is now so happy to have a new puppy in her house....

Grill Masters and Rosemary

Okay...the Grill Masters have arrived....The bottom picture is of Piddle and Paolo mastering the grill....they were waiting for Piddle to arrive and take over the barbeque...they think that the Americans have mastered the barbeque....so Piddle is giving our Friend Paolo lessons on the barbeque....Paolo claims to be a city boy...he is our Roman......

The top picture is a little twist that they taught us on the barbeque....they use a piece of the rosemary bush to brush olive oil (olio) on the meat....oh my god...what a great taste....they thought "we" had mastered the barbeque..whatever....that is Piddle brushing the rosemary on the meat......