BEAUTISIMO MAXIMO!

Me and the gang, Ilam, Eric, Chrsitine, Bill, Anthony, and the imfamous Sandra Lotti, chef, historian, writer, and humorist!

Did not win the Italian lottery, but was oh so close, no villa in Tuscany, 2 out of 6#'s only! May try again. So much to describe, can't put it all out, can't process everything, Last night stayed here, some went to town. I decided to stay with the owls, who hoo,hoo, and to smell the pungent sage, rosemary, and thyme. Beautiful, finished with cooking school.

On my way to Venizia, a new and solo experience, trains running half ass, so tomorrow will be another experience, expression of life. I do love the Italians, and they so hate the French, it is so amusing. The group is back already! Tomorrow I must be ready for what ever forgives. Today saw amazing art, as everyday, but this one an expression of wildlife, where is it going, amazes me, we have no idea about extinction, but find about it in Italy??!!

Next morning, am in Venice, crazy, took me forever to get here! Wandered the canals until after 4:00 am, danced in St. Marks square, (Piazza San Marco) , met fun, and wild people, had a fabulous time, but again I am exhausted. As they say burning the candle at both ends. Think I will take a taxi boat tour today and relax. Pictures at night are difficult, but will take more. I think I can add one of Venezia!Love to all, and I think I might be ready to fly back east on the 27th, that still leaves me 15 more days...whoa, mama mia!

FINALLY A FEW PICTURES

Okay here is where we are staying in Tuscany, the Vatiacan and The Leaning Tower of Pisa. A very touristy shot of me, but since I am one, so what. Last day of cooking school, kind of ready for it to end, we celebrated Bill's birthday at the Jazz concert, a wee bit to much, slightly hung over, and possibly ARI'S to report. Must go and cook. Until much later tonight my friends, love, and enjoy the day ahead of you.

INFUSION

Well not sure about the photo thing at this point, but invision... fields of sunflowers, shimmering, and brilliant in color, as a fusion.Every herb you can imagine, except pot, bright green, and sensuous.

Today we made a fusion of fresh pasta for ravioli, tortelini,etc. with fresh herbs, and vegetables, of every kind, and the smell, so aromatic you want to pack it with you for the remainder of the trip. Can't possibly describe the beauty which engulfs me, don't now if this is correct, do not care. Tuscany is an exceptional place! Shelly played supperlotto in one of these beautiful small towns, so we can all come to Tuscany together!
It is the next day, and tonight we begin our cooking lesson at five, free jazz concert on the lawn at 9:00pm, should be interesting. A wee tipsy fom the wine at lunch, must go swimming. Will try to add a photo if not, so be it! Lots of love. Bueno a tute??!

TOO HUMID FOR SLEEP, TOO LAZY TO WALK

The blog is giving me a hard time, as is humidity, and sleep. So, as I was saying... had a drink with the contessa, and her father the Baron, very hard workers on this land which dates back to the early 1500's. Beautiful, will Try to add photos.

Yesterday went to the lovely little town of Lucca, great walls surround where the moats used to be during the Roman invasion. Of course we made pasta, learned the basics of using a knife, which truly was totally unknown to me! Made gelato, ate drank, and were merry. Not time for too much detail, must get ready to create in the kitchen!

Last day in Rome, did the Vatican, said goodbye to all the victims I had met, and hung at the . Trevi fountain for the night. Left bright and early the next AM, as the train thing was all askew. Hear some are on strike, as of yesterday. Will probably move on to Venice next, then the south of France.

AM I REALLY HERE?

Hi, I am really here in Tuscany, first day in culinary school! Yesterday was lunch, wine, swimming, dinner, wine and more wine! Only 3 of us here, due to tradegy of train wreck. The others could not make it on time, so cancelled. So we are basically, literally getting lots of instuction soley. We would prefer more companionship, but the 1 on 1 is also great! I keep telling them to make my portains smaller, but are dead set against it, I hate wasting food, so the waistline is already expanding! The other couple are from Scotland, and very amusing, and very good drinkers. The staff are wonderful, and VERY humurous! Sandra Lotti, the brain of this culinary school is charming, and writes for a magazine, which I'll remember later. Too much wine with lunch, and we are now off to an expedition which is, yet unknown. Will hopefull add more info, but wi fi is low, and have to climb into the olive press room to update, and I mean climb, which I could be here in the fall to view the process!

The place is owened by a contessa and her father the Baron, who is around 90 yrs. The title I understand no longer means a thing, but invited

Here I am at the colosseum, spent yesterday there, and at the Forum, amazing the history, and violence that went on. Could feel, and visualize what occured all those hundred of years ago! (not a very becoming picture of me!), but thought you'd like to know I am really still here the in flesh! As soon as I left the Forum, it started to downpour, streets were flooding, people running crazily into doorways, wherever they could go. The streets became so slick, people including myself were, slipping every which way, it was quite the sight. I thought what to do, so I ran into the nearest cafe, and sipped on several glasses of good Merlot. Chris I asked to see the bottle to write it down, but no comprende, sorry! I bought a cheap and very colorful umbrella to contiue on my walk back to the hotel.

Of course made my way back to the Trevi Fountain for the viewing, and conversation with the vendors. Today is my last day in Rome, which I truly love, and shall miss. Was thinking about forgoing the Vatiacan today, but after the news of the train wreck in Viareggio, where I am going tomorrow, I am rethinking this. I think I will head back to the hotel, put on that skirt, and shirt with sleeves. I guess at this point I would kiss thePope's ass, to thank him that I was not on that train two days ago!

I apologize to those I called at 2:00 AM, I really got confused after the train wreck news, and thought it was around 8:00 at night! Brain loss has occured, guess I should get to the Vatican, and hopefully can get into the museum to see the Sistine Chapel, if the wait is not the 4 hrs. they say? Will write again after Rome.