Photos
The real kings of NYC parks đˇ
Today on my lunch walk there was so much yellow in front of me it made me dizzy just to take this photo… đˇ
The George Washington Bridge on a foggy day. Believe it or not, this was the view from our apartment one day. I took the picture some two years ago but reworked it last night. đˇ
The flowers decided to show face and enjoy the breeze. I did the same. đˇđˇđˇ
Thanks to Micro Camp đī¸, I learned Glass is now available on Android and the web. It’s also not as expensive as I thought it was.
Trying it out: glass.photo/jtr121 đˇ
View during lunch đˇ
I think I’m starting to enjoy stickers more after my vacation in Italy…
đˇ Captured on Prince Street, NYC.
Back Home
Being home is good. I missed my corner, my writing, and my tech. But I also miss the breakfast at the wonderful bakery down the street or going down Via Romana, where the pigeons bathe in the sunlight on the shutters đˇ.
I returned with a nasty cold (negative for COVID for now) which I think I got on the airplane. My nose was constantly flowing, to the point I had to plug my nostrils with tissues. Afrin was able to cut it down to “normal bad allergy” levels.
This morning, feeling much better, I drank my cappuccino (slightly sweetened like in Italy) and wrote down my thoughts in my notebook. It will take a while before I’m “fully” back, but I was happy to feel excited about what’s ahead.
Florence is beautiful, and some areas around it look like they’re taken directly from a movie set. The wine was amazing, yet cheap and simple. I think I’m forever spoiled. The bakeries with excellent pastries for breakfast make my mouth water. The key, besides the freshness, was less sugar.
Now I plan on taking a nap (I am back to sleeping 5 hours a night), and then continue some more of my projects.
Day 8 - Copenhagen
Copenhagen also has public bathrooms on main streets and plazas, food boxes made from pure cardboard that flattens to a tray as soon as you open the cover, and dedicated bicycle lanes (with hundreds of cycles, more than cars) everywhere you go. But the thing that impressed me the most was the lack of something.
Crossing a main bridge to the heart of town, we passed over the main waterway in the middle of the capital. The air was clean and cold and we realized we don’t smell the water. The smell I grew up used to in the city and everywhere in the world was simply not there. Shocking. đˇ
We’re heading home through Copenhagen. We have a connecting flight back to NYC tomorrow.
Walking around, we encountered weird metal stripes on the pavement; they reminded me of Braille. It occurred to me that’s what they are: a guide for visually impaired people who use a walking stick. Genius. đˇ
We’re leaving Firenze tomorrow, and I think this is a good picture to capture a moment that will stay with me. Peace, flowers, hills of green. đˇ
This was taken in one of the local wineries.
Day 6: A Wine Tour
The wine tour turned out better than I expected. Small intimate group, fun guide, and the best part was that I was able to handle my wine well.
In the picture - barrels of Merlot from a cellar of an independent local winery.
Also pictured - the winery’s friendly cat was saying hi to us đˇ
Finally, a relaxed day in Florence. I went on a walk and captured more of the essence of the place.
There are many small shops and bars, like this one. Whenever possible I avoided the crowds. đˇ
Day 4: Rome
Rome is… Like New York. Similar grunge with millennia old structures scattered about.
We skipped the big ones. We’re not big for crowds.
With extra time to kill, we went to a video game museum instead. Playing old arcade games for free…? Worth it. đˇ
This morning we woke up early to take the train to Rome. NK suggested we catch a snack before we start the day - a smart decision.
We got two Foccacias and two espresso (due espresso). When you drink espresso straight up, beating it with a little spoon before you sip makes it sweeter. đˇ
The streets in Florence are narrow. The sidewalks often fit only one person. Even then, if you don’t clutch your camera bag close, a passing car will hit it and spray its contents all over the pavement.
We stopped often to examine stickers. I think we could use more of those in the streets in NYC. đˇ
The best places in a trip like this are serendipitous. We stumbled upon a local bookstore, with delicious cappuccino and brownies.
I felt a natural pull toward the redical-anarchist books on the shelves.
The store owner said she doesn’t know if Cyberpunk by Raf Valvola Scelsi has an English translation. Doesn’t seem like it. I got a book about mushrooms instead. đˇ
From a pass under the highway heading to a restaurant tonight in Florence. The whole tunnel is covered with graffiti like this. đˇ
Day 3 - Walking Firenze
I wanted to use the phone for quick updates, but I couldn’t join the local network until a couple of hours ago. Some settings on the Google-Fi network needed to be turned on, others turned off, and magic, we’re back in the 21st century. In the meantime, I learned that my privacy-oriented Android phone is still very useful offline, with OSMand Maps, and the ability to take and sync pictures wherever Wi-Fi was available.
We just got back from La Fate Bistrot. A small restaurant seemingly run by my mother in a different life. She served us and cooked our food. Every meal on the menu was vegan, all homemade style served on nice plates. We had a glass of wine to end the long day and exchanged tired smiles. “Conto, per favore” has been added to my Italian vocabulary now.
There’s much to write and much to show, but it’s close to midnight and it’s been a long day full of walking. I’ll leave you with one picture I took yesterday with the phone; tomorrow I hope to take my camera and take some photos.
Buona notte, amici đˇ
Copenhagen
It’s like IKEA in this airport. There’s No music walking down to the connecting flight, but there is a chill soundtrack in the bathroom - like an indie video game. A long trail of shops led us to the gate to our connecting to Italy; It feels more like a mall than an airport here. And it’s so quiet! there are so many cramped together in one coffee shop but it feels more library.
I’m enjoying a good cup of hot chocolate and a plain croissant with it. đˇ
