The Wedding Planner

Yep, that's me right now.  And I'm already tired of it!  I'm so close to hiring an actual wedding planner.  I wasn't really thinking about it unless we pick a venue where we have to do everything ourselves.  So far, w've looked at a lot of facilities which provide the catering, tables, chairs, linens, coat check, etc.  Of course, for a price.  There's only one that I'm sure of that we have to do everything, Tacoma Union Station.  But it's a really nice venue with art work of Dale Chihuly.  Anyways, I'm in the process of contacting ten places with a list of questions and obtaining an approximate estimate.  It'll be a few days to digest all the information before making a final decision on a time and place for the wedding.  That's the biggest decision of all.  From that point forward, I'm hoping it'll be an easier process.  

I've started a new website, yes another one, and it also has its own blog.  If you want to view it, go to www.mywedding.com/chuckandvalerie.  I've recently updated it with a new blog and pictures.  As we come to finalize the details of the wedding, I'll update it more frequently.  

Bologna

On Saturday, Chuck and I went to Bologna.  Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and has a population of less than half a million people.  It's famous for its university, cuisine, traditional left-wing stance, and its beautifully preserved historic center.   Bologna is approximately 30 miles from Maranello.  It's a cheap train ride from Modena to Bologna, 4.50 euros round-trip, and a twenty minute train ride.  We walked from the train station (stazionale centrale) to the city center (centro), taking about 10 minutes.  The city center was full-packed with people, shopping and hanging out.  There was an open market, mostly of clothes and shoes.  I didn't see anything I liked, but it was nice window-shopping.  We hadn't eaten breakfast nor lunch, so we found a sidewalk bar and shared a yummy sandwich (tuna, egg, tomato sandwiched between focaccia bread) and pizza bread.  

After lunch, we walked to the Piazza del Nettuno which has many attractions.  At its center is the Fontana di Nettuno, a 16th-century fountain with bronze sculptures of Neptune surrounded by cherubs and mermaids (pictured below).  There is also the majestic Palazzo Comunale, the medieval town hall.  There was some sort of festival going on as there was a band playing and people dressed up in medieval garb.  

There are a lot of shops and a lot of  people shopping in the city center.  I couldn't resist the urge to go shopping.  I found a cute pair of lightweight capri pants and a shirt for summertime at H&M.  

Like Roma and Firenze, we'll definitely have to go back to Bologna has we didn't see as much as we wanted to see of its history, eat nearly enough of its cuisine, nor its shopping.  And it's only a short trip from Maranello.  

Roma

Chuck's computer was fixed and ready for pick-up so we had to go to Rome.  Instead of making it a day trip (making it for a very long day of traveling), we decided to stay overnight.  Though a weekend is not nearly enough time to see a lot of Rome, it made for a more relaxing trip than our previous trip.  It's very difficult to find a hotel near the city center for less than two hundred dollars and if there are any, it's probably really small, poor quality, or booked way in advance.....or I didn't spend enough time researching for decent hotels at a decent price. 

On Saturday, we arrived in Rome around noon and went to pick up Chuck's computer.  It was definitely much easier to find our way to the Apple store since we knew how to get there and we even took the bus and tram instead of taking a taxi.  It took us longer than anticipated as we missed our bus stop at the shopping center and rode the train to its last stop until it turned back around.  Oh well, I guess we got to see the outskirts of Rome.  So, Chuck finally had his computer and we headed back to the city center.

We checked into our hotel room, deposited our bags and decided to take a walk down to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum before dinner.  Unfortunately, both were closing down for the day and weren't able to go inside.  But it's an amazing view from the exterior. 

The weather was really nice.  For the entire weekend, it was really warm and sunny.  

In front of the Arch of Constantine.

One of the many historic buildings and fountains in Rome.  We are on our way to eat dinner at Kossi, a Japanese restaurant.  We were craving non-Italian food and needed our sushi fix.  

Chuck and I had miso soup, vegetable tempura, and an assortment of nigri sushi and rolls.  The fish was fresh, but they didn't have the assortment of seafood as in Seattle.  No yellowtail, tuna, mackerel, crab, nor scallops.  But we did have eel, salmon, sea bass, and shrimp.  It was a nice change from pizza and pasta.

After dinner, we went to  Trimani Wine Bar which is a very popular place to enjoy a glass of wine and choose from their very extensive selection.  After a glass of wine, we walked down to Flann O'Brien Irish Pub (pictured above) for a pint of Harp Strong beer.  It's a great place to people watch.

  

On Sunday, we woke up a little later than expected and had breakfast before heading out to St. Peter's Basilica.  Unfortunately, the Vatican Museum (thus, the Sistine Chapel) is closed on Sundays (except for the last Sunday of the month where it's free and very crowded), but we were able to see the most impressive church ever.  We took the subway to St. Peter's  and it was packed.  We didn't realize that the Pope gives a blessing at noon on Sundays and we were joining the masses to be blessed by him.

 

The Pope from his apartment on St. Peter's Square.

  

We waited in a very long line to enter St. Peter's Basilica as well as through metal detectors and getting our bags screened.  The church also strictly enforces its dress code:  no shorts, mini-skirts, nor bare shoulders or they won't let you in.  We saw a few people turned away.  In the picture above, we spotted the Pontifical Swiss Guard in their traditional uniform (very colorful and medieval-like).  

 

The atrium.  It's larger than most churches.

Looking up at the dome.

On our way up to the cupola, we stop at a balcony at the base of the dome and look down into the church interior.

Climbing inside the dome to the cupola.  

There is an elevator (seven euros) that leads to the rooftop of the nave.  Or you can take the stairs (more ramp-like) for five euros.  We opted for the exercise (plus, they couldn't break a fifty bill and we only had ten euros) and took the stairs all the way up.  Regardless of taking the elevator or not,  you still have to climb 323 steps to the cupola.  As you can see from the picture, you can't have claustrophobia!

 

The view from the top.  Rome has no modern skyline.  No building is allowed to exceed the height of St. Peter's.  

Heading back down, cautiously.

Michelangelo's Pieta, a sculpture of Mary with the dead body of Jesus.  

The Holy Door.  It was bricked  shut at the end of the Jubilee Year 2000 and won't be opened until 2025.  Every twenty-five years, the Church celebrates an especially festive year derived from the Old Testament of the Jubilee Year, which encourages new beginnings and the forgiveness of sins and debts.

This won't be the last visit to Rome as we still have so many sights to visit and explore.  But I'm glad that we started our sightseeing here with the Vatican City as I got to visit the most impressive church ever as well as caught a sighting of the Pope!

Firenze

Last weekend, Chuck and I went to Firenze (Florence) which is a three hour train ride from Modena.  Finally, we figured out our way to Modena by the bus in Maranello!  As I said in my previous post, it's easy to ride the bus without paying since the bus driver doesn't check your ticket as you enter nor do you pay as you enter/leave.  It's pretty much based on the honor system.  You have to find a ticket machine at the bus station, newspaper stand, or tobacconist shop to purchase a bus ticket before boarding.  Chuck was contemplating not using bus tickets like we did in Rome since no one usually checks them, definitely not the bus driver.  We had bus tickets from a previous travel that we didn't use (they were still good since we didn't have it stamped with the date and time yet) and I insisted that we use them as I just feel too guilty.  Chuck agreed and good thing he did because before we got to the bus stop these inspectors just came on board to check if everyone had a valid ticket!!  Unfortunate for one man who rode the bus without paying and was escorted to the police station which happened to be next to the main bus terminus.  

We arrived in Firenze during lunch time and we were starving.  We found a really cute restaurant with sidewalk seating and since it was a really nice day out (warm and sunny), we ate outside.  I love eating in Italy, especially the dessert!  We shared a bottle of red wine Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico 2004 and my current favorite appetizer Insalata Caprese (fresh sliced buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, and capers seasoned with salt, pepper, olive oil, and basil).  I ate spaghetti with pesto and tomatoes and Chuck ate gnocchi with a pesto sauce.  Both were very delicious.  We ended the yummy meal by sharing dessert, a very delicious tiramisu.  

After lunch, we walked around taking in the beauty of this city.  There is so much to see in Firenze and we only saw a very small snippet of the city.  We'll definitely make another longer trip here to get a better sense of Firenze.

This is the Duomo, a 19th century cathedral, at the Piazza del Duomo.  It's exterior is very impressive with its polychrome marble-green from Prato, white from Carrara, and red from the Maremma.  We didn't get the chance to go inside because there was a massive line of people and we were leery of waiting in such a long line.  So, we simply enjoyed its flamboyant exterior from a sidewalk bar, drinking a beer.  

You can climb the 414 steps of the bell tower.  

Chuck poses in front of the Battistero (baptistery), an octagonal-shaped building west of the cathedral.  It dates back to the sixth century.  

Roma

Yesterday we went to Rome, not for sightseeing, but to take Chuck's bad Mac to the Apple Store. We planned to spend some time walking around Rome to see the highlights, The Colosseo (Colosseum), Foro Romano (Roman Forum); but it took the whole day to get to the Apple Store as it is in the outskirts of Rome. 

Chuck's co-worker was nice enough to take us to the train station in Modena early in the morning. We took the 7:15 a.m. train to Rome and arrived around 10:30 a.m. Since we didn't know where the Apple Store was located we decided to take a taxi. The taxi driver wasn't all too familiar with the location as well as he stopped at the gas station to ask someone pumping gas. I don't think he gets a lot of tourists asking to go to the Apple Store! It took us about an hour just to get to this huge shopping mall Romaest. I was a bit worried about getting back to Rome centro (center) as it didn't look like many taxis were hanging around and didn't know if buses were nearby.

We didn't even know if the Apple Store was located in the shopping mall, but fortunately it was. So we got Chuck's computer there and it'll take a week to fix as they don't have the part in the store. We bought a few things at the Apple Store and it literally took twenty minutes in line as only two cashiers were at hand and were interrupted by people paying for new computers. What I've learned in Italy, it's an exercise in learning patience! 

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed out to find a way back. We did ask people how to get back to the center and said there's a bus that takes you to a tram to take back to the center. But we couldn't find the bus stop anywhere. After walking around twice around the mall, we found people walking from somewhere. So we followed their tracks and found the bus stop. Though it didn't look like one as it was just a posted rectangular green sign held up by a tire base. We just saw a boy waiting there and assumed it was the bus stop. And it was. It took 1/2 hour wait until the bus came. 

So, we didn't pay for the bus nor the tram as you can't pay as you enter or leave the bus with coins. You have to go to a tabaccheria (tobacco store), news stand, or specified ticket machines to buy a ticket before riding the bus or tram. However, no one checks on the bus and so you can ride it without paying with no problem. I felt guilty, but there was no one selling bus tickets at the mall. And we needed to get to the center and there was no taxis around the mall.

We finally made it to the center, but only had time to go back to the train station and held back to Modena as the buses to Maranello stop running at 8 p.m. We catch the 4:35 p.m. train back to Modena and arrive at 7:45 p.m. We decided to take the bus in Modena and transfer to the Maranello bus, but we were too late and had to take a taxi back home. 

So, the next time we go to Rome (when we have to pick up Chuck's computer) we are going to stay there for more than one day. Well, at least we know how to get around Rome.

My First Bike Ride

On Sunday, I went on my first bike ride in Italy.  After witnessing motor vehicles driving really fast, I was utterly scared to share the roads with them.  I mean, there really aren't any bike lanes and most roads here are two-lane roads.  But I felt relatively safe as there are more bicyclists here than in Seattle so the cars feel comfortable sharing the road with bicyclists and nonchalant pedestrians.  They give you plenty of room as they pass or honk to let you know that they are approaching.  Now, the roundabouts....that's a different story.  Usually, you're supposed to yield before entering a roundabout and give the right-of-way; well, they don't usually yield here and if they do, well it's more like a "california" yield.  And giving you the right-of-way, well that 's hard when they just keeping going without yielding.  So, cars are coming to your left, you're supposed to be able to take a right and you do.  Well, that car is trying to veer to the right to exit as your trying to get to the next right after that....there's many exits to a roundabout, or it seems when you're trying to get through one on unfamiliar territory.  And what happens, I get honked at.  Yes, well...I don't care.  I just pedal as fast as I can to get out of that damned roundabout.   But considering, I do pretty well since that was the only honk I got out of a few roundabouts.  I'll just have to get used to it though as it's a matter-of-fact in European roads. 

Fortunately, Chuck found a route in the countryside with minimal traffic.  There are some rolling hills around, though most of the landscape is flat.  But I love a landscape with vineyards.  The grapes aren't yet on the vines, but they are a-blooming.

Me giving direction to Chuck to ride my way as I take an action shot.  It was a beautiful day out.  It was warm enough to wear bike shorts and short sleeves and I was still warm.  The weather isn't like this all the time as today was cooler and rained.  

Taking a much needed break at mile 12.5 miles.  Yummers....pistachios.  We were able to do a 25 mile loop and for my first ride, that was quite enough!  I was a little sore that night, but recovered the next day to do more exercising.   

Tonight, I made a really good Italian dish.  Well, I'm not sure how authentic it was as I got the recipe on-line; but it was sure tasty.  It's called 'pollo con i piselli' or 'chicken with peas'.  I mainly made this because we pretty much had all the ingredients at home.  We had chicken parts leftover (thigh/wing) from a chicken (breast) that I used for chicken marsala.  It turned out really good...yes, I am surprised as I'm not much for cooking.  But since I'm not working, I have been doing most of the cooking and to much of Chuck's delight!  Though he does still find time to make me a meal or two, especially breakfast...his specialty.  

But here is the recipe I used.   I think I'll start posting any recipes that I start trying, Italian or not, that way I'll be able to retrieve them as well as share them.

Chicken with Peas

Prep:  15 minutes

Cooking:  1 hour

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs (any part of the chicken can be used, leave the skin on during cooking)

1 onion (finely chopped)

1 potato (sliced - about 3 mm thick, yes I know, you'll have to convert from metric!)

300 g (11 oz.) peas (frozen ok)

250 g (9 oz.) tomatoes (chopped)

2 bay leaves

15 ml (1 Tbsp.) tomato puree (concentrate in a tube, which is what I found in the store)

60 ml (2 fl 0z. = 4 Tbsp.) extra virgin olive oil

450 ml (3/4 pint) vegetable or chicken stock (hot)

salt and freshly ground black pepper for seasoning

1.  First and foremost, before you start cooking, be sure that the first thing you do is prepare the stock so that it's readily available when required.  The best thing to do is to have the stock just simmering, and  no more, on the cooker.

2.  Put the olive oil into a casserole (or wok or large pot, at least big enough to accommodate the chicken) and set to medium heat.  Add the onion and sweat off for a couple of minutes.

3.  Add the chicken.  Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes.  Then turn the chicken over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  The aim is to have the chicken thighs golden in color.

4.  Before adding the peas (especially if they are frozen), turn the heat to high and after about a minute add all the peas.

5.  With a wooden spoon, set the peas evenly around the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes.

6.  Turn the heat to medium and then add the chopped tomatoes.  Move things around a bit so that the chopped tomatoes are evenly distributed and continue cooking for 10 minutes.

7.  Add all your stock.  The stock should be enough to nearly cover the chicken.

8.  Add the bay leaves.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9.  Add the potato slices.  Also, add the tomato puree as a flavor enhancer.

10.  Take the lid and cover half of the pan.  Leave a small opening on one side.  Turn down the heat to low and let simmer for 40-50 minutes, turn chicken twice during this time period.  Simmering will cook the chicken to perfection and also help in reducing the sauce as you don't want it to be soupy.  It should thicken quite a bit.  

11.  Serve with a few slices of warm country bread or ideally, with italian polenta.  It does taste good served over gnochhi which is what I substituted.  Definitely have a good bottle of Italian wine, though it does taste pretty good with beer!

In the grocery stores, they have most of all vegetables in bulk.  You can't buy individual tomatoes or onions or potatoes.  I couldn't find dried bay leaves in the herb section, but did find it at the fresh herb section in the vegetable section, in bulk.  

Never in My Life...

The weather here is like Seattle in July. Yesterday, Chuck and I went on a walk to the neighboring town of Pozza, about two miles away. It was very sunny and warm, though we still saw a lot of people bundled up in jackets and sweaters. But here we were with short sleeves and me with my sandals. I think that's why we got a few stares, not to mention not very many people were out taking a stroll to the next town. I don't even want to think how the summer will feel like, I'm not used to really hot weather! But I think it gets up to the hundreds in the summer, luckily we have a/c.

Getting ready for our bike ride this afternoon, I was brushing my teeth and decided to go out on the balcony to check out the weather. As I looked down to the street, I saw a long line of Ferraris on the road. Never in my life have I seen so many Ferraris, there must of been forty or fifty of them! Can you imagine? About a million dollars on the roadway!!  What a sight!