Le Journal de +Louise

Trip Report – {Florence 7 Nov 2008}

We arrived into Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Station via Eurostar. The train ride was smooth, the cabins were comfortable and the best bit was the power outlets located at every seat’s table. It made the 4.5 hour train ride slightly more bearable.

Our itinerary was to leave our luggage at our BnB and then rush to the train station again, board the next train out to Pisa.

Prior to our trip, I have read all about the infamous Italian train strikes and have been crossing my fingers that we would not encounter one. But, of course, as luck would have it, half way to Pisa, our train came to a complete halt in the middle of nowhere.

The PA announcements were all in Italian, and when I asked around, nobody seemed to be able to speak English, until a kind American advised me that students were protesting on the tracks and trains are not expected to head into Pisa for another 5 hours! With that, we decided to cross the platform and catch the returning train back to Florence.

Alloro Bed and Breakfast

Alloro Bed and Breakfast is tucked away in a quiet street off the main pulse of Florence. Christian, the owner’s son, who is the most accommodating, honoured our request for the ‘red’ room. And the reviews on Tripadvisor were spot on, and the room definitely did not disappoint!

San Lorenzo Market

Florence, known for its Renaissance splendour, precious carved cameos, and of course, leatherwork.
Unfazed by the sudden change of plan, we decided to hit San Lorenzo market right away. The smell of leather was intoxicating…

I bought one and wore it straightaway!

Leo haggling away for his lined lambskin gloves… They’re divine!

We were ravenous after our leather shopping spree and decided to stop by a quaint little restaurant (which name I have regrettably forgotten to note down)

I discovered my liking for pollo e funghi pizzas; and Leo learnt the difference between bellisimo and bollisimo (in the most embarrassing way)!

Accademia

The Florentine gallery houses the infamous David statue by Michelangelo. David’s statue was moved from outdoors and into the gallery for conservation purposes.

Photography was strictly prohibited within the premises, however, I managed to curl up in an unassuming corner and tried my hardest to quietly snap away, before 2 burly female guards came running towards me and blurting out incomprehensible (in what I can only assume to be) polite italian.

Duomo/Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

The marble panels are in different shades of green and pink, bordered by white and is part of an elaborate 19th century gothic revival facade. The basilica remains as one of Italy’s largest churches and its dome is the largest brick dome in the world.

We booked tickets for a tour out to the designer outlets bright and early the next morning, so we decided to turn in around 10pm.

Trip Report – {Rome 6 Nov 2008}

Today marked the our final day in Rome. We woke up at the crack of dawn, revisited the Trevi, threw coins over our shoulders, and hoped for the possibility of returning to the Eternal City one day.

Next stop: Florence =)

Nope. Still here. Time to dust off these cobwebs (haven’t we all heard that before!).

In laws were here for Christmas and ushering in of the New Year. Had way too much food, spent way too much and took way too few pictures.

So here’s to a brand new 12 months, may they be filled with lots of love, merriment, light and endless possibilities! =)

I initially created this blog to record my progress in yoga, in travels, in love and in life. And in yoga, in particular.

I set myself up for a mini challenge, I went to classes diligently at least 5 times a week. My body was limber, toned, and my mind crystal clear.

I blitzed towards the end of my challenge, and worked my way vigilantly to ensure that all the classes I took were peppered with kudos.

My favourite teacher is quite generous with his kudos, and of course, likewise with his hawk eye criticism. I used to starve and feed on these kudos; Because in the hot room it is just you against yourself in the mirror. Because in the hot room the temperature creeps all the way up to 42C and the heat singes your skin. Because in the hot room you feed on whatever support you can get, just to will your mind and keep on moving.

However, post 2 indulgent trips and a feverish week threw everything up in the air. My yoga sessions have dwindled down to 2 classes per week (if I could be bothered), have befriended the new starters and retreated all the way towards the second last row. And the kudos became far and in between, and as of a couple of weeks ago, they have completely dropped out of my vocabulary and I let my stripes stripped right off my Lululemon tops.

Last night, I decided that enough is enough. I put my blue mat down, in the skin singeing heat, amidst the other 35+ students.

I was focused. My muscles quivered and my mind screamed out at me in beads of sweat, “Take a break!”, “Kneel down and catch your breath!”. But I persisted. My eyes never strayed from the mirror.

And then it happened, the kudos rolled in. I rocked Standing Bow, Head to Knee, Floor Bow and Rabbit. And I felt GREAT.

I drove home with the biggest smile.

I am now determined to acquire my much loved stripes, one at a time, even if it kills me.

Photo credits: Jon Buch

No wise man ever wished to be younger.

Jonathan Swift

This year’s birthday was a quiet, subdued one. The day was spent at home from work, nursing a jet lag and trying desperately to escape from the heat that is (still) scorching the state.

Text messages from friends and family, some laced with well wishes, and some, would not stop reminding me that I am, indeed, one year older. I have never understood the sentiment of  “The older you get, the more comfortable you are in your own skin”, until, now.

This year, there was no need for special revelations, no sticky party streamers, no detestably sweet birthday cakes and no staring at mirrors, wondering where the heck did the years go. A surprise over indulgent present from Leo and a quiet dinner for two were enough to make me feel special.

If this is what getting old is all about, then here’s to another year!

Much love and light…

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.

Mark Twain

The annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival is here again in Melbourne and after many, many wet weekends, we jumped at the chance when the sun decided to sneak out of its hiatus and took a pleasant drive to Silvan.

And we arrived upon fields of blooming tulips…

Tulip Festivals are being celebrated throughout many cities in the world as tulips are considered a welcome herald of Spring.

Time to don those wooden clogs as the entire tulip farm was transformed into a mini Holland.

Fabio, the garden gnome catching a breather amongst the colourful flower beds.

And a visit to the festival would not be complete without a jolt of sugar hit at the end of a beautiful day, Dutch pancakes, of course =)

So I’ve finally decided to return to this space before it’s overgrown with tumbleweeds and spam comments!

It’s finally spring time now in Melbourne, yet, the winter chills are still lingering and the thermostat absolutely refuses to register anything above 18C. It rained incessantly for the past couple of weeks and for the first time in years, the farmers rejoiced and the water catchments in this drought stricken state actually breathed a sigh of relief.

Today is the first tolerable day without the desperate need for a winter jacket, so before the snow melts off the tips of the mountains and the bush fire season begins, here are some pictures from a recent day trip up to the snow.

Still mentally scarred from our first snowboarding experience yonks ago, we decided to take it easy, ride the lifts and enjoy the sights.

The weather was forecasted to be sunny and 21C that day, albeit having to trudge across some very treacherous slushiness at the foot of the mountain, it was an absolutely glorious day.

Note to self: Mt Buller is not a pretty place post 12pm, unless you fancy kicking slush around with a bunch of kids.

So we wandered off to a slightly deserted corner and took pictures with our very own snow man.

Lil’ Jo is only 2 years old and skis like a little pro! Still feeling the shame etched deeply on our foreheads, we vowed to take some decent ski lessons next year.

Future snow trip: Chamonix, France =)

Trip Report – {Rome 5 Nov 2008}

Well rested from our fourth day in Rome, we woke up bright and early for our journey into the Vatican City. Having read that the line into St Peter’s Basilica becomes excruciatingly long post 11am, we gulped down our breakfast and made it to the papal state before 10am.

Vatican City

Vatican City is a city-state and is the central authority of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the smallest country in the world and is located on the right bank of the Tiber River. Vatican City also issues its own currency, postage stamps and has its own newspaper and broadcasting facilities.

St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square refers to the large piazza directly in front of St Peter’s Basilica. At the center of the square stands an Egyptian obelisk made of red granite. It is the only obelisk that has not toppled since Ancient Roman times.

Ranks of columns that surround the square.

Saints in the sky…

Papal Swiss Guards of the Vatican City.

This is where the Pope addresses the people gathered at St Peter’s Square.

St Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica houses the biggest interior of any Christian churches in the world and it does indeed live up to its apt title of the “greatest of all churches in Christendom”. I was in awe of its sheer grandeur and felt very blessed indeed to witness its architectural splendour.

One of the domes in the cathedral adorned with colourful frescoes.

St Peter’s Basilica also houses the tomb of St Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

Globe structure within the Vatican Museum Gardens.

Sistine Chapel

Photography was not permitted within the Sistine Chapel, however we still managed to sneak a way of capturing Michelangelo’s masterpiece; there was no way we were leaving the glorious chapel without a single memento.

The clever use of bright colours, skillful strokes and the brilliant play of light and shadows breathed life into the paintings on the ceiling.

After a long day and a somewhat confusing subway ride, we made our way back to the centre of Rome. Day 5 is our final night in this ancient city, weary as we were, we couldn’t possibly leave Rome before returning to the Colosseum to bask in its full moonlit glory. So after a quick shower, we hopped on the Metro and bade this magnificent structure a fond farewell…