KELLY'S GONE AGAIN
…AND HERE'S WHERE I'M AT.Archive for Travel
#42. Cote d’Azur: The Usual Suspects, Part II
After visiting Cannes, my hopes were not terribly high. It’s not that I was jaded or struggling to stay optimistic, nothing that serious. I was just a bit…disengaged. A little “sure, whatever.” Overall, neutral.
And then, just like that, I fell into Nice. I don’t know why; I wasn’t on the make. I expected it to be just like the others. But on Avenue de Jean Medicin, walking past buzzing cafes and trendy boutiques and, well, so much life, I felt something. It’s hard not to. Nice has an energy, an easy, poignant, honest, simple sense to it. It isn’t looking for recognition, it isn’t competing for customers, it just is.
Sidebar: Getting Updates By Email
You guys have been great. Really. You log on, some of you just about every day, wondering if I’ve published an update. You send me emails asking for blog ETAs which, truly, is the dearest compliment. And I know lately it’s been a little challenging, as they’ve been few and far between for a while.
But today’s your day. I’ve figured out (merci beaucoup, shelleyadelle) how to add (to the previously-offered RSS feed) a new update option to Kelly’s Gone Again: email subscriptions! So check out the column to the right, under the “Want Automatic Updates” section, which now has a friendly subscription link, and you should get a note when there’s something new to see.
A little late in the game for this, I know, but better late than never. Then again, it might just mean I’ll have to take more trips. *smile*
#41. Cote d’Azur: The Usual Suspects, Part I
I had such high hopes for Cannes. Having been mesmerized by its reputation, I arrived already intoxicated with possibility. I believed in this city, eagerly anticipated it, and knew I’d fall in love the moment I stepped off of the train on Day 1. So on Day 2, I rationalized, “okay, lukewarm start, no big deal, doesn’t mean sparks won’t fly today.” But, let’s be honest: I usually know on the first date. And I’ve never not known by the second date. There just wasn’t chemistry.
#40. Cote d’Azur: Halfway Check In
On the last big trip, I did a reflection-based summary about midway in. Believe it or not, we’re already there. So before I go on to give you my thoughts on the French Riviera, here’s where I am, figuratively speaking…
#39. Les Adrets: Life in the South of France So Far
First, to all of you who have been wondering where and how I’ve been the last couple of weeks, thanks for your concern — definitely feeling the love. Second, the short answer: the South of France, and it’s fantastic.
This is true, for me, especially in the morning. I enjoy nothing more than sitting in a straw-backed chair at some random cafe, watching the days begin for so many locals: parents holding hands of school children on the way to/from class, town markets packaging up olives and meats and cheeses and vegetables for customers, and friends sitting down for a coffee and croissant. The best thing, though, has got to be the baguette.
#38. Torino: Last Stop in Pictures
This afternoon I’m on my way, finally, to France. Before I go though, a quick update on my last moments in Italy.
I’ve spent the last week in Turin, situated in the Piemonte region in the northwest of the country, and an interesting urban home to things like contemporary art, the bicerin (cream, espresso, chocolate), and the 2006 Winter Olympics. Aside from a day I spent in Alba (hazelnuts, Nutella, truffles), I’ve filled my time with walking, espresso, sculpture, gelato, city tram rides and, of course, people watching.
There is a lot to see here, and I only skimmed the surface. “Read the rest” to see what some of it looked like. Read the rest of this entry »
#37. Modena & Bologna: Eating My Way Through Italy
You may have heard about “eating your way through Italy” tours. Such itineraries are created solely around culinary pleasure, ranging from delicate, civilized wine tasting to achingly-full menus of meats, cheeses and pastas, the mere consideration of which constitute outright, glorious gluttony.
I’ve eaten very well here, but certainly didn’t plan for that kind of trip. And then I found Bologna. Though I only spent a short time in “La Grassa” (or, as translated, “The Fat One”), it’s for the best. In the words of one of my best friends, the food was “dee-licious,” and I shudder to think what could become of my cholesterol levels had I elected to stick around.
#36. Venice: Walking on Water
Oh, Venice. It’s true what they say: the architecture, the structural components and artistic, ancient beauty of this city was astounding. I was enchanted by the rustic, rust-colored buildings with large wooden shutters and copious hanging flowers dripping down intricate black iron railings, by the weave of waterways throughout the city, connecting each island to the next…
And though water is a predominant characteristic, exploring Venice by foot was an unexpected pleasure. We traipsed through the popular centers during the day, and then walked through the hidden corners and alleyways at dusk, discovering little local cafes and watching the city slowly start to go to sleep.
#35. Rijeka: Because Why Not?
I hadn’t exactly planned on hitting up Croatia while visiting Italy. Portugal? Probably. Scotland? Perhaps. But Croatia? Turns out that it was an excellent idea, and a great time, spending our Sunday there.
We left early for our drive out to beautiful, coastal Rijeka via Slovenia, and were on a dive boat by late morning. My friends were diving a spot in the Adriatic Sea. I would’ve loved to go, too, but ended up staying on board due to some lingering congestion and the strong likelihood I might injure my eardrum should I give in and go under. Not that hanging out on a dive boat isn’t one of my favorite activities of all time to date.
#34. Sarone: What Took Me So Long?
I’ve eaten more olives in the last five days than I have in my whole life. Already I’ve helped empty twelve bottles of wine… and that’s just at home.
After a month in the States, post-Australiasia, I’m away again, on my way to France for the summer. Today though, I am in Italy; Sarone, to be exact, in the Perdonone region of the north, about an hour from Venice and nestled under the Italian Alps. I’m visiting one of my best friends (Julie) who happened to move here 2 months ago with her husband (Cody), since I just couldn’t come up with a better way to get acclimated to Europe than spending a few weeks in Italy. It is my first time here, and I cannot, to save my life, figure out why that is.
#33. New York: Coming Home and Going Again
Week: 11
Countries: 7
Cities: 35
Charitable Causes: 10
Injuries: 7
New Friends: Tons
Photos: 800+
Planes, Trains, Buses: 53
Lost Bags/Delayed Flights: 0
Passport Pages Left: 3
Last week around this time, I was getting ready for bed in my small, sparse, hot hotel room in Pedang Pedang. Paper-thin, pastel curtains, gentle, oscillating fan, gecko song. Hard mattress, cold shower. The 126th backpack search for toothpaste. Alarm setting for seaside sunrise. I fell asleep to the deep, animated voices of my neighbors – chilled-out surfer boys, all bare feet and Bintang beer – sitting on our shared balcony and storytelling of “epic swells.” So good. So recent.
#32. Back in Seminyak: I Miss You
Is anyone else exhausted?? I am, and as a result today’s update is purely off-the-cuff — no edits, no revisions, no rethinking.
That said, the thought for today is this: I miss you. I miss you, New York, I miss you, Washington. I miss you, friends, families, colleagues and acquaintances, tap water, washer/dryer, high heels, salad, Western toilets… and, I ask, exactly what does a girl have to do around here to get soymilk in a latte?
