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Paris,
France
Our first stop was at the birthplace of romance. It was fitting
then to spend the weekend in Paris with our wonderful friends, Joanne
Milne and Patrick Landry. Jo and Patty currently live in Aberdeen,
Scotland where they operate a thriving management consulting business.
As you can see, Patrick is a little disfigured, but no one seemed
to notice in front of the Cathedral Notre Dame.
This is the hotel we stayed at. A little drafty at times.
A little farther back.. a little more.. a little more..
Interpretive art assimilation at the Louvre.
Ok, shopping was on the agenda as was Mr. Rodin.
As you can see, the Arc is not very tall.
Jo and Pat, we miss you already..
Paris Statistics:
Best Shopping: St. Germain des Pres
Best Bistros: Sorbonne
Best Nightlife: Bastille
Worst Nightlife: Pigalle/Moulin Rouge
Best Oxymoron: French service
Best Transportation: Bus (on day pass)
Caldogno,
Italia
From
Paris, we took the TGV (Train Grande Vitesse, not Tres Grande Vitesse
as Lucie would have you believe). We stopped at Milano Centrale
Stazione en route to Vicenza. Vicenza is one of the five major cities
in the area of Veneto, which includes Venezia and Verona. It is
the diamond capital of Italy and is headquarters to well known brands
like Diesel and Gas.
Caldogno is a few minutes away from the city centre and is home
of Roberto Baggio as well as Paolo Rossi (boy, were they missed
this year). But most importantly, it is home to the best people
on the continent, led by the Saugo family. A pen pal of mine since
I was 13 years old, Caterina Saugo is the reason I come back to
the City of Caldogno again and again. This was my 6th visit and
Lucie's 2nd.
Vicenza is a cozy town that is not overrun with tourists. Lucie
is seen here saving the photographer (James) from the claws of a
wild sabretooth.
Thanks to my inquisitive nature, I have discovered that the
house of Julietta was a fraud, used to lure tourists obsessed with
the story of Romeo e Julietta. Don't believe the hype.
Also in our daytrip to Verona, we were fortunate enough to
see the Zefferelli production of Aida by Guiseppe Verdi at the ancient
Arena. This Roman structure can seat up to 25,000. The opera was
a marvel and it awed me to think that Romans had the same sore bottom
that I had at the end of the show.
The show was conducted in the evening with hundreds of singers,
dancers and performers on stage at a time.
To celebrate the triumphant victory of South Korea over Italy
in the World Cup, a grand celebration was held. This annual event
brought in old and new friends alike to the house of Caterina and
Virginia.
You talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?.
Andrea Businaro Fantozzi grilling up pork and polenta for my
Little Porkchop.
Alessandro Bellin and Andrea in the Sweatshop di Saugo.
Our lovely Lucie making herself comfortable beside Andrea's automobile.
You wanna go out? Let's party!
It
was a quiet sit-down affair, marked with elegance and gentlemanly
behaviour. Here, I am being congratulated once again on the golden
goal victory by South Korea. Note the Korean jersey.
Passed
out from the wine and limoncella.
Smiling
upon realization that I was passed out.
The
assault by Stefania on the unsuspecting victim.
Andrea, Lucie, Stefania, James, Elena, Caterina.
(lower) Patty, Diego, Sandro. The Heart of Italia.
What a pity, er.. I mean, what a party!
Caldogno
Statistics:
Population: approx. 4000
Province: Veneto
Best Shopping: factory outlet stores
Best Sights: Marostica, Bassano dal Grappa, Padova
Best Yogurt: Caffe flavour
Best Gelato: Stracciatella in Thiene
Best Coffee-Maker: Caterina Saugo
Best Home-Cooked Meal: Virginia Saugo
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Como, Italia
Como is the name of the city and settlement area around Lago di Como
(Como Lake), the deepest and one of the largest lakes in Italy. Como
is 40 minutes by train, north of Milano and is the summer home to many
of its rich and famous.
We were honoured to be invited to the wedding of Antionia Butti and
Amir Nowtash held on July 3rd. The next section illustrates the night
of the wedding. This section shows our adventures in and around Como.
Our 2nd evening in Cernobbio, just north of Como at Il Giardino Ristorante
e Pizzeria.
In front of the Duomo in Como's walled city.
On a ferry boat to Bellagio, obvious concern showing after having paid
the ferry-man up front.
Bellagio, recently named after the swanky hotel in Las Vegas.
Bellagio at dusk with hot babe getting in the way of the photo.
The view from our hotel room.. Ok, the view from A hotel room.
Dinner with our travel companions, Seargent-Major Patti, Allon Shapiro,
Ron, Natalie and Lucie.
Shopping, yes, shopping again in Lugano, Switzerland. Lovely city.
Deciding if there is enough room for just one more gelato..
Visiting villages on the road to Bellagio via Torno in Como.
Lucie prancing in what has to be Italy's smallest piazza.
Our room at Il Grande Hotel in Como.
Como Statistics:
Province: Lombardia
Best Pizza: Il Giardino
Best Transportation: Allon's Lamborghini
Best Shoe Store: Artigiana's
Worst Transportation: Buses after 7pm
Best Men's Shopping: G. Armani outlet
Best Word in Italian: Sconto
Worst Habit: Reciting German roadsigns
Matrimonio di Butti & Nowtash
Truly a fairy-tale story, Amir first met Antonia in Italy during his
work travels. He returned some time later to capture her heart and lure
her to his lair in Yaletown.
They have returned to Como, Antonia's home town to wed and celebrate
with family and friends in the most fantastic of locations, the Villa
Erba. Much like, our previous trip to Mexico in 2001 for Allon &
Patti, it was a wonderful wedding - one we will remember forever.
The civil ceremony at the Villa Imbonati.
The vows.
In the evening, at the entrance of the Villa d'Erba. Note the bride
and groom's getaway vehicle.
Around the back of the villa, facing the lake where the reception begins.
The completely frescoed ceiling and grand chandeliers above the banquet
room.
The entrance to the banquet room. It is difficult to describe how grandiose
the villa was and the beauty of the setting.
Our companions to our left on the Tavolo Lecco: Oscar & Vanessa
Rosazza Pela
(not shown: Walter, Patti, Allon)
Above the main hall and dance floor.
The view from the dance floor.
Delightful wedding cake with Ken & Barbie figurines posing as Amir
& Antonia.
The bride: Antionia Butti Nowtash with the creative accountant and fiancé.
The groom: Amir "The Shiek" Nowtash chatting with Patti &
Allon Shapiro.
The newlyweds sharing a drink.
The dancing begins with the arrival of the Village People and Nowtash
brothers.
Not to be outdone, Lucie rips into a scintillating rendition of the
Macarena.
Wedding Statistics:
Location: Villa Erba
Guests: approx. 175
Menu: Lobster salad, Lemon sorbetto, Beef Wellington, wedding cake
Drinks: Champagne, vino bianco, vino rosso, muscato
Funniest Speech: Walter Pela
Best Dance Move: the splits by Amir
Last Dance: 3am by the Newlyweds
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