Roman Birthday - Monday Post

As soon as she mentioned this idea it made perfect sense. Of course. She had never been to Roma & I had never had a birthday there and Italia is simply put always a good idea.

We jumped on the plane Friday afternoon & found our way through the little bit of Italian crazy public transportation till we finally emerged in Piazza del Popolo. One of my all time favourite places of the city. Two days filled to the brim with southern light, a stroll around the entire eternal city and of course many, many images. 

We talked to strangers, stood on street corners, did excessive people watching, had far to few cappuccini, accidentally met a wedding photographer from Venice, ate till we could no more and saw the pope. 

So, this mini-birthday-Roma-escape just happened. 

A Shooting at the Vatican

Late summer in Rome &
 it was about time to take this dress for a walk.

I ran into Marta back in Würzburg.
 This one day I heard her talk on the way to the canteen for the second time.
This time I was determined to not let this one slip. 
You see the first time I heard her & Valeria talk a sudden wave of super timidness overcame me and I let them walk past me without saying a word.

She became easily one of my favourite girls from Roma.

The Eternal City - a short trip

It went something like, Vale can I come next week? A couple of minutes later I had the airplane ticket & started to pack. The ability to go along with crazy spontaneity is one thing I adore in Italians. As the days grew colder and the rain just would not stop to visit my weddings I had the wonderful idea to take a break. My one free weekend in September I was able to spent with dear friends in and around Roma. 

The warm days involved a lot of happy strolling through the streets, a visit to the oldest Gelateria (ice cream place) in Roma, home made pizza and baby kittens...

but see for yourself.

Lago di Como ~ La Rici

"Nothing in the world can be compared to the fascination of these scalding days, spent at the Milano lakes."
~ Stenhal.
(Forgive my rough translation)

"Niente al mondo può essere paragonato al fascino di queste giornate ardenti trascorse sui laghi del Milanese."

We did not have unbearable heat but it was all the more beautiful for the two days we were able to spent in this small paradise. :)

More travel images will come soon.

Taaaanti salutiiiii.

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Goodbye Siena

Actually I had totally forgotten about these images from my last week in Siena for a very long time. Until I cleaned out my external drive and came across this folder Goodbye Siena. I guess I did not want to see it. If you have followed this journey a bit you know that Italia is a huge part of me and that I have fallen in love with a tiny city called Siena and my Tuscan life. I have every now and then dedicated travel posts to my stay there and checking on my Blog postings today I realized I had not written anything personal or travel connected in a very, very  long time. So this is from my last week in my most beloved Tuscan city of them all.

 The images are in no specific order and are not in one great story. They are connected to my story and if you don´t like it personal you can skip ahead and wait for the next photo shoot hitting the Blogosphere ;-) 

This was the neighborhood next to mine the "Unicorn" Leocorno having one of it´s festivities after the Palio week.

An apartment in Roma

It was this one week in February. One day I had called my Mom and told her that by the same time tomorrow I would be in town. I took a train, from Siena/ Tuscany to the middle of Germany, sat still for seventeen hours and as my Dad picked me up from the train station I was more than ready to go home. I had not been home for quite a while since last Christmas was my first one overseas.

It was due. I needed home. This was the same week her first mail arrived. She asked me if I were in Siena at the end of the week. She wanted to meet me and have a café. She sounded friendly. Sweet. But you have to know I never met Amy before. She had read a comment I had made on her wedding, which was photographed by Sarah (Ampersand Photography) and was curious. She found my Blog, liked it and decided to ask for a meeting. I was overjoyed! And in the wrong place. 

This one time I was locked in a wine cellar...

It was just their luck. This one week they were visiting me in Tuscany it had been raining every. Single. Day. We had just been hiding out in an absolute elegant cafè and took the one rain-free-hour to stroll around this little mountain village, somewhere tucked away in the Tuscan hills. Them being my brother, his fiancée and a friend. And as it sometimes happens in those tiny places everyone is exploring a bit on their own. At one point close to the market square, my brother was walking into one of these ancient courts along the main street to have a great panorama view into the valley. I was following up, because I thought better look out for him, I don´t want anybody to get lost here in a country they don´t understand a single syllable in. We were taking in the dramatic view with storm clouds and hills and wind as a young gentleman came into the court and closed the main entrance.

No biggy, I will talk to him, maybe he did not see us. So I approached him in my most charming way to reopen those doors, but he just said, no, you can go through the cellar. Alright, how long could it possibly take to walk out onto main street through his cellar, right? So we started to climb down the thick, rough stone stairs, as the young man also locked the cellar´s door.

Two days in Roma

Impressions from two days in Rome. 

Give me Carabinieri, in uniforms designed by Armani with white noble horses … and I´m in heaven!

PS, being obsorebed and swolloed up by the cities biggest event. Nothing else matters on this very day… the day of the Palio.

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Early morning silence, finally some cool air, we leave our palazzo and set out for the Campo (city piazza). The first morning practicing run of the Palio. I was convinced that at five am, the piazza will be a lonely field… well I did not account the Sienese absolute passion for the biggest event of their year.

As the first round of horses and jockeys exited the city hall, I forgot I was total sleep deprived, I forgot my bed and I heard hooves. Hooves galloping their soothing sound as just horse hooves can make this lovely morning music. I would get up for this moment at really any time in the night.

This was my morning romance, horses, dust, my lens and me.

This morning

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Over the weekend I had a short visit from Germany and because we were in the fortunate situation of a car, we took our Sunday and drove all the way to Cinque Terre. It was wonderful, filled with windy roads through the rough back country, lovely chatter in the car and infinite happy glimpses of blue and tiny colored houses.

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Während des letzten Wochenendes hatte ich einen kurzen Besuch aus Deutschland und da wir in dem glücklichen Besitzes eines Autos waren, führen wir am Sonntag den ganzen Weg nach Cinque Terre. Es war wunderbar. Ein Tag gefüllt mit engen, gewunden Straßen durchs Hinterland, herrlichen Unterhaltungen im Auto und unendlichen glücklichen Eindrücken von nassem Blau und winzigen bunten Häuschen.

That one time I ran into a Persian chef cook from San Francisco…

I was out with two girlfriends as were about to finish our dinner in my favorite restaurant in Siena. When I was surprised by a waiter speaking very good English at the table next to me.  As we´re about to leave, I was asked from where in the states I am from and three minutes later I realized that the new befriended cook, Hoss, would need a translator the next day. To interview the owner of this wonderful dining place. I was sooo in. Italian food, first hand. Insights in the kitchen. Chatting with the inventor of delicacies my mouth has craved so often. Hello!!

So, the next day I accompanied Hoss to interview the chef, he took a wonderful hour to answer questions. You will be able to read about all the insights in Hoss´s article – I will share on FB + Twitter when he publishes it.

After this, for me unexpected he showed us all the kitchen, pasta machine, cellar, pizza oven included. The owner Giuseppe Chiarelli himself took some time to prepare some fresh pizza just for us and we were able to follow each step, even more, he invited us to return the next day, so he could set up a nice rustic pasta/dish display. It was amazing.

Preview:

Behind the scenes in my absolute favorite restaurant in Siena.

More to come soon!

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Hinter der Kulisse in meinem absoluten Lieblingsrestaurant in Siena.

Bald kommt mehr!

Wonderful Tuesday to you!

~~~

Einen schönen Dienstag dir!

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Some enchanted bath

As I have already hinted at, this is a particularly quiet time in Siena. Maybe it is due to the fact that we have exam session at the university right now. Yeah. So I figured what other people might do around this time of the year, is they dream where to travel to in the summer. Short; plan their vacation.  I thought I spice it up a little with some sweet idea of my own. Ok, you got me this might be some Rici´s excuse to share travel pictures. But anyway, if you travel to Tuscany any time soon, let me know we can set up some nice outdoor shooting together!!! Sooo looking forward to spring in Tuscany. So here are some of my favorites from a tiny little thermal bath, in an even tinier little village somewhere in the rural mountains of Tuscany. The city piazza is basically a pool. Yes, you read that right! So they built the city center´s pool on top of a hot spring and it´s said to have healing powers. Of course it has! Sadly it´s forbidden to take a dip in the healing pool… anyway you can dangle your feet and hands into some cute streams outside the tiny village centre and enjoy the healing there. It´s lovely you should try it! If you follow the healing streams running down the hills you will find more of the natural pools, which is simply Tuscan awesomeness!!!!

~ Enjoy!

PS, oh, the enchanted little place is called: Bagno Vignoni

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Wie schon angedeutet ist diese Zeit in Siena ungewöhnlich ruhig, was vielleicht auch mit der Prüfungszeit an der Uni zu tun haben könnte. Ja! Ich hab mir jedoch überlegt was andere Menschen wohl gerade zu dieser Zeit im Jahr so machen und ich denke das der ein oder andere von einer Sommerreise träumt. Kurz: seinen Urlaub plant. Ich hab da selbst ein paar Vorschläge für diejenigen die noch Inspiration brauchen. Ok, erwischt, vielleicht ist das nur eine Rici Ausrede um einige Reisebilder mit euch zu teilen. Wie dem auch sei, wenn du in nächste Zeit in der Toskana vorbei schaust, sag mir Bescheid und vielleicht können wir ein wunderschönes draußen - Shooting zusammen planen. Ich freu mich schon sooooo sehr auf den Frühling in der Toskana. Also hier sind einige meiner Lieblingsbilder von einem winzigen Thermalbad, in einem noch winzigeren Dörfchen irgendwo in den rauen Bergen der Toskana. Der Dorfplatz ist ein Pool, ganz recht gelesen, ein Pool!  Die Legende sagt, dass diese heiße Quelle heilendes Wasser in sich trägt. Natürlich tut sie das! Leider ist es verboten direkt im Dorfplatz zu baden aber man kann unweit dessen seine Hände und Füße in kleine Bächlein baumeln lassen. Es ist ganz wunderbar! Folgt man den kleinen Flüssen über die Felsen ins Tal gelangt man zu weiteren natürlichen Swimmingpools was einfach nur toskanische Großartigkeit ist!

PS, Oh, der kleine verwunschene Ort nennt sich Bagno Vignoni

Sunset with Snow

This is a very quiet time of the year, even more so with the winter, snow, cold, surprise in Tuscany. Therefore I have some quiet sunset with Snow pictures and warm greetings from my Tuscan just semi warm kitchen ;-).

 

~ Happy Thursday! Saluti.

Snow in Siena

It started late in the evening and my roomy was looking at me with joyous eyes. Rici, if it´s still snowing after we finished our movie, we should go out for a walk. So shortly after midnight we left our palazzo in the middle of town. Shouts and screams greeted us on the street and before short we found ourselves in a city square filled snow ball fights. This was too good. After my roommate defeated all the other exchange students (proud of her) we continued our walk to the dome. Taking in it´s peaceful, soulless sight.  The magical atmosphere was not over yet – next morning the whole town was sliding, rolling and squeaking about this surprise visit. Ok, not the whole town, kids, dogs, but I may report, some adults as well… And then finally I was confirmed of my long lasting presumption! Every town square (piazza) should have a steep slope! No, honestly! Every town should have one! Simply best thing ever!!

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Es begann spät in der Nacht und meine Mitbewohnerin schaute mich mit erwartungsvollen Augen an. Rici, wenn es immer noch schneit wenn wir den Film zu Ende geschaut haben, dann müssen wir rausgehen. Somit haben wir kurz nach Mitternacht unseren Palazzo verlassen. Schon auf der Straße wurden wir von freudigen Rufen gegrüßt und kurz darauf fanden wir uns auf dem Piazza in einer einzigen Schneeballschlacht wieder. Das war einfach zu gut! Nachdem meine Zimmernachbarin alle anderen Austauschstudenten besiegt hatte (bin stolz auf sie) führten wir unseren Spaziergang Richtung Dom fort. Diese verwunschene Atmosphäre war jedoch noch nicht vorbei. Am nächsten Morgen war die ganze Stadt am rutschen, kullern und vergnügten quieken. Ok, vielleicht nicht die ganze Stadt, aber alle Kinder, Hunde und ich darf auch den ein oder anderen Ausgewachsenen hin zu fügen. Zu guter Letzt wurde ich in einer meiner schon immer und sehr lang gehegten Vermutungen bestätigt. Jede Stadt sollte auf dem Marktplatz einen kleinen „Hang“ haben den man im Fall das es schneien sollte vereint hinunter rutschen kann. Wirklich ich hab es schon immer geahnt, aber das hat es übertroffen! Zu gut!!

I told you there was a wild snow ball fight! See all these??? Ok, I admit, snowflakes... 

Laurea di Monica

Alcuni giorni fa ho fotografato la Laurea di un’amica qui a Siena. Ho incontrato Monica grazie a amici che abbiamo in comune. Questo è veramente una cosa che amo dell´Italia, e così facile incontrare nuova gente. Quando ho sentito che Monica si sarebbe laureata in dicembre, le ho detto che avrei fotografato volentieri la sua speciale giornata. Già durante la prima settimane ho visto che celebrano questo giorno in tutto altro modo rispetto alla Germania. Ho deciso di fotografare almeno una delle Lauree. Per questo sono molto felice di condividere queste bellissime foto. Monica, ti ringrazio per avermi coinvolto nella tua giornata importante! Grazie per avermi fatto conoscere la tua meravigliosa famiglia e per aver condiviso la tua gioia con me. Unicamente per quest’occasione sono arrivati parenti dal profondo sud Italia. Ho apprezzato molto la gentilezza della famiglia. L´atmosfera era calda e confortevole. È stato interessante conoscere tutti e un po´del modo di vivere italiano. Monica ti auguro tanto successo per la tua laurea specialistica! A presto! ;-)

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A couple of days ago I had the tremendous delight to witness the „Laurea“ (declaration of Doctor) of a friend here in Siena. I met Monica as so often around here through a common friend. I really love this about Italy. It is soooo easy to meet new people. When I learned that Monica had her “Laurea” in December I told her how much I would love to take her pictures on her important day. I noticed during my first days in Bella Italia that they have quite a different tradition how to celebrate this degree and I loved it. Right during the first week I challenged myself to shoot at least one of these interesting days throughout my stay in Siena. So today I am really delighted to share these beautiful pictures with you. Monica, thank you that I was able to witness your great day! Thanks for letting me be part of it, get to meet your wonderful family and see the joy. For her big day many family members travelled to Tuscany from the very south of Italy. I really loved their warm hearted, open kindness. So great to have glimpses into their lives. Monica for your new degree I wish you all the best! Till soon.

An Italian Christmas Market

Finally! The tuscans considered it would be time to put up a Christmas market. These were two happy, enchanted days. Yes the joy was short. BUT wonderful. My favorite part was actually when they put up torches all around the Campo. On each house and on each balcony. This was quite wonderful! 

 ~ ~ ~

Endlich haben die Toskaner es auch an der Zeit gehalten einen Weihnachtsmarkt zu machen. Dies waren zwei glücklicher, verzaubernde Tage. Ja die Freude war kurs, ABER wunderschön. Mein absoluter Lieblingsteil war als nach Sonnenuntergang rings um auf dem ganzen Campo Fakeln angezündet wurden. Auf jeden Haus und auf jedem Balkon. Super schööön!

Sleepwalking

GooOOod Morning out there!
This was my 7am today (yeah). Love the soft sunrise light and reflections.

Have a really nice weekend y´all!