missnicolegray

[missnicolegray]

Dealing with Loss | Loss of Life | Loss of Relationships | Loss of Identity

Introduction to this Post

It's been 3 months since I left my home in South Africa. I haven't posted for a while. My laptop was a mess, my mind was all over the place and I just didn't want to.  This post is not about a specific place and my experiences there. This post won't have photos as my previous ones have. These are my thoughts on loss. This post is not for anyone in particular. No, that's a lie.  I'm using this post as my personal outlet, my personal understanding of my experiences and the emotions that have gone with them. I'm opening my heart up and it feels like the right thing to do. I have had the pleasure of spending the last few days with an incredible human being who has made me so conscious of truths and questions I have left unanswered and it is because of our interactions that I am typing this out right now. Thank you Zippy, you are a blessing to all who meet you. I have begun to realise that it is incredibly important to focus on the positives of loss. We so often entertain our minds with the negative what ifs and hopes and wishes that so often won't come into fruition.  I will be focusing on 3 kinds of loss - loss of lives of our loved ones, loss of friendships or relationships that we thought would last forever and loss of our own identity. (Side note: I am such a people saver. But sometimes our solutions aren't on the same thought pattern as the people we want to save and we have to accept that.)

Loss of Life

Starting with the hardest one. Loss of life. Knowing that we will never see them in their physical form ever again. I was alone, beginning a 19 hour bus ride from Genoa, Italy to Strasbourg, France, when I found out my beautiful gran, my Nonna, had passed away. The bus was packed with people so no free seats, it was uncomfortable. How do you deal with something so important when there are a bunch of other people sharing your space? My answer - Badly. I was blessed to have my family from all over calling me and messaging me to send me words of support. I had to very quickly realise that this was out of my control. I couldn't change what was happening, but I could decide how to take another step. Tears still stream down my face knowing that when I go back home the person who put me in this spirit of travel in the first place won't be there. What I do know is that she is still alive in me. I carry her genes, her strong will, her spirit of reverence to God and sometimes... her stubbornness. Nonna was the strongest woman I knew and her life is a testament to that. She passed on at the ripe old age of 95 with all of her children around her and for that my heart rejoices. I love you Nonna. I can't wait to see you when my time here is up. You have left a legacy in your children and grandchildren. We will do all do our best to make you proud.

Loss of Relationships

I am so grateful for the people who chose to spend time with me. Every moment of every relationship made me who I am. I spent 4 amazing years with the person I believed I would be with forever. He was my partner in love, in friendship, and in business. Each memory made an imprint on my mind, body and spirit. We grew exponentially when we were together,. We boosted each other when one of us was low. We had intense discussions about our thoughts, our lives, our truths. We loved each other's company so much that many times no one else mattered. We were utterly and truly in love. But every person's experience of love is different. Sometimes we can love past each other, seeing different futures, different ways of things working out. A part of me still wishes we could have seen the same end goal. In my mind we could work through everything. In relationships though, we both have to believe, we both have to have faith and hope, we both have to fight equally especially when times are hard. But we are not always up for the challenge.

Loss of Identity

I have realised another thing about myself too. I compare myself to others and try and mimick them so I can become more like the traits I admire. But here's the thing, I have my own traits, I have my own gifts to share, I have my own being that's unlike ANYONE else's. I am still on my journey of self-discovery. I have tested the strength of my body, mind and spirit. It has been gruelling at times but I am still here and I'm OK. My mindset of "there is always a solution" is definitely what is keeping my going, as it always has. I have done things I would never have done or even wanted to do back home, and I have done them alone. I have travelled on buses, trams, trains and airplanes for long hours but managed to keep my mind occupied. I was never bored. I went out to a bar on my own (while messaging friends back home to pluck up the courage) and I met the most beautiful souls. At a bar, I know, who would have thought it? I went for a swing dancing lesson, I am learning to do a shoulder stand, I will soon learn how to ride a bicycle again (don't laugh), I am learning new languages. But most of all, I am learning about people, seeing how we all fit together and how we can all be for each other.  And I am starting to love myself more and more because I am seeing what I am capable of.

Conclusion

Any type of loss is a hard pill to swallow but these experiences are necessary to build us into the solid human beings we were made to be. I still have much to learn and understand about myself, my role and the tribe to which I belong but everyday I take one more step into the person I am. So here's my final word. Kindness. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Recognise that we are all connected, no matter where in the world we are. The same spirit that fills me fills each person I come into contact with. So make eye contact, hold someone's hand, give someone a hug, because you don't know what type of loss they are dealing with. God bless all of you who read this and all of you who don't my heart bursts with love for you. Click to Post

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Travelling through Switzerland

So today I planned to sit down at my laptop and write my blog about my time in Switzerland, the prettiest country I have been so far and a definite favourite. (I clearly have expensive taste because this country is pricey as heck!) Much to my dismay, my charger stopped working and my battery was already a problem. I'm so upset! I am now working on my tablet and hoping I can figure this all out! Ok, it's now a few days later and I'm back on my busted laptop... Need a new battery ASAP! Please can it not shut down on me... Enough ranting. Let's get to the good stuff!

First Stop: Geneva, Switzerland

I am so lucky to have stayed in an amazing home with a pool! I arrived to a pretty rainy day in Geneva which gave me a bit of time to rest and relax. I was woken up by a knock on my door from a familiar face. My ex-English teacher from high school, Mrs Murray, and her husband were generous enough to open their doors to me. Going for a walk in the area was well worth it. Mrs Murray jumped into her running shoes and told me to come quickly as there was a perfect view of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps! This was a massive opportunity because the days since it has been covered by clouds. I wouldn't have even known it was there!

My First Full Day in Switzerland

Next day was for me to explore Geneva, Switzerland on my own. I was told of the buses and trams to take (first time on a tram by the way!). And off I went on my merry way to see the lake I had been so excited to see! I mean really, what's the point of being in the city and not seeing the gorgeous Lake Geneva or Lac Leman. (Depending on whether you are in Switzerland or France! Clearly both very proud nations!) I wandered around a park called Jardin Anglais, a favourite spot of mine as I revisited it many times. With a perfect view of the Jet D'Eau, a large fountain in Geneva with a maximum height of water jet of about 140 metres above water level. When it is in operation, at any given moment there are about 7,000 litres of water in the air.  I spent a lot of time there chatting to some friends and family back home on the free WiFi and taking photos. I then walked through to the old town of Geneva to find Saint Pierre Cathedral - my meeting spot with Mrs Murray after she was done with work. I walked for quite a while, wandering around with my Google Maps trying to find this place! I was going in circles for quite a while and eventually realised that I had been standing in front of it the whole time... Needless to say Google Maps wasn't on the mark with that one! I was only meeting my lovely host later and since I had found the spot I decided to find the Reformation Wall which was meant to be reasonably close. The Reformation Wall in Switzerland honours many of the main individuals, events, and documents of the Protestant Reformation by depicting them in statues and bas-reliefs. The sculptures were then created by two French sculptors: Paul Landowski and Henri Bouchard. It was located in the grounds of the University of Geneva. Another beautiful park area where I decided to take a nap. Following this, I went back to my meeting place and waited for Mrs Murray so we could climb to the top of Saint Pierre Cathedral to see another view of Geneva, Switzerland. It was completely breathtaking. Going back down to the Old Town we stopped at a cafe for aperitifs and we were spoilt with many snacks while drinking our pretty heavy Gin and Tonic! A nice buffer for the alcohol. We walked a bit more of the city before taking a ferry over Lake Geneva and back towards the tram that would take us home.

Carouge in Geneva, Switzerland

Next day off I went to another area of Geneva called Carouge. As I stepped off the tram I was met with a gorgeous little Catholic Church. I spent quite a while in there gathering my thoughts and praying my prayers before heading through the area. I have a thing for parks. So that is first on my agenda when I reach a new place and am wandering around alone. I seem to find a lot of peace sitting on the grass and watching people around me. So back on Goggle Maps, I searched for the closest one. I found one that wasn't too exciting though. I realised I was pretty hungry, so I went in search of good and less expensive food... HAHAHA try find that in Switzerland! Eventually, after searching for a while, I found a random little taco place where a couple of the local youngsters were. I figured it would be cheaper since it was students buying. I walked it and ordered the cheapest item, a single cheese burger. When it arrived I was AMAZED! It was the size of my hand! I was the biggest, tastiest burger I have ever had, definitely a win! I was completely stuffed after that. The following day was spent with Mrs Murray. She took me to another spot with a view of Geneva, I am in love with this city. So much space, so much nature, people really look after the environment.

Yvoire, France for a Day

Then off to Yvoire, France, on the banks of Lake Geneva (or Lac Leman) we went. Geneva is so close to the French border that it's quite easy to go across. Yvoire is a small medieval town only accessible by foot. It is considered one of the most beautiful villages of France and the photos will show you why. (Although photos never do enough justice!) I have to say, this place stole my heart. We walked a bit and then sat down for a bite to eat. Oh my YUM! Give me cheese, cured meats and bread any day and I will be happy! This was too delicious for words. Food is a big deal for me, it can make or break a place. So far, so good! We continued on our journey of the village and found the local church Saint Pancras which dates right back to the 11th century. We then walked towards the lake. The view was stunning. I would live here in a moment. And that was Saturday.

Sunday in Geneva, Switzerland

Sunday was a relatively early one. We woke up for church. It was a great service and I enjoyed the fact that I had gone together with Mrs Murray. There's always strength in numbers! Following church we went for coffee then wandered off to the Geneva Street Food Festival which was around the corner. There Mrs Murray left me to check out the goodies as she had some marking to do. (The life of a teacher... Their work is never done! I have so much respect for them.) I looked around, stared at all of the mouthwatering food and ended up with a couple of slices of pizza in my hand (typical Italian). I went and found another park, as there are many in Switzerland, and ate my goods. Back to the Jardin Anglais park I walked. And this time I decided to get up close and personal with the Jet D'Eau which can be reached via a stone jetty from the left bank of the lake many visitors were surprised to find themselves drenched after a slight change in wind direction! I went back to the edge of Lake Geneva and dipped my feet in for relief from the end of the hot day. Sunday made!

Geneva, Switzerland - Tram Stop: Nations

Monday was spent roaming the United Nations area and the Botanical Garden of Geneva. The Broken Chair sculpture was especially moving as the first stop. With this write up next to it, in this time of uncertainty and violence in our world, I was moved to tears. Following this, I made my way to the Conservatoire et Jardins Botaniques de la Ville de Geneve. Or in English - the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva. I took many photos, inside and outside the greenhouses. I even stopped at a small pond with ducks to have my lunch which I had bought from the local grocery store (I had decided not to buy from a restaurant today... Travelling on a budget!) I ended up on the lake front and decided to go down to put my toes in. Why pebbles! My poor feet were so hot but pained as I walked on the pebbles, either way, I had to at least feel the water. Quickly jumping back into my shoes I continued through the garden and went home.

An Expensive Lunch in Geneva, Switzerland

Tuesday was spent back at the Jardin Anglais with a walk around the area and a sit down meal of gnocchi with tomato, basil, parma ham and mozzarella di bufala. I decided to treat myself. It was so expensive but totally delicious! I allowed myself one moment of weakness in Switzerland where I gave in to the stupid high price of a meal. I went back home and had a dip in the swimming pool which was amazing! Then later Mrs Murray and I took a walk so she could show me the carvings made from tree trunks in the area made by a local artist. Such creativity! I loved seeing these, people can be so inspirational in their works. Just for the love of it!

Another Day in France

Next day off to another spot in the neighbouring France called Annecy. It was on the top of things to do in my area on TripAdvisor so I decided to make a turn. I got completely lost though. Looking for the old town of Annecy, I walked roughly 10km in the wrong direction. I had seen the name Annecy-le-Vieux and thought I was going to the right place, only to find out when I got home that I should have been looking for a place that had been a stone's throw away from my starting point. Oh the joys of travelling! I arrived at the top of this mountain, completely lost, and found a church. I walked in and was greeted by a very well dressed man. I sat in one of the pews for a moment. A few seconds later the well dressed man was accompanied by others and was carrying in a coffin. I figured I should leave as they were setting up for the funeral and I was in very casual attire. I had taken some photos of the church and only realised when I got back home that there was something like a halo surrounding it. I guess sometimes we have to get lost to be found. I will remember this moment forever. Even in death there is light! The next day I started this blog post and got fed up. So I left it until now!

Second Stop: Interlaken, Switzerland

Friday was my next adventure. After only 3 hours of sleep because of sheer nerves! Jumping on a train, I was readying myself for my first stay at a backpackers! I was so nervous as I had booked a mixed dormitory (the all female ones were full up) in Interlaken. I had been told by Mrs Murray and her hubby that this was a definite must see in the middle of Switzerland! So I booked it. They were not joking. I could have spent all my time there amidst the mountains, forests and rivers. It was totally breathtaking! I met a lovely girl from India, her and I were waiting to check into our rooms so we decided to go for a walk. We went up to Harder Kulm, one of the nearby mountains and took a crazy steep but slow train to the top. Harder Kulm is a viewpoint at 1,321 metres overlooking the towns of Interlaken and Unterseen. Great first impression of Interlaken, Switzerland. I was only in Interlaken for one night so made the most of it by going to the Balmers Backpackers' night club! Haha I lasted there a lot shorter than intended... Headed back up to my room only to find a snoring man ready to keep myself and 2 other girls awake with his noises. I had 3 hours of sleep... Again. 2 nights in a row of this.

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Following morning I checked out and made plans with my new buddy from India to head to another group of mountains in the Lauterbrunnen area. Booking our ticket, we were told we would have to walk from the area of Stechelberg further up the mountain to Murren in order to get the cable car back down... No problem! Boy, was I wrong! The views were amazing. Walking through the mountains was a great experience! But... I had slept terribly and was completely exhausted. My body was angry with each step I took! After 5,5km we finally made it to Murren. It was an UPHILL battle! But I did take some great shots of the mountains, streams and cows along the way. So it was worth it!

Third Stop: Lucerne, Switzerland

Back to the backpackers I went to collect my bags and off to my next stop I headed, Lucerne, Switzerland. I arrived at 9pm to an all female dormitory at the Lucerne Youth Hostel. I loved my roomies here. One Korean girl living in California, one Chinese girl living in Pennsylvania and one Austrian girl there on a conference. Brilliant! And no snoring men! The Chinese girl and I decided to make a plan for a mission the following day and had an early night. Finally some sleep!

Sightseeing in Lucerne, Switzerland

We woke up on this Sunday morning, had breakfast, and headed for the city sights. We went to The Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne. This is a rock relief that commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Mark Twain praised the sculpture of a mortally-wounded lion as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world." Following this went off to Museggmauer (Town Walls) to climb one of the towers for a view of the city. A quick walk to Franziskanerkirche, an elaborate Gothic-style Franciscan church with a large pipe organ & paintings on the walls. Then off to another church, the Jesuit Church. Switzerland's first large church in the Baroque style that was built for the Jesuits directly on the left bank of the Reuss between 1666 and 1677. The interior was updated to the Rococo style in 1750, with an outstanding painted ceiling and ornate faux marble side altars. When we arrived I had been completely distraught emotionally from the loneliness of my journey through Europe. It's not always fun and games I thought it would be, alas, I was struck with thoughts of "What on earth are you even doing?! Are you sure this is the right move?!"

Sunday's Miracle in Switzerland

Being a Sunday and knowing I was going sightseeing with my new friend, I had come to the resolve that I wouldn't be making it to mass. We had reached the Jesuit Church at 14:45, walked around in awe of what people had built and sat in a pew. With my head in my hands and tears streaming down my face I started begging for a miracle. I had noticed the church starting to fill up. (Sheesh, my eyes are watering now just thinking about it.) I walked to the back of the church and noticed that there was a mass on at 15:00. Wow, even when I thought there was no way I was going to go to mass that day, God put me in the perfect place in His perfect time. I was shocked. I asked my new friend if she wanted to stay or wander around some more but she decided she would stay for the mass. After about an hour of German it was over. I felt like a weight had been lifted. As soon as I walked out of there I had a completely new spirit. I'm not saying I don't still feel the loneliness but somehow God keeps throwing me little blessings to remember that He is there, always.

The Last Bit of Lucerne, Switzerland

We continued our walk onto Kapellbrucke, or Chapel Bridge. The most characteristic sight in Lucerne, Switzerland a covered wooden bridge running diagonally across the Reuss. Built in 1333, has more than 100 17th-century pictures hanging from the roof rafters inside, depicting patron saints and scenes from the town's history. We ended our day off at a park (surprise!) called Ufschotti. There was a mass of people sunbathing, swimming in  Lake Lucerne, playing volleyball and practicing the Brazilian martial arts of Capoeira. It was such a great atmosphere filled with music, the smell of barbecues and happy people.

Final Stop: Zurich, Switzerland

Next morning, off to Zurich for my last night in Switzerland. This time I stayed in the Zurich Youth Hostel in a female dorm with only one other person. An Indian doctor who was in Switzerland for a conference and had decided to come a few days earlier to explore. She and I went as quick as we could through the city as I had to be in bed early so I could catch my bus from Zurich, Switzerland to Genoa, Italy at 3:00am. We decided to check out a few churches, the old town then head to Lake Zurich. A very rushed trip but at least I managed to see a bit of the beauty. Now I am in Genoa, Italy. Working on my busted laptop hoping it doesn't crash while I am writing this post! I look forward to doing some good exploring while I'm here for the next few days. I am glad to be back in Italy, after all, it has the best food!   Click to Post

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Malta in a Week

Leaving Italy was bittersweet but Malta welcomed me with open arms! Also, always a win when the locals can speak English (main languages include Maltese, English and Italian). Flying over the Mediterranean was such a win! The skies were so clear. I could see everything. From the land to the sea to the boats and ships, it was beautiful. I couldn't help but think about all of the refugees that were making the voyage to a better life. I said a prayer for all of those fighting for something better, whether a refugee, a confused teenager or even someone like me in search of a calling... Love and blessings to all of the wanderers. It isn't easy but when the opportunity for growth hits you have to run with it. Trust yourself to find your peace. And when in doubt, trust in the goodness of people.

Arriving in Malta

Arriving in Malta I was whisked away by my host, Kirsten (an old friend from school), to grab a drink at the marina in Gzira. We chatted for a long while, catching up on the happenings in each other's lives. Then back home we went for Kirsten's famous Lasakka (a mixture of lasagna and moussaka - her creation!). More chatting took place and we eventually got to bed around 2:30am.

Golden Bay, Malta

Next day off we went to Golden Bay, one of the most popular sandy beaches in Malta. After a crazy amount of stairs down we got there. It was incredible. Looking down from the fortress we could see how clear the water was, I couldn't believe my eyes. Definitely a must do when you are there! Then back home for a meal of speck (cured ham), olives, ciabatta, butter beans, Bigilla (traditional Maltese broad bean dip), mozzarella di bufala, fresh tomatoes, basil and Galletti (Maltese water biscuits). Mmmmmm!

Exploring Malta

Next day was spent online working on my blog and site. Later on, Kirsten and I went for a walk around St Julian's, Sliemma and back home to Gzira. This gave me the confidence to wander around the next day on my own. Off I went to explore the island by myself. My legs HATED me after this! From Gzira to Sliemma and back again, taking photos as I went.

From Gzira to Valleta to Birgu, Malta

After a nap, I was invited for dinner by Kirsten and her colleagues in Birgu, the oldest of the Three Cities in Malta, which has existed since the Middle Ages. The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua in Malta. We took a bus to Valletta and I wandered around a bit taking photos of  the Auberge de Castille and other landmarks surrounding the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Then hopped on a ferry to Birgu. Dinner was amazing and the people were lovely! I ordered Octopus Linguine... Heaven!

Saturday in Malta

Saturday was spent exploring the further away spots of the island including: The Blue Grotto (a number of sea caverns on the south coast) Ghar Lapsi (another, less touristy bay) and Mdina (a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta, which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of just under 300) After a fun-filled day we went for a drink at the local bar Good Thaimes. The owners are a German-Thai couple. The German husband imports German beer and the Thai wife makes amazing Thai food - hence the name)

Sunday Mass, Makeup and Happy Dayz

Sunday was mostly spent indoors, I went to church at Jesus of Nazareth in Sliemma and was fortunate to be able to attend an English mass. The churches in Europe... So exquisite! It felt almost like touching a piece of heaven. There had been the Maltese elections happening on the Saturday so Sunday was the day of celebration for the winning party and their supporters. It was utter madness! Everyone was driving around with all of the passengers hanging out of the windows with beers and flags, hooting CONTINUOUSLY! Definitely not a great day to be driving, especially since Malta has become a little slack on the rules of the road. Later on I did Kirsten's makeup and gave her a bit of a lesson. We made our way, by foot, to Spinola Bay in St Julian's for a drink at Happy Dayz and to watch the festivities.

Last Day in Malta

Monday was a day of online training by Kirsten. She is a Digital Strategist so I decided to ask for her help on how to do better. Later on we went through to one of the local rocky beaches but found it too windy to have a dip so we relaxed on the rocks. Dinner was an amazing chicken curry made by Kirsten! Then off to bed for an early night so we would be ready to head off to the airport for my flight to Switzerland!   Click to Post

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Rome in a Day with A Brilliant Tour Guide

For years I felt like I had this calling to go back to Rome. I had gone there as a kid with my high school and absolutely fell in love with the place. Now, 12 years later, I finally made it! I was pretty fortunate to have my English speaking cousin, Aurora, with me to show me the ropes. I honestly don't know how I would have done it without her! She was super excited to show Rome to me. I was collected from my temporary home and off we went to the train station down the road in Valmontone. On the way, Aurora was chatting to her dad about our trip and where she would take me. She planned a route to make sure that I saw some of the most important aspects of Rome. We only had a day so we had to be strategic about it! We got to the train station and bought our tickets. I paid 9 euros for a day pass in Rome. This meant that for that day I would be able to take the trains, trams and buses without having to pay anything more. Brilliant! Hopping on the train, we started our journey towards the capital. We arrived in Roma Termini (Rome Terminal). We then went to the underground, got on another train and headed toward the Colosseum.

The Colosseum

During my previous trip to Rome we had done a lot by bus. This time it would be all on foot. Arriving at the Colosseum station, we walked out, and there she was. Standing in all her glory, the Colosseum. I was blown away! I couldn't believe I was seeing this great Roman monument right in front of me. We walked around taking a couple of photos from different angles. I didn't want to stop! We reached he other side of the Colosseum and saw a few tourists jumping on a random rock that was pretty high and getting their mates to take photos of them. I thought I would do the same. Hahaha! If there's one thing I struggle with, it's balance! I walked up to the rock after the guys ahead of us were done. I couldn't get up the stupid rock! How embarrassing! So many people had done it before me and I was just standing there thinking... Crap! Where do I place my foot, how am I gonna do this! Luckily there were 2 Spaniards who jumped to assist me in getting on the rock and who also helped me down so I wouldn't break my face! Such kind men! (And not bad looking either!) I'm sure you can see from the photo that I was terribly unstable and stayed in one position once I got up just in case I bailed!

Chiesa Santa Maria di Loreto

From here we took a walk towards the Trevi Fountain and on the way saw a beautiful church, Chiesa Santa Maria di Loreto. I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside but I can tell you it was so special. The artworks inside had recently been restored so the colours were much brighter. One thing I absolutely love about being Catholic is that no matter where I am, anywhere in the world, if I walk into a Catholic Church, I feel home. It's pretty surreal. We continued on towards our destination and were met by another enormous building, the Altare della Patria, amonument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill... Aurora was giving me a bit of a history lesson as we went through the city. Much better than just staring blankly at the rich antiquity of Rome.

The Trevi Fountain

After walking a few blocks more we arrived. The Trevi Fountain in all its glory. Aurora asked me if I wanted to throw a coin in (for some reason I thought it would be to make a wish). I said no. Then she responded with, "Well, I guess you don't want to come back to Rome!"... Huh? I had thrown a coin in on my first trip. Had that been why I felt this pull to go back? I have no idea but it was pretty creepy and magical at the same time!

The Spanish Steps

Again, we took many photos and helped some other tourists by taking photos of them. Next stop... The Spanish Steps. I had never been here before. We arrived at the top of them to find the Sallustiano obelisk. The ancient Romans had such an appetite for Egyptian obelisks that they ended up manufacturing some themselves. Originally built for display in the garden of a wealthy Roman, it moved around the city several times before coming to the Spanish Steps in 1789. I guess forgery was as rife then as it is now! 135 steps later, we were at the bottom looking up to the widest staircase in Europe. After taking more photos it was time for lunch. Pizza? Yes, please! Lunch was awesome, we got a bit of a variety - margherita, aubergine, and fior di zucca and anchovies. We finished lunch off with an Amarena (black cherry) granita and started our way towards St Peter's Square.

St Peter's Square

We finally arrived after quite a bit of walking, it was mind blowing to see the 140 statues of saints surrounding us. We again took loads of photos then sat down taking in this surreal environment. It's always amazing to see what we as humans are capable of, such an inspiration!

Castel Sant'Angelo

Our final destination was the Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) on the banks of the Tiber River. It is a towering cylindrical building in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The castle was once the tallest building in Rome! Jumping on a local bus, we made our way back to Roma Termini to catch our train back home. Aurora's sister, Carlotta, picked us up from the Valmontone station. We chatted, had a cup of coffee and went off to my home away from home in Artena. A highly memorable day! Click to Post

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Makeup, Sunset and Shopping in Artena, Italy

I decided to put a few days together in this post. Monday to Thursday in Artena including makeup, a sunset walk and shopping. And of course... more food!

Monday

You may have read in the previous post that this was the day my cousin Aurora and I had planned to go to Rome. So, that didn't happen! Unfortunately, this travelling makeup artist got a bit of a cold so I decided to kill it by drugging myself senseless and passed out for the whole day!

Tuesday

Tuesday I was actually better but decided to take it easy. I stayed indoors with my host cousin for most of the day. Later in the afternoon I went to the local shopping mall in a little town close to Artena called the Valmontone Outlet. I thought to have a look for a handbag. (My handbag, which was a last minute and rushed decision ended up falling to pieces as I arrived in Abu Dhabi on my way to Italy!) I found a few good options but decided to wait for the local market in Artena which happened on Wednesday...

Wednesday Morning

Wednesday morning my cousin Aurora came through to meet me to go to the market - she hadn't even known it existed... And she lives here! We looked around at the various fruit, veggies and seafood then started looking for a bag. OH MY WORD, the fashion at the market was unbelievable! Such a variety of clothing, shoes and handbags... Shopping heaven! But knowing that my luggage was already reaching tipping point, I decided to restrain myself. )I really must make a plan to get rid of some of the stuff I brought with to make space for new goodies!) Actually in the back of my mind I also have this urge to keep the little money I have available for as long as possible. So the less I spend, the happier I am and the more I can travel! Aurora and I then decided to go for a walk for an espresso and then a granita (Italian sorbet). We both had the Amareno flavour (black cherry) and I added a swirl of Limone (lemon) to it... My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Then we walked back to my host cousin's house and Aurora left only to collect me for dinner and a makeup lesson for her later.

Wednesday Afternoon

I walked into the house to a mussel lunch! Please note - shellfish is a huge weakness of mine! My CHEF cousin made poached mussels and clams in a tomato, white wine and garlic sauce. The mussels were from the market earlier and were SUPER fresh! I should have taken a photo of the full and delicious mussel shells but I really couldn't wait to dig in! I even scooped up the sauce to shove straight into my mouth with no shame!

Wednesday Dinner and Makeup

Wednesday evening came and Aurora came to fetch me for dinner with her parents. We went for a sunset walk, took many photos and even met a friendly stray cat. The cats and dogs in Italy, even if stray, are cared for by the people in the neighbourhood. They feed them and give them water. There is a definite love for animals. Then back to Aurora's parents' house for a dinner of: Pasta Amatricana- sauce of fresh tomatoes, chopped bacon, onion and garlic, served with grated Pecorino Romano cheese, Cooked Italian Salsiccia (pork sausage seasoned with fennel and aniseed) served with roast veggies and salad, Then mozzarella di bufala for my taste bud's happiness After dinner, we cleared the table. Getting my travelling makeup kit out, I gave Aurora a quick tutorial based on things she was interested in knowing. I'm proud to say that she was very happy with the results and took many selfies! Then we made a plan to go to Rome on Thursday...

Thursday

We still didn't make it to Rome! Shame, this time my poor cousin Aurora, feeling too sick to make the trip, needed time to rest. I stayed home most of Thursday but was back at the Valmontone Outlet to get a handbag seeing as the market didn't have the size I wanted. The pricing of these bags was very impressive and they were not at all cheaply made. I managed to find a big enough bag to fit my laptop and my LIFE! How much did it cost... Only 17 euros which is about R255 (South African Rand). I was highly impressed. A very good buy! I sure had a good night's sleep to ready myself for our trip to Rome in the morning... Finally!!!   Click to Post

[missnicolegray]

First Sunday - Reflection, Food and More Cousins

My first Sunday in Italy moved my spirit and filled my belly! From a breakfast of cake, mass at Santa Croce, lunch of quails and meeting of more cousins, it was a pretty fun filled day.

Sunday Breakfast

I woke up to my host cousin telling me to have something very light for breakfast as we would be going to the bakery to get a bite. I keep wondering how Italians are not the most obese nation based on the amount of food and type of food consumed! We walked in to an array of pastries and cakes and was told to pick and choose whatever I wanted for Sunday breakfast. We ended up getting TEN different types as we were having guests for lunch (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I felt like we had bought the whole shop, totally worth it though! Cake for breakfast on a Sunday was a welcome treat with a cup of coffee. I felt pretty guilty knowing this went totally against any type of clean eating or healthy diet habits. (I had been convinced I would lose so much weight while on my journey, LOL!)

Mass at Santa Croce

Then off I went to mass at Santa Croce, with my 3rd cousins who stay across the road, where the statue of the Madonna from the procession the previous night was taken. The church is only accessible by foot and the cobblestones are pretty slippery so shoes that grip are a necessity! I, however, only found this out later. So my dear cousin Maria locked arms with me so I wouldn't fall flat on my face in my sandals. The whole mass was in Italian (obviously). So this South African, Italian tried hard to grasp what was being said. During mass, I started to realise that my heart was pulling me towards a specific thought, a prayer for purpose. This is probably something we all strive for, knowing where we belong, so my focus was on this completely. I am still repeating this prayer over and over in the hope that this journey will open my eyes and my heart to living my best life and honouring God through it all.

Lunch

After mass we came back home to the smell of my CHEF cousin's cooking. I cannot express how amazing this woman's food is. I told her she should open a restaurant or write a cookbook but she waved me away with the typical hand gestures of an Italian... Idea fail! So unfortunately for all you lovely folks, you will just have to try and imagine the tastes that she conjured up through my blog. Lunch was served. Quails pan fried in an orange and rum sauce, carcioffi (artichokes) with piselli (peas) with the complimenting flavours of mentuccia (mint-like herb) and garlic. And the starch - mash potatoes filled with butter. My tastebuds went crazy! And for dessert - cake. Or rather, CAKES! After eating such a life-changing meal there is only one thing to do, nap. And what a happy nap it was!

More Cousins

I woke up to meet more cousins, drink coffee and eat more cake. This time, I met a cousin closer to my age, Aurora - 24, (can you tell I'm in denial). And an extra bonus, she spoke perfect English! She and her 1 year younger sister are studying languages and that's why they speak so well. We got along like a house on fire! (It would have been awkward if we hadn't...) She didn't even know she had relatives outside of Artena and is super keen to visit South Africa at some stage. We are kindred spirits with so many commonalities including a love for travel! She has such great energy and I really do feel blessed for meeting such an amazing person and relative! We made plans to head to Rome on Monday together but unfortunately I fell ill with a stupid cold but killed it with MANY meds. We eventually made it on Friday. But more on that in a later post... All in all, Sunday was a blast! Click to Post

[missnicolegray]

Italy Day 2 - The Processione Madonna delle Grazie

I am writing 2 posts in 1 day because I don't want to forget anything while here in Artena, Italy! Day 2 started with a trip to the cemetery. As my family on my mother's side is originally from Artena, many of my deceased relatives are buried here. We drove up and up to the top of the mountain to find a shop selling flowers for visitors of the cemetery. We bought a beautiful bunch of carnations and headed inside. Old flowers were removed and fresh one's replaced them. I spent some time filling the vases with water and cleaning the area part of our family are resting in. Unfortunately the wind up in the mountains is quite forceful so my hard work would be forgotten within the next 5 minutes! But I felt grateful to be able to serve those who came before me. They paved the way for a beautiful family filled with more love than I could ever imagine. After this we went grocery shopping. If I lived here I would have no money. Everything looked so scrumptious, oh my word! Seafood, fresh pastas, cheeses, cold meats, free range meat, organic fruits and vegetables. Everything! We bought our goods then back home we went for some lunch... My host (2nd cousin) is the most AMAZING cook! It was so simple but delicious. Fresh pasta accompanied by broccoletti (a vegetable with sweet Broccoli flavour and hints of Asparagus), anchovies, garlic, chillies and a heavy handed dollop of olive oil all sauteed together. Oh the flavours! Lunch was shared between 4 of us. My 2nd, 3rd and 4th cousins. I have realised pretty quickly that I am related to almost everyone in this town! Then it was time to get ready for the Processione Madonna delle Grazie. I was told to be ready by wearing VERY comfortable shoes and warm EVERYTHING! The procession started at 7pm and would only be done at midnight. My 3rd cousin Maria and I were doing it together.

The Processione Madonna delle Grazie in Artena, Italy

So we arrived at the bus station to catch a minibus to the church at the top of the hill where the statue of the Madonna (Our Mother Mary) stays. We went in and took many photos before the priests got ready to take her down the mountain, barefoot! Bear in mind that we would be walking on cobblestones and some tar roads throughout this 5 hour journey. They don't really have a choice though - One year they all had shoes on and couldn't lift the statue of Mary. It was only once they removed them that they were able to move her. So incredible, unbelievable even, but true! The procession starts. Typically the procession goes ahead of the people, who follow the Madonna in 2 lines. My cousin, however, had her own ideas. We RAN down the mountain to go ahead of the procession (which was almost impossible as there were loads of people carrying various offerings and flags ahead of us). Eventually we made it to the Piazza della Vittoria where we waited for the procession to arrive. Many prayers were said, led by the priests. Many songs were sung too. It was too beautiful for words. The amount of people gathered was ridiculous, I had started to wonder where they all lived! As the procession reached us, each of the gifts and flags were set down around the piazza. What a sight to see at sunset. Then she arrived, in all her glory, "e viva Maria!" everyone started shouting. I couldn't help but feel my spirit move. I'm holding my heart just thinking about it. If you ever get the chance to do it, you must! It's on the 2nd last Saturday of May, every year, in Artena, Italy.

After a Long and Tiring Walk, We Ate!

Finally, we made it to the rest of my extended family who were waiting for us at another of my 3rd cousin's homes. We were welcomed with food (obviously). A table full of porchetta (roast pork made the Italian way), pizza, cheeses, sweet tarts and not to mention PLENTY bottles of wine! The procession continued on without us as we watched the rest of it from the balcony with our glasses full of Prosecco (sparkling Italian wine). Day 2 - Transformational.   Click to Post

[missnicolegray]

Travel Diary - My First Full Day in Italy

Ok, so I have a bit of catching up to do on my travel diary. Every day has been so busy, I haven't had a moment to post! I am absolutely loving this journey of mine! Let's start with day one of my travel journey. Friday. So I was looking through my pictures trying to figure out why my day only started at 2pm. I remember now, I was writing my previous blog post! And what a mission. My laptop was fighting me but eventually after 4 hours I managed to get it done! Don't you love technology... :/ That was a bit of a tangent... Back to the travel happenings.

I Went Cherry Picking!

Well, I didn't really pick them, but I did offer moral support to my 3rd cousin (I seem to have a lot of these here!) who really did all of the work. We went to his friend's farm to do this - a farm with a gang of dogs, cats, and horses. So I was in my element, being an avid animal lover! The one cat had just had kittens, her name was Italia because of her 3 colours. She was my favourite, so loving! Nothing like a cat purring to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Back to the cherries... Amazing! Also, the cherry tree hadn't produced fruit in over 10 years. It must have known I was coming to Italy to travel. Then off we went for my first espresso in Italy. Delicious! I stood at the bar (because that's how they do it here... tables for what?!) and gulped it down. Heaven. My stomach disagreed. I have IBS so anything delicious has to be cut out of my diet unless I want to deal with the consequences later. I dealt with the consequences later. It wasn't enough that I had a super dose of caffeine, I then went on to have the creamiest Gelato I have ever tasted. I chose 2 flavours - Melon and Coconut... mmMmm. Again, I dealt with the consequences later. When I got back to where I was staying dinner was not an option. I promptly passed out at about 8pm to rest my angry belly. I knew Saturday was going to be a big day as I was doing the Processione Madonna delle Grazie as mentioned in the last post. Day 1 done!   Click to Post

[missnicolegray]

Travelling the First Leg - Johannesburg to Rome

Travelling from Johannesburg, South Africa to Rome, Italy... Alone!

I arrived at Johannesburg International Airport, thinking I would have loads of time to relax, have a drink, and prepare myself mentally for the flight. Boy, was I wrong! I had 30 minutes to say my goodbyes and had to rush into the queue for immigration and security... Fun! We all love long queues while travelling right? I got through pretty easily and head off to my boarding gate, jumped onto the plane and off we went? Nope. Had a 1,5 hour delay, sitting on the plane, twiddling my thumbs with my stomach grumbling from hunger (it was 21:00 when we finally departed!). I was quite chuffed travelling with my pre-booked seat - window with 2 empty seats next to me, my lovely bed in economy class! Despite my brilliant seating arrangement this travelling makeup artist did not get a wink of sleep. I arrived in Abu Dhabi for my connecting flight SUPER tired! Jumping off the plane, I rushed to the next boarding gate with only a few minutes to spare before boarding time to Rome. I was pretty grateful I was able to catch it even though we had been delayed on the previous flight. And off we went! I was again sorted with a window seat, travelling next to an Australian couple who were so accommodating by moving every time I needed the bathroom! I also managed to get a few winks of sleep before touchdown in Rome. Arriving in Rome Arriving at Fiumincino Airport in Rome, I headed to another lovely queue for customs. While in the queue I pulled out my Italian passport to be ready once I got to the front. A security woman saw this, called me over and sent me to a separate area. No queue, no hand baggage checks and a man who looked at my passport briefly and let me through... Winning! Here, I said my first Italian word in Italy "Grazie", ("Thank you") one of the VERY few words I know and was so excited to get a response, "Prego!" ("You're welcome!"). However, if they had started conversing I would have stared blankly for a moment before nodding my head to say "Si!" ("Yes!"), hoping it would be the right answer. Heading to the exit with my luggage, I met 2 family members of mine. One who speaks English, my mother's cousin, and one who really doesn't! So it was the duty of my Mom's cousin to translate. Jumping into the car, we headed to where I will be staying for the next couple of weeks - Artena, Italy - a small town just outside of Rome. My First Meals in Italy (Click on the links for recipes and images...) Ciabatta (an Italian white bread made from wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast, created in 1982 by a baker in Verona, Veneto, Italy, in response to the popularity of French baguettes), Mozzarella di Bufala (a semi-soft, fresh cheese), Prosciutto (an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked), Mortadella (a large Italian sausage or luncheon meat made of finely hashed or ground, heat-cured pork) and Salami (a type of cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat Following this I had a well-deserved nap. I woke up to my dinner of Ravioli (a type of dumpling composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin pasta dough) and Sugo (an Italian word that sometimes refers to tomato sauce). Yummy! But wait, there's more... Fior di Zucca (fried zucchini flowers) came as a surprise from my Italian relatives next door, welcoming me to Italy. I finished my meal with a bowl full of fresh cherries for dessert! Then off I went to bed, after a good swig of brandy! Now for some exploring and relaxing before doing the Processione Madonna della Grazie, a local festival in Artena, tomorrow evening. Until next time! Click to Post