Merry Xmas and Happy New Year

Porto Praga East Warsaw

The right side of Warsaw has always been seen as a "dangerous" place to be but.....the times are changing. I decided to go out there for dinner (by taxi just to be on the safe side). The place is Porto Praga (in the Praga neighbourhood). It took them 2 years to make it as it is but it was worth it.

Started with a perfect Mojito.

Black Tiger shrimps in a blend of ginger, mango and chilli.

Squid and shrimps in ginger and garlic sauce, sliced peppers and fried rice.

Finished off with an excellent Illy espresso. Try this place if you happen to be in Warsaw.

Mr. Springsteen, thank you.

Bruce, if someday you will read this line I just want to thank you for last night emotions.

Thank you for being just the same throughout the years despite of the fame and the money. You have taught us to run.

LAST TO DIE

We took the highway till the road went black

We'd marked, Truth or Consequences on our map

A voice drifted up from the radio

And I thought of a voice from long ago

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

The last to die for a mistake

Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break

Who'll be the last to die, for a mistake

Kids asleep in the backseat

We're just counting the miles, you and me

We don't measure the blood we've drawn anymore

We just stack the bodies outside the door

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

The last to die for a mistake

Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break

Who'll be the last to die, for a mistake

The wise men were all fools, what to do

The sun sets in flames as the city burns

Another day gone down as the night turnsAnd I hold you here in my heart

As things fall apart

A downtown window flushed with light

Faces of the dead at five

Our martyr's silent eyes

Petition the drivers as we pass by

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

The last to die for a mistake

Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break

Who'll be the last to die

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

The last to die for a mistake

Will Darlin' tyrants and kings fall to the same fate

Strung up at your city gates

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

NO MORE WARS

Born to run - The Boss is in town (Arnhem, Gelredome)

The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive
Everybody's out on the run tonight but there's no place left to hide
Together Wendy we can live with the sadness
I'll love you with all the madness in my soul
h-Oh, Someday girl I don't know when we're gonna get to that place
Where we really wanna go and we'll walk in the sun
But till then tramps like us baby we were born to run

Springsteen..........No............."Osteria"

Well yesterday we were supposed to drive to Arnhem to attend a Boss' concert but.....Bruce got sick and postponed his concert to today (hopefully !!!!).

What to do? Kids sleeping at friends (thanks Lidia and Marco) so decided to go for a bite.

We ended up in little St. Oedenrode and had dinner at "Osteria". Apart from having Mr. Cas Spijkers next to us (a well-know Dutch chef) I only want to mention the Spinach and Ricotta filled Ravioli with duck sauce. AMAZINGLY GOOD

Capitolo 1 - Il viaggio

L'orologio del campanile di Crevari segnava le cinque e otto minuti ed eravamo gia' all'imbrunire. Una giornata interamente spazzata dalla tramontana, pungente ma non ancora fredda. Sotto di me la chiesa, tetti di ardesia, palme, ulivi e limoni. Davanti a me il mare, un gozzo in lontananza ed un cielo sfumato di blu e rosa. Quella sera avevo la Liguria ai miei piedi.

Genova, superba e pigra, era adagiata a sinistra. Distesa come un serpente ad avvolgere le anse create dal mare e dall'uomo. Ritmicamente la lanterna con il suo fascio di luce scandiva il lento divenire del tempo. Chiusi gli occhi ed iniziai a sognare..........


"il mare ormai si stava calmando, dopo 3 giorni di tempesta che avevano trasformato l'ultima parte del viaggio in una vera e propria punizione. A bordo nessuno faceva piu' caso alla situazione precaria che si era creata da quando si era salpati da Genova. Era il giugno del 1923, il viaggio inaugurale di questo piroscafo varato a Glasgow 8 mesi prima.



Il "Conte Verde" aveva puntato la prua su Buenos Aires e gia' tra la foschia del mattino s'intravvedeva il profilo della citta'. Alessandro non riusciva piu' a staccare gli occhi dai quei contorni confusi, la testa gli girava, la gioia e l'impazienza stavano prendendo il soppravento".

Norman Mailer

31-1-1923 10-11-2007

Grisham

Yep, you say, "The Broker" one of Grisham's novels, so what? This is not about the book but.....The story is mostly based in Bologna a beautiful Italian town and home of some of the best food products of the country.

At a certain point of the novel Grisham, who lived in Bologna for quite a while to improve his Italian, mentions a restaurant. Well I had my dinner there last night. The name of the resturant is "Franco Rossi" and the food is excellent.

I had a wonderful homemade pasta with Parma ham, some delicious Pienza cheese with fig jam and onion compote and rounded up with an almond ice cream covered with hot chocolate (and a nice glass of Pantelleria wine). All of this for €37. Good and affordable.

Rugby: A class of its own

I really need to spend a couple of words about this "art" called sport. Lately I saw a couple of matches played during the World Cup in France. Amazing. The truly spirit of a pure competition is springing out of the field. Used and annoyed by football actors I was surprised to see how such a hard sport as rugby can be played. Chapeau.

Back from the UK

Just hit and go. Went yesterday, back today. But what a good feeling old Britain left. The weather was magnificent, the hotel soooo British (Ramada Newton Park), the food in Nottingham (World Services Restaurant just a few yards from the Castle) was first class so was the Pouilly.
Dinner with two Italian customers and Corrado (my colleague). Pleasant evening. Today visited the Argos Distribution Center very well led by Paul.

Snow Patrol

You're All I Have Lyrics

Wining and dining in..................Poland

If you are going to Poland and think: "Oh my God, what shall I eat over there?"Well, you can try these ones.

Restaurant Rubikon in Warsaw (ul. Wrobla 3/5 in Mokotow), see picture.
Restaurant Monopol in Katowice (ul. Dworcowa 5).

Enjoy your meal.......and your wine

24 hours Milan

Work brought me one more time to Italy. Milan. Arrival on 20/8/07 at Malpensa airport flying in from Amsterdam.

Weather: purely crap

First encounter at the airport: Mr. Fabio Cappello (Football trainer)

First thing done: Picked up Avis car

Drove all the way down to Milan (roughly 50 km.) looking for the hotel. Nice minimalistic. Have a look at www.watttredicihotel.it

At 22h30 I managed to get a table at "Al pont de ferr" a nice restaurant in the glamorous Navigli area (see cheese plateau). From there back to the hotel, felt asleep singing "...sognami se nevica, sognami sono nuvola....".

The day after early wake up call to prepare the upcoming meeting. End of fun.

Summer holiday 2007...

....not really according to expectations.



After 3 days in Italy we are told that Isabella has chicken pox.......holy........this means roughly one week out of the sun and a couple of sleepless nights. We were meant to go to Sardinia by boat but Isabella's condition did not allow it, so we had to cancel the trip. This translates in: doctor visits, insurance phone calls, travel agency etc. etc.

What now? Two weeks after finding out the pox the family drove to St. Tropez (France). We spent a very nice week over there among the luxury boats and fast cars. Then we went back to Genoa to celebrate Bella's birthday at the "Castagnina".
On Sunday 29th after having left Jamie behind in Italy with Granpa & Granma, we drive back home...........we are supposed to drive back home.......because after about 180 km. the car breaks down and after three attempts of the Swiss car help we end up in a hotel in Vezia waiting for the morning after. On Monday the car is fixed (a broken sensor) and we finally reach The Netherlands in the night.

Pearl Jam live in Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Breath-taking concert last night.
It was just awesome. Really good. Pearl Jam was a wave of energy, the sound was great and the weather blessed. This was my b-day present from my bro-in-law. Thank you AJ, it was fun.

Pizza and China

Last night there was a Little Italy kind of reunion in the University city of Nijmegen. Old PB's decided to see each other once more for a pizza bite. Rigo, Miss L and myself. The pizza was consumed at Donatello's, it was not bad but the Italian on the menu was sheer crap. Afterwards we went to the "De Compagnie" in the same town for a beer/Martini.

It was good fun and the top of the evening was the Chinese adventure of Rigo. He has been in Shanghai, Chanchai, Chenchei, Chunchoi, Choichoi, HoiHoi and so on.

Walibi

What a funny day at Walibi Belgium last Saturday. It was absolutely a pleasant day, spent with Jamie, Max and Dick.
The "Flashback" got us really wet, helped by the falling rain. I found out one thing: Mexican are faster than Belgian. Gosh, it took them ages to make an hamburger.

1893 Genoa Cricket and Football Club

Adrenaline !!!!
The oldest Italian football club is back where it belongs. SERIE A.
It was worth a flight. What a game, what a party. The town upside down.

Still living the dream.

FORZA GENOA

GENOA 1893: Primi a nascere, ultimi a morire (First born, last dead)

Sorry guys, this is in Italian. It is about my football team and the passion of his fans. The oldest team of Italy described by some old players. Even if you cannot understand possibly the images will give you some feelings anyhow.


Genoa_Primi_a_nascere.avi

Is the future of football in China?

I am really worried about the future of our beloved sport. These guys (girls) look dangerous !!!

Back from MEX

Folks. We are back.

What an outstanding holiday, what a wonderful country. Basically they have it all.

Sea, sun, sand, food, cocktails, beer, culture, Maya, excursions, animals, trees, flowers and so on.

We have been based at Playa del Carmen a touristic place that still keeps traditional features all around.

The hotel complex was located in the residential area of Playacar, an area populated by 5 stars resorts and trendy villa's. The hotel was set in the middle of the vegetation a kind of jungle varying from wild monkeys to peacocks. The food was excellent and the drinks outstanding (ohhhh Mojito's), the entertainment team was fantastic (not so good the mini club for the kids), the beach was Caribbean style, the pools large and warm.

Our excursions: Chichen Itza and Tulum to admire the Maya culture, Cancun (leave it aside if you go, maybe good for the nightlife but we were there in the afternoon), snorkeling on the Reef in the clear blue waters, the lazy town of Valladolid and the Cenote Dzintup, Xel-Ha acquatic natural park with its dolphins.

If you want to get a glimpse click on my foto album on the right side of the screen.

Ciao.

M E X I C O

All right. Getting geared for Mexico and hoping to have a lot of fun down there. Once back, I'll post some pics. Take good care of yourself.

Jamie's got a cam

As of today Little Jamie has gone digital. All his pics will be posted from now on on his online photo album. The link on the left side.
Cheers.

22 04 2007

40

Genoa Club Amsterdam

Last night together with Hans and Bart, we have seen a brilliant victory of Genoa CFC 1893 against FC Bologna. 3-0......
The game was broadcasted in Amsterdam at the Satellite Sports Cafe on the central Leidseplein.

Around Pisa in one day

Oh yes. As you can see the Tower is getting worse and worse. Always extraordinary to see and especially it is good to see the fun people are having around it. Work brought me there and had some hours in the morning to first jog around the town and later to visit Piazza del Duomo with its magnificent monuments.

Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in Amsterdam

Last Sunday we went to A'dam to celebrate Brenda's birthday. It was quite a nice experience. The food was good, the atmosphere was really relaxed, the kids got a Pizza and Cookies workshop.

Hanami of Tsukuba University - Cherry blossom party

Thank you Nobu for sharing with me the beautiful pictures of the 2007 Hanami.

Just married - Bao Xishun and Xia Shujuan

World, please join me in congratulating Bao Xishun and Xia Shujuan for their marriage.
Bao is the tallest man on Earth (2m36) and Xia just half of him (1m68)

Pablo Neruda - Celebrating Spring 2007

Probably the best time of the year. Let us introduce it in Italian, English and Spanish with the help of a great poet of the 20th century: Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)


Il Ramo Rubato

Nella notte entreremo
a rubare
un ramo fiorito.

Passeremo il muro,
nelle tenebre del giardino altrui,
due ombre nell'ombra.

Ancora non se n'è andato l'inverno,
e il melo appare
trasformato d'improvviso
in cascata di stelle odorose.

Nella notte entreremo
fino al suo tremulo firmamento,
e le tue piccole mani e le mie
ruberanno le stelle.

E cautamente
nella nostra casa,
nella notte e nell'ombra,
entrerà con i tuoi passi
il silenzioso passo del profumo
e con i piedi stellati
il corpo chiaro della Primavera.

The Stolen Branch

In the night we shall go in
to steal
a flowering branch.

We shall climb over the wall
in the darkness of the alien garden,
two shadows in the shadow.

Winter is not yet gone,
and the apple tree appears
suddenly changed
into a cascade of fragrant stars.

In the night we shall go in
up to its trembling firmament,
and your little hands and mine
will steal the stars.

And silently,
to our house,
in the night and the shadow,
with your steps will enter
perfume's silent step
and with starry feet
the clear body of spring.

La Rama Robada

En la noche entraremos
a robar
una rama florida.

Pasaremos el muro,
en las tinieblas del jardín ajeno,
dos sombras en la sombra.

Aún no se fue el invierno,
y el manzano aparece
convertido de pronto
en cascada de estrellas olorosas.

En la noche entraremos
hasta su tembloroso firmamento,
y tus pequeñas manos y las mías
robarán las estrellas.

Y sigilosamente,
a nuestra casa,
en la noche y la sombra
entrará con tus pasos
el silencioso paso del perfume
y con pies estrellados
el cuerpo claro de la primavera.

YES, I made it

About one month ago I have decided to start running. After 3 years of warming up the couch it was time to get my ass moving.
Went to the shop, bought all the necessary stuff (overdone?), look in the mirror and thought about the next New York Marathon.

Started to follow a running plan and at my second training I got injured.........
I restarted three days ago and tonight I finished without trouble my second session. New York is getting closer.

Dear Mr. President (PINK)

Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why

Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would you

Back from Poland

Hallo world.

I am back from a quick Polish biz trip. For those among you who never went in that direction I have uploaded these images to give you an idea of the contrasts that you will see in the country. You see this mostly in Warsaw but in the upcoming years will become more and more.

That "GREENISH THING" is the WC of the 1st Class Wagon I travelled with. Useless to add words, I fear.

The other picture shows the Old City centre (Stare Miasto). This part of the town was completely destroyed after World War II but now it looks just stunning.

I would like to add one more note about the people I met. I found exceptionally friendly.

Ladies & Gentlemen: Mr. Paul Wolfowitz

From Wikipedia:
Paul Dundes Wolfowitz (b. December 22, 1943) is an American academic and political figure. He is currently the President of the World Bank, but may be most famous as a prominent architect of the foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration known as the Bush Doctrine, which resulted in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A former aide to neoconservative Democratic Senator Henry M. Jackson in the 1970s, Wolfowitz also served in the U.S. Defense Department, as Director of Policy Planning and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. State Department, as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, and as Deputy Secretary of Defense in the Administration of George W. Bush.

Astor Piazzolla's Libertango danced in NY

This is more or less one of those moments when I think that words are just useless.

Black & white passion underlined by astonishing sounds.

SWITCH YOUR SPEAKERS ON AND ENJOY

Windy Dutch Sunday

Today we decide to reach for the beach. So we packed the kids and went to Bloemendaal aan Zee.............once we got there we realized how cold a Dutch beach can be in January. The sun was shining but the wind was rock 'n roll. Nevertheless the beach was packed!

After I guess 5 minutes we decided that we would have come back in springtime and moved to Alkmaar. We first had a bite at the Spanish restaurant Granada (good food) and strolled around the beautiful town.

Kenneth's party

Ken, my friend. Thank you for the inspirational evening. It was outstanding. Seeing all those people, the music, the atmosphere and of course..........the fine art.

Thank you also to Humph for the pictures.

The Marathon Kid - The incredible story of Budhia Singh

I recently saw a BBC documentary about Budhia Singh a boy born in 2002.

When Budhia's father died a year ago, his mother, who washes dishes in Bhubaneswar, capital of the eastern Indian state of Orissa, was unable to provide for her four children.
She sold Budhia to a man for 800 rupees ($20).
But the young boy came to the attention of Biranchi Das, a judo coach and the secretary of the local judo association.
Mr Das said he noticed Budhia's talent when scolding him for being a bully.
"Once, after he had done some mischief, I asked him to keep running till I came back," Mr Das told the BBC.
"I got busy in some work. When I came back after five hours, I was stunned to find him still running."

A good story so far? Do not think so. Budhia is running at least 30 km. a day, sometimes barefoot, and the documentary has shown his attempt to run 70 km in one day, Budhia collapsed after 67 km and almost died. Incredibly enough his trainer, Mr. Das, is convinced that drinking while running has a negative effect on Budhia's performance, so no water or anything else during those 67 km. and when the race started at 5h30 am the temperature was already above 20 degrees Celsius.
It was extremely sad to see in which dreadful conditions the boy was when he collapsed.

Child rights activists and paediatricians expressing concern over Budhia's health said that by making the boy run long distances at such a tender age might affect his heart and kidney functions as well as his general health.

Happy New Year

Yes, I know that I am a bit late but I was in Italy and after being back I caught the flu. So I take now the chance to wish to all the world a FANTASTIC, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL 2007

Oh my God. Another year ending in 7. This means that I will turn into a new decade but we always go for the better !!!!!! So we will have a magnificent one. Looking forward to it.

As I said, I was back in my hometown for some days, it was good to be back there and pass the Xmas with my Mum & Dad and of course the rest of the FAMILY (it always sound a bit Mafia when I write it). The weather was tremendous 15, 16 degrees Celsius and not a drop of rain. It felt almost like spring. The food was..........too good.........too much.

Love you all.