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.