Sometimes one has to make an extra effort to add a little leisure to the labor.
A few weeks ago I extended an audit in Europe to visit Turin, Italy. It’s on the bucket list as it was a significant place for my favorite author and philosopher.
Even though more than a bit jet-lagged, I still managed to walk a caffeinated 14.89 miles (according to my Fitbit Flex
Thought I’d share a few photos from the trip.
It might be an Italy-thing, but there are almost as many gelato shops as there are statues – and there are tons of statues, “Basta!”. At around 3:30 pm – I don’t know what that is in metric, I think it’s about 1,530 kilos – the citizenry seek frosty, melty cones en-mass.
There may even be more gelato shops than there are coffee shops. Eh, probably not – “Mi fa cagare!”
Gloriously nice coffee, as you might imagine. I pretty much had either a doppio espresso or a cappuccino in my [shaking] hands at all times (the fashion is to stand at the coffee bar and drink the espresso right there on the spot – like a shot of Jack).
I felt very safe in the city and did quite well using the spare English word when words were necessary.
And to the American woman with whom I spoke in line at the train station – next time a friendly person strikes up smalltalk, try not to reveal that you and your teenaged daughter are traveling alone, what hotel you are staying at, what time you are going to dinner (or the two specific restaurants you are considering), approximately how many Euros you have with you – or the fact you’re supposed to be gone for another two weeks. She was out of sight before the risk she had taken sank into my skull.
And, speaking of blabbermouths – Enjoy the pictures! I hope you are able to carve a little time into your own busy schedule to see a special sight or eight.
Ciao!
Sal