End and beginning, old and new

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Coming close to the end of a not so easy year.
Whatever you believe, to whomever you believe, how many (un)answered questions you might have, whatever you decided on, however many conversations you heard, took part in, however much you feared or cried, how much you (didn’t) care, however you went through this past year, I guess you are tired.

Now that the holiday season is here, I think it is important that you remind yourself: you need to take care of yourself first!
You know, even in the airplane safety demo they say put on your own oxygen mask first, or that you can’t give from an empty pantry, or … you get the picture.

So, if Christmas (or whatever holiday for this matter) is your thing, then go for it, go crazy about it, enjoy it.
If not, then don’t force yourself to indulge in it.
If cooking, baking, enjoying feasts is your thing, dive in.
If not, then go for that toast and butter you love.
If family and friends are who you want to spend time with, do it.
If you rather keep to yourself, do that.

Nothing about any holiday is a compulsory act!
Do as you wish or at least do as it suit you best in your given circumstances.

Also, when you will be meeting and spending time with family members, acquaintances, people in general with whom you are not spending much time together throughout the year, be sure to carefully navigate the stormy waters of communication.
The chances of misunderstandings can easily skyrocket.
For the sake of a peaceful, fun time, it worth to ignore certain subjects.
Or at least do not jump into conclusions and don’t start fights.
Ask, answer clearly, explain if needed.
Nobody’s opinion is holy. Just an opinion. And as such, some might see it as right and some might perceive it as wrong.

Let’s get ready to close a turbulent year that had some pretty heavy energies, pain, some crazy stories.

Let’s promise to ourselves, and keep to it, that we will do better next year.
That we will listen more.
We will try understanding more.
We will be open more.
That we will include more.
Forgive more.
Care more.
That we will show more compassion.
Will open our hearts more.
That we will love more – ourselves and others.

That we will let everyone be.

Merry Everything and a Healthy and Happy Always to You!

Take on the world

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Travelling – I believe is one of the best tools to learn about people, cultures, nature, life and to understand the ignorance and invalidity of those complete obnoxiously stupid ideas of racism, sexism, any -ism really.

Wherever you go will experience something new, different, exciting, breathtaking, annoying, illogical by your own standards.
You will come across good people as well as some who will annoy the crap out of you.
When it comes to service, the same applies.
Often will experience amazing, caring, thoughtful service even though will might be different to what you got used to back at your own Country.
There will be also those occasions when it simply will not be acceptable.

A bouquet of my personal, practical experiences:
– just because you use the same hotel chain, save yourself from the misconception to expect the same level of service.
It will be different on many levels, like cleanliness, communication, basic operating principles
– high ratings for a place on any site is not a guarantee you not getting disappointed. This however works the other way round too!
– clean has way more interpretations than I’d ever imagined
– kind and friendly does not equal professional
– professional is not necessarily kind and friendly
– when visiting an attraction at the ticketing point you might get offered upgrading options/plus services to buy.
Before agreeing to any of it, make sure it is offered in your language, otherwise you can end up paying a higher price for something you get to understand not one word of
– when having the chance, try local food but know, most certainly it will taste different to what you flavoured back at home in that ‘nationality’ restaurant
– when travelling by car, keep in mind that parking also has different interpretations.
From underground garage to parking spaces in front of the building, from valet parking to wherever you find place on the surrounding streets, from free of charge to paying nearly as much for it as for the room itself
– being in a so classified elegant, upscale bar doesn’t mean your drink will be served in a proper (classical, taught in respected vocational schools) manner, but rest assured it will be expensive.

All that and many more.

If you are an avid traveller, I am sure you have your own list.

My conclusion however, is keep on travelling whenever you have the opportunity to do so.
Keep widening your horizon, your understanding of the world.

Convinced I am, it will make our world a better place by the more open-minded, adventurous, compassionate, more understanding, easy-going, more loving people.

Be one of them.

When in Rome …

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Have you ever been to Italy? To Rome? No? Then you can’t have any idea what I am talking about.

Italy is a must. A 100% not to be left off of anyone’s bucket list.
The history, art, food, wine, style, the natural professionalism of the ‘dolce far niente’ …

For me Italy is a forever love.

Last year after the worst 6 months of my life I got to go to Rome.
From the airport I was driven to the accommodation. Already in the car, just a few short minutes into the ride a sense of life hit me.
After half a year for the first time suddenly I felt alive and with each minute, with each site my eyes were able to see I was more and more so.

Apart from the kinda obvious places one visits, I loved the tiny coffee shop right next door to our place, where we had our morning coffee, the small boutiques, shops, restaurants with amazing interior designs, the people who were easy to be around, smiling, ever so colourful.
We had no detailed plan for our stay, just walked and turned corners as our hearts turned us.

One day we sat (some just left after their meal so we had the chance) to the tiny terrace of a restaurant for lunch. A fun, pro waiter, Peppe appeared and helped us to pick some mouth watering dishes. Fish, pasta with truffle … everything was above expectation.

Then at one of the evenings we went for dinner to a place that was recommended by our host. In a bit shabby looking little street, hidden under a deep arch of a gateway is a restaurant that will have you from the moment you enter. It’s interior design is what woah-s you immediately, then the staff, then the artfully presented food offering a taste-orgy. Just unbelievable what an amazing dish was created from plain broccoli. Not to mention that the manager looks like one of those magazine picture perfect guys who is selling you the Dolce Vita 😉

When you get the chance, go, and when in Rome, do as the Romans do! 🙂
Enjoy life!

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