Who is?

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A wandering spirit, a nomadic heart. I go where the wind takes me. With no place to call home, everywhere I go is home. Concrete and soil. Land and sea. Home is where the heart is. Right here in my chest.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

It's a great, big world out there.

For the first time since I arrived in Europe, I found myself caught in a moment of loneliness. Sitting at a table surround by young Italian couples, speaking to me in English but to each other in Italian, it really made me wish I understood the language. It also made me miss, for a brief moment, Toronto. Or perhaps just made me long to be in a land of English speakers (See you in five weeks Ireland!).  I really am excited about the farm in Piedmont though, getting to work with bees, doing yoga and meditative dance, working with children and eating a strict vegetarian diet.

I am so bloody proud of myself for being able to pick up and just go, anywhere in the world, all on my own. I love my fierce independence and content with my lone wolf nature. But there are moments, naturally, when I really do wish there was someone I could be sharing some of these adventures with. You're out there somewhere, I know. Come a little closer now, darling.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Backyard History: Ancient Catacombs

In the backyard of I Moricci, located in a small village in Tuscany, you will find a little piece of history. Ancient Catacombs. I have learned that these are not that unusual to stumble upon in a backyard in Tuscany...



In I go! Dun, dun, duuuun...

Small child-size caskets go here.

Please place lager adult-size caskets here.

A sleeping bat. There were three bats in there today. Two alive...and one dead. Rest in peace lil' bat.
Another catacomb. Unsafe for entry due to fallen stones.
These catacombs were once full, but the caskets and there bodies have since been removed.



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Feeling Blue... Literally!

A couple nights ago I decided to touch up my roots. The stylist at the salon in Fabbrica did a kick ass job cutting my hair, but she didn't do the worlds greatest dye job (my roots were still a shade or so darker then the rest of my hair). I had some salon dye a friend  gave me before I left Canada. Logics DNA in Blue Blonde. If you know anything about hair colouring, blue cancels out any red tones. But sometimes, when your hair has been previously dyed or lighten, things can go horribly wrong.

We've all heard the hair dye horror stories where hair has turned blue, green or grey, but that would never happen to you! Until it does. You come out of the shower, step in front of the mirror to check out the job well done... only to see a smurf.

Oh no. It happened. Your hair has the blues. And somehow it just isn't quiet the same as when you purposely dyed your hair blue (and every other colour of the rainbow) when you were a teen. 
Unhappy results. (It was actually bit more blue in person.)

Not wanting to go to a salon and spend a lot of money to fix this problem (seeing as I am on a WWOOFer's budget), I scan the internet and send out e-mails to hairstylist friends in hope of a DIY cure to my DIY mess. Everything is sounding like a lot of work and money (if I want to stay blonde) until I stumble upon a hair thread where someone claimed that a mixture of lemon juice and conditioner will lighten your hair if you accidentally dyed it too dark. Hmm... I have lemons...I have hair conditioner! Well what the heck, it if doesn't work, no damage can be done to my hair or my wallet, right? 

Sweet mother of pearl. It worked like a miracle! I can't really believe it but a lemon saved my hair crisis. I am blue no more. Thanks lemons! And of course, thank you handy, dandy internet.


The happy results! Yay!



Monday, March 19, 2012

Florence

Okay. So I'm finally going to write a post about Florence. I think I was just too overwhelmed at first and was still taking it all in a week after my trip! I swear, that weekend changed my life. I know that sounds so cheesy, but it is truly an enchanting and magical city. I felt that weekend sparked a lot of inspiration in me. No more sleeping beauty! Suddenly I felt so awake and clear and ready to write my own god damn fairy tale. (Again with the cheese, but I can't help my obsession with fairy tales.. especially in a place that feels like one every where I go). Ah Florence, I can not say "I love you" enough. Please go to this city. Stay at the Queens hostel for just 13 euros a night, have receptionists sing while they work. Meet other worldly travellers, drink extremely strong Margaritas at Moyo, where after 6pm the purchase of just one drink will get access to an amazing FREE buffet (it's a wonderful little thing called aperitivo, Italy's best kept secret). Ride the antique carousal. Hike up to the Giardino Delle Rose (the Rose Garden) for the incredible view of the city (and if your lucky enough to catch it when Spring is in full bloom, prepare your eyes and nose for roses galore! Sadly, my visit was too early for that). Visit the Doumo, light a candle and make a prayer. Drink the best damn espresso and eat the past damn pastries you've ever had. And put away your map and just simply walk, watch and take in. Florence... You really should go. 







Sunday, March 18, 2012

Lazy Sunday

 The Tuscan chapter is half way through. Today I am enjoying some Al Bowlly  and earl grey on this rainy Sunday. The almond tree blows its little white petals by my window with a smell so sweet. My belly is full from another 4 course Italian family lunch. These people take their food seriously. Such comforting meals. Every weekend I have gotten to explore another ancient city. This week Lucca, next week Valdera. I am in love with this country. It's so enchanting! Maria has been amazing, welcoming me into the family as if I was one of them. If it wasn't for the language barrier I'm sure I would have gotten closer with them all. But I feel that Maria and I are enjoying the communication challenge. I think it will make better communicators out of us. I smile everyday, sleep so soundly and dream vividly. With the perfect balance of town and country, I have to say, life has been pretty darn good these past couple of weeks.

In Lucca, there is a street lined with these beautiful Magnolia trees. Pink magnolias on one side and white on the other.
Shoes! Every weekend in Lucca there is an awesome street market.

A creepy and wicked cool sculpture I found placed in an Alley while wondering around the street market. I am not sure what its story is, but i like it!

My delicious lunch in Lucca. I love how olive oil is and vinegar is severed with every meal. And of course a basket of bread. 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Lost In Translation

I'm not going to lie. I was one of those arrogant English speakers that thought to herself "Oh, everyone in Europe speaks English! I mean, at least younger people will speak some" WRONG. In the bigger cities, such as Florence, this is mostly true, but in the country and even in the smaller cities, such as Pisa, you can find yourself easily lost in translation.

I my first experience with the language barrier was on Sunday evening after taking the train back from Florence. From Pontendera I had to take a bus into Fabbrica. The bus driver didn't speak any English whatsoever. This resulting in me getting off the bus at a transfer point and getting on another bus in which this bus driver also didn't speak English. Neither did any of the 7 other passengers on the bus. Not even the young ones. The only thing they can understand from me is that I need to go to Fabbrica and the only thing I can understand from them is that this bus is not going to Fabbrica. Now this is where I begin to panic. I'm on a bus in a foreign country and I have no idea where it is going.

Tears begin to stream down my face.  I'm exhausted from travel and I'm at a loss of what to do or say as young man and middle age woman try to communicate with me. All I can understand is "Fabbricca". The woman finally motions me to come over as the bus pulls to a stop. She takes me by the arm in a very warm and comforting manner and continues to speak in Italian. Although I cannot understand her words, I know she is letting me know I am being taken care and will get home safe. I show her the address to the farm that I have written in a note book as she walks me over to a van that is waiting for the young man. She explains to the driver my situation and shows him the address. He confidently makes it known that he knows how to get there and drives me right to the door.

So what did I learn from this experience? Never assume, an Italian/English dictionary is essential (it's on the shopping list!), and Italians are beautiful people. Thanks for taking care of me.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Broken English

Maria's English isn't the best... and my Italian is far worse. This allows for communication mishaps.

On Monday we had planned to leave for Pisa around 11am and return there again the next day around 6:30pm. What was the actual plan? Go to Pisa at 6:30pm, stay the night (she has an Apartment in the City) and leave Tuesday at noon to return back to Fabbrica.  Needless to say I was quite surprised (and unprepared) for the over night stay. But I just pretended to go along with it and decided it wasn't the end of the world to go a day without a clean pair of socks and underwear.

Up at nine and only left with three hours to explore, this is some of what I saw:







Monday, March 5, 2012

Fabbrica di Piccioli





Awake and Dreaming.

I did it! I am actually here in Europe. I am so amazed and proud of myself right now. I have been dreaming about Europe since I was 12, when I became a Robbie Williams fan. Yes, laugh it up, but it is true! My infatuation with the British pop star is where it all started. If I get to see him live in concert, I am going to pee my pants with happiness.

I found London quite overwhelming, insanely expensive and incredibly crowded. Perhaps I was just far to jet lagged to enjoy the very short time I was there. The high light of my short stop in London was seeing Big Ben from the bus that was taking me to the Airport. In fact, that little moment made it all worth the while.

Now I am in the province of Pisa (located in the region of Tuscany). It is breathtakingly beautiful! I'm in awe of it all, every single second. There is a church here in the town of Fabbrica that was built in the twelfth century. Walking by it yesterday evening with the tolling of the bell was quite magical. I have never wanted to to go a church so badly! One afternoon this week  I am going to take a visit.  I'm hoping I am able to go up to the bell tower.

I really love the farm I am on. I am the only WWOOFer here and Julia is'nt coming till the 20th now, but now that I am here, being on my own isn't so daunting anymore. The work can be rather physically demanding (which is a good thing, considering the amount of pasta and breads we eat here!), but I am not required to work very long hours. It's very relaxed here.

Well the the rain is pouring down heavy and wet, just in time for my evening in Pisa! I think I will take shelter in one of the Museums.

Now here is a photo of Robbie Williams dressed as a rabbit.