My pin board - My places

Over time and travels I've been finding some interesting places to eat and shop... I always wanted to share with you some of them. In the packing effort as I have to clean my pin board and probably throw away the visit cards of the places I've pinned there - here a few of my memories.

BREIZH Café (Paris / 109 rue vieille du temple - Marais)

La crêpe autrement: Crêperie bretonne with amazing salty and sweet combinations. Very cosy design (all wood) and atmosphere. Small place, maybe worse to book.

ANTICA FOCACCERIA S.FRANCESCO (Milano / Via Castaldi 37 - Porta Venezia)

Cucina popolare siciliana dal 1834: Genuine traditional sicilian kitchen mostly based on sardine and bread. Else you have a lot of fried antipasti options. Interesting, especially the daily plate on week days. Never tried the sweet treats but there is the canolo siciliano or some other sicilian pastries. 

ICE CREAM in MILAN:

Gelato in Italy is always very good... and competitive! We usually take away as a break or dessert as only a few frozen desserts are usually proposed at restaurants. From good to exceptional depends on your taste. I like GROM (for Crema di Grom and Gusto del mese (a new receipe every month)); VENCHI (more chocolate & nuts based, from a famous Torinese chocolate-maker) in Stazione Centrale and behind the Duomo Via Mengoni 1. bClose to my place, i.e. Porta Romana/Lodi I've found GELATERIA ARTIGIANALE N22 (Corso Lodi 22) and one on Via Cadore but can't find it on Google where you also have mini frozen desserts.

LE PARADIS DU FRUIT (Paris / 32 avenue Wagram - 8e)

As its name already announces, a good options for fruits/vegetables when you're on business trip for a while (especially over the week-end) and need something fresh and different. Service not always very appreciative, but that's Paris isn't it?

LE COMPTOIR DES PETITS CHAMPS (Paris / 17 rue des Petits Champs - 1er)

absolutely everything I like!!! just the kind of places making it worth eating outside. I found it randomly one evening close to my hotel. Very good price/quality and simple yet innovative menu. Offering lunch and dinner menus, else you can take . Cosy and intimate place, yet roomy. They do speak English and are patient with foreigners (2 Japanese girls when I was there). 

OH MON CAKE (Paris / 154 rue Saint Honoré - 1er)

Lunch Bakery very yummy cupcakes and an easy nice salty quiche-cake-bagel shop (where you can also sit upstairs) for lunch

CA'CONTAGLIO (San Omobono Terme, strada per il Santuario della Cornabusa)

Specialità Selvaggina is the kind of local countryside italian restaurant or osteria you should always look for. This one is located in a valley north of Bergamo.

PLACE MINUIT (Milan / Corso Garibaldi 127)

In Milan it's hard for me to find a place I say I like to browse. This one is an exception. They have their own collections of ready-to-wear and shoes I love. I've heard they can produce on request, the color, the model you want (have seen brides to be really happy about that).  Never bought anything but almost did, they didn't have my size anymore :( Have a look during sales time!

IL SALVAGENTE (Milan / Via fratelli Bronzetti 16)

my favorite outlet in Milan. Not too far, very nice brands, prices ok (and discounted!!!) All sorted by product typology and sizes and colors, so it's quite easy to quickly find you are looking for. Found a few dresses, rain coat, shirts, etc there. Only issue, it closes at 7pm on week days and they have no basket to store your articles so after a while it becomes inconvenient...

COTTON FACTORY (Milan / Viale Umbria 3)

An outlet for Petit Bateau + other underwear/night and babywear (Liabel...). Very good for newborns and small kids.

BASSETTI Outlet (Milan)

There are several of them, one close to Porta Romana (via Carlo Botta). For bed linens, towels and every home clothes you could possibly imagine. 

l'art des hôtels de luxe

Lorsque je descends dans un hôtel de luxe (sans Pegase ou Keepall monogrammée, je vous rassure) je me sens bête... Je me rappelle encore ma première fois, encore étudiante à Edimbourg au The Scotsman Hotel (5*) avec l'indien qui voulait me faire couler mon bain: pardon?! Et bien ce soir j'ai oublié que pour faire fonctionner l'ascenseur je dois passer d'abord ma carte, puis je ne trouvais pas d'adaptateur (mais maintenant je sais que je peux appeler l'housekeeping), ensuite j'ai cherché comment ne pas prendre ma douche dans le noir, ouvert tous les placards pour repérer les pantoufles (c'est quand même + sûr...) et je n'ai jamais réussi à ouvrir le minibar pour y mettre au frais mes bananes... Par contre oh consolation, il y a une balance!!!  (vu que c'est toujours la remarque des gens lorsqu'ils me voient après un bout de temps, même si j'ai beau leur expliquer qu'il n'en est rien), demain je mettrai mes chaussures à cirer et je vais pouvoir récupérer les carnets de note ce qui m'en fera une bon stock (ils sont moins radin qu'en Europe & c'est bien utile pour laisser des petits mots à ma coloc'). Et enfin, dans un an je recevrai des voeux de Joyeux Anniversaire de la part de l'hôtel. Voilà! ça c'est du luxe!

bonne nuit les amis
en espérant bien dormir, parce que finalement c'est pour ça qu'on est là ....

Frankfurt – Francfort – Francoforte

On board of an Airbus 321 called Darmstadt! This time the flight arrived on schedule and I had a straight connection to Italy. I never flew through Frankfurt however it’s again a place linking me to my past. It was the big city, the special one, the one we recognized to its skyscrapers naming it “le crayon”, the one I went on school trips to the big zoo, the one where my first ID was issued…

By the way, I must look German as all the stewards and hostess talk to me in German :)

:D :D :D Then I sat on the wrong seat and my real neighbour tells me “I knew you would be sitting next to me”, “why?” – no answer – I’m reading the Acts for a while included the passage where Philip is sent South and meets the Ethiopian ambassador. I just feel it’s for me. Then my neighbour interrupts “May I ask what church you belong to?” and we talk a little bit about faith. But tradition and religion is not what God requires and will never give you the peace of heart, neither “to compensate (bad) profit making through goodwills” as he concludes. (the “bad” is mine) Handing out his business card he states again that this was not random meeting, me too – I agree, but not for the same reasons :D :D :D

Munich – Muenchen – Monaco

This week-end I flew through Munich, a nice experience. First I didn’t recall that it was such a nice airport. I was surprised by the excellence in service: a personalized screen giving details on the connecting flights just at the exit gate, free coffee & newspapers all around the terminal, good communication by ground staff…. cool! As a consequence of a delay on my first flight I was rebooked on the next one. So I did some Christmas shopping. I spend almost one hour in the Vedes shop, I love it! I remembered us, little ones, spending hours reading and reading again the Vedes catalogue. Kids’ dreams :) everyone needs dreams and unfulfilled expectations. Xmas in Germany is my favourite, without doubts. Then, it was white in Munich. It has snowed a lot in the northern part of Europe this last week. But it was almost irrealistic after the 15°c in Rome and nothing like cold winter weather.

I don’t know when was the last time I flew to Munich, 6 – 7 years? It’s like a circle end. Munich, WDL, Starnberg have been the place of really important moment in my life. It’s where I promised I would even go to Africa, a scary “eventuality”… (what became reality after 8 years) … I learnt the importance of quiet times, and used to wake up at 6:00am, go to lake, sit on the stairs with the Alps in front of me, get some time apart from the chaos of the day just between me & my God… had endless conversations with my cousin and best friend at that time… (who I shall finally see again at his wedding on Dec 31^st). And in these days I was wondering what my future would look like, but I hadn’t imagined I would study in LLN, neither move to Italy AND stay there so long :)

S.udan countdown

Day 0 -WEDN-
The meeting was postponed several times. Today as well, we had to wait late afternoon to be able to present our tool.
The meeting in Khartoum takes place in about 2 weeks. Greenlight!

Day 1 -THURS-
I first need to be officially invited by the meeting chairman.
I draft an agenda and start requesting visa documents as they tell me the authorities are slow to process visas.

Day 2 -FRIDAY-
I get the confirmation from our contact in Sudan.
The Visa requirements and forms arrive. Half arabic, half english, a bit counter intuitive. I have an appointment scheduled with the nurse for next Tuesday. :) First time to the heart of Africa.
A colleague gives me the Security clearance link, where I have to register all my travel details before leaving. We are not allowed to travel before having received the security clearance.
I request flight plan to the assistant who requests them to the travel agency. I have to coordinate with another colleague before choosing.
I check what are the different types of malaria medicines (link). Scary!

Day 5 -MON-
Monday 9.30.still no answer from Sudan office, I absolutely need this authorization letter to join to the visa deposit. Visa docs have to be submitted by today 11am. I try to call them, no answer. Lotus Notes is down for many staff.
10.45 I submit the docs without the letter, but embassy is going to withhold proceeding until letter is received.
2pm I try to call again Sudan, I finally get through. Some time later I receive the Note Verbale. I bring them to the protocol office but there I understand that actually the MOFA in Sudan has to give permission to the embassy in rome before they can deliver the visa.

Day 6 - TUE-
I get my three shots (out of 6, luckily I had already Hepatitis vaccines done in the past) + malaria pills and the yellow booklet. I won't take the tough treatment and I just have to start one day before arriving in the country, what is good news in case I don't get my visa on time!

We book flights through DHX what is Dubai and not Djibouti as I thought. But the trip is on two days (leaving in the evening, arriving the next day in the afternoon) as we have 9 hours stopover in the UAE.

Visa? visa?? visa???

I discuss about my presentation with a colleague and she names our colleagues in the field "the cow boys" :) so you should better know what you are talking about...

After work I pass by MAS at piazza Vittorio Emmanuele to get long skirts and large shirts. Not easy to dress light but covered!

Day 7 - WEDN-
Second shopping wave, flip flops for the shower (and camping this summer) and a nice tunique (size L while for Europe I would take S). I'm also looking for a cheap watch but there is no way I can find something for less than 30 euros...

Days 8-11
I'm on leave. Checking emails once in a while. Enjoying friends and family in Rome.

Day 12 - WEDN-
Only three days left before departure... I get my flight tickets and the venue is confirmed. I now have to book an hotel. Good question?

And my passport is still at the embassy and protocol office tells me the consul is sick :)

Day13 - THURS-
Thursday is the last working weekday in Sudan.
I'm still trying to book that hotel through the assistant there before the office closes... what a mess!
On the other hand I receive 847 sudanese pounds + ask my bank to increase my daily withdrawal rate. No international mean of payment is available in Sudan, you have to take it all cash.

And finally I try to arrange an appointment with an ex-classmate working in Dubai...

Day14 - FRI -
Last working day before leaving.
I finally get my passport back with a nice hand written visa!
But I'm a bit worried because I still have no security clearance.
And I start withdrawing my cash reserves: 6x200eur

Day15 - SAT-
In the morning I call the airline to book the complimentary hotel in Dubai, but it's too late for the same day.
And I just have to finalize my packing, no stress the plane leaves at 22:00.

The bear

Imagine a reddish bear.
I mean a tall, fat man, red hair, black nails, speaking out max 5 words at a time. The first contact was not exactly state-of-the-art communication. "What were you doing in Sudan, working?" "No, not exactly, I was here for a meeting" as a result the guy turns back with a grimace. Half upset... I answer: "What???" ... SILENCE "No, it's just that Sudan is usually not exactly the place for a meeting" "It sometimes happens!" SILENCE "And you why are you in Sudan?" "I'm working in oil refining, drilling, exploration but I resigned today and it's an happy day. HAPPY DAY! ... It's the second time I resign this year".

The guy is australian. He grew up in a farm. At the age of 18 he started to work in oil drilling and has been to 68 countries so far: last Sudan, before last one Doha (73°c under the sun), next one maybe China... About twenty years later, the bear is on a plane heading to Thailand. No home, married twice, divorced twice, 10 years of travelling extensively around in and out the worst places on earth, 28 days in, every day - 12hours shifts, followed by 28 days out for recuperation. The guy's resistance went up to 5 days in a row without sleep, and that I don't want to imagine. But I can feel a broken life, a lonely life, a no-hope life...

--There are really messed up lifes and places on earth --

Being a bear doesn't mean you don't know how to behave. Bears sometimes offer you a glass of fresh water because you have poured your extra sugar ration in your old glass and then tell you a story about sweetness. In the end, bears have emotions, they are broken inside even if they say "it's a happy day". They want to look though but you can make them smile :) even though you might have no clue what has triggered it! Why does an observation on the taste of airplane food, made him smile???

Last but not least, don't expect a bear to say goodbye...

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Don't be put off by bears, just learn how to tame them!

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MHMD NASSR

Mon siège est le numéro 37F, tout au fond près de la fenêtre. Je suis en train de feuilleter le magazine de bord en attendant le décollage. Puis arrive mon voisin et ses amis. Robes blanches jusqu’aux pieds, voile blanc. Ils s’installent et partagent des noix avec moi (cajoux, pistaches, cachaouètes) puis c’est le tour des biscuits au sésame. Il faut que je mange me dit-il. Mon voisin m’avouera plus tard dans la conversation qu’il voulait changer de siège mais que finalement quand il m’a vue il a trouvé que j’étais très jeune. Trop jeune pour travailler. Il va au S.udan pour voir l’état de ses affaires. Il me montre les certificats, il vient de recevoir le permis pour trois entreprises : real estate, limousines et le 3e je ne me souviens plus. Son porte-document est marqué Mercedes. Il m’avoue que Mercedes est une bonne marque, ses limousines sont Mercedes et sa voiture personnelle est une Mercedes. Il a 52 ans, pèse 95 kilos (c'est lui qui me l'a dit) et a 6 enfants : 3 fils et 3 filles. Sa plus jeune fille a 10 ans et ses fils ont vécus à Moscou pendant 7 ans. Il demande à l’hôtesse de l’Evian parce que c’est une bonne eau. Toute sa maison boit de l’Evian. Pour rester en forme il faut marcher au moins 5 kilomètres par jour. Est-ce que je marche assez ? Même sa mère marche encore 7-10 kms par jour. Puis il me dit que mon père est un homme bon. On peut apprendre à connaître quelqu’un pendant des mois mais il suffit de quelques instants pour comprendre si quelqu’un possède un cœur droit ou tortueux. Je voulais lui répondre que c’était parce que j’avais mon Dieu qui vivait dans mon cœur mais je n’ai rien dit, j’ai juste répondu merci en souriant. Puis il me laisse son numéro de portable parce que passer 5 heures ensemble c’est faire partie de la famille. Et si j'ai besoin de quelque chose ou la prochaine fois que je m’arrête à Dubai je peux l’appeler et je pourrai passer du temps avec ses filles.

Ibrahim

Sur le vol Rome-Dubai j’ai fait la connaissance d’Ibrahim mon voisin. Il vient de Jakarta et trouve que l'air européen est beaucoup moins pollué que chez lui. Il travaille dans la salle des machines d'un bateau de croisière. Et moi qui avait compris SIEMENS :) et qui lui demandait dans quelle division de la multinationale il travaillait, c'était shipments... Il aurait bien aimé étudier plus mais il n’avait pas d’argent et a dû arrêter l’école à la fin du secondaire. Marié depuis 5 ans il ne veut pas que sa femme travaille parce qu'il aime qu'elle soit à la maison quand il est là, il aimerait aussi des enfants, 1 ou 2. Pour l’instant il économise pour pouvoir ouvrir sa propre petite entreprise à Jakarta. Il a réfléchit à ce qu’il savait faire et il veut ouvrir un garage/location de vélos-voitures-scooters. Ibrahim est musulman, oui mais les gens ont peur lorsqu’il dit ça me confie-t-il. Pour lui tuer un moustique qui ne t’as même pas piqué est un péché.

Le monde est grand...

Nous sommes dimanche matin. L’escale à Dubai dure 9 heures.

Dubaï est au croisement des continents. Asie, Europe, Afrique. Ici on ne se parle même pas, ou par gestes parce que l’autre ne comprend pas. Quelques touristes occidentaux sur la route de l’Asie ou de l’Océanie ne constituent qu’une petite partie du cadre. En face de moi, des petites bonnes indonésiennes, voilées mangent des pates instantanées sans eau. A côté deux indiens dont un avec le turban sikh dorment. Un couple d’indiens modernes avec une petite fille jouflue et coquette attendent l’heure du prochain vol. Il y a aussi Ali l’élégant serveur du restaurant, les femmes voilées intégrales en noir avec juste une fente à la place des yeux et quelques hommes en tenue de sheiks grandes robes blanches avec foulard blanc tenu par le cercle noir. Beaucoup de Philippines, frange sur le côté, cheveux noirs en chignon et rose aux joues travaillent dans les services du terminal. Il y a aussi la note de couleur des belles africaines de l’Ouest en boubous vifs et les africaines de l’Est aux voiles légers à fleurs. Au restaurant de jeunes coréens sont en transit pour la Turquie. Un autre monde, des sphères parallèles, des existences interliées, ou déconnectées selon le point de vue...