Italy New Year's Eve 1999-2000

 [December 31, 1999-January 1 2000, Siena, Italy]

Aside from controversy over when the new millennium would actually begin, Susie and I just knew we wanted to spend it  in Italy. So we picked the end of 1999 and the beginning of 2000 as our choice from the prevailing arguments. This was our second trip to Italy in 1999 and the sole objective was to spend New Year's Eve in a city that was fast becoming one of our most favorite places to just be.

And off we went. Although it almost got called off.

While we were waiting in the international terminal at Boston Logan Airport I started feeling ill: fever, chills, that sort of thing. Facing with a tough decision -- go to Italy or go home -- we chose the former. After boarding the plane and tucking myself into my seat I wrapped my new fleece coat around me and nodded off. 

By the time we arrived in Milan my fever had broken but I still felt rather lousy so it was convenient that the airport had a large selection of chaise lounge seats where one could just stretch out and in my case nod right back off. It was also fortunate that we had been scheduled for our connecting flight to Florence (Firenze) later than we had been told and so had plenty of time to sleep.

By the time we arrived in Siena I was back on the mend . . .  but then it was Susie's turn to get sick. Still, we enjoyed ourselves immensely and wouldn't have missed the opportunity to spend such a momentous occasion in Siena. 

Hanging out (once again) on the Piazza del Campo. . .

Dinner at Da divo.

Da Divo

dinner at Da Divo's

another favorite eatery

Finishing up in Provence

 [June 1999]

From Lucca we drove north past San Remo and all the flower nurseries hugging the mountains overlooking the sea. Crossing the border into France we eventually turned north into Provence where we met up with friends at the Mas de Cornud outside St Remy de Provence. It was a wonderful place to relax, enjoy being with friends, old and new, and spend several nights here before returning to Nice and our flight home.

Mas de Cornud

the pool and outdoor eating area

One morning a couple of us rode with our host David into nearby St. Remy -- in a golf cart no less -- to pick up fresh baguette for breakfast. Besides scrumptious breakfasts we ate one of our dinners at Le Gousse d'Aile in St. Remy where we were entertained after hours by the owner and his jazz group playing for the handful of diners who chose to remain. 

We also enjoyed exploring the local open air market at Carpentras, visiting the Roman ruins at nearby Glanum, and of course spent quality time strolling along the Pont du Gard.

Carpentras

Susie and I enjoying our first serious foray into France

Our last meal was a lovely affair put on by hostess Nito Carpito whose culinary talents benefitted all of us.

Off to Lucca, Collodi and Pisa

 [June 1999]

After leaving Siena, Susie and I drove to Lucca where we spent a couple of nights. At one point our hotel landlord invited to a lunch he prepared (he and his daughter worked the place by themselves) outside on the back patio. It gave us a grand opportunity to work on our Italian and frankly we were both pleased with how well we managed. Of course he was quite patient with us, but still. . . 

promenade around the city on the medieval walls

We enjoyed strolling around the city using the promenade on top of the old walls and the historic center was a lovely space to spend an afternoon. We decided to eat one of our evening meals inside the walls at a place suggested by our host. Our other supper was another suggestion of our landlord's at a lovely little osteria just north of the city, a drive that took us up one of the gorges leading into the hills north of the city.

We also drove to nearby Collodi. If that name is familiar -- and it should be -- Carlo Collodi was the pen name of Carlo Lorenzini who wrote Pinochio; he spent much of his childhood in this lovely little part of northern Tuscany where his parents worked as domestics. Susie and I strolled the gardens of the Villa Garzoni and explored a bit of the nearby Pinochio Park.

Villa Garzoni

gardens of the Villa Garzoni

Pinochio Park

We also drove over to Pisa -- it was really quite close -- to pay our respects to the eponymous tower.

Off to France!

People on the Piazza del Campo

[June 1999]

Our classes ran until about 1:00pm (13:00 local time) and afterwards we spent a great deal of time hanging out, on, around and through the Piazza del Campo, sipping coffee or wine, but mostly watching people. . . 

Gunther, the clown of the piazza

Gunther on the prowl for his next mark

view of the piazza from the Torre di Mangia

Torre di Mangia

One day we were sitting on the piazza del Campo when a swarm of bees began congregating on one of the stanchions surrounding the piazza. The city fire department (vigili del fuoco) was called along with a resident beekeeper (apparently, note the costume) and eventually the matter was cleared up. Still, it made for quite an exciting afternoon.

note the bees on his helmet

reading the menu