ROME & VENICE - 2004 DIARY by NYCFoodSnob, Part 1
Feb 4th, 2004, 06:32 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ROME & VENICE - 2004 DIARY by NYCFoodSnob, Part 1
I certainly could write a book each and every time I visit Italy and, actually, I do, if you consider my daily diary. The library in my studio contains over fifteen years worth of pocket notebooks (Clairefontaine is my current favorite) and, God willing, still counting.
For this trip, I traveled with three photographers, Marc, Tre, and Abbey, who helped me with research. The following notes are a sampling from our three-week adventure.
ROMA:
AIR/CAR TRAVEL - We flew Delta (Marc and I in Business and Tre and Abbey in Coach), and the experience is nowhere near as glamorous as Air France, especially in Coach. Delta's fleet seems older, less sophisticated, and the interior colors drab and sullen. The Coach seats are thin and pretty standard. This was a 2-4-2 configuration and the plane was packed. Also, this plane offered very few TV screens (three each section) and passengers got annoyed when service personnel blocked the view (it's hard to look away when the movie is "Seabiscuit"
. Air France offers a screen at each seat, even in Coach.
Delta's flight attendants, especially the women, need serious head-to-toe make-overs and my sources tell me that talented designer, Richard Tyler, will soon rise to the occasion and design new uniforms. (Couldn't happen any sooner.) And, sometimes, service wasn't so friendly. The food was airplane food, prepared by chef NASA.
The Captain asked everyone to avoid congregating in the aisles or around the bathrooms and we were asked to use the bathrooms closest to our seats. No "Class" hopping bathroom visits. (Since I was the only person in Business visiting Coach, I endured the "tightened security" stares.)
We did change planes at CDG and went from E to F for the connection but the walk remained about a mile. The new terminal is an architectural masterpiece even though some of the high-tech graphics were ill-conceived and are not user-friendly. Security was evident everywhere.
SleepInItaly's car service is 48 Euro, a regular car with adequate room for two people and luggage. I can also recommend Airport Connection Service, http://www.airportconnection.it, which offers a variety of car/van services into the city-center at reasonable rates. I often need a van for camera/lighting equipment.
WEATHER - December '03 brought a mixture of sun and rain but mostly rain and, at times, there were downpours like I've never before seen in Rome, lasting for days at varied intensity. Rome was also quite cold, hovering just above freezing. Marc and I travel with good umbrellas but Abbey forgot hers and Tre didn't care about getting wet, at least, initially. Abbey bought a 5 Euro cheapo umbrella from a street kid near my apartment at the Farnese but that quickly became useless as it blew inside out within minutes on Vittorio Emanuale. She ended up buying a better, larger one, 12 Euro, from a store on Via Panetteria, across from Geleteria San Crispino. She and Tre ended up sharing it. The rain and wind made working in Rome difficult.
Long underwear (Italian cashmere for me), leather pants, wool socks, waterproof shoes, layered clothing, cashmere scarfs, warm hats and warm gloves were definitely de rigeur. Tre and Abbey wore mostly jeans and the back legs took a real beating straight up the calf, especially since these two had cut the cuffs to be fashionable. (They're in their early 20's.) I helped them with several loads of laundry because their jeans cleaned Rome's streets. Disgusting.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Tre and Abbey stayed at Albergo del Senato, I stayed at my apartment next to the Farnese, and to test SleepInItaly.com, Marc booked one of their apartments.
SLEEPINITALY.COM
We agreed to give them an "A" for service and satisfaction. Giulia Amato and Anna Trevi, who run SleepInItaly, were very helpful throughout the process. Their English is good and they manage quite a few properties, which is very difficult work for such a small team. The secret to getting better service is to call them directly and not rely on e-mail. Too many people e-mail (many inane questions) because it's cheaper than a phone call. They simply don't have enough manpower or time to handle all the e-mail. Those who call get the best apartments, especially for busy seasons.
Marc tried to get a flat closer to me at the Farnese but our requirements were rigid and we had only three-months advance notice of a major holiday. We wanted a quiet apartment with light and character, on a higher floor with an elevator, mostly to serve photographic needs. Marc went back and forth with several phone calls (they called him twice) before he settled on the VIA LAVATORE one-bedroom, just off the Trevi. Everything closer to the Farnese that fit the bill had already been booked.
Taken from Marc's notes: "The Signore who was there to handle business didn't speak one word of English. The business was straight forward and went as expected. A 20% deposit had been previously charged to a Visa card and the remaining balance paid in Euro. All our numbers were in synch. He handed me a basic form paper to fill out and my Passport number was required. Signore left two sets of keys (without asking), showed me how they worked, and offered a quick run-through of the apartment. He demonstrated how the kitchen gas-burners work (match required). He did not mention anything about how to control heat, hot water, use the washing machine or dispose of garbage and I forgot to ask. My Italian is not advanced enough to say these things anyway. I managed to figure most things out, eventually."
If you don't know any Italian and you wish the adventure of renting a flat in Italy, learn some Italian vocabulary and make sure you're prepared to mention most of these things when the keys to your flat are surrendered. Even if the person who greets you speaks no English, you should be able to understand the response by watching the infamous, Italian gesticulations.
VIA LAVATORE DESCRIPTION - Looking at the Trevi, Via Lavatore is on your right and sort of runs parallel with Via Tritone. The apartment building is located near Via Scavolino (not on some maps), right across from a newish wine bar called, Il Chianti (looks like fun). A new restaurant called, Taberna, just opened on the ground floor of the apartment building (attracting much tourist attention but, to me, looked tacky and over-priced).
The Lavatore building has a tiny elevator which barely fits two people (without luggage). Several trips are necessary if more than one person stays here. Marc doesn't recommend using the old, stone stairs, especially when it rains. This one-bedroom apartment is on the 4th floor (hit 3 in the elevator and turn right upon exiting). You enter the apartment through two large, wooden doors into a well-lit foyer (about 5'x7'). On your right is a decent kitchen that has its own French door with glass panes and a side glass-panel detail along the right of the door frame. The French doors don't work much with the kitchen's interior decor (which is a bit 70's) but it's cute, nonetheless. By NYC standards, the kitchen is large with just enough equipment to prepare easy meals. There were some commonly used grocery items with good shelf life in the spacious cupboards. There is no oven, no microwave, no toaster, or toaster oven. The refrigerator/freezer is full-size and the small Bialetti needs to be replaced. Off the kitchen is an enclosed terrace, housing the washing machine, hot-water tank, some chairs, and cleaning supplies.
Straight ahead as you stand in the entrance door (and one step up) you see the fairly large bathroom with bidet, toilet, large sink and full-size tub (Marc is tall so this came in handy). The tub offered three fixtures for water; one to fill the tub, one to stand under for a shower, and a hand held sprayer with its own controls. Marc said water pressure was good and he never ran out of hot water.
To the right of the bathroom, on the same platform, is the small bedroom, which features one queen-size bed, lots of built-in storage, two bed-side lamps, and its own tiny terrace looking out onto the backs of other residential buildings.
To the left of the entrance foyer is the living/dining room; a spacious 16'x16' room, featuring two sets of tall windows which open in to view Via Lavatore. Cleverly designed built-in cabinetry (with plenty of room to store much luggage) fills up one entire wall. The living room ceiling is at least 14' high. There are two large couches in the living room, one more tattered than the other. The newer one is a sofa bed. There is a round dining table with chairs suitable for four.
The entire apartment has wall-to-wall, honey-toned wood flooring in excellent condition. The wood is slat style, laid in an adjoining "L" shape pattern, a nice decorative touch. The bedroom and the living room each have very large (5'x8'), gold-framed mirrors on a wall that add a marvelous antique feel to the place and make both rooms seem even larger. Towels for bath, paper towels, toilet paper, sheets, pillows, cases, blankets (even one Down) and soap supplies were abundant.
Via Lavatore is a pretty active street leading directly to the Trevi Fountain. Therefore, anyone who sleeps in the living room has to deal with the most noise. If you close the windows and the shutters, the apartment is quiet. There is minimal vehicular traffic (yes, taxis and cars can pull up directly to the door) but crowds of people walk this street much of the day into night. There is a public parking garage just a few doors down.
The Trevi is one of Rome's most popular fountains. It's far enough away for the sound to be muted but there, nonetheless. Tre slept on the sofa-bed one night and, with earplugs, he said he slept well. Marc had to keep the windows open 24/7 because the heat in the apartment was excessive.
Peace and quiet here becomes a greater concern in warmer seasons because I don't think this apartment is air-conditioned. Marc said the cross breeze is intense but what do you do about the noise from the street in warmer seasons? Another plus - there's no lengthy direct sunlight hitting the building so I expect the interior stays relatively cool in warmer months. For a city-center apartment, Marc found the bedroom remarkably quiet. He did mention the sound of garbage haulers and church bells, which seem to chime every hour in Rome, if not every fifteen minutes. I ALWAYS travel with earplugs.
To be continued...
For this trip, I traveled with three photographers, Marc, Tre, and Abbey, who helped me with research. The following notes are a sampling from our three-week adventure.
ROMA:
AIR/CAR TRAVEL - We flew Delta (Marc and I in Business and Tre and Abbey in Coach), and the experience is nowhere near as glamorous as Air France, especially in Coach. Delta's fleet seems older, less sophisticated, and the interior colors drab and sullen. The Coach seats are thin and pretty standard. This was a 2-4-2 configuration and the plane was packed. Also, this plane offered very few TV screens (three each section) and passengers got annoyed when service personnel blocked the view (it's hard to look away when the movie is "Seabiscuit"
. Air France offers a screen at each seat, even in Coach. Delta's flight attendants, especially the women, need serious head-to-toe make-overs and my sources tell me that talented designer, Richard Tyler, will soon rise to the occasion and design new uniforms. (Couldn't happen any sooner.) And, sometimes, service wasn't so friendly. The food was airplane food, prepared by chef NASA.
The Captain asked everyone to avoid congregating in the aisles or around the bathrooms and we were asked to use the bathrooms closest to our seats. No "Class" hopping bathroom visits. (Since I was the only person in Business visiting Coach, I endured the "tightened security" stares.)
We did change planes at CDG and went from E to F for the connection but the walk remained about a mile. The new terminal is an architectural masterpiece even though some of the high-tech graphics were ill-conceived and are not user-friendly. Security was evident everywhere.
SleepInItaly's car service is 48 Euro, a regular car with adequate room for two people and luggage. I can also recommend Airport Connection Service, http://www.airportconnection.it, which offers a variety of car/van services into the city-center at reasonable rates. I often need a van for camera/lighting equipment.
WEATHER - December '03 brought a mixture of sun and rain but mostly rain and, at times, there were downpours like I've never before seen in Rome, lasting for days at varied intensity. Rome was also quite cold, hovering just above freezing. Marc and I travel with good umbrellas but Abbey forgot hers and Tre didn't care about getting wet, at least, initially. Abbey bought a 5 Euro cheapo umbrella from a street kid near my apartment at the Farnese but that quickly became useless as it blew inside out within minutes on Vittorio Emanuale. She ended up buying a better, larger one, 12 Euro, from a store on Via Panetteria, across from Geleteria San Crispino. She and Tre ended up sharing it. The rain and wind made working in Rome difficult.
Long underwear (Italian cashmere for me), leather pants, wool socks, waterproof shoes, layered clothing, cashmere scarfs, warm hats and warm gloves were definitely de rigeur. Tre and Abbey wore mostly jeans and the back legs took a real beating straight up the calf, especially since these two had cut the cuffs to be fashionable. (They're in their early 20's.) I helped them with several loads of laundry because their jeans cleaned Rome's streets. Disgusting.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Tre and Abbey stayed at Albergo del Senato, I stayed at my apartment next to the Farnese, and to test SleepInItaly.com, Marc booked one of their apartments.
SLEEPINITALY.COM
We agreed to give them an "A" for service and satisfaction. Giulia Amato and Anna Trevi, who run SleepInItaly, were very helpful throughout the process. Their English is good and they manage quite a few properties, which is very difficult work for such a small team. The secret to getting better service is to call them directly and not rely on e-mail. Too many people e-mail (many inane questions) because it's cheaper than a phone call. They simply don't have enough manpower or time to handle all the e-mail. Those who call get the best apartments, especially for busy seasons.
Marc tried to get a flat closer to me at the Farnese but our requirements were rigid and we had only three-months advance notice of a major holiday. We wanted a quiet apartment with light and character, on a higher floor with an elevator, mostly to serve photographic needs. Marc went back and forth with several phone calls (they called him twice) before he settled on the VIA LAVATORE one-bedroom, just off the Trevi. Everything closer to the Farnese that fit the bill had already been booked.
Taken from Marc's notes: "The Signore who was there to handle business didn't speak one word of English. The business was straight forward and went as expected. A 20% deposit had been previously charged to a Visa card and the remaining balance paid in Euro. All our numbers were in synch. He handed me a basic form paper to fill out and my Passport number was required. Signore left two sets of keys (without asking), showed me how they worked, and offered a quick run-through of the apartment. He demonstrated how the kitchen gas-burners work (match required). He did not mention anything about how to control heat, hot water, use the washing machine or dispose of garbage and I forgot to ask. My Italian is not advanced enough to say these things anyway. I managed to figure most things out, eventually."
If you don't know any Italian and you wish the adventure of renting a flat in Italy, learn some Italian vocabulary and make sure you're prepared to mention most of these things when the keys to your flat are surrendered. Even if the person who greets you speaks no English, you should be able to understand the response by watching the infamous, Italian gesticulations.
VIA LAVATORE DESCRIPTION - Looking at the Trevi, Via Lavatore is on your right and sort of runs parallel with Via Tritone. The apartment building is located near Via Scavolino (not on some maps), right across from a newish wine bar called, Il Chianti (looks like fun). A new restaurant called, Taberna, just opened on the ground floor of the apartment building (attracting much tourist attention but, to me, looked tacky and over-priced).
The Lavatore building has a tiny elevator which barely fits two people (without luggage). Several trips are necessary if more than one person stays here. Marc doesn't recommend using the old, stone stairs, especially when it rains. This one-bedroom apartment is on the 4th floor (hit 3 in the elevator and turn right upon exiting). You enter the apartment through two large, wooden doors into a well-lit foyer (about 5'x7'). On your right is a decent kitchen that has its own French door with glass panes and a side glass-panel detail along the right of the door frame. The French doors don't work much with the kitchen's interior decor (which is a bit 70's) but it's cute, nonetheless. By NYC standards, the kitchen is large with just enough equipment to prepare easy meals. There were some commonly used grocery items with good shelf life in the spacious cupboards. There is no oven, no microwave, no toaster, or toaster oven. The refrigerator/freezer is full-size and the small Bialetti needs to be replaced. Off the kitchen is an enclosed terrace, housing the washing machine, hot-water tank, some chairs, and cleaning supplies.
Straight ahead as you stand in the entrance door (and one step up) you see the fairly large bathroom with bidet, toilet, large sink and full-size tub (Marc is tall so this came in handy). The tub offered three fixtures for water; one to fill the tub, one to stand under for a shower, and a hand held sprayer with its own controls. Marc said water pressure was good and he never ran out of hot water.
To the right of the bathroom, on the same platform, is the small bedroom, which features one queen-size bed, lots of built-in storage, two bed-side lamps, and its own tiny terrace looking out onto the backs of other residential buildings.
To the left of the entrance foyer is the living/dining room; a spacious 16'x16' room, featuring two sets of tall windows which open in to view Via Lavatore. Cleverly designed built-in cabinetry (with plenty of room to store much luggage) fills up one entire wall. The living room ceiling is at least 14' high. There are two large couches in the living room, one more tattered than the other. The newer one is a sofa bed. There is a round dining table with chairs suitable for four.
The entire apartment has wall-to-wall, honey-toned wood flooring in excellent condition. The wood is slat style, laid in an adjoining "L" shape pattern, a nice decorative touch. The bedroom and the living room each have very large (5'x8'), gold-framed mirrors on a wall that add a marvelous antique feel to the place and make both rooms seem even larger. Towels for bath, paper towels, toilet paper, sheets, pillows, cases, blankets (even one Down) and soap supplies were abundant.
Via Lavatore is a pretty active street leading directly to the Trevi Fountain. Therefore, anyone who sleeps in the living room has to deal with the most noise. If you close the windows and the shutters, the apartment is quiet. There is minimal vehicular traffic (yes, taxis and cars can pull up directly to the door) but crowds of people walk this street much of the day into night. There is a public parking garage just a few doors down.
The Trevi is one of Rome's most popular fountains. It's far enough away for the sound to be muted but there, nonetheless. Tre slept on the sofa-bed one night and, with earplugs, he said he slept well. Marc had to keep the windows open 24/7 because the heat in the apartment was excessive.
Peace and quiet here becomes a greater concern in warmer seasons because I don't think this apartment is air-conditioned. Marc said the cross breeze is intense but what do you do about the noise from the street in warmer seasons? Another plus - there's no lengthy direct sunlight hitting the building so I expect the interior stays relatively cool in warmer months. For a city-center apartment, Marc found the bedroom remarkably quiet. He did mention the sound of garbage haulers and church bells, which seem to chime every hour in Rome, if not every fifteen minutes. I ALWAYS travel with earplugs.
To be continued...
Feb 4th, 2004, 06:52 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is great. I have always liked and agreed with your posts, being a NYC food snob myself. Your detail is amazing. Do you show your photos in NY? I would love to see them. Also, FoodSnob, are you a member of the James Beard House? If you aren't, I know you would love it. Can't wait to read the rest!
Feb 4th, 2004, 09:23 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ALBERGO DEL SENATO
Finally, the interior decorators got it right and you will smile from ear to ear the moment you enter this bright, warm and beautiful Albergo. The del Senato is riding the crest of a very successful opening and they have good reason to be proud and raise its rates. Is there a grander place to stay in Rome's most central location?
The del Senato brings a new chic customer to this ancient Rome piazza and boy are they happy. While the Minerve continues to service its stately-set in a grand yet stuffy style, the del Senato goes all-out Hollywood (more Bev Hills than West H.) by creating an environment conducive to people who recognize and appreciate a good decorator and who know how to have fun.
Albergo del Senato has the feel of an intimate Renaissance palace. It's a fairly big building but the interior is so soft and cozy, you can't help but feel you're at home. The color choices are among my favorites; muted salmons, pale yellows, linen creams, bright whites, olive greens, with splashes of cobalt blue and pale violets. It's easy to think of the del Senato as one chic gelato geleteria or a creation of Martha Stewart-meets-Mario Buatta. Many of the walls feature beautiful fabrics and the all-wood floors (in the luxe section of the building only) add to its glowing warmth. You get terra cotta in the less-luxe section. The circular marble staircase is a very elegant feature.
We tried to secure and get into a suite but none were available. They're the biggest draw for travelers who really like to pamper themselves but we soon found out suites are in short supply here. The bread and butter of this operation relies on the doubles and the ones without a view are for tourists who really don't intend to spend much time in their room.
We secured Room's 304 and 305, located in the front/center of the building, facing Piazza della Rotonda with the Pantheon in plain view. Room 304 is slightly larger than 305 due to a tiny and useless foyer as you enter. We were stunned by the actual size of these rooms. We measured two feet on either side of the double bed and two feet at the foot of the bed before you brushed up against the antique chest of drawers. Very small. Each room comes with a unique security entryway, fully electronic and very cool.
Both rooms were incredibly quiet. Whoever did the windows did a marvelous job. The only problem for me was the claustrophobic feeling I got with the windows closed. The moment you open them, in comes the noise. I'm a huge fan of fresh air and this could be a problem here.
The bathrooms are pretty and feature mostly white marble and a full tub. Each tub has a unique, art deco style glass enclosure. The bathrooms are roomier than most hotel baths in Rome and this was a smart design decision.
Service is lovely at the del Senato and the gentlemen orchestrating the show are divine. The views from the public terrace on the roof are terrific even though it was too cold and wet to enjoy. I highly recommend getting a room with your own private terrace in warmer weather (6th floor only). This is the only way to live.
tbc...
Finally, the interior decorators got it right and you will smile from ear to ear the moment you enter this bright, warm and beautiful Albergo. The del Senato is riding the crest of a very successful opening and they have good reason to be proud and raise its rates. Is there a grander place to stay in Rome's most central location?
The del Senato brings a new chic customer to this ancient Rome piazza and boy are they happy. While the Minerve continues to service its stately-set in a grand yet stuffy style, the del Senato goes all-out Hollywood (more Bev Hills than West H.) by creating an environment conducive to people who recognize and appreciate a good decorator and who know how to have fun.
Albergo del Senato has the feel of an intimate Renaissance palace. It's a fairly big building but the interior is so soft and cozy, you can't help but feel you're at home. The color choices are among my favorites; muted salmons, pale yellows, linen creams, bright whites, olive greens, with splashes of cobalt blue and pale violets. It's easy to think of the del Senato as one chic gelato geleteria or a creation of Martha Stewart-meets-Mario Buatta. Many of the walls feature beautiful fabrics and the all-wood floors (in the luxe section of the building only) add to its glowing warmth. You get terra cotta in the less-luxe section. The circular marble staircase is a very elegant feature.
We tried to secure and get into a suite but none were available. They're the biggest draw for travelers who really like to pamper themselves but we soon found out suites are in short supply here. The bread and butter of this operation relies on the doubles and the ones without a view are for tourists who really don't intend to spend much time in their room.
We secured Room's 304 and 305, located in the front/center of the building, facing Piazza della Rotonda with the Pantheon in plain view. Room 304 is slightly larger than 305 due to a tiny and useless foyer as you enter. We were stunned by the actual size of these rooms. We measured two feet on either side of the double bed and two feet at the foot of the bed before you brushed up against the antique chest of drawers. Very small. Each room comes with a unique security entryway, fully electronic and very cool.
Both rooms were incredibly quiet. Whoever did the windows did a marvelous job. The only problem for me was the claustrophobic feeling I got with the windows closed. The moment you open them, in comes the noise. I'm a huge fan of fresh air and this could be a problem here.
The bathrooms are pretty and feature mostly white marble and a full tub. Each tub has a unique, art deco style glass enclosure. The bathrooms are roomier than most hotel baths in Rome and this was a smart design decision.
Service is lovely at the del Senato and the gentlemen orchestrating the show are divine. The views from the public terrace on the roof are terrific even though it was too cold and wet to enjoy. I highly recommend getting a room with your own private terrace in warmer weather (6th floor only). This is the only way to live.
tbc...
Feb 4th, 2004, 10:46 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Enjoying your detailed report. I can't agree more with your last sentence. We have stayed in Room 602 (the Senior Suite with private terrace) twice and loved it. Even a free suite at the Hassler wouldn't tempt me away from staying in 602.
Feb 4th, 2004, 11:22 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Albergo del Senato has a great web site too. Check it out if you're interested...
www.albergodelsenato.com select the flash version for an even cooler effect.
Can't wait to read the rest of your report...enjoying it so much thus far!
~Allison
www.albergodelsenato.com select the flash version for an even cooler effect.
Can't wait to read the rest of your report...enjoying it so much thus far!
~Allison
Feb 4th, 2004, 03:38 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for posting NYCFS. It's great to read. I'm sure you'll be inundated with questions but I have a few so far about the apartment.
I'm curious to know whether you feel the apt was worth whatever you paid & how it compares to others. Who have you used (if anybody) for rentals in the past? How did this rental compare with previous experiences. You say there was no oven, microwave or toaster. Was there a burner for boiling water??
I'm curious to know whether you feel the apt was worth whatever you paid & how it compares to others. Who have you used (if anybody) for rentals in the past? How did this rental compare with previous experiences. You say there was no oven, microwave or toaster. Was there a burner for boiling water??
Feb 5th, 2004, 05:15 AM
#12
NYCFoodSnob - How do you find the time/energy to document everything so thoroughly!!?? I promised myself on my 2nd African safari to write in a journal every day. I started off doing it right for the first few days but after that was too busy or tired. Of course, now I regret it. Maybe I need one of your "current favorite" journals! Mine was definitely too small.
I have enjoyed reading your diary and look forward to the good stuff -
I have enjoyed reading your diary and look forward to the good stuff -
Feb 5th, 2004, 03:38 PM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sundowner, I start a journal on every trip and most of the time they trail off after a few days. What I have learned, and am trying to put into practice with mixed results, is that in order to succeed you must (MUST!!) carve out the time to write in it. Schedule 15 minutes every morning or before going out to dinner, or plan an hour of "down time" every few days to catch up.
Easier to rationalize the time when it's part of your job, like NYCFS, and more difficult when it takes time away from sightseeing or shopping or just putting your feet up. But it's a matter of making a firm commitment and sticking to the discipline.
I'm enjoying this trip report and can't wait for the next installment. A lot of these details, especially about the accommodations, are just the sorts of things I like to know.
Easier to rationalize the time when it's part of your job, like NYCFS, and more difficult when it takes time away from sightseeing or shopping or just putting your feet up. But it's a matter of making a firm commitment and sticking to the discipline.
I'm enjoying this trip report and can't wait for the next installment. A lot of these details, especially about the accommodations, are just the sorts of things I like to know.
Feb 7th, 2004, 07:09 AM
#16
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assolutamente favoloso!!! Signora NYCFS is a diamond.
What will it take to get you to share all your diaries with me, foodiedearest? Leave it to a photographer to comprehend and appreciate exacting attention to detail. Do you work in film, by any chance?
Where is the beef? Please don't tell us your restaurant adventures are off limits. Curious minds are salivating with anticipation and we want to know.
What will it take to get you to share all your diaries with me, foodiedearest? Leave it to a photographer to comprehend and appreciate exacting attention to detail. Do you work in film, by any chance?
Where is the beef? Please don't tell us your restaurant adventures are off limits. Curious minds are salivating with anticipation and we want to know.
Feb 11th, 2004, 07:31 AM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can't stop now, NYCFS. Ok, you can do whatever you want, I just wanna ask you to please continue with the next parts. I have not been reading this site much for lately, but did catch this thread the other day and have become a bit possessed with looking for updates. Hey, this post is my first (had never even registered) in well over a year: look what you've done!
So, right now I will ask politely. Tomorrow, I will begin my campaign! I live in Italy (expat) and you certainly do it justice with your diary. Continue already.........
P.S. to the other readers out there, Sorry for topping this only to see it's just me asking for more and not the 'more' you were hoping for. Join me in my gentle harassment
So, right now I will ask politely. Tomorrow, I will begin my campaign! I live in Italy (expat) and you certainly do it justice with your diary. Continue already.........
P.S. to the other readers out there, Sorry for topping this only to see it's just me asking for more and not the 'more' you were hoping for. Join me in my gentle harassment
Feb 11th, 2004, 07:42 AM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
k_louise, you'll be lucky to survive the onslaught that may accuse you of being me. Fasten your seat belt, darling...
What kind and gracious words from strangers, indeed. Thank you all. The food installment is coming. I had a house guest the past six days who deserved my undivided attention. Back to writing. See you soon.
What kind and gracious words from strangers, indeed. Thank you all. The food installment is coming. I had a house guest the past six days who deserved my undivided attention. Back to writing. See you soon.
