It’s a cold day in Iano today, well it dipped to 14C, which for early October is still fairly warm. It reminds me of home and the crisp fall air of Ontario. Some leaves are turning yellow here, and the wind and rain from yesterday has scattered some of them, but it is not likeContinue reading “Thinking of home”
Author Archives: Sylvie Rancourt
Celebrating failures…
In the years leading up to my retirement, my workplace had instituted a new set of company values which counted among them, the principle of celebrating failures as well as our successes. It is generally known that from failure comes eventual success, and if one can learn from the mistake without fear of negative retaliationContinue reading “Celebrating failures…”
Is it very different where you are?
Travelling allows you to discover the way people do things in their country. As a guest in their country, it is our responsibility to respect their ways, and embrace the unfamiliarity. It is why we travel and hence the expression “When in Rome…” Take eggs for example. Here in Tuscany, we find them on storeContinue reading “Is it very different where you are?”
This too shall pass
Beyond teaching us the history of early civilisations, and developing an appreciation for the natural riches of the region and the culture of foreign lands, what do cities like Volterra bring to our modern lives? Perspective The feeling overpowers me each time I suddenly become aware of how many years have passed since the cobblesContinue reading “This too shall pass”
Travel, some experience required
The sudden comprehension of a problem or situation that our brain has been unconsciously working in the background is called an insight (Aha Moment). These moments often happen when we are at rest, or on auto-pilot, allowing our mind to wander and « connect dots ». The hot September days in Tuscany have provided meContinue reading “Travel, some experience required”
La dolce vita, the roses and the thorns
Ah yes, life in Tuscany. Beautiful countryside – check! Hills of vineyards, weighted by big clusters of dark blue grapes, ready now for harvesting and fields of olive trees to be harvested in a few months. Winding roads, make you drive constantly in S formations. Left curve…straight…right curve..straighten, left curve…etc…At any time, I am drivingContinue reading “La dolce vita, the roses and the thorns”
When in Rome – A Little History With Your Highlights?
What do you do when you have 24 hours to see as much of Rome as you can? You hire private guides to take you around, skip the lines and give you direct access to the key sites of Rome, just enough to wet your appetite.
Dreams do come true….at least in Rome.
Fontana dei Trevi, Rome, Italy My first (and only) visit to Rome occurred when I was 16, as part of a one-week class trip. It was at this fountain, the renowned Fontana di Trevi, where I first learned of the fountain’s long standing tradition. It is said that if you throw a coin in the fountain, and makeContinue reading “Dreams do come true….at least in Rome.”
Upper State New York – Warming Up
A little jaunt stateside, to transition from “in-residence” to traveller.
The Journey Begins
Here we go – the much promised, and long anticipated blog and collection of my thoughts and experiences.