Memories of....

A few years back a well-known grocery store in Canada started marketing items - mostly sauces and condiments - under the name "Memories of....".

The whole campaign suggested that the use of these products would revive memories of exotic places visited, grandma's kitchen or delightful childhood events. I'm not sure how successful they were as aide-memories but as a campaign it was - and still is - successful. As I settle in to our new home I'm unpacking things that trigger memories of the past four years - exotic places visited, if not grandma's kitchen then certainly some exceptional nonne's kitchens that served up incredible food and again if not events from childhood then assuredly ones that fulfilled childhood dreams and gave delight.

I realized that with all the books, pamphlets, programmes and catalogues on hand plus the enumerable photos taken in the past four years I have enough material to do my own series of "Memories of .....". That and a look at the Post List shows a fair number of pieces on sights and cities that I started but didn't finish - perhaps completing them wouldn't be a bad idea while I still have "memories of ...". Now I must admit this idea could also be viewed as a rather pathetic attempt to hold on to Italy and what amounted to some of the most wonderful years of my life. If that's the case ... so be it - I'll also post a few things about life here in Bagdad on the Rideau as I once heard a Cabinet Minister call it.  That is - as Italy was for the past few years - my current reality so I'll deal with it. I'm looking at a calender that is filling up with some interesting concerts, dance, theatre and occasions with dear friends. Plus there is always the joys of the frozen canal, snow and -35c (before wind chill) to look forward to and capture with camera clicking and teeth a chattering.

Coming soon to a grocery shelf near you a computer near you:  Memories of .....  Italy.

24 settembre/September - Beata Vergine Maria della Mercede

Napoli Bound

We're heading down to Napoli for the weekend - only 1 hr and 21 minutes from Roma on the high speed. It will be a few days of opera (Peter Grimes at San Carlo), museum visiting (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli)), sight seeing (Palazzo Reale and Herculaneum) and eating (Ciro a Santa Brigida if we can get got a reservation.)

And to celebrate, here (from Love Me Forever in 1937) is the great American soprano Grace Moore singing what is arguably the most famous Neapolitan song of all time: Funiculì, Funiculà.



I've been told that Miss Moore's Neapolitan dialect is pretty darned authentic, but not as authentic as the Linguine all'aragosta at Ciro's.

Buon weekend a tutti! a lunedi!

30 gennaio - Santa Savina

Seeing the Sights - Some Not Often Seen

As Laurent's time in Beijing is drawing to a close friends are making that last minute scramble to visit before he leaves. Anna and Luigi were originally scheduled to visit last year but health concerns delayed their trip. Gratia Deo they were able to spend some time this month doing the Beaulieu tour of Beijing and a little freelancing in Xian. And Anna was able to SHOP! Imagine our surprise!

Though it was cold and snowy during their visit it was uncharacteristically clear - the polution in Beijing is, to put it mildy, a major problem. Laurent says that he can only recall seeing the Fragrant Hills that bound the city at the north three or four times in the past three years. Luigi took this shot from the Forbidden City just after a snow and wind storm. On a normal day the buildings in the background would be shrouded in smog and the mountains invisible. This is a sight not often seen.

From the Office Window - Friday February 23 - 10:30 a.m.

Last Thursday I posted a few shots from our office windows taken on a cloudy day. The next day it was bright and clear with a wind that whipped the flags a caution. It was also -25c with that bloody wind but the views from the warmth of the 15th floor are great when the sun shines.
I'm ashamed to say I have yet to visit the Canadian War Museum - isn't that always the way. I'll have to wait for some visitors to come into town. I don't find it a particularly attractive building and frankly it looks like a building looking for a location with that expanse of land around it. However I have been told the exhibits are extremely well done and the current show on Afghanistan is worth the trip.

There has been talk about developing the entire Victoria Island complex including the Ottawa Carbide Mill (top photo) built by inventor Thomas Willson. Unfortunately the Aboriginal Experience village is complete covered with snow in the lower photo. This island has been a native meeting place for centuries.

When I look down at the Supreme Court Building I am always puzzled by the crazy - and let’s admit it unsuccessful - attempt to wed the Beaux Arts style with the Mansard roof line. Apparently that what Ernest Cormier, the architect, was instructed to built by the Government of the day. And it’s still more attractive than the War Museum.
The first bridge, the Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge, was the railway bridge into town when Ottawa had a train station at Confederation Square rather than in a distant suburb.
Sadly I will be losing my view of the Peace Tower in the next few days - the flag was always a good indicator as to how bad the wind was on a stormy day. The new job comes with a cost - relocation to an inside cell... sorry cubicle.

From the Office Window - Thursday 3 P.M.

(Click on the pictures for an enlarged view.)
We have a great view from our corner on the 15th Floor - pretty much uninterrupted from the War Museum in the West to the Peace Tower in the East. Even though today was a bit gray and overcast its still a good view. On a sunny day when you can see the Gatineau Hills its a great one.