“The perfect day is a balance of culture and pleasure”, repeated our travel guide for the 4th time as we boarded the bus in Pompeii and headed towards the Amalfi coast.
Check.
Day 122 – Positano
Category: Europe
Day 121 – A Man and a Cigarette
In one aspect my trip to Rome has been a bit of a disappointment: I wanted to practise my people photography skills and maybe do some street photography. However, my patience ran out quickly. It is practically impossible to take a picture involving people, without everyone being glued into their phones, either taking photos or messaging – and this includes the nuns(!) Only today, as I strolled quite far from the tourist area into a local park, was my fate in humanity restored.
Day 119 – The Unexplained Pleasure of Shopping
I like to think of myself as someone who does not like shopping. And I don’t. At least not the kind that requires me to systematically go through store after store. But who can resist the allure of an unexpected find – The I-don’t-want-to-resist item in a little store in a back-alley you are unlikely to ever return.
I’m an accidental shopper.
Day 118 – Your Share of Spaghetti
It’s easy to find good food in Rome – as long as you avoid the biggest tourist centers. It’s much harder to find good food that is not Pasta Carbonara, Pizza Margarita or Veal Saltimbocca.
Local tasting menu celebrated ingredients from close by – an experience worth every kilo gained.
Fried artichoke is a specialty of the Jewish Ghetto.
Day 117 – Prayer
In the past few days, I have visited more churches than in the last 3 years combined. Most churches in Rome were built to bring a sense of awe – a job well done! But as with most awe-inspiring things, if you look closer, you find touching, interesting and funny details to bring them close.
Day 116 – Eternal City
Rome is city with over 900 churhes, 200 flavors of gelato and 3000 years of art. It’s a city where a city gate designed by Bernini isn’t necessarily even mentioned in the guidebook. It is hot, crowded, expensive and chaotic. It is breathtaking.
Day 115 – Above the clouds
Holiday. Rome.
Due to my connection in Zurich, the flight took me over the Alps. A majestic sight from any angle.
I’m cheating here a little again. I only saw the Alps on Saturday morning… However, as I started to travel on Friday, I think it still counts as the same day.
Day 120 – La Dolce Vita
Unlike Venice or even Paris, Rome has the feel of everyday life everywhere. Even in the most touristy center, tucked in the narrow lane between two monuments is someone’s laundry drying from the window, and someone’s grandmother keeping a careful eye of the comings and goings on her street. The pulse of real Rome.
Note the grandmother of the street on the right…
INSEAD reunion
Group photo credits to Alexandre Halbardier
One weekend with 250 friends is not enough – but then again 1 year with 500 was not enough either. New memories were made.
- Friday house party – which proved NOTHING has changed in 5 years – we still live on champagne, pizza and laughter
- Doing another case in class – which proved something has changed, as the entire class actually read the case before the discussion
- Celebrating in style in Fontainebleau chateau – which was definitely a change from all the nights spent in fliplops and shorts in Singapore
- Hanging out in the lawn and cafeteria – which proved that even through many of us have moved, changed jobs, married and multiplied, nothing really has changed.
Let’s do many more mini-reunions before the next full-blown party 5 years from now.
PS. You can see the bigger pictures by clicking. If anyone wants the pictures in full size, send me a message.
Day 64 – The Sacred Heart of Paris
The Sacred Heart of Paris – more commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica – is in my opinion a more stunning than either Eiffel tower or Notre Dame. It has a strong meaning to me – as well as to my entire South African side of the family. I never spend time in Paris without lighting a candle.
Blue Moment 