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Did we see you at the casino?

Stew — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:08:01 +0000

CHURCHILL DOWNS, LOUISVILLE, KY – Sandro is our Sardinian Italian Language instructor from the Language Exchange in Portland.

We do private lessons with him once a week when whenever we can. It gets technical. And specific. And then it spins out into wide ranging and freewheeling conversations. We were talking about our trip to the Kentucky Derby and that led to betting. And want to guess what the Italian word for Casino is? That’s right: casinò!. Emphasis on the end.

Depending on the circles you travel with, usually you will hear the word without the ending emphasis. And that’s just a mess. Because without the accent it means “mess.” Well, technically it means “bordello” but somehow “che casino!” or “what a bordello!” has evolved to “what a mess!” Hey, wait a minute, Bordello looks like an Italian word too. See how much we owe Italians?

The photo is us with the indomitable Valerie Harper between races.

See you in Italy!

we’ll try not to make too much of a casino.
Full breakdown of the race weekend and videos and glimpses at true party ethic in action

Stew

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Spring in the air. We will be soon.

Stew — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:35:51 +0000

Look out Umbria. Here we come. Packing today. Puts Spring in our step just thinking about it. Our friend Dily has been sending us pictures of our house there in Panicale in flower and that just reels us in.

First a couple lovely days with Daughter Wiley of London and then Rome. Then HOME. Panicale. Other hits on our list are Trieste, Lago di Como and more and more Panicale. We are celebrating a big anniversary and we are celebrating it with our Testimone (best man) Harry. I was his best man shortly after he was ours. And miracle of miracle we are all still married. And to the same people! And all still best friends. They’ve been to Panicale as much as we have and it should be a joy. Watch this space.

See you in Italy!

Stew Vreeland

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Having barrels of fun.

Stew — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:58:47 +0000

PANICALE, Umbria–Yes, there’s a new guy in town. Welcome Paul Turina. He and his wife Betty are our new partners in the house in Panicale. They are on their way to Italy shortly to take romantic vineyard pictures with Paul and Jane of Avis Studio.
That could be one reason why Paul’s smiling. But on the other hand, he usually is. And why not. As he says “I’ve got the best job in the world.” And what would Job Nirvana be for a died-in-the-wool Italophile be? Right, the first time: Importing Italian wine.

Visiting vineyards, sampling luscious new wines at any and every hour of the day and night? Going out to eat in all corners of Italy with clients who know the best local places? Writing off your tickets to Vinitaly as a business expense? And calling it all work? It is a tough job but someone has to do it.

We just helped him double the size of the Turina Italian Wines site to keep up with his growing stable of select family vineyards. And the first day the new and improved site was “live” Paul was featured again on Fringe Wine This is the third time he and his specialty wines have been featured on this blog!

If you are eating out in Panicale in April and you see some guy at the next table – with an extra big grin on his face, just raise your glass and say “Salute, Paul!”

See you in Italy,

Stew Vreeland

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Kiki goes to prison. And gets a haircut.

Stew — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:42:52 +0000

Day 43, Dateline San Francisco – Went to Alcatraz and loved the scenery. Had big plans to get a makeover in fabulous Dubai. Instead I got a haircut in a California strip mall. Flying home tomorrow Virgin America, which Erich tells me is very cool. But does it compare with Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong to San Francisco?

How’s the weather there in Maine?

Stew Note: And then a few hours later . . . .
Sigh. But you know, Stew, of all the places I visited these past six weeks or so none is more beautiful than Italy. E vero. Nice to be home this morning, going thru my mail and watching jumbo snowflakes drift away, Love, Kiki

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Say goodnight, Mary . . .

Stew — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 19:18:32 +0000

Stew note: After 40 days and forty nights, it is over. Kiki has officially seen the world. She claims it is round.

Kiki and Uncle Dairmuid got off the ship in Hong Kong and were scheduled to be flying to San Francisco and then back to New England. This photo may be from Southampton at the beginning of the trip. Beginning or ending I’m sure they were looking up at the Queen Mary 2 and relishing their sea time. What memories they surely have. Imagine leaving New England going East and returning. From the other side.

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Hong Kong. Day 39. End of the line.

Stew — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:52:29 +0000

DAY 39, DATELINE HONG KONG – New Year is going strong here with lion dances, cymbals and drums. Lots of islands, neon, high-rise architecture, noodle shops and bowing. I love it!

Clockwise from top left: Our sampan lady, Floating restaurant, Diarmuid at Victoria Peak, A little bit of Italy, I had the peanut butter sandwich, Night, inside out,

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A backwards glance, from our 38th and final day at sea.

Stew — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:25:43 +0000

Out takes …. from the trip. Our 38th and final day. Disembarking momentarily in Hong Kong. It’s been amazing.

Beautiful bureaucratic India, Pagoda guy, Vietnam

The littlest Buddhist, Bangkok, Life release guy in Vietnam.
Make an offering to have his caged birds released. P. S. They fly right back …

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We Miss Saigon?

Stew — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:32:32 +0000

DAY 35 DATELINE VUNG TAU, VIETNAM – Lots of motorbikes, lots. Four to a bike sometimes. It’s HOT here but many people were all bundled up against the sun, even gloves and face masks.

Stew note: Editor’s apologies for the chronologies. Yes, we missed Vietnam. I slipped a beat somewhere. This post should be before High Teas on High Seas.

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HIGH TEA ON THE HIGH SEAS. The Queen and I.

Stew — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:53:06 +0000

DAY 36 DATELINE SOME WHERE At Sea En Route to Hong Kong – Shireen’s suit case and I’ll both miss afternoon tea on the QM2. And being called madam day and night.

Note from Stew: Oh, no. the trip is winding down. Some how i thought there was another wing to this trip but Kiki says the QM2 is going on without her to Australia. She and Uncle Diarmuid are getting tossed ashore in Hong Kong and winging their way to San Francisco and then back to New England. They left it going to the right, they are returning from the left. Around the world indeed. What fun.

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Bells and Boots, Bangkok

Stew — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:00:01 +0000

DAY 33 DATELINE BANGKOK – Listen to the prayer bells at the Temple of the Golden Buddha and boot steps of soldiers at the Grand Palace. The city was hot, crowded with Lunar New Year celebrants, and golden.

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