Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whole misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,
And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Adopted By a Milanese Family
My last night in Milano and one of those classic things that always happens to me happens to me. After wandering town all day long, and soaking in what my friend Alberto calls “typical Milanese environment”, ie: cloudy, rainy, busy, noisy; I made plans to meet my friend Sarolina’s parents in order to pick some stuff up to bring back to Amsterdam for her.
To my surprise and to Sara’s approval, her mom and dad not only wanted to say hello and drink tea.. the moment they greeted me in front of Café Zucca the mother says to me “marko… come to our house for dinner”. They seemed like charming people and knowing how great their daughter is, I happily agree.
So there I am, a Tuesday night in November, sitting in a VERY Italian parlour with wall-to-wall books, discussing the history of Portugal with her father.. in Italian somehow. As so often happens, the father was very surprised about how similar Italian is to Portuguese…. which means Italians need to spread the word… they have lots in common with the Iberian penninsula.
In the end, I had a fantastic meal, and great discussion about their travels and life, including the recounting of a journey through yugoslavia, soviet union, turkey, iran, iraq, jordan, and syria back in the 70’s.
“It was an amazing time, the father smiled, “we were so welcome there and you were free to travel everywhere. Not like today, now you can’t get far without being questioned and so much has been destroyed.”
Afterwards they insisted on driving me back to the vlog apartment. Which has gone from housing 6+ people to an oh-so-comfy 3. (I get my own huge bed tonight). Tomorrow we’re off to Verona, where star-crossed lovers used to kill themselves I think.
For those seeking importance in the world: I’ve been listening back and reading through the transcripts that were released, of the military tribunals for guantanamo prisoners.
bmtv27 Mispelling a Beautiful Place
This is the real deal. The amazingly beautiful Belaggio (which I didnt bother looking up proper spelling cause that isn’t the point, yes now I see I spelt the dam thing wrong.. sorry too late) This vlog starts in Varenna as we take the ferry to Bellagio. VlogEurope 06… beautiful.
the Vlog Europe Is The Bees Knees
The last day of vlog europe, the continent’s most fantastically whimsical video blogger conference, has come and gone. After a long day yesterday of talky talky, looky looky, snacky snacky… today was the tourism and socializing day as we explored this area around Lake Como.
As I write this post, maticulously evil mastermind vloggers from Scandinavia and North America are plotting important things… right here in this living room converted into a sleeping room for many. It is a unique experience that will scar me for a life. A blame most of the scarring on this vlog and perhaps this famous human beatbox.
Since the weekend here in Italy has been so wonderful and there is still so much more to see and do or not do and sleep… I’ll be sticking around town at least until Tuesday night.. so tell your friends in the Lombardy region.
I know the fans want to see actual vlogs from vlogeurope… which is a novel and strange idea, but I’ll do it… tomorrow. First I want to make sure the good citizens listen to yesterdays podcast and let it sink in. Into your souls.
So for now.. just some photos to wet your whistle.
Postscript thing: Thanks to the unknown person at VlogEurope who donated a nice chunk of change to me. I lurve you and promise to work hard to continue the media flow.
bm167 Villaraigosa and Los Angeles
He is the first latino mayor of Los Angeles since the 1800s, but Antonio Villaraigosa has a wide appeal and big plans. The dynamic Green LA girl joins me to shed some light on yet another mayor in the ongoing global mayors series.
READ – The Green LA Girl, cause its good for you.
Wikipedia on Mayor Villaraigosa
Lake Como Is Down There
Well Well.
Unexpected turn of events, I took an offer to stay over here high above Lake Como, or some Lake that might be Como. I think this town is called Lecco.
I’d like to enter into a “how fast can you learn italian” marathon, I bet it would take me 2 weeks, nonstop studying, and Id be fluent. Than my french and spanish would be ruined, and my Portuguese would be jealous. My english would just hang out with my Dutch, they need not know whats going on. In the meantime.. I do so love the language cause it is so famliar.. yet different.
The discussion on yesterdays post is still going and I like it alot. We don’t have to have the answers, we can just compare stories, experiences, facts.. if anything I get lots of help forming my own opinion… and in the end.. its a personal blog, so hahaha I win! I mean.. yay knowledge.
The vloggers are mostly at the node101 apartment in Milano. I’m here with a few other cats that are staying at the great Deirdré’s house, which overlooks alot of things from way up here on this mountain. On the floor to my right.. there’s a vlogger named Andreas… further over from him.. a vlogger named Anders. Danish I believe. Good men they are, me thinks.
My one wish… vlogger ladies. More of them. Crazy creative and perhaps single ones. That’s my wish.
Time for cliché italian words since I’m a dumb tourist: buona notte amici.