Carbonboy's Weblog

May  2006

Italy vs. Japan

In Italy, the cabs are dumpy and  tiny and, if you are not careful, the cab drivers will take you on a "scenic drive" without your asking (although I had an honest one on my last visit).

In Japan, the cabs are spotless, comfortable and the seats  are decorated in doilies (if you can believe that).

In Italy, you don't know where the hell you are going and pray the cab driver does.

In Japan, the driver has a wide screen GPS in his cab and tells you how far to your destination in real-time (in Japanese of course).

In Italy, all the waiters are men, most with an attitude.

In Japan, cute, young polite girls with acceptable English make every effort to serve and please you - and they don't take tips.

In Italy, all the toilet bowls are 2/3 empty and require constant "self cleaning." 

In Japan, the toilet seats are heated and if you press the" wrong" button, prepare yourself for a surprise!

More to come . . .

~~~

The Italians seem to be in love with themselves. The camera phone was invented for them, as they are always photographing themselves.  But then, what culture is not?

I have hundreds of photos from the last two weekends on the Bay of Napoli.  I'll post some more this week on a separate linked page.

I know this:  when I return to Italy, it will not be Napoli, at least as home base.  Sadly, there is so much more to explore both here and on the fringes of Napoli.  Yet does it really matter as all of Italy is an adventure?

I keep forgetting that I'm here to work and it is late Sunday Night.  Buona notte!

~~~

The Worst President In History?

On a second take of Rolling Stone Magazine's May 4th Cover Story, I shelled out $3.95 to read the article by "one of America's leading historians."  I'm saving the read for the flight from Seattle to DC, and will report back on its merits.

~~~

Withdrawal

I got back to Everett from Bari, Italy after a 22 hour trip, hoping to get a good night's rest at the Hilton, which just happens to be a stone's throw from Boeing's Future of Flight Site, which happened to be hosting Everett's High School Prom Night on the very night I returned exhausted.

I was annoyed by the noise for about 20 minutes until I fell into a very deep sleep.

Now, I'm into about a week of withdrawal, returning to the mundane, which was so exciting until it was not.  I can't wait to get overseas again.

In a week or so, life will be fine again back in Foggia. 

Hard to believe one could be bored this close to Seattle!

May 31, 2006

Nagoya from the 48th Floor

Well, who can pack a tripod?  In any event I'm here in Japan and we have perfect mid-70's temperatures.  I "just" made it to Reagan-National, had no idea Northwest Airlines had such a big hub in Detroit, and I had a vacant seat next to me on the 747-400 making the 13 hour trip effortless. I even slept.

This hotel is so massive that the front desk is on the 15th floor.  Underneath is a train station and shopping mall.  I've yet to figure how to get to the ground floor.  No matter - tomorrow, a day of rest (and workout in the gym) then, at 1700 the fun begins.

May 30, 2006

Napoli to Nagoya via Piney Point

I had my first driving experience in Italy (Napoli to Roma), as my associates were delayed and I wanted to head for home for the weekend - crazy, but only one close call from a truck driver playing "chicken" with me.  The worst part was getting up the parking ramp at the Airport in Rome.  The Hilton at the airport was so Americanized, I thought I was already back.

I had two glorious days in Piney Point and had a "brat fry" to satisfy tradition, with a few neighbors over. I wish I had another week here as the weather is perfect.

Today I start the long trip to Nagoya, Japan.  I'm flying from Washington National to Detroit and then a 13 hour trip to Nagoya.  Northwest has great business class seats and even greater service.

My home will be at the Nagoya Marriott, which has fantastic views, five incredible restaurants and a spectacular workout room.  I'll be doing a process qualification and working 14 hours a day, seven days a week for two to three weeks!

Then it's back to Italy to start over again! What a crazy existence!

May 21, 2006

Innocenza

I know this ritual exists in many other cultures, Mexico for sure.  There, if I recall the girls are older - a sort of "coming-of-age" celebration.  Here, I'm not sure, but every weekend young girls are dressed in their gowns and their fathers go crazy with their cameras!  Of course, it's her confirmation!

~~~

Amore

Italian's marry later in life.  I'm not sure if this is by tradition or more recent economic circumstance. That makes for a real long adolescence, as they tend to live with their parents until they marry.  To compensate, public displays of their love are seen everywhere (this one is rather tame).  Given their strong Catholic heritage, I would guess such displays in public are OK; in private, well just don't let papa catch you!

~~~

Il Candido

I'm uncertain for what office Signorina Mutto is running for as when I ask her, she spoke no English.  Given she is for "compassion," she is most likely a socialist, or maybe even a communist - a party often favored and in office here in Italy!

~~~

Castel Nuovo

Construction for this "new" castle began in 1279 and it is called Nuovo to distinguish itself from the older Castle of the Egg, directly in front of my home at the Grand Hotel Vesuvio (pictured below).  This castle has an art museum and daily piano concerts, free for the price of admission of the tour

Castel Ovo has a great bar high above with fantastic views of the city, and a fine ristorante deep within it bowels. Both castels offer fantastic views of the Bay of Napoli, and each offer a distinctive experience.  The colorful banners below the Castel Nuovo were part of a setup for a wild rock concert that occurred there that evening.  I, of course, attended as I did not bring a black suit and tie for the opera a few blocks away.

Castel Ovo

~~~

Divertirsi

Most of all, Italians have mastered the simple pleasure of having fun.  All it takes is a warm breezy day in the sun with friends and family.

May 17, 2006

The road to Foggia . . .

. . . is a road I expect to travel often this summer.  The A-16 Autostrade takes one from the absolute chaos of Napoli through the serene mountain town of Avellino and into the fertile soils of the Puglia Region; sort of the "pasta basket" of Italy.  We were in Foggia for just a day, having to drive back to Naples by nightfall, with the intention to spend a full week there coming this Sunday.

I saw a million potential photographs in route, but as I was not driving (this time anyway), I did not have the option to take any, except for a quick stop at a road stand market on S665 upon leaving A-16. 

So, this is unlike any road stand in America.  Now don't get me wrong - in my view there's a lot that Italians don't know about food preparation.  Their meat is fatty and overcooked and I have yet to find anyone that grasps the concept of steamed vegetables (grilled or mush are the only seemingly available options).  Yet the novelty of Italy is a long way from wearing off and I have yet to explore the famed Amalfi Coast on the western shore and the equally as dazzling Gargano Region that makes up the "spur" of Italy on the Aegean Sea.

Training in Japan has been delayed thankfully until June, and I just may spend the coming holiday in Piney Point if I happen to accidentally miss my connection to Seattle in Dulles the following weekend.  No worries, as I have all of this Saturday free to explore Naples.  Again, no gloating here as I spend 10-12 hours a day working!

May 15, 2006

Mount Vesuvio and the Castle

Italians don't seem to mind filthy beaches - the view of Mount Vesuvio and Castel Ovo make up for a little litter!

God forbid this Blog becomes a travelogue and some quality downtime should prevent that from happening. So I'm recovering from a wannabe trip from hell - but it was not really all the bad.  I was up at 4 AM in Everett with a cab an hour later to the Seattle airport.  Checked into United's Lounge to discover our flight was delayed by an hour.  No problem and I paid the $6.95 fee for a wireless hookup in the lounge.  Then the departure screen says "delayed" which really means canceled. 

My traveling partners are on it in first class lounge and manage to book us all the next flight, as hundreds of the clueless others on the flight are left behind. We get to Dulles late but still make our connection to Frankfurt.  I sit next to an aging long-haired hippy/poet that happens to work for the State Department and is heading to Nepal for a 2-year assignment.  The discussion before sleep is more than invigorating, given the bulk of the surrounding passengers were of the typical mundane type.

Somewhat rested (I don't sleep well on aircraft) we arrive in Frankfurt and my traveling crew insisted on making the trek to the Lufthansa Lounge, past 2 security check points and 3 passport ports as the Germans, surprisingly, haven't figured out how to run airports yet (i.e. never go to Frankfurt again, always fly into Munich).  After being groped at security and three new stamps added to my passport, we finally get on a brand new A319 for the last leg of our flight to Roma.

To my pleasure, my traveling partner rents a Mercedes for the trip to Naples, and I gladly take the back seat for the ride, snuggled comfortably in with the luggage that did not fit into the truck.  We get to Naples at 10 PM local time after getting lost because of construction on the Autostrade.  My Nuvi GPS saves the day with my new European SD card and gets us to the hotel, after passing numerous "out-of-sight-out-of-mind hookers somewhere on the outskirts of Napoli.

Finally we arrive and regroup in 15 minutes for dinner.  By 11:30 PM I'm in for the night with no worries of a wake up call on Sunday.  I sleep though breakfast and join my team at 1 PM for a walk along Via Partenope on a sunny, warm and breezy Sunday, with seemingly all of Napoli doing the same.  I kick myself for not bringing the camera as the walk is as picture-perfect as it gets.

Upon returning, I plan to sleep for a few hours, waking at 7 PM (too late) to re-step and photograph the route - too late as the sun sets over the the hills to the west. 

Finally, dinner at the local ristorante, I have salmon with penne pasta and fresh sea bass.  I'm relaxed for the first time since leaving.

Tomorrow the work begins.  Comes next weekend, they want to send me to Japan via Dubai!

I overslept and lost the light for a shot that would dazzle during daylight.

May 11, 2006

Back to Napoli

A bit sooner than I thought . . . but I can't complain as that is what I wished for.  This trip, I'll have a bit more control, my European SD Card for the Garmin Nuvi and a slightly better command of the language and will eat less and walk more!  I'll have an update on Sunday (my one free day for jet-lag recovery).

May 7, 2006

Restoring Democracy in America

So, I just got back from Italy at the conclusion of a very volatile election.  One would think I'd return with the overwhelming impression that we, as Americans, have the greatest democracy on the planet.  Well, we have a lot of great things going for us, given all the huddled masses that want to come here, by any means they can.

But . . . democracy in America?  I just don't know. Those that question those that ask the question are quick to state that we are also a "republic."  Explore the meaning of "republic" on your own please.

So, assume we have a problem, and assume we can improve things.  Here's Carbonboy's simple fixes to restore Democracy in America:

1. Term Limits (thanks Newt) - federal politicians are hence forth limited to 8 years in office.  After four years out of office and out of Washington, they can run again for another term plus one, if the idiot that replaced them fails to muster enough votes to win reelection.  This can be adapted to both senate and house terms, whatever they may be.

2.  National Primary Elections - on the same day.  Why should the fools in New Hampshire and farmers Iowa decide the lesser of the two idiots that we have to vote for?

3.  Scrap the Electoral College - We the People want the majority voice to rule.  It may have been a good idea during the wild west days, but today . . .

4.  Mandatory Voting - using a small carrot and small stick.  How else do we spit out big business, special interests and hordes of lobbyist totally screwing up OUR Democracy?

So, when is all this perfectly logical reform going to begin?  Not in my lifetime.  I just may move to Italy and only return on holidays.  Of course, if ALL Americans were moved to actually participate in their lost democracy, I might be a bit less . . .

Meanwhile - life is life in Italy, a welcome and refreshing mix of craziness and simplicity.

~~~

On a happier note - Happy Birthday Cousin Jim!

 

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