3 July
2015
2 July
2015
Trying out some more Pinot Noir in Williamette Valley
2 July
2015
Raptor Ridge
1 July
2015
Sea of blue!!
29 June
2015
That’s close enough!!
I was driving down I-88 near Naperville, IL when I thought I saw an interesting license plate in a car on the leftmost lane. Maneuvered for the next few minutes to get as close to the minivan as I could safely get and took a snapshot. I realized whey the plate caught my attention. That almost looked like my name. Actually, it was RAJ 18. Close enough!!!
28 June
2015
The Leaning Tower of … Where????
This is not a picture I missed posting from Italy. This happened to us this morning. I was peacefully driving Natasha to her summer camp in Northwestern University. We were driving from the O’Hare area and was making a few stops in local small towns and villages – you know, picking up some last minute stuff for her five week dorm stay, chatting with a few locals – when, Bam! We came across this.
Of course, we had to take a detour. We turned around, parked nearby and checked out this 80 year old half size replica of the original Leaning Tower. In a small place called the “Village of Niles”.
That was an unique surprise!!
19 June
2015
Shout out for our friends at Palazzo Varignana
A couple of hours more and we conclude our summer vacation in Italy and New York. The best decision we took was to stay at my friend’s resort in Varignana. The location was outstanding. The facilities were to die for. But the best part of the whole resort was the staff.
Incredibly friendly and helpful staff. We are going to miss Vito and his out of the world sense of humor and antics for a long time. Regardless of the work pressure, he always managed to make time for us at the restaurant and take customized requests. A sommelier par excellence, he regaled us with the stories of the different kinds of wines. It was very encouraging to hear about the story of his life that started in England and finally found him in Italy.
We will also miss the ever present smile of Anna from Romania who went out of her way every single time to make sure the kids and the adults were fully taken care of in the restaurant.
Then there was Sauhaib, Carmelia, Carlo and others.
Maybe it is in the culture of Italy but the front desk was another example of impeccable service. Sara, Irian and the rest took unbelievable care of us.
Not sure when we will be back in Bologna next. For sure, we will miss them till then…
19 June
2015
Random pictures from Italy… 3
This one was in Venice. I was waiting for friends and family to come back from their gondola ride when I struck up a conversation with this gentleman (Alessandro is his name). He is the manager of the hotel you see behind us. As I settled down for a glass of wine, I got to know the history of this gentleman. Born and brought up in Venice, he has fought his way into managing two different hotels in Venice. He explained how he found tourists from US to be the most polite in Venice (which, actually surprised me a little). He also said that US tourists tip better than any other tourists. (I suspect this is because US might be the only country where most service people are paid a small amount and depend on tips to make up the minimum wage or whatever wage they make???).
Alessandro was nice enough that after I paid for the wine, he arranged for free to and fro water taxi to Murano – on the house (for his hotel). All he wanted me to do his refer my friends to try out one of his two hotels in Venice some time.
So, here is to keeping a promise – if any one you ever visit Venice, let me know. I know the phone number of a really nice guy who can take care of your stay and arrange for free rides…
19 June
2015
Random pictures from Italy… 2
This was in Rome. I was waiting for my friends and family to come out of the Pantheon. And also waiting to see if this homeless lady would look up. I toyed with the idea of striking up a conversation with her just to get to know her. I was going to ask her if she would let me take a picture with her and give her money to respect her time and for the picture. Unfortunately for me, she never woke up or looked up…
19 June
2015
Random pictures from Italy… 1
I was generally observing people and talking to random folks on the streets as my family and friends finished up seeing all the stuff to be seen in Florence. I saw this gentleman come out of an office building with a nice leather office bag in his left hand. And a trash bag in his right!!! As far as I could see him, he clutched both and kept walking…..
