Thursday, December 30, 2010

The "SAFE" way to dispose of Medicines

Safe Medicine Drop Boxes with Medicines Left on Top
Italy encourages the safe disposal of used syringes and leftover or expired medicines. And I think this is a truly GREAT initiative, because a careless toss into the trashcan may enable unsuspecting children to help themselves. Just a few pills could be fatal.

Of course, keeping valid medicines out of the reach of children in the home is also important. To do that, there are inexpensive ways to prevent tragedy. With my daughter's love for cough syrup and all things sweet, I am now looking into this secured lock box at Amazon for less than twenty dollars.

But to encourage the protection of little ones outside the home, some pharmacies and supermarkets in Treviso provide bins where one can safely dispose of unwanted medicines. That's why tonight as my wife and I were entering the doors of PAM (a supermarket here in Centro Storico) with our two small children, I couldn't help but notice (and photograph) the overflowing "Safe Medicine Deposit" bins intended to keep dangerous pharmaceuticals out of the reach of children. Notice the "deposited" boxes of pills ON TOP OF the bins (click the pic to enlarge).

Doesn't this completely defeat the purpose and make it more accessible than if they put it all into the big, hard-to-open dumpster just outside the store here? I don't get it....

Monday, December 27, 2010

Achieving Crown Status when Illegally Parking

One of the more recently discovered Treviso parking champions.
Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to demonstrate how to achieve crown status when parking illegally. With practice, you too can learn to create the highest levels of inconvenience and danger with a single maneuver.

Like this individual, you must target both pedestrians and automobiles, while insulting the general public's sense of "neighborliness." In other words, your parking job must communicate "I don't care about you or anyone else!" as clearly as possible.

Note the following 3 points for which this person scores well.
  1. Park directly on a crosswalk so pedestrians need to leave the "safety zone" and go around the car. If they cross on the front side of the car, oncoming vehicles will not see them until they are about halfway into the street.
  2. Protrude well into the street rather than onto the sidewalk, a feature oncoming drivers love.
  3. Select a notorious blind spot, such as in the bend of this road. This assures that approaching traffic wont see the vehicle until last minute, thereby making it just a tad more dangerous.
I wonder how many of these sorts of violations I can capture in one year? Seems these days there is  no shortage of material to photograph. =)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Semi Snow Day...We're Happy!

Well, it was a good thing the kids got to experience the snow a little yesterday evening with Mamma, because this morning we raced to beat the melting white stuff!

I took them out back in the owner's employee parking lot for some sled riding and ended up slipping and becoming one with the ground. Because the snow was so powdery and light, my knee when right into the choppy loose gravel underneath. Let me tell you, THAT got my endorphins flowing. Now it's just swollen with a nice dull throbbing.

As expected, got about 3 inches. And, as predicted, it's almost all melted already (Saturday 3:00 PM local time). But alas,  there's hope of yet another delivery...tonight. Stay tuned....(Click the Pics to Enlarge)

In the back parking lot creating a little fun.
La Riviera Trevisana.
Piazza Universita' along - Shop Street

Piazza Universita; by the waterway
The river along our street

A neighbor's snow shrub fence.
One of the trees along the wall on our street. River is on right.
Matea happier to pull her sled than be pulled in it. Go figure!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Treviso Dressed in White...Almost!

Our Street
(Don't forget to Click the Pics)

To our friends and family in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Canada, Kosovo, Serbia (yes, even Raleigh NC) and any other place that is getting SERIOUS snow fall, you know who you are. Don't mock us! The snow has basically just started.

Besides, we here in Treviso are thankful for whatever we can get...it's that rare! By tomorrow all this will likely be gone, or it will have melted and turned to ice already.

If we get a few inches, that will be a real treat, and I'll be back for sure with more pics to share.

Until then, enjoy Treviso in the snow...

Cars coming in at the city's main entrance

Piazza Giustinian on left, Hotel Continental ahead

I call this Dry Cleaner's Street because his chemical exhaust nearly fills it!

Treviso Double Parking

Right outside our house, typical discourteous double-parking. We were on foot, but my downstairs neighbor wasn't so happy when he couldn't pull up to his driveway. No, the car was not left running. Those reflectors on the bumper are glaring from my flash, as is the license plate. Parking in the city can be summarized as follows: If your car fits, you need the space and no one is looking, park it!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Matching Dents

Today's hunt for a new set of scooters to gift the kids this Christmas ended with a new set of dents and scratches on our Kia's door. Had been wondering how long it would be until we got a match for the driver's side. The passenger's side needed company. Now we can ride in STYLE! Still missing some fuzzy dice though.

No, we weren't driving the car when it happened. Weren't even present. It was just another pagliaccio al parcheggio in the Centro Commerciale Tiziano. Left no note, only a 1.5 foot push-and-scrape signature across the side. We've learned to expect this kind of thing. Besides, it's just metal and, one day, it will all burn anyway.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Treviso by Night

It's that festive time of year when beautiful places become especially enchanting at night. For your enjoyment, here are just a few pictures of Treviso after dark. Click on them to enlarge and see detail.

By the way, our city Christmas tree (below) was in the news for being the tallest in Italy, second only to the Vatican who wins for number one. Both trees come from the same distributor. Yes, our city administration has connections! But we suspect that because of the heavy rain on the day of delivery (last Tuesday), the tree suffered with a second-rate decoration effort. Calling off the rain that we'd been lamenting about these days was one thing the Lega Nord couldn't do. The tree's still missing the gorgeous ornaments it had last year. Either running late or budget cuts. 
Italy's Second Tallest Christmas Tree is in Treviso
On the way to Piazza dei Signori, the main square in the city where all the magic happens and our mega Christmas tree proudly stands, I snapped shots whenever I saw something I thought worth capturing. Below is the distinguished Coin with its illuminated flakes. From a distance they seem suspended in air.

Famous Coin with their Christmas time Snow Flakes
This Santa below would have been better off sipping on warm milk with cookies instead of the one-too-many Vin Brule from the kiosk just behind him. His cheeks and nose were especially rosey. I knew we were in trouble when he swished the wine around in his mouth, and instead of a "ho ho hoo" let out an ominous laugh and then scooped up the kids near him. Matea cried and clung to my leg like a Koala bear to a tree. To get him back, I considered snapping off a piece of Rudolph's antler. Decided not to. But when I asked Matea what was the matter, she answered between gasps and tears, "I don't want to go to that Santa!" 


Scary Santa made Matea Cry
This next one is neither illuminated at night nor a part of the city. Well, it is in a certain way. Tiramisu was born right here in our little Treviso. And once you've had the real thing here, nothing else will do. We've had our share over the years, and this one was definitely among the best I've tried. Perfectly light and moist with just the right amount of cocoa powder on top, which made my wife gag when she breathed it in (never breath through your mouth when eating Tiramisu). By the way, did you know the name means "Pick me Up?" It's appropriate when you consider the cake gets soaked in real espresso! Tiramisu is a true taste of Treviso. If you're nice to me, I'll tell you where to find the good stuff.


One of the best Tiramisu I've had to date in Treviso!
This following shot gives you another little taste of Treviso the way it is on EVERY weekend. The streets fill up and cars basically stop circulating. The best I can describe it is a river of people. It's so packed in some parts that walking with little ones can be a chore! 

Treviso for a Sunday Evening Stroll

Another really packed sidewalk, which is why most people take to the streets. Sidewalks at this time during the weekend offer nothing but window shopping. Impractical for movement.

Busy sidewalk
 Here is simply one of the many kiosks around the city. This one is selling Christmas paraphernalia. 

Kiosk Shoppers
Cafe Hausbrandt looks inviting. Hot chocolate in the cafes here is like hot pudding. It's REALLY good!

Cafe Hausbrandt
This one below.....no comment. I wonder if they actually know what this means in our language?
A Christmas with gas
Very colorful image at night from a local coffee bar
Here's one that, well, it just illuminates EXPENSIVE. But just in case one fails to discern the high price tag from the display window, the door makes it clear with the collage of credit card adverts.

Treviso has high end goods with high price tags
At first, the photo below may seem unimpressive. But if you consider that the large leather bag on the bottom is standing next to standard-sized briefs, you will understand how big it is. It's the largest leather handbag I've EVER seen. It's just about big enough to carry all the cash you would need to buy it.

Large and VERY beautiful leather hand bag

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed Treviso after dark! And if you don't come back before December 25, have a blessed Christmas!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Oil and Water

A few days ago we had an oil spill (not extra virgin) right here in Centro Storico, just outside the wall actually. It was serious enough to create bonafide chaos as the police needed to block off various key arteries into and out of the city. It was incredible to see how far the ripple effect traveled, all the way down to the tangenziale that takes you to the Autostrada. I didn't have my camera with me, which is a shame because it would have made quite a picture. If I hadn't been running so tight for an English lesson, I'd have gone back out to take videos too. The action was just around the corner from my house. It could have been a fatal disaster for local drivers (and they don't need any extra help with that) but thankfully no one was hurt on the road.

And today it is l'immacolata in Italy, a national holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary's conception of Christ. That means nothing is open, except for the flood gates of heaven. No, it's not raining again. It hasn't STOPPED raining. And our little Italian terrace is starting to grow moss under the layer of rainwater that hasn't had a chance to dry with all these weeks of downpour. By Spring, we should have a nice green putting range out there. Just need to drill a hole in the tiles for the golf ball. I am sure that would drain the water too.

Flooding has been a serious problem in the region these days, so I pray it doesn't displace anyone again or create so many disaggi. But at least we know we're making history. No locals seem able to recall the last time this much rain has uninterruptedly pelted the cobblestone streets of Treviso.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sleepless in Treviso

It’s 2:48 AM and it’s official. I have completely given up on trying to sleep. Too tired to read or study, too wired to melt into my pillow, I’m on the couch and...I’m blogging. Rather sad that blogging is something you can do even without your mind. Sadder still if you can read it. You might say the whole day has gone that sort of way. Wait a minute, I just unintentionally created a rhyme. Let me try that again:
You might say
The whole day
Has gone that sort of way
Anyway, I like it. Now, please allow me to recap the many radicchio-lous (yes, that’s intentional, just go with it) events of daily life in Treviso today...
Got up rather early, and beat, after an unnecessarily glutenous Sunday afternoon of grazing with friends on leftovers from our...ehem...second Thanksgiving Day feast. 
Left the house about 8:15 to go teach a 3.5 hour class in what amounted to be an auditorium-sized freezer. Kept my jacket on the entire time and still froze. Could have really used my gloves but who would have thought I’d need them...indoors? Oh well, turning the pages of my notes would have been a hassle with oversized leather fingers.
Came home to defrost while eating lunch. Rested for a little and then made really strong coffee by mistake and poured myself too much (Italian espresso in a drip-pot machine). Hating waste, I felt obligated to drink it all. This made my heart race, which also raised my blood pressure, which then reduced my patience to about .001%.
Fortunately, this was counteracted by the joy of taking the family shoe shopping. Kids grow quickly, and their feet grow even quicker! That exciting event, once we got to the store, was fairly quick and painless, until I gave the cashier my credit card and reality set in. Why is it that kids shoes require about 30% of the material needed to produce adult shoes yet cost 30% more?
Treviso television has  been warning us that as of tomorrow, November 30, all programming will be broadcast in digital. That translates into our 9-year-old Daewoo needing another tin box with a remote control, and another swipe of my credit card. Fortunately, Euronics (not a music group) the electronic store was just a quick stroll from the shoes. Got it, and headed for home.
Upon our return we encountered exactly what we had expected. One R-E-A-L-L-Y long line of cars backed up from road construction being done in two key exit points... at...rush-hour! Way to go Treviso road crew. But we were smart enough to be preemptive. Got off at the earliest possible exit (Treviso hospital for those who know) and completely avoided it all by volunteering for a different line of cars that actually moved even slower. So much slower that my wife said, “I’ll see you at home, I’m going to start dinner.” She then got out of the car (we weren’t moving anyway) and walked home, beating me and the kids by about...10 minutes or more. 
I entered the house and checked email. Why? I don’t know, but I know now that I shouldn't have. Waiting to mug me in my inbox were two oversized emails dressed in black. The perfect bearers of bad news.
Ate dinner, set up the new tin box which doesn’t get the channels the lady said it would, put the kids to bed, and wrote another post on The Language Station. Went to bed myself but couldn’t sleep until about 12:30 AM, then woke up at 1:45 AM, fought it all I could and now...here I am. Soon, it’ll be time for some more of that coffee. Need to be sharp for my 9:00 AM English lesson. Two new students coming you know.... 

Friday, November 26, 2010

What do you know...it's Raining in Treviso!

Click to enlarge. Shot at our window over our neighbor's terrace
Thanksgiving has already been and gone. As we celebrated yesterday (like all good Americans living abroad) I was thankful for the abundance of such savory food and the good company of our loving friends.

I was NOT thankful for overeating. No one to blame but myself for that. But what can one do when it all tastes so good, and there's so much to go around? And then there's the prodding of generous hosts to keep you eating. I was just trying to be a compliant guest. Compliant enough that today I don't think I'll be using any of my jaw muscles for anything other than yawning. See the spread in the picture below. Believer it or not, tomorrow we get to do it all over again with another group of families.
Beautiful...and delicious!

And today, I woke up thankful that I don't live in a tent. That's because it's raining...hard...again. Actually, a mixture of rain AND snow. It seems like it's always raining in Treviso this time of year. In fact, rain is so common the locals have a saying,

"Whenever it rains in Treviso, the government is taking our money."

No explanation needed there. All I can say is the government must be having a lucrative month. I'm about ready to trade my car for a boat. Any takers?

Tomorrow's forecast was for snow, but we'll see. It's a true rarity in Treviso if it actually sticks. I wonder what that means the government is up to?

Thursday, November 25, 2010

This Italian Love for Kids!

Among the many things I have come to love about living in Treviso is the love adults have for children. The Trevisani make every child, and parent, feel special.

When my kids were just little babies, strangers would abruptly stop us on the street to talk into our baby stroller. "Che spettacolo che sei!" they would say (meaning 'What a show you are!'). Honestly, the first time it happened I thought a nutcase was going to harm my child. But I grew to like it.

Funny thing is, we've become so accustomed to the love for kids here that we expect the same child-friendly treatment elsewhere. During a trip through Switzerland two years ago, we realized we weren't home in Treviso when we entered a restaurant for some famous Swiss fondue. Instead, we got the evil eye because we had two potential noise-makers with us.

But we are discovering that the kids love kids here too. When dropping off my three-year-old daughter at the local asilo nido (preschool) yesterday, my wife had to save her from Matilde, her bigger classmate. Matilde and all the others are convinced our little girl is a toy doll that can be carried around the room. Even fought over for who gets to play with her. Just weeks ago her elbow was dislocated when a classmate was pulling on her.

And the boys...well, it's just way too early for me to have to tell them to stay away. But I think I'm going to have a talk with little Marco and Giacomo who keep trying to kiss her every day because, "E' bella come una bambola!" Maybe this Italian love for kids should worry me after all.

Monday, November 22, 2010

It's true, "Se la vedi, t'innamori!"

One of the many charming views in the Centro Storico.
"If you see her, you'll fall in love!"

That's the slogan for this city of art and water. Treviso is the kind of place that, if you've never seen it, you really need to. Only 25 minutes by train from Venice, her big sister, Treviso is quickly becoming known as the "Little Venice."

Treviso became a Roman Colony during the empire, and was then called Tarvisium. You can still find this title around certain parts of the city. In the medieval ages her walls were built to completely enclose the city, with the added protection of a moat. Four main gates still serve as entrances to the Centro Storico, the oldest and most admired part of Treviso.

The same rivers that fill the moat feed the many waterways running throughout the inner city, joined in strategic places. Swans, ducks, fish and other wildlife roam freely in a mini nature reserve that stands between the PUT and the outer wall, still as beautiful as when its bricks first were laid about six hundred years ago.

There's even a protected sight from a home that was accidentally excavated beneath a walkway in the old center. It's from the fourth century and its gorgeous floor mural can be viewed any time of year except winter, when it's covered with sand and tarp to preserve it against the harsh weather.

In daylight, moonlight, or no light, Treviso will charm you. And the name of this blog, Tasting Treviso, is about just that. I look forward to bringing you more of her variety through pictures and articles, to share life's moments bitter and sweet from the home of Radicchio and Tiramisu. It's true, if you see her, (and taste her) you'll fall in love.