My Italian Neighbor

 

Italy is less than two hours from our doorstep. My neighbor. Seductive enchanting Italy. I love that. Zip across the border, Italian enchantment rushes up, grabs me, Bacio qui! Limoncello in the afternoon, then back to oh la la France in the evening. 

 

 

 

San Remo is a lovely seaside town. Every Tuesday and Saturday morning there is a market. Yeah, yeah I know markets galore in France, so why drive two and a half hours for a market?

 

 

 

 

Italy that is why!

Italian Christmas pastries,

Lunch,

A change of scenery,

The smell of Pizza, garlic, and oregano,

The Italians,

Licking windows, as the French say for window shopping.

Happy stroll.

 

 

 

 

L'Erbolario, one of my favorite shops. Natural products, wonderful fragrances, soaps and the best herb tea, red fruit tisane. Christmas gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

J'adore this black coat. Hidden buttons, the back side of the stand up collar was in leather.

Sleek, chic, yum.

Do I need a coat?

No.

Christmas shopping was the goal, and that coat almost got me off track.

Taking a photo of it helped me feel like I was putting it in my closet.

 

 

 

 

 

San Remo market is every Tuesday and Saturday morning, 8 am until 1pm.

In the town center next to the tower.

Cashmere scarves, cashmere sweater, beautiful leather belts, and gloves...

and the quality is superior then the prices let on.

My favorite is the food! Massive chunks of Parmesan cheese, Balsamic, Fresh ravioli, hazelnuts, people line up for a fifteen-minute wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Remo: Old meets new.

Note those new street lamps next to the old facade?

I wished those street lamps would disappear.

If I was on the city planning I would be barking against those sort of lamps.

I like new things, I do... but not this style of new.

 

 

 

 

 

For example new things like gadgets.

French Husband loves gadgets, or I should say sorting through gadgets.

I do not like this sort of shopping.

But, I must say he finds the best things! Techy can of cool stuff that I do not even know what it is until he explains it, then I want it too.

San Remo market has its share of gadgets. 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, Italy.

You just know how to romance life,

Conversation outside, bundled up in love with hot chocolate and hand holding, Christmas decor, and pasta without guilt

Italians just ooze sensuality. 

Plus it is a Christmas shopping tradition of ours.

 

Comments

[Susan]

Sounds wonderful. We went north to Munich Christmas Markets last weekend, just 4 hours away. Love the lights, smells, sounds, taste ... and lower prices!

We're going to Italy for Christmas, this is our tradition. This year, further than usual to the Amalfi coast. Ahh, counting the days :)

As usual, I love your photos. And agree completely about those lights!

[Julie]

My sister spent a semester in Italy. She loved it.

[Wisps of Words]

Do you have any views, on the reasons, that Paris is burning, today, yet again?

I am seeking sources of information. And you live in France.

Please weigh in, in some way.

Thank you.

[Marilyn]

What a fun Christmas tradition. How I would have love waiting in line for the food items. That coat is gorgeous too.

[Kathie B]

I typed "Yellow Vests" into the search box of Google News, which yielded numerous articles from which to choose:
https://news.google.com/topics/CAAqKAgKIiJDQkFTRXdvTkwyY3ZNVEZtYUd0NmJUWm1OUklDWlc0b0FBUAE?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

Bonne chance!

[Diogenes]

I have to say, I like both the black coat and the dress next to it. I can definitely see both of them looking good on you. That is the great thing about being in the EU, everything is close, no 12 hour flights and there are so many short haul carriers to choose from. You must have gotten up pretty early to drive two hours to an 8:00 am market!

[Kathie B]

In particular, "Why are the ‘yellow vests’ still protesting in France? His name is Macron":
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/why-are-the-yellow-vests-still-protesting-in-france-his-name-is-macron/2018/12/08/36488d00-fa2d-11e8-8642-c9718a256cbd_story.html

...What began as opposition to a carbon tax designed to curb climate change has morphed into a working-class revolt against Macron, who now faces the first major test of his presidency and whose approval ratings have plummeted to all-time lows...

Remarkably, some of those in the crowd had backed Macron’s improbable campaign in 2017. But they say they feel betrayed by an agenda that they see as merely concerned with protecting the economic interests of the elite...

But another protest — the March for the Climate — was also slated for Saturday. Some in yellow vests were seen among the gathering, and more people turned out for the climate march than for the yellow vests.

[Jeanne]

Fabulous trip to Italy and thanks for taking us along.
Much love and many blessings.
Ciao Bella
Love Jeanne

[Alan]

I don't dislike the street lamps. They have some style. A lot of people didn't like Eiffel Tower when it was first built.

[Wisps of Words]

Thank you Kathie B for your replies, to my question, for Corey.

Yes, there is a plethora, of articles on this wide spread unrest. From all sources. Each reporting, mostly based on their own political views.

But Corey is there! I would love to hear her views. She must have some.

But if she does not choose to put them on her blog, that is her choice as well. Perhaps she will address this "elephant in the living room," saying her blog is not for political discussion.

Again, thank you Kathie B!

[Anne Woodyard (@MusicandMarkets)]

Let's go together when we're back in February!!

[PJT]

Ah, you are bringing back memories of when we visited our college son in Florence at Christmas...every street strung with lights, Christmas markets filling the squares with cookies and delicious food, Italian hot chocolate (the best!) and churches filled with boughs. It is a wonderful place to celebrate the season AND shop for Christmas!

[Carolyn from Pittsburgh]

How lovely to pop over to Italy for shopping. We do about the same thing driving from Pittsburgh PA to Amish country in Ohio. A couple hours to a different world. I am so happy for what I have while being jealous of Italy.

Thank you so much for staying away from politics. I love your blog for many reasons. The pictures. Your words that create pictures. The stories you tell about your family, friends and work I look forward to. It is a place I can visit that is sometimes sad but never harsh.