Sunday, 19 May 2013

Budapest

I've booked a trip to Budapest this August. I'm very excited, not only for the trip itself but in how I've arranged to stay. I met a wonderful new friend who had mentioned that she has an apartment there. We've agreed to trade English lessons for the room. I am very happy to be part of this exchange, I wish there were more barter-able opportunities in the world these days. I have images of teaching English to the local shop keeper in exchange for groceries... one can only dream of these beautiful exchanges.

To Budapest!

I'm starting my research now in order to see as much as possible. These are some things I've come across that look amazing:

1. Shoes on the Danube Promenade On the bank of the Danube, Budapest, Hungary (Várkerület)
This is an artful display on the banks of the parliament building. People leave shoes to honour those who have lost their lives. I would image it could be humbling and awesome.
Photos of Shoes on the Danube Promenade, Budapest
This photo of Shoes on the Danube Promenade is courtesy of TripAdvisor

2. Castle Hill. Conveniently located by the parliament buildings, and therefore by the shoes on the Danube Promenade.
Photos of Castle Hill (Varhegy), Budapest
This photo of Castle Hill (Varhegy) is courtesy of TripAdvisor

3. Alexandria Bookstore. Yes, this is a bookstore. I can't wait to visit the world famous restaurant and order "baguette's that come with fillings in little jars"!

Photos of Alexandra Bookstore, Budapest
This photo of Alexandra Bookstore is courtesy of TripAdvisor

4. The Holocaust Memorial

Photos of Holocaust Memorial Center, Budapest
This photo of Holocaust Memorial Center is courtesy of TripAdvisor

5. Hero's Square. I am surprised at the similarities between Turin and Budapest.  The statues look like they were built by the same hands. In the fashion of the day I suppose.

Photos of Heroes' Square, Budapest
This photo of Heroes' Square is courtesy of TripAdvisor

6. House of Terror. This museum is devoted to the past historical terror regimes and practices. It's important to remember our world history, even though it might be hard to swallow.
Photos of House of Terror, Budapest
This photo of House of Terror is courtesy of TripAdvisor

7. Budapest Alive Free Pub Crawl. A chance to see underground pubs, outdoor pubs, and dance clubs and to meet other people! Seems like a great night out. They meet at 8pm at Amigo Bar at 1 Harsfa Utca and the night goes on from there. 
Photos of Budapest Alive Free Pub Crawl, Budapest
This photo of Budapest Alive Free Pub Crawl is courtesy of TripAdvisor

8. Tropicarium.
Photos of Tropicarium - Oceanarium, Budapest
This photo of Tropicarium - Oceanarium is courtesy of TripAdvisor

9. Hang out at home and relax! It is our vacation after all!

10. Eat! The best part of any vacation is to experience the food. Luckily our place is near loads of restaurants.


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Especially this restaurant, which looks delicious. It was established in 1913, the same year as the Canadian National Railway was completed.
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Saturday, 11 May 2013

#19 Things to do in Turin, Italy

Looks like I've found a list of things I can experience while living in Turin. It feels nice to get some goals under my belt, after a few months of living off the beaten path (emotionally). My goal is to live outside my emotions for a while. I get a lot of out of teaching this way, having to check myself and realize that I am there for someone else, wholly.

The Lonely Planet  has found 88 things that I can experience in Turin. Luckily, I've already done a few of them! Here they are, for your viewing pleasure. (And with that, hopefully me and this project are back on track).


Things to do in Turin

Museo Nazionale del Cinema

  1. A decade ago, the tower became home to the multifloored Museo Nazionale del Cinema, which takes you on a fantastic tour through cinematic history – from the earliest magic lanterns, stereoscopes and other optical toys to the present day. Movie memorabilia on display includes Marilyn Monroe’s black lace bustier, Peter O’Toole’s robe from Lawrence of Arabia and the coffin used by Bela Lugosi’s Dracula. At the heart of the museum, the vast Temple Hall is surrounded by 10 interactive ‘chapels’ devoted to various film genres.

  2. Basilica di Superga

    Basilica di Superga became the final resting place of the Savoys, whose lavish tombs make for interesting viewing, as does the dome here. In 1949 a plane carrying the entire Turin football team crashed into the basilica in thick fog, killing all on board. Their tomb rests at the rear of the church

  3. Grom

    The first-ever outlet of this Slow Food–affiliated ice cream, renowned for organic flavours such as green tea, was started here in Turin. There’s another branch at Via Accademia delle Scienze 4, which keeps the same hours.

  4. Da Giancarlo

    Watch a mixed crowd (dreadlocked, suited, you name it) go right off after hours, with plenty of swaying (to the music, the fumo (pot) and the booze) and lots of laughs. An institution of the best kind - and recommmended by many as the proper way to end a real night out. Grungy, grotty and great.
    Be prepared to explain that you're not a member of ARCI (Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana) at the door - but flash your driving licence from home and you're fine.

  5. Parco Valentino

    Walking southwest along the Po river brings you to Castello del Valentino (closed to the public), a mock chateau built in the 17th century. The 550,000 sq-metre French-style Parco Valentino surrounding the chateau opened in 1856 and is filled with joggers, promenaders and cafes night and day (though take care on your own here late at night).


  6. Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio

    This church was built between 1818 and 1831 to commemorate the return of Vittorio Emanuele I from exile. The steps leading up to the church were the ones Michael Caine famously careered down in the cult film, The Italian Job, while some mystics would have you believe that the Holy Grail is actually buried under the church. Its interior is closed to the public.

  7. Mole Antonelliana

    The symbol of Turin is the Mole Antonelliana. This 167m tower, with its distinct­ive aluminium spire, appears on the Italian two-cent coin. It was originally intended as a synagogue when construction began in 1862, but was never used as a place of worship.

  8. Fiorio

    There’s something evocative about inhabiting Mark Twain’s old window seat as you contemplate the gilded interior of a cafe where 19th-century students once plotted revolutions and the Count of Cavour deftly played whist. And all this before your coffee has even arrived.

  9. Sfashion

    Turinese comic TV presenter Piero Chiamretti’s latest culinary offering is this funky postmodern set-up with retro toys adorning its outlandish interior, and dishes such as mussels in tomato sauce or penne with zucchini.

  10. Piazza Castello

    Turin's central square shelters a wealth of museums, theatres and cafés. Essentially baroque, the grand piazza was laid out from the 14th century to serve as the seat of dynastic power for the House of Savoy.

  11. Lobelix

    Beneath the trees on Piazza Savoia, the terrace here is a favourite place for an aperitivo – its buffet banquet is one of Turin’s most extravagant.

  12. Castello di Rivoli

    A worthwhile trip further afield, the star of Turin’s contemporary art scene is the 17th-centuryCastello di Rivoli. It’s a striking contrast to the contemporary art housed inside at theMuseo d’Arte Contemporanea. Works by Franz Ackermann, Gilbert and George, and Frank Gehry would have been beyond the wildest imagination of the Savoy family, who resided at this site from the 14th century onwards. The castle is outside central Turin in the town of Rivoli (not to be confused with the city’s metro station named Rivoli).

  13. Eataly

    Adjacent to the congress centre is the Slow Food Movement’s ‘supermarket’, Eataly. This vast converted factory now houses a staggering array of Slow Food–affiliated food and beverages, with a separate area for each, including cheeses, breads, meats, fish, pasta, chocolate and much more. The best time to visit is around 12.30pm to 2.30pm, when each area has its own little restaurant serving lunch. There’s also a high-end restaurant here, for which you’ll need to book ahead.

  14. Museo della Sindone

    Shroud fiends will go gaga over the Museo della Sindone; however, despite its informative displays and unexpected 'shroud' paraphernalia - such as the first camera used to photograph the cloth (1898), and test tubes used to store traces of human blood removed from the shroud in 1978 - the museum does little to unravel the mystery of the Holy Shroud. Guided tours are in Italian only; ask for an English-language audioguide, which is free.

  15. Porta di Savona

    An economical, low-on-pretension trattoria with a deserved reputation for superb agnolotti al sugo arrosto (Piedmontese ravioli in a meat gravy), and gnocchi di patate al gorgonzola.The mains – including bollito misto alla Piedmontese (boiled meat and vegetable stew) – are equally memorable. Be patient: the food takes a while to arrive, probably because it’s 100% homemade and 100% Piedmontese.

  16. Duomo di San Giovanni

    Turin's Duomo di San Giovanni, built between 1491 and 1498 on the site of three 14th-century basilicas, is the home of the famous Shroud of Turin. A copy of the cloth is on permanent display in front of the cathedral altar. Just to the north lies the remains of a 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, while a little further to the northwest lies Porta Palatina, the red-brick remains of a Roman-era gate.

  17. Palazzo Reale

    Statues of the mythical twins Castor and Pollux guard the entrance to the Palazzo Realeand, according to local legend, also watch over the border between the sacred (‘white magic’) and diabolical (‘black magic’) halves of the city. Built for Carlo Emanuele II around 1646, its lavishly decor­ated rooms house an assortment of furnishings, porcelain and other knick-knacks.

  18. Kuoki

    Head around the corner from the Mole Antonelliana to this intriguing spot run by Giorgio Armani’s former personal chef, Toni Vitiello. At high communal tables, you can dine on Italian blackboard specials, or sushi bar twists such as a Kuoki roll (salmon or tuna with ricotta, olive oil and basil). Toni’s other fusion creations include chicken in Coca-Cola with orange peel.

  19. Panoramic Lift

    The Mole Antonelliana Tower's glass Panoramic Lift whisks you 85m up through the centre of the museum to the Mole's roof terrace in 59 seconds. Fair warning if you're even slightly prone to vertigo: it's suspended only by cables, so when you look out it's as if you're free-floating in space. The 360-degree views from the outdoor viewing deck are dazzling by day or night.

  20. Pizzeria Stars & Roses

    The list of pizzas on offer at this stylish place is lengthy and adventurous, with toppings including salmon and whisky, or caviar and vodka. Each of its rooms is themed according to colour (red, white, silver, pink, blue and black), so you can choose to suit the occasion. Police mugshots of erstwhile arrested movie stars (Hugh Grant, Al Pacino, et al) line the walls.

  21. McArthur GlenPizzeria Il Rospetto

    There are hundreds of pizzerias in Turin and the nuances of each are never the same, but if you took a poll, the hole-in-the-wall Il Rospetto (little toad) in San Salvario would definitely be competing for top honours. Fast, crowded and insanely popular, it has over 30 tasty thin-crust flavours to sink your teeth into here – including the dessert-style Nutella pizza!

  23. Guided Walking Tours

    Guided walking tours following changing themes, such as Literary Turin, Tasty Turin and so on, depart on Saturday at 6pm. General city tours leave at 10am on Saturdays. Tours generally last around 1½ hours. Contact the tourist board call centre to confirm departure points, and to ask about various factory tours that are also available.

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