FROM SUNNY FLORIDA WITH LOVE...
NOTABLE Thoughts:
Boobs are growing
Dogs are shrinking
High heels are reaching the skies
Food prices are beyond understandable
Cuisine looks better than it tastes
Money on wheels
Noise
Must read: 'EAT, PRAY, LOVE'
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Grove Isle and Pascal's at Ponce
So here we are in Miami.
We landed midday in gushing rain.
Our CABRIOLET (Prince did insist) is waiting for us at EUROPE CAR, with an orange letter license plate : "WELCOME TO SUNNY FLORIDA".
It takes me time to read even this little sentence, so dense is the downpour.
Our lucky spirits must be again feeling naughty.
We hit the river-roads, squeaking wipers and shrieking us, trying to make conversation in a storm.
45 minutes later we arrive.
We are staying at the GROVE ISLE, a rather romantic and quiet option, to the ever pulsating South Beach sleeperies.
And lets not forget to add, the price-service ratio is much more agreeable here.
But the peace and romance are the key allure of this hotel and we have been happily returning costumers for a few years now. The only downer - food sucks!!!
Sucks to the point of not eatable.
But that is a minor problem, since there is a Wholefoods (organic fare) market near by and the fridge does fit enough cheese, berries and yogurt to get by.
The pool somehow reminds me of a Mediterranean garden, with chirping birds singing from wild blossoms.
The music is usually kept to background levels (thank god) and is of rather ambient and soothing kind.
Much more to my liking, compared to the disco booom boom on South Beach.
I remember a horrible time at the RITZ, a hotel which I consider(ed) the example a class and elegance, but maybe not in South Beach. The AC units were the first noise monster, ever humming and puffing, a typical problem of the freeze-loving States. (obviously the hotel was always kept at a balmy 10 degrees Celsius ( 50 Fahrenheit) happy summer everyone)
The second disaster was the DJ who seemed to live by or in the pool, since the music never stopped. Never mind the shows and 'fun' entertainment (hello boys and girls lets have a great time, yessss??? and now everybody, lets have a great time...yipppie....) kids screaming and plastic toys afloat.
Sorry, but RITZ should be renamed Club Med.
Or we should move. Which was impossible that year, due to Spring break and some other happenings in town, every bed was busy.
Lesson learned, just like when we resided at the Delano for a heart-achingly high rate, which gave you a dusty grey (was white once) room (YUCK), a daily free dose of Marijuana clouds (Yumm) and Techno rhythms (YIKES) for breakfast in return.
By the time our stay was over I considered becoming a serious party girl, just to be able to sleep in that modern=empty=soulless- stained whitish box.
I didn't though.
I just googled new sleepy options..
So the Grove Isle it is.
We encountered some little problems at arrival, as our reservation was canceled (?) and the is hotel booked to the last room.
But Prince and Moneypenny are a team of force forte.
Nothing can stop them, nothing can tell them NO.
Poor manager guy was trembling by the time Mrs. Moneypenny let him off the phone and we moved into our king-size bedroom, with a delighted smile. A flash of guilt shot through my over-tired brain, but it was too fast to catch it. OOOOPPPSSSS, sorry...
We are on the top floor with a fabulous bay view.
Time to get down to the pool and do sweet nothing for the rest of the day and then, yes, dinner is already booked at our one and only (really only...as food in Miami can be celebrated and expensive, but not at all to our liking... everything seems rather plastic and chemical...)
PASCAL'S AT PONCE>
The French chef, a real one, knows something about fine food.
Simple, fresh and natural ingredients, served in a very unassuming bistro-cafe. (the decor is pretty ugly and boring to be honest)
But if you care for the food, this place is a winner.
Prince likes it so much (it is the only place that does not give him heartburn, feeling of vomiting, nausea, raced heartbeat or bloating after eating) that he considered to book dinner here for the whole week.
Let's start with one night.
We had a great day and night.
Somewhat zombied out from a jet-lag, we never so less enjoyed a most delicious cheese souffle and a giant salad for 2, followed by lamb.Yes, and a SMALL (yeaph...we are driving) bottle of red.
The service was topnotch, the ambiance lively (let's forget the un-french decor), the AC working hard (gosh, I need my Ski jumper) and the food heavenly natural for American standards.
Good night Miami... Merci Pascal... What would we do without you here???
The Grove Isle
www.groveisle.com
4 Grove Isle Drive
Coconut Grove, FL 33133305-858-8300 ...
Pascal's at Ponce
www.pascalmiami.com
2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Coral Gables, Miami
305 444 2024
Dress-code: casual elegance with a very warm cashmere something
We landed midday in gushing rain.
Our CABRIOLET (Prince did insist) is waiting for us at EUROPE CAR, with an orange letter license plate : "WELCOME TO SUNNY FLORIDA".
It takes me time to read even this little sentence, so dense is the downpour.
Our lucky spirits must be again feeling naughty.
We hit the river-roads, squeaking wipers and shrieking us, trying to make conversation in a storm.
45 minutes later we arrive.
We are staying at the GROVE ISLE, a rather romantic and quiet option, to the ever pulsating South Beach sleeperies.
And lets not forget to add, the price-service ratio is much more agreeable here.
But the peace and romance are the key allure of this hotel and we have been happily returning costumers for a few years now. The only downer - food sucks!!!
Sucks to the point of not eatable.
But that is a minor problem, since there is a Wholefoods (organic fare) market near by and the fridge does fit enough cheese, berries and yogurt to get by.
The pool somehow reminds me of a Mediterranean garden, with chirping birds singing from wild blossoms.
The music is usually kept to background levels (thank god) and is of rather ambient and soothing kind.
Much more to my liking, compared to the disco booom boom on South Beach.
I remember a horrible time at the RITZ, a hotel which I consider(ed) the example a class and elegance, but maybe not in South Beach. The AC units were the first noise monster, ever humming and puffing, a typical problem of the freeze-loving States. (obviously the hotel was always kept at a balmy 10 degrees Celsius ( 50 Fahrenheit) happy summer everyone)
The second disaster was the DJ who seemed to live by or in the pool, since the music never stopped. Never mind the shows and 'fun' entertainment (hello boys and girls lets have a great time, yessss??? and now everybody, lets have a great time...yipppie....) kids screaming and plastic toys afloat.
Sorry, but RITZ should be renamed Club Med.
Or we should move. Which was impossible that year, due to Spring break and some other happenings in town, every bed was busy.
Lesson learned, just like when we resided at the Delano for a heart-achingly high rate, which gave you a dusty grey (was white once) room (YUCK), a daily free dose of Marijuana clouds (Yumm) and Techno rhythms (YIKES) for breakfast in return.
By the time our stay was over I considered becoming a serious party girl, just to be able to sleep in that modern=empty=soulless- stained whitish box.
I didn't though.
I just googled new sleepy options..
So the Grove Isle it is.
We encountered some little problems at arrival, as our reservation was canceled (?) and the is hotel booked to the last room.
But Prince and Moneypenny are a team of force forte.
Nothing can stop them, nothing can tell them NO.
Poor manager guy was trembling by the time Mrs. Moneypenny let him off the phone and we moved into our king-size bedroom, with a delighted smile. A flash of guilt shot through my over-tired brain, but it was too fast to catch it. OOOOPPPSSSS, sorry...
We are on the top floor with a fabulous bay view.
Time to get down to the pool and do sweet nothing for the rest of the day and then, yes, dinner is already booked at our one and only (really only...as food in Miami can be celebrated and expensive, but not at all to our liking... everything seems rather plastic and chemical...)
PASCAL'S AT PONCE>
The French chef, a real one, knows something about fine food.
Simple, fresh and natural ingredients, served in a very unassuming bistro-cafe. (the decor is pretty ugly and boring to be honest)
But if you care for the food, this place is a winner.
Prince likes it so much (it is the only place that does not give him heartburn, feeling of vomiting, nausea, raced heartbeat or bloating after eating) that he considered to book dinner here for the whole week.
Let's start with one night.
We had a great day and night.
Somewhat zombied out from a jet-lag, we never so less enjoyed a most delicious cheese souffle and a giant salad for 2, followed by lamb.Yes, and a SMALL (yeaph...we are driving) bottle of red.
The service was topnotch, the ambiance lively (let's forget the un-french decor), the AC working hard (gosh, I need my Ski jumper) and the food heavenly natural for American standards.
Good night Miami... Merci Pascal... What would we do without you here???
The Grove Isle
www.groveisle.com
4 Grove Isle Drive
Coconut Grove, FL 33133305-858-8300 ...
Pascal's at Ponce
www.pascalmiami.com2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Coral Gables, Miami
305 444 2024
Dress-code: casual elegance with a very warm cashmere something
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Chemical warfare in our beauty cupboards
Anyone ever wondered what all those long names and numbers on the ingredients lists of cleaning and washing and dolling up-helpers mean?
Better you don't.
Or if your life is worth it - Better DO! And better now.
It is horrifying and scary...
I feel helpless and used and maybe like these little mice some mad scientists are testing evil things on...
'According to the American Cancer Society cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today! By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals.'
Ever wondered why?
The pollution, yes.
The tainted food, yes.
The water, yes.
The rain, yes.
The mascara...? YES!
The toothpaste...? YES!!!
Dangerous, poisonous substances are just EVERYWHERE.
Once I started looking, into becoming green and organic Anna, I just went into shock.
Can it be true?
Sadly to say, it is true. And it is not looking good.
My first enemy is called 'Sodium Laureth Sulfat'.
Sounds rather harmless.
I checked in the morning, while showering.
It is in my shampoo (*herbal something...).
It is in my face wash.
It is in my toothpaste.
It is in my dishwashing soap.
...
I stopped looking.
Here is what the web says about SLS's harmful side effects:
Hormone Imbalance
In the last 100 years or so, many new health problems have come to light. These include PMS / PMT, the so-called "menopausal symptoms" which never used to exist, and more recently a massive drop in male fertility which threatens our continued existence in many western countries. SLS is most likely a major contributor to all of these problems due to its oestrogen mimicking activity.
Better you don't.
Or if your life is worth it - Better DO! And better now.
It is horrifying and scary...
I feel helpless and used and maybe like these little mice some mad scientists are testing evil things on...
'According to the American Cancer Society cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today! By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals.'
Ever wondered why?
The pollution, yes.
The tainted food, yes.
The water, yes.
The rain, yes.
The mascara...? YES!
The toothpaste...? YES!!!
Dangerous, poisonous substances are just EVERYWHERE.
Once I started looking, into becoming green and organic Anna, I just went into shock.
Can it be true?
Sadly to say, it is true. And it is not looking good.
My first enemy is called 'Sodium Laureth Sulfat'.
Sounds rather harmless.
I checked in the morning, while showering.
It is in my shampoo (*herbal something...).
It is in my face wash.
It is in my toothpaste.
It is in my dishwashing soap.
...
I stopped looking.
Here is what the web says about SLS's harmful side effects:
Hormone Imbalance
In the last 100 years or so, many new health problems have come to light. These include PMS / PMT, the so-called "menopausal symptoms" which never used to exist, and more recently a massive drop in male fertility which threatens our continued existence in many western countries. SLS is most likely a major contributor to all of these problems due to its oestrogen mimicking activity.
Eye Irritation / eye deformities in children
...in other words, because SLS is absorbed through the skin, it can cause PERMANENT eye damage WITHOUT ever directly coming into contact with your eyes. As a result, you would expect that childrens products would be SLS-free. Unfortunately not, most childrens shampoos contain just as much SLS as those for adults.
Protein Denaturing
Our cells are made from protein. The development of those cells is strictly regulated by the reproductive processes that are continually at work removing damaged and old cells and replacing them with healthy new ones. Virtually every cell in the body is replaced at least every 7 years.
SLS exerts its effects on proteins by forming a chemical bridge between the fat-soluble and water-soluble parts of the protein moecule. This disrupts the hydrophobic forces needed to maintain the protein structure and the molecule collapses, rendering it useless. This effect is usually irriversible.
The result of this is two-fold. Firstly, existing proteins are damaged, leading to an increase in the amount of healing required by the body. Secondly, new proteins can be damaged and cells disrupted while they are under construction. It is exactly this type of activity that can lead to the early stages of skin cancer.
Our cells are made from protein. The development of those cells is strictly regulated by the reproductive processes that are continually at work removing damaged and old cells and replacing them with healthy new ones. Virtually every cell in the body is replaced at least every 7 years.
SLS exerts its effects on proteins by forming a chemical bridge between the fat-soluble and water-soluble parts of the protein moecule. This disrupts the hydrophobic forces needed to maintain the protein structure and the molecule collapses, rendering it useless. This effect is usually irriversible.
The result of this is two-fold. Firstly, existing proteins are damaged, leading to an increase in the amount of healing required by the body. Secondly, new proteins can be damaged and cells disrupted while they are under construction. It is exactly this type of activity that can lead to the early stages of skin cancer.
Carcenogenicity
Quite apart from it's potential to cause pre-cancerous conditions by denaturing proteins, the oestrogen mimicking effects of SLS also offers massive potential to cause cancer. It is known that many cancers, not least breast and ovarian cancer are directly related to oestrogen levels, in fact some cancer cells actually secrete their own oestrogen, which contributes to the growth of the tumour.
Clearly, by disrupting normal oestrogen levels AND by causing similar effects at a cellular level as endogenous oestrogen, SLS exhibits MASSIVE potential to both cause and worsen cancerous states. The incidence of breast cancer has increased several-fold in the last 50 years, both in women and in men...
I did not bother to write everything down. Just a FEW side effects.
For more info check:
www.natural-health-information-centre.com
So then my quest took me to the best supermarket around, hoping to return with SLS free beauty products.
My quest turned out to be fruitless.
Not one shampoo from seemingly a hundred of options, is SLS free.
WOW!
We are up for a dark ride.
We really are 'extincting' ourselves.
I just hope the next uber-power will be smarter than us!
Until doomsday will strike and we will be either all dead from cancerous matters or (and) infertile to the last human (clone, clone, clone, at least now we know why they are so much in need) being, I will go on one more quest (a lifelong one) to get back to basics, back to nature, back to EARTH.
My great promise of eating as green and organic as possible, really didn't matter at all, since I still fed my body poisons through my skin.
I will try to get natural.
As natural as possible, as I still like my long black lashes for seductive looks, my red stained lips for passionate kissing, by smooth detangled hair, soft and feathery light in a summer-wind's breeze and my creamy lotions for silky skin. I am a slave to beauty, but, beauty is as old as us, older than any modern COSMETIC GIANT, so there must be secrets long forgotten.
I will work on it and will keep you update.
By the way, I did find a pretty innocent toothpaste.
It is Portuguese, created in 1932 by a Dr. Albert Couto, and still is made by the same family, with almost the same recipe. It is just landing a hit in the UK.
Maybe for a reason?
Found the image on a lovely site:
www.retrotogo.com
For evil ingredient check up and just some research on your favorite brand go to:
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Still I wonder... We know it may be killing us, but nobody talks?
The buisness is just too big, I guess.
BILLIONNNNNNNNS are made with cosmetics, so why talk. Why loose money?
It reminds me of some decades ago, when politicans in America went public on TV, confirming that cigarettes are absolutely harmless and never kill!
Well, someone was proven very wrong.
Someone lied.
Someone made a lot of money by repeating those words...
Someone killed a lot of people.
And here we are,
I am no preacher, nor a teacher. I am a pupil like all of us and I am willing to learn.
I will do my homework now, and you, do yours...
PS: Tonight facial wash :1 spoon of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in half a glass of water.
Anti-spot treatment: turmeric powder mixed with a drop of water
face cream: evening primrose oil
PSPS: Just got this. I think everyone ought to sign this petition!!!
NOW!!!
http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/sign-petition-b/?inlist=Y&utm_source=kscapet4a&utm_medium=email&utm_content=second-link&utm_campaign=kscapet
Quite apart from it's potential to cause pre-cancerous conditions by denaturing proteins, the oestrogen mimicking effects of SLS also offers massive potential to cause cancer. It is known that many cancers, not least breast and ovarian cancer are directly related to oestrogen levels, in fact some cancer cells actually secrete their own oestrogen, which contributes to the growth of the tumour.
Clearly, by disrupting normal oestrogen levels AND by causing similar effects at a cellular level as endogenous oestrogen, SLS exhibits MASSIVE potential to both cause and worsen cancerous states. The incidence of breast cancer has increased several-fold in the last 50 years, both in women and in men...
I did not bother to write everything down. Just a FEW side effects.
For more info check:
www.natural-health-information-centre.com
So then my quest took me to the best supermarket around, hoping to return with SLS free beauty products.
My quest turned out to be fruitless.
Not one shampoo from seemingly a hundred of options, is SLS free.
WOW!
We are up for a dark ride.
We really are 'extincting' ourselves.
I just hope the next uber-power will be smarter than us!
Until doomsday will strike and we will be either all dead from cancerous matters or (and) infertile to the last human (clone, clone, clone, at least now we know why they are so much in need) being, I will go on one more quest (a lifelong one) to get back to basics, back to nature, back to EARTH.
My great promise of eating as green and organic as possible, really didn't matter at all, since I still fed my body poisons through my skin.
I will try to get natural.
As natural as possible, as I still like my long black lashes for seductive looks, my red stained lips for passionate kissing, by smooth detangled hair, soft and feathery light in a summer-wind's breeze and my creamy lotions for silky skin. I am a slave to beauty, but, beauty is as old as us, older than any modern COSMETIC GIANT, so there must be secrets long forgotten.
I will work on it and will keep you update.
By the way, I did find a pretty innocent toothpaste.
It is Portuguese, created in 1932 by a Dr. Albert Couto, and still is made by the same family, with almost the same recipe. It is just landing a hit in the UK.
Maybe for a reason?
Found the image on a lovely site:
www.retrotogo.com
For evil ingredient check up and just some research on your favorite brand go to:
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Still I wonder... We know it may be killing us, but nobody talks?
The buisness is just too big, I guess.
BILLIONNNNNNNNS are made with cosmetics, so why talk. Why loose money?
It reminds me of some decades ago, when politicans in America went public on TV, confirming that cigarettes are absolutely harmless and never kill!
Well, someone was proven very wrong.
Someone lied.
Someone made a lot of money by repeating those words...
Someone killed a lot of people.
And here we are,
I am no preacher, nor a teacher. I am a pupil like all of us and I am willing to learn.
I will do my homework now, and you, do yours...
PS: Tonight facial wash :1 spoon of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in half a glass of water.
Anti-spot treatment: turmeric powder mixed with a drop of water
face cream: evening primrose oil
PSPS: Just got this. I think everyone ought to sign this petition!!!
NOW!!!
http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/sign-petition-b/?inlist=Y&utm_source=kscapet4a&utm_medium=email&utm_content=second-link&utm_campaign=kscapet
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
John Nollet called
Or better, his secretary emailed back.They offered to fly in for me, with a team.
5000 Euro fee + costs of travel and lodging...
A small car for a haircut?
I better have a good reason for it. Like a ball. The Oscars. Or something of that sort.
A 20 Grand hairdo for a housewife is just out of the question, especially in times like this.
Oh wellllllllllll
Mister Nollet, I shall call back... An till then... DREAM***
Friday, February 19, 2010
Time to go home, DRESDEN
I will be away for a while.
Visiting home.
Time for MOM... (yippppie)
Time for cuddles on the old sofa
Time to walk memory lane
Time to visit granny for her to-die-for apple crumble and lots of black coffee (that stuff brings the dead back)
Time for ice skating
Time for wild scrabble matches with brother ( I lost my GERMAN!!!)
Time for family and
LOVE LOVE LOVE
okay... and beer and wurst
Dresden, a romantic heritage
Sophienkeller im Taschenbergpalais
www.sophienkeller-dresden.de
Taschenberg 3
01067 Dresden
Telefon: (0351) 4 97 26 - 0
DER PULVERTURM
www.pulverturm-dresden.de
An der Frauenkirche 12
01067 Dresden
Telefon: (0351) 26 26 00
Visiting home.
Time for MOM... (yippppie)
Time for cuddles on the old sofaTime to walk memory lane
Time to visit granny for her to-die-for apple crumble and lots of black coffee (that stuff brings the dead back)
Time for ice skating
Time for wild scrabble matches with brother ( I lost my GERMAN!!!)
Time for family and
LOVE LOVE LOVE
okay... and beer and wurst
The famous FRAUENKIRCHE, rebuild to perfection
Dresden, a romantic heritageWhile in town you must see:
Die Frauenkirche
Zwinger
Das Gruene Gewoelbe
Die Semperoper (for an Opera night)
take a stroll on the Elbe or a river cruise
take the horse carriage around the old town
The best time to visit Dresden is at Christmas time, the town is dressed in magic and the famous CHRISTMAS MARKETS are just dream stuff. The best market is the historical market, where everything is like in the middle-ages. No electricity, no modern sounds, just fires, animals, and back to basics. The best, however, is the oversized wooden barrel (think OBELIX), which is somewhat an ancient Jacuzzi. People get drunk on GLUEHWEIN, strip butt-naked, and jump into the fire-fueled bathtub. It is some experience! And it shows, that we Germans are not as stiff and prude as we look.
VIEL SPASS.... (have fun) in Dresden
Oh, last idea: Famous Trabi tour!
Enjoy a sightseeing trip like the OSSIS (East Germans) did. In a cardboard car, called TRABANT. Best to bring earplugs, as the sound of a TRABI should not be underestimated...
http://cms.trabi-safari.de
And for some traditional German fare with flair (the waitresses are dressed in historic attire, the setting in the cellar rooms is rather mystical and very entertaining with in-house fortune tellers and a few kings passing by...)
The Sophienkeller
or
The PULVERTURM
The Sophienkeller
or
The PULVERTURM
www.sophienkeller-dresden.de
Taschenberg 3
01067 Dresden
Telefon: (0351) 4 97 26 - 0
DER PULVERTURM
www.pulverturm-dresden.de
An der Frauenkirche 12
01067 Dresden
Telefon: (0351) 26 26 00
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Il Ballo del Doge 2010, Seven Dreams 7 Seven Sins
Today is the day
And tonight will be the night
We did sleep indeed like royalty in our Palacio chamber. Breakfast is served (we are too late to make it downstairs) in our room, the sun bathing our white bodies in a wonderful warm glow.
I call the reception, just in case there is some news on our suitcases.
NOTHING.
It is pretty awful to be stranded without anything. If times were still normal and traveling still some sort of luxury, I could have my make up and whatever girly stuff I need in my carry on. But theses days, where every Shampoo could be a potential terrorist, I prefer to travel as naked as possible. Hairbrush, powder, lip-balm and mascara. That's all I have, but not all I need! I need my lotion, my face-wash, my conditioner... never mind some fresh undies and maybe clean socks.
We get dressed in our stinky yesterday's wear and go for a leisurely walk in sun drenched Venice. Fog? Rain? Venice is blossoming under the UV caresses and hand in hand we get lost in another fairy-tale adventure.
Ca' Sagredo might not be the most central, but it makes for more reason to get lost in Venice's alleys and just walk...
Well, walk might be an overstatement, as the tiny roads are so busy, that the walk is more like a stop and go. HUMAN TRAFFIC JAM with the most elaborate ensembles. Faces hidden behind masks. Who are you? Who am I?
A dream, a nightmare?
We get a bit annoyed after some time and Prince steers us away from the crowds, into unknown backstreets. Finally some air and time for lunch.
I get a bit edgy, wondering if my luggage has finally arrived. If it doesn't get in soon I will have to buy makeup and some hair designing tools, or I have to bite the sour apple and wear the grey wig, which is part of my flower gown. That would be the easiest solution, if I would just not feel so ancient and ugly with that grey toupee... Prince calls the hotel, but again no news. No suitcase.
I am feeling a bit bummed now.
Slurping some Minestrone my mood turns cloudy.
Bread masks
Poor Prince, he is trying so hard to chase away my storm.
We leave lunch (unexciting) and Prince drags me into the next beauty shop.
Eyeliner, powder, lipstick, hairpins, hairspray, but no curlers.
Actually no curlers to be found anywhere.
Grey wig, you are my destiny for tonight.
Gossshhhh, I will look like a grandma. But ce la vie. Who cares anyhow. I am hidden behind a mask, so if pretty, ugly, old, young, nobody knows... Or so, I tell myself.
Byby for now. Time to doll up for the most famous :
We spend a few hours giggling and dressing in tons of layers of silk and brocade.
Cinderella, today you are a Princes again. Even with grey hair!
We stride down for an aperetivo in style, feeling utterly splendiferous.
Let the party begin and pictures tell the rest...
Heaven and hell
Sexy deviltress (waitress from hell)
Antonia, the Party Goddess
A DEVIL
Sloth, One of the 7 SINS
Lust... another deadly sin...(?)
Greed, the sin of our times...
Knocking on Heaven's door...
Welcome to Paradise...
Who gave the Devil a key to Paradise?
The Mirror Soul
Burlesque in Heaven?
Fairy dance...
And tonight will be the night
We did sleep indeed like royalty in our Palacio chamber. Breakfast is served (we are too late to make it downstairs) in our room, the sun bathing our white bodies in a wonderful warm glow.
I call the reception, just in case there is some news on our suitcases.
NOTHING.
It is pretty awful to be stranded without anything. If times were still normal and traveling still some sort of luxury, I could have my make up and whatever girly stuff I need in my carry on. But theses days, where every Shampoo could be a potential terrorist, I prefer to travel as naked as possible. Hairbrush, powder, lip-balm and mascara. That's all I have, but not all I need! I need my lotion, my face-wash, my conditioner... never mind some fresh undies and maybe clean socks.
We get dressed in our stinky yesterday's wear and go for a leisurely walk in sun drenched Venice. Fog? Rain? Venice is blossoming under the UV caresses and hand in hand we get lost in another fairy-tale adventure.
Ca' Sagredo might not be the most central, but it makes for more reason to get lost in Venice's alleys and just walk...
Well, walk might be an overstatement, as the tiny roads are so busy, that the walk is more like a stop and go. HUMAN TRAFFIC JAM with the most elaborate ensembles. Faces hidden behind masks. Who are you? Who am I?
A dream, a nightmare?
We get a bit annoyed after some time and Prince steers us away from the crowds, into unknown backstreets. Finally some air and time for lunch.
I get a bit edgy, wondering if my luggage has finally arrived. If it doesn't get in soon I will have to buy makeup and some hair designing tools, or I have to bite the sour apple and wear the grey wig, which is part of my flower gown. That would be the easiest solution, if I would just not feel so ancient and ugly with that grey toupee... Prince calls the hotel, but again no news. No suitcase.
I am feeling a bit bummed now.
Slurping some Minestrone my mood turns cloudy.
Bread masksPoor Prince, he is trying so hard to chase away my storm.
We leave lunch (unexciting) and Prince drags me into the next beauty shop.
Eyeliner, powder, lipstick, hairpins, hairspray, but no curlers.
Actually no curlers to be found anywhere.
Grey wig, you are my destiny for tonight.
Gossshhhh, I will look like a grandma. But ce la vie. Who cares anyhow. I am hidden behind a mask, so if pretty, ugly, old, young, nobody knows... Or so, I tell myself.
Byby for now. Time to doll up for the most famous :
Close your eyes for a moment
Imagine…
an enchanted evening in Venice
Imagine…
a magnificent palace on the Grand Canal
decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo
Imagine…
baroque melodies under the magic light
of one thousand candles
Imagine…
tables laden with historic Venetian dishes
Imagine…
dazzling costumes floating to the music
of a string quintet
Imagine…
saltimbanques and actors at the Doge’s court
Imagine…
a night full of surprises and strange events…you are imagining
Il Ballo del Doge
7 dreams, 7 sins
7 dreams, 7 sins
Cinderella, today you are a Princes again. Even with grey hair!
We stride down for an aperetivo in style, feeling utterly splendiferous.
Heaven and hell 
Sexy deviltress (waitress from hell)
Antonia, the Party Goddess
A DEVIL
Sloth, One of the 7 SINS
Lust... another deadly sin...(?)
Greed, the sin of our times...
Knocking on Heaven's door...
Welcome to Paradise...
Who gave the Devil a key to Paradise?
The Mirror Soul
Burlesque in Heaven?
Fairy dance... The 7 sins:
Wrath
Avarice
Sloth
Pride
Lust
Envy
Gluttony
Wrath
Avarice
Sloth
Pride
Lust
Envy
Gluttony
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