Happy New Year!
Thank you to all of you who liked, commented or restacked my posts, especially in the last couple of weeks!
I have been in Italy since December 21st. While it was a holiday from my office job, it has not been a relaxing time. My husband and I squeezed a couple of days in the Langhe-Monferrato region between our arrival in Turin and Xmas Eve, which we planned to spend with my widowed mother. From then on, there was always something to do, and not necessarily fun. Taking care of the practical and emotional needs of my elderly mother is exhausting, on top of that we pet-sitted at my brother’s, which added several rounds of going out with a huge dog, cleaning after her and the 3 cats. We also had a visit from a cousin and had to arrange for her accommodation, we took several trips between my mom’s and my brother’s flat for different reasons and last but not least: grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning…
We are now at the end of our “holiday” and this is the first time I can have half a day to myself. My to-do list for the holidays, which included writing slots, qigong stuff, TCM studies has been left untouched and will have to wait until I am finally in Berlin tomorrow.
I guess I unconsciously expected a busy time, as I booked the return flight on a Friday…I am very grateful to still have the week-end before start working again.
But here are some impressions of this stay.
We stayed in Lu Monferrato and had lunch in the same restaurant where we had our wedding party. The owner was as nice as before and the food not only delicious as then but also less expensive than in Berlin! I think that eating at a Michelin restaurant must be quite close to having a meal at the Commedia della Pentola in Lu. The presentation is thoughtful and pleasant, the dishes combine different and unusual flavours and the taste is absolutely fantastic. If you ever go to Lu Monferrato, I can highly recommend a stop at this restaurant.
My brother’s dog is a Leonberger, a very sweet and gentle breed. She is no trouble with other dogs, with children and also cats, but she is huge. I had trouble to walk her and I almost tripped over a couple of times.
She can also be very stubborn! When she does not want to go somewhere, she just lays down and there is no way to move her!
There were also lovely cats. Marta, the tigered one, is the bully, and Kitty is the one who is often her target. We had to make sure Kitty can eat her food without being disturbed.
Cooking and eating took much time and energy. I had to restrain myself when going grocery shopping, as there were so many things that I wanted to taste again, which I don’t find in Berlin! Despite being in Turin quite a few days, I could not prepare or eat everything I fancied. I was twice to the largest street market in Turin, Porta Palazzo, where you can find everything you want in terms of groceries, clothing, household things. In one of the market hall you have food stalls, where you can pick up your dishes or pizza and then eat at one of the many tables.
I put TCM completely aside and I could do some acupunture only onces. On one side I had to accomodate my mom’s needs and habits. I could eat rice everyday but it is not something my mother is accostumed to and you cannot really change the habits of an elderly person. On the other side I also had less spices available. Quantities and varieties are also different here from what I usually have at home. I had too much to do each day to also try to create balanced meals, so I only avoided to eat too much at each meal. But did have a full meal everyday and sometimes both for lunch and dinner. It is though very interesting that despite the copious meals that I did not have any issues with my digestive system or Heat sympthoms. I am curious to see whether I will have Heat sympthoms again once I go back home and start working again.
Sounds like a busy holiday, but it a good helpful way to your family, too! Happy New Year, Lauca. xo