I went out this morning, chasing the light, ignoring the biting wind. It was a good tour involving many city hills.
Meanwhile, I’ve just returned from a lovely lunch at Cambi Cafe with Stefano. The atmosphere was lovely, the food rather delicious, and the conversation enjoyable.
Mille grazie, Stefano.
Genova sits between the hills and the sea. The city begins climbing the slopes almost immediately after you leave the port and whenever I arrive here, from the flatness of Antwerp, I suffer.
But now, I am fine, wandering at will on the steepest streets. I’m getting strong again.
Below, a street walked yesterday ...
Yesterday was the day I said goodbye to the artists on via S. Lorenzo. They are only there at the weekends and I’ll be back in Belgium next weekend.
I was so surprised to hear them wish me Buon Natale as we said our goodbyes but of course, it’s almost Christmas, even if my New Zealand-orientated self doesn’t understand the possibility of Christmas in the dead of winter.
I was so very pleased to see Franco Fondacaro this time. He is the guy in the photograph below, captured as he talked of his art with a client. Not long after I left Genova last time, he was beaten up and robbed, early one morning while out walking his dog.
Franco fought back.
Franco is 83, and completely adorable. Everyone was horrified that he had been attacked by the two guys. He spent quite some time in hospital and is slowly recovering from a serious neck injury but stll, he is full of life and laughter. It was good to see him.
Meanwhile, Shannon finished Amedeo’s new website and so, last night, Karla, Amedeo and I had a working/farewell dinner where I showed them how to operate the new site. I think it’s a good idea that Amedeo’s latest work is always out there, especially now winter is coming. Now I just need to work on the About text which is currently a direct translation of his Italian bio via google translate.
We also spent time working out whether to move Karla’s website over to Blogger or some other space. I think we will. And some new business cards have been designed for both of them. We had so much fun. I’ll miss them.
I love it here. I come alive in a way that I don’t think I am alive any place else. It’s been difficult this time but the cough is almost gone. I’m strong again, and walking all over the ancient heart of the city. I was sitting on the stairs of San Lorenzo Cathedral earlier, close to my favourite lion sculpture, just watching the world go by while eating a slice of onion focaccia ... happy.
Happy to be here, in this moment, in this place.
Buon Natale ...
Luciano Viotti is another of the artists I enjoy down on Via San Lorenzo.
He has a big soul and you see it in his work. I loved this one yesterday, of the trams over in Milano.
He explains that he has been painting for more than thirty years. He began with realism, then pointillism but today finds him expressing himself in a personalized Impressionism. I love it. Karla insists that you can find the 1950s in his work but it’s something you would have to see for yourself.
You can find more of his work over on his website.
Today I was gifted a second beautiful painting ... painted just for me.
Look closely, you’ll see.
I love this city.
I love the people here, and already I’m thinking about the fact that it will be my suitcase rolling along the caruggi here in a few days. I will take some exquisite memories when I leave ... as always.
Anyway, about the photograph of the painting below. It was painted by one of my favourite artists in the world, Amedeo Baldovino. You can read of my first meetings with him over here.
Tonight I had the pleasure of having dinner with both Amedeo and Karla. I do adore them.
Mille grazie, Amedeo! I love the painting. I love that in those Genovese cityscapes you paint, there is a space for this New Zealand photographer who is passionate about books.
I think this photograph says it all today ... it’s a glorious day here in Genova. Blue skies, not to cold, lots of lovely people.
But more on the people who operate behind the window in the photograph. Lovin Genova provides people with all the information they could need when wandering in Genova. They have two offices, one down near the pirate ship parked in the harbour, close to the aquarium and another up on Via Garibaldi. Their English publications are superb and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Ciao from La Superba