I’ve been tagged by both Mandy and Mette so now I feel super obliged to make a list of things I currently love…

Food – World’s Best Gelato

My friends and I made a tiny day trip to San Gimignano yesterday and happened to come across this tiny gelateria. I ordered the usual 2.50 cone with white chocolate and tuttobosco not knowing what to expect from the ‘world champions of gelato’… but wow, they really were not kidding. It was so amazing, in fact, that two of us went back for a second serving (we justified this by the fact that we will not be returning to San Gimignano anytime soon). I then had another cone with saffron cream, amadei chocolate and fior di latte. Droooool.

Book – Bonjour Tristesse

I am absolutely loving this novella right now, especially the copy I have published by Ecco Harper Collins. The cover is minimalistic, the font is elegant and the text is all in blue. Best of all, one of the characters is named Cyril… what a lovely name. I would talk about the story, but I encourage you to read it for yourself because it is quite short!

Place – Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella

When in Florence, one must make a visit to this hidden gem near Piazza Santa Maria Novella. They have an astounding selection of colognes, soaps, lotions, potions, teas, herbs… and many of these concoctions are still made from original recipes dating back to 1612! I already bought things today but I am planning to go back soon (as in tomorrow) just because I am so madly in love with the place.

Music – Opera

The class I am taking right now is about the history of operas. While I was not as big of an opera fan beforehand, watching them live (especially in a real, still-standing Roman amphitheater in Verona) has made me appreciate the art of opera so much more. So far, I have seen productions of La Traviata, Aida and Il Barbiere di Siviglia… I am very much looking forward to Madama Butterfly and Carmen within the next few days.

Muse – Peggy Guggenheim

The first place I went to in Venice was not Piazza San Marco, but rather the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Going through the quaint museum made me realize how fantastic her life must have been as an art collector, and what a fantastically cool lady she was. I wonder what a day in the life of Mrs. Guggenheim must have been like…

Film – The Danish Poet

This adorable Norwegian and Canadian co-production won the 2007 Oscar for the category of Best Short Film, Animated. iMDb says that it is “a lovely little story about fate, inspiration and the impact we make on our lives and the lives of others”… and it is precisely that. Endearing, understated, and totally worth 15 minutes of your life.