Italy, April 2010

Went on a trip to Italy with 31 other women to Bergamo and Milan. I strongly recommend visiting Bergamo. It is situated right by the Italian Alps and is so lovely! We went on a four day trip to learn how to cook Italian cuisine and relax in wonderful restaurants. Did some shopping but the highlight of the trip was being with women I didn´t know before hand and meeting Italians where I was. I feel, more than ever, that life is the most interesting -in the moments. Like when I went alone into a store to buy-yes Converse snickers (without laces-the last one´s I bought were on the campus of Yale, Connecticut, USA). The owner, an Italian of 30+ years with thick curly hair, jeans, t-shirt, sneakers and still so Italian. He introduced me to his friend, who came in the shop to show of his self-made shoes. He had used an old pair Prada´s soles and stitched leather material on the top of the shoe. They looked like a sporty black and white golf shoe/ Church´s inspired with an Italian touch. I saw them, touched them and told them they were beautiful-nicely made. He was proud-and I could see he used many hours on them. My only regret is that I didn´t take a picture of them. I called him a Shoe Maker and that he should design for Prada! I loved this moment. -Being a part of a moment of pride and sharing and of admiring good workmanship! Rare these days..... This happened in the old town of Bergamo!