In Italy, Eataly

We are in a bar, the only one open. We ordered drinks, they were a bit dear, but, oh well. Then out came the accompanying food. We've done this before, with Christopher at our little village in Lago di Como. Instead of dinner we would go to the local bar and order a drink or two. They would supply snacks, enough for our dinner. Fast forward 2018, and 8 plates came out, including a rice salad. Really? We said "it's too much! " the waitress says, "It's never too much".... It's 'birra' o'clock and Don is examining the map in preparation for tomorrow's 'escursione.' We going to see gardens. hooray!

The Language of Fans

“Come talk to me” Carry fan in left hand
“I wish to speak to you” Touch tip of fan with finger
“You have won my love” Hold shut fan to the heart
“Do not betray our secret” Covering left ear with open fan
“Follow me” Carry fan in right hand in front of face
“We are being watched” Twirl fan in left hand
“I am married” Fan slowly
“I am engaged” Fan quickly
“I am sorry” Draw fan across eye
“You have changed” Draw fan across forehead
“I hate you” Draw fan through hand
“Do you love me?” Present fan shut
“I love you” Draw fan across cheek
“I love another” Twirl fan in right hand
“You are cruel” Open and shut fan
“Yes” Rest fan on right cheek
“No” Rest fan on left cheek
“Kiss me” Hold fan handle to lips

From Babbel

Walking through Langhe

We have had a lovely stroll through this minute hilltop town, HTT,  Verduno, in the famous "Barolo"wine region of northern Italy.  We walked from the city of Alba.  I have racked up 20km today as counted by my phone. It was a terrific walk, past the famous Ferrero nutella factory.  Turns out that Ferrero is one of the most ethical employers. It certainly employs heaps of people and has factories in different countries. However, even though there are hazelnut trees everywhere, they import their hazelnuts from Turkey and Kazakhstan. We didn't go in.  We kept walking. If only I'd known, we had such a long mornings walk, Then we left town and walked for miles along the river.  The little HTT Riddo was closed til the evening.  So we had a short break and trudged on. Yikes rather low on water supply in the backpack.  However, the scenery made up for it. Beautiful wildflowers and little vegie gardens along the way.  The views are increasingly marvellous as we climb up into town, the town of Verduno for our first night. The driver brings our bags from place to place, grazie Guiseppe.

Exercise and Cancer!

The front page of The Age ran this article.  About a young, healthy woman diagnosed with cancer. Here is the quote:-

“It was devastating,” she said.

“I had an eight-month-old baby. I had just finished an MBA. I’m happily married. I was at the high point of my life.”

But after seeking a second opinion, she was offered a sliver of hope. Another oncologist was willing to put her on an aggressive chemotherapy regime on the small chance that it could shrink the tumours throughout her body enough to operate.

“He said 'we want to prepare you to take the maximum amount of drug you can get into your body, and the only thing in your control is exercise',” Ms Cooper said.

“It will get the blood moving, carry the drugs through your body and allow you to process more of the drugs more effectively"*

"The only thing in your control is exercise." I have said these exact words many times. Now we understand even more the way the chemo patients can assist their own treatment by exercising. 
This is not entirely new.  We saw Robin Williams, from The Science Show, RN. ABC. He was featured on an episode of Catalyst, ABC Tv's science program.  He was given chemo therapy for his cancer, and then immediately lead to the next room for a fairly heavy gym workout, to assist in the uptake of the chemotherapy.

Similarly, we can also forestall our dementia, by similar means. Our brains require a rich blood supply.  Cardio-vascular (the name is the clue) formerly known as aerobic exercise helps keep the blood vessels clean and elastic, strengthens our heart muscle, too.

The human body is amazing.

*The Age, 7th May, 2018, by AISHA DOW.

Even a little.

New York Time's Gretchen Reynolds (2nd May,) considers an article that looks at the connection between mood and exercise. She cites a review "which aggregates multiple past studies". This was published in The Journal of Happiness Studies. In summary, it does not take much, nor does it matter what kind of exercise to have a positive effect on mood. When I go for a walk, or do exercise class, I do seem to have a better day. I might have more willpower, and therefore I eat better. We have been walking, like crazy on holidays. My phone tells me how many steps that I do. We have been walking in the pedestrian city of Còrdoba in Spain. As well as sightseeing in Sevilla. I suspect the phone is a bit generous in its counting. I'm sure I am building up my strength and fitness, after being sick. Now for some squats.

The benefits of exercise are manifold. I'm excited.

I've been sick, now I'm well!

To paraphrase John Lennon "I've been poor, I've been rich, rich is better."
Let me tell you - Well is better!  I'm quite better now, after a long stint of bronchitis. I have finished the 10 day course of antibiotics.
I'm glad my sense of smell is returning, too, because the food has been so interesting.  We have been sharing "raciones" these are larger serves of tapas meant for sharing, four dishes between the six of us. These local specialties include deep-fried eggplant, a crispy pork roll called flamenquin, Rabo de toro, on the menu it's translated to tail of the bull, haha, it's oxtail stew.  There's  snails too, but we haven't been quite brave enough. And baccalà, they call it "bacalao" it's like italian salted cod.  There's also a very thick tomato and capsicum soup, called Salmorejo.

Midday Mass in Còrdoba

After a coffee break, off to the Mesquita for midday mass Don escorted me. I entered through the middle door, full security.  "Ir A misa?" I asked the guards.
Security guards were stopping anyone with cameras.  They were searching/scanning the crowds continuously, conscientiously. It made me think of terrorism, bombs or something. I managed to find the last available seat in the main body of the church.  Two larger seating areas either side with a wide screen TV. Plenty of time to spare before the start.to take in the scenery and the vibe and to quieten myself.. There was a row with four men, funny. It made me wonder if they might meet every Sunday........
Choir was out the back in their enclosure, where there was a bit of action, The organ started, then the choir, Then a big procession of clergy processed from the side, stage right.Twelve adult altar servers, 4 con-celebrants, including the archbishop, asbwell, there may have been a cardinal, not sure, .  He didn't seem quite important enough.

The first of Los Patios

Off to the Patios, first thing.. rugged up against the weather,  nobody in the streets, which were previously crowded the night before.  Whoops, have we been ripped off with these tickets?   We finally found the first one, the door was ajar, but no signs of life.  Then we found another open patio and the man says "they are private homes, so you must knock". ....Of course.

The patios are not small but are so FULL of plants, up to the sky that they feel busy.  They look especially charming against the white walls. It is all a blur, though, we have seen so many. Firstly, what stands out are those walls that are almost completely covered with plants,  those with a set of stairs, those with a verandah, like a little top storey. Secondly, the wide variety and habit of the plants. There are mostly geraniums, petunias but there are many different colours, textures and sizes.  The two-toned geraniums look like velvet. Some have big flouncy petals like petunias.  Some tumble in huge cascades from above, their flowers pointing downwards.
There's lovely hard landscape features, too. Tiny kitchens, just off the patio, wells, complete with bucket and rope. A bamboo pole with a tin attached  for watering the high potplants.
.

Habit of the week from Portugal

Attend to your neck tube

Imagine that some part of your neck can be represented by a tube.  You may choose your windpipe, or your oesophagus or your spinal cord.  Picture it as a piece of flexible tubing, like an exercise cord.  Imagine holding a piece of tubing at the top, and let it drape downwards. Relax and lengthen your real neck and, of course, drop your shoulders, too.

Now picture the tube stretching forward.  This represents the "head forward" posture, and thus putting a kink or bend in your imaginary tube.  This represents the posture when we tilt our chin upwards to lift our head..  No you don't.  Try not to shorten the back of your neck.

This week's habit, lengthen your own neck (tube).  It is a handy cue to better posture, therefore less neck pain.  So it keeps you looking younger, slimmer  and and smarter.