Keine Klischees, bitte! Don’t go to TORINO if you…

Please, don’t be the typical tourist who picks up a destination because of stereotypes. Would you really like to be hated by local peoples?  Das Beste wäre, ob du dich zuerst über das Land und die Stadt dokumentierst.

Weisst du z.B., dass jede italienische Region während viele Jahrhunderte unabhängig war? Und d.h., dass jede Region hat verschiedene Geschichte, verschiedene Traditionen, und, noch heute, verschiedene Schilderungen. What you think to know about Italy could be just a mix of things from different regions which in reality do not coexist in the same place. So please, don’t go to Turin if you:

 

1. Suppose that « Italy » means « beaches and sunbathe ». Hast du je eine Karte von Italien gesehen? Dort gibt es auch Bergen, und Turin liegt genau in der nahë von Alpen. Frankreich ist nicht so weit fern, und die Schweiz ist am Horizont. La storia di Torino è legata alle montagne e agli alpini, così preziosi durante le diverse guerre che il Bel Paese ha affrontato.
2. Want to eat pizza. Nope, my dear. Pizza is a typical southern dish: I strongly suggest you to go to Naples if you want to eat it. It would be a pity if you go to Turin but you don’t eat bagna cauda though, and truffles. Non sprecare l’occasione di sedere nello stesso bar dove sedeva Gozzano e bere un “beccerin”, probabilmente come faceva anche lui!
3. Don’t like mystery. Nebel und die savoyische Architektur geben der Stadt etwas Magisches. Turin bildet mit Lyon und Prag ein weiße Magie Dreieck und mit London und Saint Francisco ein Schwarzes Magie Dreieck. Anche se non si è cattolici, la curiosità spinge ad andare a vedere la Sacra Sindone – il Graal sarà nascosto poco distante?
4. Think that “Fellini” is a pasta shape. That tower over there: it’s the Mole Antonelliana, and it’s not just an amazing building but also an interesting cinema museum. You can find there a lot of movies’ costumes from Hollywood, but also from Cinecittà. Italian cinema artists used to rock in 50s-60s, didn’t you know? Una fila un po’ lunga per entrare, ma ne vale la pena. Uno spettacolo in uno spettacolo.
5. Suppose that the only mummy that you’ll see is an Italian mamma. Aha. Das Museo Egizio von Turin ist der älteste ägyptische Museum der Welt, und hat eine der größten Sammlungen der ägyptischen Werke ausser Egypt. Turin ist also reich von Gold, Papyri und Mumien. Ho viaggiato 5 ore in macchina per vedere la pesatura del cuore illustrata su un papiro vecchio più di 2000 anni. Questa sono io nella “Sala dei Re”. Non si vede chiaramente la mia faccia, ma posso confermarvelo: ero estasiata.

 

Croce e delizia – How I learned Français

Chiariamo una cosa: sono fermamente convinta che il processo di apprendimento di una lingua non abbia mai fine, in quanto materia vivente e in continua evoluzione. Dopo lunghi anni di studio, non penso di aver smesso di continuare a imparare la lingua francese; ma oggi posso vantarmi di poter me débrouiller in una routine giornaliera in Francia – c’est déjà pas mal ! Here it is, my long story with Français:

 

• Au clair de la lune, mon ami Pierrot. Here I am, a 8 years old me at the primary school. As I have always been fascinated by foreign lullabies that I heard on the TV, my mother signed me up to an optional class at school to learn a new language. She didn’t know, but it was the turning point of my life, as in this class I first met Français. By playing games, I started to memorize the first foreign words, the first songs, the first false friends. Français was my coup de foudre, and the beginning of my transformation in a polyglot.

• Louis XIV et Madame Bovary. Nonostante avessi cominciato a studiare anche l’inglese con la scuola dell’obbligo, Français fu durante gli anni del liceo il mio fedele compagno. Mi raccontava delle storie fantastiche, fatte di spadaccini col naso grosso, poeti maledetti, sovrani assoluti e ghigliottine. Français dipingeva con metodi all’avanguardia, Français era engagé politiquement, ed io da perfetta adolescente mi feci incantare da un tale istrione.

• L’amant secret. But Français also knew how to be rude and irritating. Français was made of grammar exceptions, variations, imperfections. He wrote 4 letters and he just pronounced 1, he was unfriendly with the foreign terms, he felt unique – and for sure he was. Nevertheless when I met Deutsch, such a regulated and philosophic intellectual, I decided to dedicate mainly to him my University career. Français remained though the one with whom I could drink un verre de rouge when I needed, my secret lover.

• Déménagement en France. Alla fine dell’Università, dopo aver vissuto un anno in Germania, decisi di farmi perdonare da Français per gli ultimi anni di trascuratezza: decisi di partire per qualche mese in Francia (prima di trasferirmi definitivamente con Deutsch). Là ritrovai un Français diverso, un Français vissuto, quotidiano e sans pris de tête che non avevo mai conosciuto fino ad allora, coi suoi piccoli pff accompagnati da bronci, movimenti di spalla, coi suoi Bonjour anche alle 8 di sera. Decisi di dargli una possibilità: rimandai il mio “progetto tedesco”, rimasi un po’ più di qualche mese.

• Mademoiselle Petit Accent. Nowadays, I have been living in France for 4 years, and I’m not planning to leave anymore. I know: Français is not perfect, not logical, and pretty hard to catch – but what should I do? He’s my longest linguistic love story. After all these years, I’m still motivated in improving my syntax, my vocabulary knowledge, my grammar. I feel sometimes that my Italian accent will never leave me though, but it doesn’t seems to be a big deal: he likes it so much!

 

Right by your side in BARCELONA

Je n’aime pas voyager « en mode touriste », je n’aime pas les plages avec des gamins qui crient, je n’aime pas sauter d’un pied à l’autre en écoutant de la mauvaise musique dans une boîte blindée jusqu’à vomir à 4h du mat. Mais Barcelone, j’ai adoré. So don’t listen to all those people who told you that you only go to Barcelona to have la fiesta and than back home. There is another way: a cooler, smarter way to visit the capital of Cataluña, the way that will lead you to sing romantic songs about that town – just like George Ezra does!

Voici donc ma liste de choses à faire pour vivre un séjour à Barcelone – George Ezra’s way:

1. La estación. The town is on the Mediterranean sea, and the beaches are near to the center. It’s really easy to go sunbathing and watching the waves from the city center. I suggest you not go to Barcelona in the heart of the summer! The heat will suffocate you – just like the hundreds of tourists who will be there screaming on the hot sand. Spring and autumn are agreably warm seasons, plus more quiet.
2. El Barrio Gótico. A côté des merveilles naturelles, Barcelone est une ville qui a une longue histoire. Le drapeau catalan cligne de l’œil sue chaque grand bâtiment – apprenez des petits mots en catalan avant de partir: les gens vont apprécier! Immergez-vous dans cette histoire fascinante: promenez-vous dans le cœur du centre historique, dans le cartier gotique, visitez le superbe musée Picasso. Vous allez vous régaler!
3. Las obras de Gaudí. I hope you like walking, because it’s worth to go seeing the great works of Mr Antoni Gaudí. This visionary architect created amazing buildings all over the town: his style is inspired by cave men, trees and nature, art nouveau, African art, lights and shadows, waves and stones, all mixed together. The huge Sagrada Familia is the most famous work, but not the only one to see in Barcelona!
4. Força Barça! Le deuxième drapeau le plus populaire (après celui catalan) est celui de l’équipe de foot du Barcelone. Il est littéralement partout! La ville aime vraiment ses futbolistas – et même si vous n’êtes pas trop foot comme moi, il vaut quand même la peine de visiter le stade Camp Nou. La structure est immense, et c’est le seul stade au monde qui a une petite chapelle pour prier la vierge Marie avant de jouer – elle aussi, elle supporte le Barça apparemment!
5. Crema catalana. It would be a pity if you leave before you eat some Mediterranean food! There are plenty of delicious tapas – patatas bravas are my favourite ones – with sauces that you can’t miss. The taste of olive oil and tomatoes is so good: it made me remember my dear mamma’s kitchen. Not to mention the excellent wine! A fresh glass of sangria will be all you desire for your whole stay. One more crema catalana before to leave, and you’ll wish to be back to Cataluña again – and soon!

Ein Freund, ein guter Freund

Avoir un bon copain, voilà c’qui y a d’meilleur au monde! [Tolles Lied, auf Deutsch genauso wie auf französisch]. Even better if your friend speaks another language – or maybe if your friend is a polyglot like you! Da anni vivo in un contesto multi-culturale, e confesso che mi sarebbe impossibile rinunciare a questa continua ricerca di diversità e novità. Estas son mis cinco razones para seguir buscando nuevos amigos desde todo el mundo:

1. Eine neue Sprache lernen. Avoue, c’est ce que tu attendais depuis longtemps, mon cher polyglotte! Bienvenue: nouvelle grammaire, nouveau lexique, cent mille nouvelles possibilités de créer des sons rigolos avec ta bouche!
2. Eine neue Kultur kennen lernen. Un idioma no es algo de astracto: un idioma es historia, cultura, estilo de vida. Un buen método para viajar sin viajar!
3. Noch mehr Wanderlust haben. Of course after you start to learn a bit the language and the culture, you’ll wish to see with your eyes the places your friend is talking about. Your travel wish-list will become longer and longer!
4. Witzige Sachen erfinden. Lo sapevi che « burro » in spagnolo significa « asino »? Questa e innumerevoli altre sciocche concidenze in migliaia di lingue sono le piccole gioie dei poliglotti.
5. Über die anderen in Geheimnis zu sprechen. Ich weiss, das ist gemein. Aber das ist eine praktische Methode, um am Markt mit deinem Freund über den Preiz des Gemüses zu sprechen!

Keine Durst – Trip to MUNICH

People say it’s the most Italian city in Germany, I say nothing is like Munich! La capitale dei crauti, delle salsicce e dei Dirndl – sì, quei bei vestitini che vedete indosso alle ragazze all’Oktoberfest. Beer, warm hearted welcomes, huge history – guys, if you haven’t visited München yet, what are you waiting for? Here it is my top 5, cose da fare assolutamente se si è a Monaco di Baviera:

1. Bere una birra all’Hofbräuhaus. Durst ist schlimmer als Heimweh. Well, don’t panic: you won’t risk melancholic depression in this town! Beer hier is excellent and cheap. Drink some Pils at the Biergarden (open market) or, why not, to the historical Hofbräuhaus. Also: forget the diet for the moment: Spätzle, Würstel and Sauberkräute are just delicious. Prost!
2. Ascoltar suonare il carillon a Marienplatz. Every day at 12h a.m. and at 5h p.m. you can assist for free to the amazing show of the huge cookoo clock in Marienplatz. Apparently the local people were healed by pestilence in several occasions simply by dancing the music of the Glockenspiel. Don’t miss it: everyone needs some magic like this!
3. Fissare negli occhi la mummia di Santa Munditia. According to the Bavarian tradition, if you stare the eyes this mummy, you’ll find quickly the man of your life. Come on, single ladies, be brave!
4. Visita guidata sui passi del Putsch. Munich was the favourite city of Hitler, but also the city where he almost died because of a rebellious attack. It worths to take the time to have a guided tour of the town: each little street belongs to an interesting story.
5. Comprare un Dirndl o dei Lederhosen – o entrambi! That’s the place where traditional German clothes are born, produced and still very beloved. Take the chance to buy a Dirndl (if you’re a girl) or some Lederhosen (if you’re a boy). I know you don’t easily wear them in everyday life; but you’ll be the queen/king of the next Oktoberfest!

Wonderland

Charles Baudelaire disait « ‘Il me semble que je serais toujours bien là ou je ne suis pas ». Le poète avait une forte passion pour les voyages et l’âme rêveuse. Sans forcement avoir le spleen de notre cher Charles, c’est sans doute son même sentiment de rêverie qui pousse aussi les voyageurs d’aujourd’hui à bouger vers l’inconnu.

Here you find 5 travels I dream to do – each one inspired by a different book.

1. On the road – Jack Kerouac. Let’s go get lost in USA! A car and a notebook are more than enough. Not sure if it’s still possible, but it would be really great to travel through the « beat » atmosphere in United States. Long desert roads, huge busy towns, jazz clubs, wait for me!
2. Diarios de motocicleta – Ernesto Che Guevara. Un viaje en dos ruedas por el Sur America, hablando con la gente, descubriendo la cara escondida de estos paises encandadores llenos de sol. E além disso eu quero descobrir o Brasil: a musica, o baile, o multiculturalismo.
3. Le tour du monde en 80 jours – Jules Verne. Faire le tour du monde, mais lentement, en se déplaçant en train, en voiture, en bateau. Voyager comme si on était dans un autre siècle, prendre le temps de regarder les paysages, de parler avec les gens, et de rentrer chez soi 48h en avance.
4. Un indovino mi disse – Tiziano Terzani. Saltare da un Paese all’altro in un’Asia ormai perduta, fatta di indovini, animali e presagi. Andare incontro ad una cultura totamente diversa dalla propria liberi da pregiudizi, lasciandosi rapire dalla bellezza della variegazione umana.
5. Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer. Allein zu reisen, um sich selbst kennen zu lernen. In der Wildnis bist zu nur ein Element, wie die Bäume, die Tiere, das Wasser, die Luft. Allein wirdst du weniger egozentrisch, da du endlich verstehst, dass du einfach ein Gast auf der Erde bist.

Everybody wants to be a cat

Qui a un minou pourra sans doute le confirmer: le chat est un animal libre, indépendant et curieux. C’est pour cette raison qu’il me semble bien semblable à la figure du voyageur et du polyglotte. Bien sûr, il est souvent égocentrique, paresseux à la fois; et pourtant tout le monde veut devenir un chat.

Here there is: my first favourite multi-lingual band: the Scat Cat from Disney’s « Les Aristochats ». An exemple as not matter if you’re French, Russian, Chinese, Italian, American or what else: everybody wants to be a cat.

Ici les 5 leçons qu’on peut apprendre des chats:

1. « I am the Cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me. » (Kipling). Un gatto cammina per la sua strada seguendo un percorso più psicologico che spaziale. Il suo vagare non è legato a dei luoghi esterni, ma piuttosto ai suoi umori – ed è continuo e duraturo. Sii come un gatto, coltiva il tuo cuore da viandante!
2. « A cat is more intelligent than people believe » (Twain). No solo tu cuerpo, pero tu alma tambièn necesita comer. Lee, conoce, explora, estudia, viaja! Sé como un gato: sé inteligente!
3. « Unlike a human smile, purring cannot be, as far as anyone knows, faked » (Masson). Leben ist gar zu kurz, um zu lügen. Bleib’ nicht im Käfig! Verlass die Sachen, die dir weh tun, und sei dankbar für alles, was gut ist! Sei wie eine Katze: sei ehrlich, sei begeistert!
4. « The smallest feline is a masterpiece. » (Leonardo da Vinci). Qui a dit qu’il n’y a qu’un seul chemin à parcourir? Une seule langue à apprendre? Qui décide ce que c’est le bon ou le mauvais choix? Suis tes principes, ne juges pas ta vie avec les valeurs d’autrui. Sois comme un chat: sois unique!
5. « When I am playing with my cat, how do I know she is not playing with me? (Montaigne). Non prenderlo troppo sul serio, questo viaggio. Alla fine la vita è più divertente se presa come un gioco. Sii come un gatto: leccati le ferite, un giorno migliore sta già sorgendo.