jalléCafe

I just returned from Italy.  Christmas in Tuscany.  Incredible luxury to be there a few days - and I suspect I will look back and think it was very important, too.  Had a couple of brainstorms unexpectedly. Look forward to the New Year to see where they lead.

I will long remember a discussion with my taxi driver Lorenzo. Fairly serious Italian about my age.  Been driving us tourists for 15 years. I asked him what had changed in that time. He answered quickly, "Globalization!"  What do you mean by that?  "Now I see tourists from everywhere. Brazil, India, China. Not just the Americans or British." So many all the time that the City of San Giminano is considering to install a ticket system, closing its gates, he said.  He didn't seem to be in favor.  I mentioned that I'd read we'd triple the tourists in 10 years. Maybe we need the system.  How did he feel about that?  "Well, it's an important business here to us."  How he takes care of his family. 

It's a dilemma. Everywhere I went, even in low season - people!  I read in a local magazine about a Florence-founded group trying to ensure intercultural exchange.  Life Beyond Tourism.

I like these little efforts to chip away at a big topic.  And I like a serious, non-drinking Italian taxi drive when I want to relax with a nice local wine!

My hot chocolate promise

I wrote the following scribbles in my journal early one morning some months ago, having stopped for a simple hot chocolate, in this land of wonderful Swiss chocolate, on my way to work. Came to me quickly. I've carried it with me ever since. Last week, I shared a lunch that reminded me how important that simple hot chocolate is.

Today is 17th April

Today I promise myself to embrace my life

As I find it

All of it

My personality

My place in my family

My history

All of it

 

My pro's and con's as an entrepreneur

My challenges as a person, as a woman

My mistakes

So much I still have to learn about being non-defensive

 

I seal this promise with a hot chocolate at Spruengli

And a desire to be strong and gentle

To do my best

To be a good friend and daughter

 

With the hope I can

Create something

Bring joy to someone

Blow a fresh wind wind into all things I embrace

Love

 

But with no expectations or resentment if it

Turns out differently

Life is in the end not fair

But it is to be lived

And can be damned beautiful on the way