Trip down to Isola Ischia

We've decided to do many more short trips to amazing places because--well, why the hell not?

One of our first was to the island of Ischia, the biggest island in the bay of Naples. It was gorgeous and with the 200 mph fast-train from Rome to Naples, it was a very nice day-trip on a beautiful Sunday.

Here's the map of the island.



The Aragon Castle in Ischia Ponte



Peproncini at the market. Very spicy.



Mt. Vesuvius from the window of the ferry.



Brandy and Jack on the ferry. Photo by Nora--hence the low perspective.



Brandy and Nora on the beach at Ischia Ponte. Photo by Jack.



Our lunch of seafood, white wine, and fizzy water with the castelin the background. Photo by Nora. Nice eye, no?



The sun setting meant it was time to go home. Boats in Ischia Porto.




Our next trip is to Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Rabat in Morocco. We leave Thursday and return the following Monday. Wish us luck with the camels, the souks, and the medinas. My friend Carlos recommends only the funky-cold ones.

Brandy's belly

Month 6



Month 5



Month 3

Summer in Mexico

when you reach a certain point, and haven't spoken with someone for months, you're not sure where to start. i'll start with an apology. it's been too long--i know. but i'll try to update you here and know this: we are going to write a entry each week. here's a sneak preview: gripes about the price of strollers; a love of socialized medicine; short trips to beautiful places; general dislike of italian customs; general praises of italian customs; our upcoming trip to Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Rabat in Morocco; italian food and wine; and of course many pictures of the little one growing in Brandy's belly.

this first entry will cover our trip to Mexico. Nora was there from early july until early August. lucky kid. she stayed with my parents ("i nonni" in Italian, "los abuelos" in Spanish--though she addresses them in the German "Oma and Opa") in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.

We went to Guadalajara a few times and to the beach in Nayarit--a beautiful place named Chacala.

Without further ado...


Nora sampling the wine like a good Italian

From Mexico, summe...

the several hundred year-old church in Ajijic


nora in my parents' backyard, looking up toward the mountains. it was the rainy season, so they're shrouded in the clouds.


the beautiful dessert made just for her at an incredible Italian restaurant in Ajijic (huh?!)


the sunset in Chacala, Nayarit


riding in a fishing boat to an uninhabited beach up the coast


brandy at the secret beach looking like Ursula Andress (who lives around the corner from my office in Rome) in the the James Bond movie "Dr. No"


cute street sign


mangos sabrosas


nora has now convinced both of her grandmothers to get her a kitten from the pound. this one, named Purrrrr-fect, is being cared for by my wonderful parents. suckers...


nora and my mom at the zoo in guadalajara


my brother Chris, my dad Patrick, my mother Maryann, sister Abby, her girlfriend Laura, baby's mama Brandy, and I are about to throw Nora to the dogs


food cart on the beach in Rincon de Guayabitos. that snack on the right? fish-on-a-stick, my friend--fish-on-a-stick.


my friend, my surf idol, my travel buddy, my favorite inanimate object