Milan! Here I Come!

Photo credit:  https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LN42M5RJYGo/maxresdefault.jpg

Few days before we ended our audit engagement in Rome, I was still undecided whether I would push through with my side trip to Milan.  I had been to Italy for a few times already, twice in Venice, but I had never been to Milan.  When I found out that plane tickets from Rome to Manchester had increased to at least 100 euros, I thought, maybe that was the sign.  That is, I could still go to Milan and from there, I could go somewhere else before reaching Manchester.  In other words, I'll spend approximately around 100 euros or more but I'll be able to visit one or two places on my way to Manchester!  And that's what I did!

Since I didn't have the luxury of time to look for cheaper plane tickets to Manchester, I asked my sister's help and lucky for me, she found a 9+ euros Ryanair ticket but I needed to go to Belgium for that!  Good thing, there was a direct flight from Milan to Belgium.  Hence, I immediately booked my Italo train ticket, which cost me 35.90 euros (or P2,074.67, per my HSBC credit card statement) for my trip to Milan on June 20, 2017.  I chose the 5:45pm time for a 2.5-hour travel and left Roma Termini as scheduled but I still arrived 30 minutes late due to some delays along the road.

Fast forward, the following morning, June 21, I took a metro ride and went straight to Duomo di Milano, which was about two stops away from where I stayed.  I sat infront the structure after I got tired of walking as I was armed with my two bags (carry-on trolley bag and handbag).  Check out one of my random videos below (while quoting Claudine's hugot line in Milan movie:  "Mahal mo ba ako dahil kailangan mo ako, o kailangan mo ako kaya mahal mo ako?) ;)

My Version of Black Pasta

the finished product

Just this afternoon, I finally decided to cook black pasta for snacks.  Since it was already nighttime then, it became my dinner.  ;)

bought in Rome for 8 euros

I admit it wasn't as yummy as the one I tasted in Rome but I'm sure  next time I'll be able to cook it close to perfection.  Here are the ingredients that I used:

olive oil
pasta nero
garlic
onion
squid
chili
squid ink

I wasn't quite impressed with the squid ink.  It was not that tasty.  The original squid ink is still the best.  Next time, I'll put in more squid and add original squid ink and.. what else?  Help me, please!

I Almost Got Rained On In Paris

June 29, 2017 - 43rd wedding anniversary of my parents and where else would I best celebrate it?  Of course, it must be in the city of love - Paris!

One of my random videos while I was in Paris.  I was so tired already when I went to Louvre, my supposed-to-be last stop.  The weather was not cooperating.  The sky was a bit gloomy.  I was afraid it would rain as it was on-and-off drizzling then.  I just roamed around a little bit before deciding to go back to the hotel.  Despite the exhaustion, the almost-did-not-happen visit was extremely worth it!  Another gigantic check in my bucket list! :)

A Taste of Sky-High Luxury

my view onboard

Unfortunately, I had unpleasant experiences right before I boarded the Emirates plane in Manchester, United Kingdom, and after I landed in Manila, Philippines.  That, I will talk about in another post.. but in the meantime, allow me to reminisce my recent business class experience aboard the Emirates airline.
It started when I was about to board the plane in Dubai.  Few hours before, I was already frantic that I might miss my connecting flight from Dubai to Manila as my flight in Manchester was already delayed by about an hour.  FYI, I had a very short layover in Dubai (about 2 hours, I guess) that any delay will surely have repercussion.  And I was supposed to make my last-minute shopping in Dubai airport - that drone that I had been eyeing on.  (Sigh!)

Since I was assured by the stewardess that I would still be able to make it to my connecting flight, I did not bother to move fast on my way to the boarding gate.  True enough, I saw my co-passengers still waiting in line for their turn.  I heard that my zone was called and I walked passed them and found myself next in line.  I was nervous when I saw  the assigned crew checked on the weight of every carry-on bag.  I tried to tell the crew that I had an overweight bag but she just dismissed me in haste.  (Another sigh!)

When I presented my boarding pass to the 2nd crew-in-charge, she immediately exchanged it with another one and to my surprise, it was labeled as business class!  Whoa!

my appetizing appetizer

As much as I would like to document every detail of my luck, I could not do so as my cellphone battery was already draining out.  I was able to take a few pictures only in-between my movie marathon and naps.  I didn't even bother to stand up and check out their cocktail bar for some sips as I was too comfortable either watching a movie or snoozing halfway through the flight.

Too bad, the 9-hour flight was too short for me to savor the so-called luxurious journey. :(

my deserting dessert

Sagada Buwis Buhay Experience

The adventurous spirit in me strikes again!

We were in Sagada few days ago to have our team-building activities.  One of the two most memorable experiences I had happened one Saturday morning after we watched the sunrise at Kiltep Peak.  We were inside the jeepney and were waiting for our colleagues when I realized that I had to do the unconventional thing, that is, sit on top of the jeepney on our way back to the guest house.  I know in a few years' time, I won't have anymore the will and the strength to do it, thus, in my mind, this is the right time!

There were two other courageous colleagues that already went up ahead of us and they seemed enjoying.  I asked a younger but conservative colleague to go up with me, good thing that she surprisingly agreed, otherwise I would have hesitated.  I admit it was so scary at first.  That feeling when you think the roof of the jeepney will have a mind of its own and divorce itself from the body, and all that you can do is leave it up all to TADHANA!  Delightfully terrifying!

And the rest is, history!  Sad thing though is the short video recording.  Nonetheless, the captured moment will always remind me that, once upon a time, I was brave enough to do it and, I did it!  ;)

I Wanna Try This!

While I was plowing through the shelves of every grocery store we've been to in Rome for that nero pasta, I came across with Paella alla valenciana, which would qualify as an instant dish.  I could not exactly remember how much it costs (but probably would not reach 10 euros or P608.80 at 1euro=P60.88).  If you know me well, I am a self-confessed seafood addict and being that, I immediately put the thing in my basket and proceeded to the checkout counter.

Fast forward, I am now looking forward to that day when I will have enough time to cook (or say, heat) and savor the dish.  Weekends are my rest days, which are, at times, my excuses for being lazy even in the kitchen. :)

First thing I should go through, though, is to study the fine print at the back of the product package.  ;)

Wish I could just scan the Italian instructions and easily decode its English translation!  Wish me luck! :)

P.S. I hope I will be able to remember to take a picture of the end-result of my heating, err, cooking skill and share it to this blog.  Again, wish me luck! ;)

Cravin' for Nero Pasta

I've been to Italy for a few times already.  And I thought that my sole favorite Italian dish is Frutti de Mare.  That changed when, during our most recent deployment, we dined in a restaurant, which was literally just a few steps away from the place where we used to stay.  It was my first time in that restaurant and my first time to taste nero pasta.  By the way, "nero", in Italian, means black.  It was so yummy that I did not mind being told by a Director that the squid ink painted my lips black.  I thought that she was joking when she further said that I was wearing a Gothic lipstick!

Nonetheless, knowing that I enjoyed my pasta so well, my seatmate gave me a quick cooking lesson on nero pasta dish.  Thanks to her simple recipe, at that moment, I couldn't wait to buy and take home as much nero pasta as I can.  Sad to say, not all grocery stores in Rome have nero pasta on their shelves.  In my recollection, there were only three grocery stores that sell nero pasta, one of which is Conad City (but not all branches!).  And take note, nero pasta is so expensive compared to other pasta noodles!

By the way, frutti de mare and nero pasta are both served with seafoods - shellfish and squid, respectively.  My love for seafoods explains why the aforesaid dishes are my favorites!

I haven't tried cooking nero pasta yet.  It's been almost a month since I received the box containing, among others, my priced nero pasta.  Just looking at the packed noodles brings back memories of how tasty the dish was.  Perhaps this weekend, I will have the privilege to challenge my culinary skills (or incompetence) and hopefully savor what I am craving for right now.  Perhaps this weekend.. ;)