Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Motor Show: 14 Surreal Days


(Translation: "Women and Motors. Motors.")

It would probably be impossible to describe, in this space, the experience that was the Motor Show in all of its craziness and absurdity. I spent 14 days, with no break, utterly immersed in a world that has no bearing whatsoever on the life I'm familiar with. It was exhausting and weird, but rivetingly interesting. How could it not be? When will I ever spend 14 days around race cars and fashion models again?



My job (alternately known as "image girl" and "hostess") was a mix between desk attendant, car ornament, travel guide, translator, gadget distributor, and peacemaker. I spoke and wrote so little English after the first few days that I stopped thinking in it at all.

Since I survived, I think that I can say that I passed through some kind of unnamed life test. (When I started, I honestly didn't know if I would make it through.) And I not only survived - I did just fine and even managed to keep my spirits up amid the cutthroat behavior exhibited behind the scenes, and the sleaziness on display 12 hours a day.

I got to ride in a race car, on a race track, driven by a professional race car pilot. Twice. Amazing!



I tried to protect my feet, but they hurt. They feel somewhat better now.



I was actually under the protection of a bouncer. We were amazed by his water bottle crushing abilities. We actually arm-wrestled with this man - 4 against 1. He won, anyway.



No one was really stuck in his or her prescribed role. And I found that the people I least expected to be kind and genuine really were; and vice versa. It's a cliched lesson that I learn time and time again.



It was probably the furthest out of my comfort zone I've gone while I've been in Italy. And it's really satisfying to know that I made it through, and that I can enjoy talking about and dissecting the experience. Whether or not I ever do anything like it again, I have no regrets. I am a Motor Show survivor!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Brussels Sprouties



This blog entry is for Rosa, who asked me to post again. It's been too long since I wrote here, and I apologize to my small readership. I haven't been home for an extended period of time in what feels like forever; and when I've been home, I've been sleeping.

A week and a half ago I got back from a lovely trip to London. I stayed with Kasia, who I hadn't spent so much time with since high school (and I missed out, in that time) and Eva, who was my traveling buddy in Puglia as well. Here's Eva, navigating the big city.



And Kasia, learning about the cool stuff in the Victoria and Albert Museum.



I enjoyed my usual culinary adventures, including lots of Korean food...



...and a big ex-pat Thanksgiving dinner.



As always, Borough Market was one of the best parts of the trip. We had the most fun at Neal's Yard Dairy, where we received an enormous amount of free cheese and admired the display. This picture should be scratch'n'sniff.



There were so many good moments to this trip. My Tangfastics (the best sour candy ever; why does Italy not have sour canddy?), cheddar cheese, Christmas lights everywhere, the Google office and all of its goodies (homemade whipped cream!!), getting a chance to play house and travel alone in such a big, beautiful city. It was cold and damp and rainy, which was uncomfortable but appropriate nonetheless. I had never seen London during holiday season.



I'll be back!