EU after 12 years (18): Park of the Walls (Parco Delle Mura)

Regione Liguria, in Italian or Province (region) of Liguria is a narrow strip which starts from east of France and extends to where the leg goes into the Italian boot! However I found this area fascinating. That's why I'm going there again but with a busy plan, I don't know when it would happen. I'm not much of a beach fan and I don't do sunbathing or swimming but I do love hiking and photography and that region offers a lot of that.

With that in mind, I decided to go to this park on the top of Genova (Genoa in Italian) on the second day of my stay, after I finished my breakfast in the hotel. Going up to the hills that form parts of Genova comprises of going up narrow streets or sets of stairs but the good thing is the more you go up, the less crowded the city becomes and that is what I loved about it. I hate to go to overcrowded places. So no train, no bus just simply going up and seeing the life of the people and their city. I have to add that after one sunny day, the sky was dark and it was raining off and on. I got caught in the rain a few times but then got dried next! The goal was this park named Parco Delle Mura which basically has some of the protective walls which surrounds the city to protect it from invaders.

Inside one of the abandoned forts in the park area

The fact is park systems and their websites in Italy are not like what we see in Canada and the US. There was no park office and a few signs where all all old and only in Italian. I'm not saying that I regret going there. I in fact enjoyed that there was nobody but if you're looking for facilities, cafe and restaurants, there was nothing there or perhaps it was because of the season or beyond where I decided to return because I saw a few cars passing me or approaching from the opposing direction.  

The view of the other side of the hills, to the north is amazing but I couldn't get a good view of the harbour from there. There was a fort which was closed, probably for renovation and preservation and there was another one which seemed abandoned and dangerous. Returning after a little bit of exploring and photography seemed to be the right thing to do. 

View of the harbour before you reach the park from one of the streets

Do not forget that you can go all the way up using a train system. I passed one of the stations and one of them passed me when I was going down. Finding that would not be difficult. There're lost of trails in the area and a perfect day would be the day that a full day hiking takes place in this area but it still was a good walk. I did something that makes the walk more exciting on the way back! I selected a restaurant's address for lunch, so Google Maps took me down a number of stairs and narrow streets. I went the wrong way once of twice, at least(!) but eventually go where I had aimed to eat. I'm stating this clear that I'm hoping that I can visit Liguria, visiting this park again and eating in this restaurant once again! By the way, in case you wonder where the walls are, I found a wall inside the abandoned fort that you can its picture here. I'm not entirely sure if that is the wall which the name of the park is based on it. There must be tourist offices in the city or tour operators who can answer this question. The fact is the beauty of the area is undeniable and whatever name the City of Genova wants to give it, I will take it and, again, hopefully go back.

(Photo, top: The area of the park in the north of Genova behind the hills. Even in a cloudy day like and despite the size of the photo, you can see the beauty of the area)

EU after 12 years (17): Genova Harbour

There was no rain the morning after my arrival in Genoa , luckily and it was a very beautiful and sunny but not too hot day. I headed to the waterfront after having my breakfast in the place but before doing so I went back to the station and secured my return ticket because I simply didn't want to screw any part of the trip. There're some small shops ran by these Bangladeshi and some other East Indian and some Muslim guys in the city but what you see is the more of them are scattered around the street which separates the city from the waterfront and those stores are mixed with Italian shops and some other businesses. These people only interact with the people of their own. I don't think any tourist or Italian wants to go to their little fruit stand or souvenir kiosk to shop. Some might, though. Seeing the harbour itself is interesting but you can also see the Marine Museum.

Part of the city's residential buildings all looking at the Mediterranean 

I've always been fascinated by submarines but I was tired of walking inside a place with some strangers for hours, in close proximity! So instead I discovered the area as much as I could and then decided to go to the lighthouse or as they call it in Italian, La Lanterna and for that had to walk a good length of SS1 which is a major coastline highway that eventually reaches France! It's a little more than 02:00 hours drive, something that I might consider, not because I'm a big fan of France. I, in fact, had a bad experience with the French in Genoa but that cannot be extended to all the French, although my Romanian colleague told me that I should not expect them to be nice and friendly as Italians were! I intend to take SS1 to the French border, the next time I'm in Liguria for the following reasons, although that was the trip's plan and I messed it up: 

1) There are a couple or at least one Olive Oil places alongside the small coastal communities. I intend to be there and probably buy some good oil.

2) There must be places that hiking and photography is available

3) I wanted to follow The Jackal's route! That is in an old movie based on the novel by Frederick Foresight, The Day of the Jackal, one of the best movies ever made. I will write about it when I'm in the area.

I, of course, didn't go that far but when I reached the spot which seemed to be the entrance to the area of the lighthouse I saw a sign saying it was open only Fri., Sat. and Sun.! I had to turn back but since that was also the entrance of the trucks to the Port of Genoa, it was interesting to see how different parties interact! A day in life of an Italian at work, I'd like to call it although it was only a few minutes. There were some tense moment but I left after just taking a few minutes. 

(Photo, top: Part of the Port of Genoa and La Lanterna in the center in distance. There are lots of entertainment in the area, including museums, cafe and restaurants as well as rides, I think. Marine businesses are also are all here in this part of the city, of course)

EU after 12 years (16): The ¢10 on the way to Genova

My plan was to also see the City of Genova on the Mediterranean and considering the fact that travelling with train is comfortable, fast and affordable, I went to the closest train station, Porta Nouva and got myself a ticket to that city. This is where, amongst many other places, where the future seems bleak! There're employees of Trenitalia and there're all professional, polite and helpful individuals who speak English greatly and yet there're machines there as well, meaning that soon they might lose their jobs and that's the sad reality almost everywhere in Europe, North America and perhaps many other places in the advanced world. Nevertheless I was directed to a machine by an employee and I don't remember whether it was for this specific trip or another one but when I paid, there was a note on my receipt regarding a ¢10 which I, obviously, didn't understand it. Asked the lady employee of Trenitalia, she told me that the machine had said that it was out of  ¢10 coins and now I'd get it from their cash register. I thanked her and said there was no need for it.

One of many narrow ally or streets of Genoa. Imagine that in a very dark and rainy day when you arrive in the city for the first time and see a young woman standing at one corner! 

The train has a few stops between Turin and Genova's Principe Station, I think, that is the name. What would surprise you the most, I believe, is the number of African refugees you see everywhere on the train and then in the stations in between and then in Genova, as well as Bangladeshi filthy rats and other Muslims with long beard, cap, robe and face-cover (for women, of course, called Burqa) which is a total shame for the both sides! Why would the Italian Government let all these people in and why would a Muslim, who claims that they are in constant battle with Christians feels going to be entitled to beg Italians to go there?! Nevertheless I had booked this B & B place in Genova and by the time I reached the city it was coming down hard! I checked the map and I realized it was only about 15 minutes to the place so I followed Google Maps but not very helpful. I Somehow ended up in narrow, medieval-time, allies of Genoa and was nearly lost! That is where I saw a couple of women in mini skirts, holding ambarellas and smiling! Latino street prostitutes, I confirmed later! Yes. 

If you ever travel to Genoa on train and your station is Piazza Principe, make sure you use the restroom before your trip or while you're on train because in the station you need to pay €1.20 and I'm not a cheapskate! It's the fact that you might not have the change on you and then I think you'd be able to use a card! Sorry! It's just the inconvenience.  

It was crazy to know that Latino sex workers hang out in the narrow, labyrinth-like allies of Genova in early evening but Genova being an old port, I read, that has been like this, perhaps for centuries and still exists. It's interesting to know that prostitution is legal in Italy as long as it is not somehow involves pimping, brothels and human trafficking. Nevertheless I never had any interest in short, long-haired, dark-haired Hispanic prostitutes and the possibility of having a sexual relationship in an old Italian city! I was going around and it seemed hours although it was a only a few minutes and then I saw a guy loading a pickup truck I tried to ask him the way and he was nice enough to invite me under the cover because it was coming down really heavily! I don't think he was able to help much, having this language barrier but I eventually found the damn place and used the code to get in. It was a hell of challenge to get into the damn room but I was there.  

Now about this place called La Piazzeta Room where I stayed at for 3 nights, I will post about that separately. 

(Photo, top: I think I took this picture from the window of my seat on my way to Genoa when the train was stopped in Alessandria) 

Disorganized, Dysfunctional and Chaotic

I've gotten myself in such a shitty whirlpool that I doubt I can get myself out easily soon! I'm talking about the job. Low salary, high stress and lots of work. Endless, to be exact. Why? It's very easy to explain the current situation of this employer. I need three words, which, although synonymous, unless they're not used together, the current status of the company cannot be explained:

Disorganized, Dysfunctional and Chaotic! 

Why? The answer is short and sweet: Lack of experienced, caring and knowledgeable management. I think what has happened is that the company has entered the market of the product they make, many years ago, perhaps at the time that there were either not many competitors and both their products and their price were attractive. They stayed in the business and the same customers kept sending them orders and despite the technological and procedural advancement, nothing was done! 

Then as people with no education climb the steps of advancement really fast in Canada, particularly if they are Canadian, they put someone from the shop in charge of the office. Everything froze then! What I mean by that is despite using a computer for exchanging e-mails and drafting, nothing else has changed. 

I don't want to go into too much detail because this is not the place. Besides you never know who might read this! Why the hell should I lose my job over the incompetence, laziness, ignorance and negligence of some, simply because I criticize them??!! These people fire people like they're pouring themselves a cup of coffee(!) and I'm a burnt child who dreads the fire!

I was asked to call my manager on Fri. night. So I did. He said he was busy and would call me back and insisted on talking to me that night. He didn't and also I didn't. The weekend passed and we talked during the week and I realized what he wanted to say was a little rise to my salary! I don't know how salary increases work in different industries in Canada because my salaries have always been so pathetically low that I didn't care about the amount but this time it even felt worse because he says things that are in complete disagreement with each other! He keeps saying that I have to find a position which matches my potential and earn more and then wants me to do the Level II of my two current certificates! I don't know how to play this game but simply following his second set of instructions and then maybe God (that I don't believe) smiles at me next year and I can earn what I deserve!

(Photo: Our office might not look like this exactly but is certainly as chaotic as this, if not more, from time to time. This guy doesn't even have the guts to encounter the negligence and lazy employees. How much tolerance should you have with someone who just appears but do not put any positive hours to work?!)

EU after 12 years (15): Driving in Italy

I have heard that Italians have a bad reputation for driving but I think this is from the view of outsiders. What I mean by that is Italians drive and park the way it seems unacceptable to the residents of other countries but it seems that it works in Italy!

Parking cars in the middle of a street which is used not only by vehicles but also streetcars.

I went from Silvio Berlusconi Airport (Malpensa) all the way to Gruyeres in Switzerland at late night in a very high at the elevation of 2006 m (6581 feet) and then drove back from a different way and reached the same spot without smallest issue but was that out of luck? 

Parking and blocking the pedestrian crosswalk seems to be normal

I think it was not about luck. It mostly was the fact that I was not in a busy urban area or a busy highway. The entire road was not busy at all and of course I didn't drive in any cities. What I noticed though is lack of attention to driving rules in the two Italian major cities that I visited. Why? Because there's no traffic law and there's no enforcement!

Most of the streets do not have posted speed limited signs

I barely saw any speed limit posted in any city and no traffic cop. Drivers drove 60 KPH in busy and narrow roads and no one seemed to be bothered with them! They barely stopped at the pedestrian's crosswalk and they honked a lot, which all is different from their usual calm, relaxed and smiling behaviour! I have nothing more to say and direct your attention to some of the pictures that I have taken during my trip.

(Photo, top: I don't know how this SUV is squeezed between the two but the driver did it! Is that a no-parking sign in the back?!)

EU after 12 years (14): Food Experience in Turin; Berberė Pitza

I had a few recommendation from a young Italian woman who works at the hotel I was staying in Turin. This was one of them: Berbere Pizza. I think this pizzeria (A pitza restaurant, in Italian, I don't know why pitza it's not written pitza when we're writing in English!) has different locations through the City of Turin but the one I tried is their " Central " (Centero) location, close to Piazza San Carlo. 

I think the place has no tables inside due to the size but there're a few outside. This is the case with many food establishments in Italy due to limited space and the other thing is people like to be outside. I do not! Nevertheless I was given a menu which I found has English version as well and I ordered a sort of Pitza with Sausage on it. I probably have to wait only 10, maybe 15 minutes. The Pitza was not very hot but warm enough and the amount of so-called Sausage was too little. I then ordered a Margarita Pitza which is very popular in Italy but has the least amount of ingredients and probably the simplest. It was not bad but the same problem was there: The Pitza didn't come oven hot and generally these two Pitzas (Pizze in Italian as a plural for Pizza) failed to impress. I didn't order any desert and I think they offer that. Before leaving I had a little chat with a very pretty German-Italian young girl who spoke very good English. Very nice girl, polite and respectful. I'm always impressed with this type of young people whether a man or women because there're not many of them around in today's society. 

Barbere failed to impressed for someone like me who was trying Italian food or to be specific Italian Pitza (Pizza Italiana) for the first time. I'm not a fan of sitting outside but as I said it's something very common in Italy and even here in Canada people like to sit outside when they got a chance to enjoy a meal or a beverage. An African drifter came and sat at one of the tables that belonged to the restaurant and I know unless it was very busy, no restaurant staff would tell them to f_ck off but you never know what people, particularly, refugees are up to these day. He sat and ate a sandwich, I think but there has been many stories that people got smacked for no reason on bright daylight. Turin, however, felt safe and I saw nothing the entire time I was there. There was this once demonstration which ended quickly but police and security is present at critical spots in the city. Do I go to Berbere they next time I'm in Turin? I'd rather to try something better. However if you're looking for something that is considered affordable and okay, I think that is the place. By the way why would someone call his restaurant Berbere?! This word is translated to Berber in English which means the indigenous people of North Africa??!! I'm not going to get into the whole history of Berbers! 

(Photo: The only thing that has come from Italy to North America which somehow has resemblance to the actual Pizza Italiana or Italian Pitza is the word Pizza which is written in the same way that is written in Italian! The actual pitza in Italy is completely different from what we are offered here in North America. This was the first pitza that I ordered)