8 Comments
Dec 11, 2022Liked by Belle Chesler

Thanks for sharing your insights about history. And thanks for including info about how the situation in Ukraine is impacting the glass business. For those of us in the states, we don't fully understand the impact to Europe resulting from the situation in Ukraine/Russia.

Separately, you look genuinely happy (and quite beautiful) in the photo of the 3 of you in Verona. That indicates to me that this year abroad was a good idea.

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Dec 8, 2022Liked by Belle Chesler

Thank you so much for sharing the history of glassmaking. Your post was so well researched and informative. The Vaparetto ride in the storm sounds quite scary but a not to be missed experience. :) As always your observations resonate so much with me and bring back memories. Some of the locals embraced us enthusiastically and some never did even when my Italian got passable. I will never forget going to a take-out place where you ordered in the morning and picked up a hot lasagne or baked ziti in the afternoon. I went in one morning and got in line with the locals. I was eyed with some suspicion but when the proprietess saw me she enthusiasically welcomed me with a hearty Ciao Patrizia! I felt like a local in that moment and it made me insanely happy. Enjoy your trip to Rome. One of our favorite places. Many many good gelato places too. :)

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Jan 15, 2023Liked by Belle Chesler

Loved Year of Rest and Relaxation! And anything by her.

Been reading your posts and loving them, as someone privileged enough to visit Venice for work several times and to be able to stay for a week at a time and meet my colleagues and understand and wander a bit more than the average tourist. Venice haunts me, and I wish our visit to Murano was less touristy than the one you described but sadly no. I didn’t buy any trinkets.

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Dec 13, 2022Liked by Belle Chesler

Dearest Belle, reading and re-reading all this info on history of Murano - very glad you included it. I can believe it’s very difficult to feel welcomed into such a close knit community. I think of you all every day, and now I want to hear more about Rome.

I love your writing; your sign off is hilarious!

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Dec 11, 2022Liked by Belle Chesler

Best one yet, really good writing.

(White Lotus in Italy!)

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Dec 10, 2022Liked by Belle Chesler

I love these updates so much, such a cool experience you guys are having. I'm in the middle of that book right now and also completely obsessed with White Lotus. We have lots to discuss one of these days. Miss you B!

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Dec 8, 2022Liked by Belle Chesler

Backhanded compliment: I didn't expect to enjoy this post as much as I absolutely did!! You write compelling stuff fer sure!

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Happy New Anus to all three of you!

I have read both Outline (loved!) and My Year of Rest and Relaxation (frustrated me), though it's been a few years since I read them. Always down to discuss!

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