More than a month has passed since my last blog. That’s longer than ever! It means that after nearly 3.5 years, I was suddenly “free” from blogging for an entire month. Until the beginning of this year, when I was still publishing a blog every week, my blogs regularly had a hint of inspiration in them – at least that’s what I attempted – about how beautiful life can turn out when you dare to pursue your dreams. And I must confess: I do miss it a bit, that way of writing. That way of telling stories. But since I haven’t blogged for a whole month, and a lot has happened in the meantime, the more inspirational blogs will have to wait. For it is the highest time for an update blog. So, what has happened in the past month?
Remember when I said I would be inseparable from my little trolley once again?
I was on the brink of what would be a month full of travel. Remember when I said I would be inseparable from my little trolley once again? That’s exactly how it was. The day after that last blog, on Tuesday in the very early morning, I left for Puglia with my colleague. A work trip, because here, too, the plan is to host the most beautiful concerts. During our stay, we covered hundreds of kilometres in our little rental Fiat500, going through the whole of Italy’s elongated, southeasternmost region. We saw antique masserie (ancient static farmhouses), the busy centre of Bari, and the whitewashed houses of Monopoli. We wandered the deserted but breathtakingly beautiful streets of Lecce (it almost seemed like a ghost town so off-season and with a thunderstorm coming over), and ate the most delicious fish, bombette(a typical meat dish from Puglia), and the most creamy burrata.
The month had only just started, and I had absolutely no time to be sick
Unfortunately, on the third day of our trip, I woke up with a bad cold and a slight fever. But the month had only just started, and I had absolutely no time to be sick. So, over the weekend, now back in Milan, I tried to get some rest, because by Tuesday afternoon I wanted to feel completely better again. It was the day I was going to see both my best friend from Amsterdam again with her boyfriend and my brother and brother-in-law Barry, who, coincidentally, had all arrived in Milan the day before. It was a sun-drenched day, and after a lovely lunch and a walk through the botanical gardens, the five of us ended up at my favourite bar in my street for an aperitivo (my brother and friend hadn’t seen each other since 2015!). It was the twenty-first of March, the first day of spring, and it couldn’t have started any better than this.
We had dinner – to our great hilarity – at what must be the most awful place in Milan
My brother and Barry were going to stay all week, so I had a few things planned for them. On Thursday night, they were my special guests – seated front row right in front of the stage – at a Candlelight concert: a tribute to Coldplay. They visibly enjoyed it. Before the concert we had dinner – to our great hilarity – at what must be the most awful place in Milan: I had forgotten to make a dinner reservation and so last-minute this was the only place in the neighbourhood where there was still a table available (for obvious reasons…)
Saturday was going to turn out to be the absolute highlight of the week
On Friday, our alarms went off early because it was time for a day trip. To Turin, where I hadn’t been since the Eurovision Song Contest in May last year. And as any excursion in Italy should be, basically the entire day was about food. From the ‘merenda’ (morning snack) straight to lunch, then a gelato, in the late afternoon aperitivo and finally dinner. Meanwhile, Miriana joined us, my dear friend whom I met at Eurovision last year. It was a lovely day. Yet, Saturday was going to turn out to be the absolute highlight of the week. Bright sunny weather was predicted (once again), and so we jumped on another train. To Lake Como this time. The beauty of the glittering lake, the stunning villages with their Grand Hotels from the last century where the biggest Hollywood stars of the fifties and sixties already knew their way around, and the fresh air (very welcome after these months in Milan), were simply perfect. I enjoyed the wonderful feeling of the boat bobbing on the waves and the spectacular views across the water. It goes without saying that, as we did in Turin the day before, we only took the very last train back to Milan. Back to the big city. Sunday started out slowly and rainy, and after a sumptuous Italian Sunday lunch, it was now time for a bit of action: time to do some jobs around the house! We first set course for the home renovation store where my little brother dictated what all to buy and I obviously protested (“A hammer? Why do I need a hammer? And why a whole set of screwdrivers? Just one isn’t enough?”). Once home, I prepared us an elaborate aperitivo. And while my little brother enthusiastically set to work with screws, cables and the drill I borrowed from my colleague, Barry and I held our own Eurovision singalong.
Cagliari reminded me of a film set from the 1960s. Swaying palm trees, antique cafes, vintage cars and men in three-piece suits reading the morning paper over an espresso
Meanwhile, I was still engaged in a chat with Easyjet’s customer service. Because the next morning, on Monday, I was due to board an early plane for Sardinia, one of the last regions of Italy I had not been to yet. But that was about to change! This was another work trip, although this time I had to do it without my colleague. And to be honest, I was a little nervous about it. But as it’s almost always the case, once I arrived, I realised there was no need to be nervous at all. The Sards are incredibly warm and welcoming and Cagliari reminded me of a film set from the 1960s. Swaying palm trees, antique cafes, vintage cars and men in three-piece suits reading the morning paper over an espresso. In between all my appointments, I enjoyed the sunshine and delicious food. And so, before I knew it, I was back in Milan.
It was already 1.30 in the night when I found myself packing my suitcase for the umpteenth time this month
But only for 24 hours this time. Twenty-four hours into which I crammed a busy working day and a surprise dinner for a Spanish colleague, and friend. I had planned to stay only an hour, but of course it was far too much fun. And so, it was already 1.30 in the night when I found myself packing my suitcase for the umpteenth time this month.
I was going on another mini-trip, and this time I was definitely not going alone
Because on Friday morning I had an early flight back to the Netherlands. I would finally be “home-home” again after almost 3 months in Italy. A week too early for Easter, you might think, but that had a very good reason. I was going on another mini-trip, and this time I was definitely not going alone. My dear friend Sanja is getting married in May, and on Saturday morning we surprised her for her bachelorette weekend. Brussels was our destination! The dress code was glitter and being driven around town in a limousine was the absolute highlight. On Sunday, we returned to the Netherlands satisfied and slightly tired.
Meanwhile, at my parents’ house, the first lambs had been born. Including little Charly – disowned by his own mother – who you guys immediately took to your hearts
The ‘settimana santa’, or Holy Week before Easter began, which I spent with family in the Netherlands. On Tuesday, my mother and I went shopping in Maastricht, something we always do when I’m in the Netherlands. As usual, we started with coffee, had lunch on the beautiful Vrijthof and had a final drink at the end of the day after all the shopping done. On Thursday, I went to Utrecht for a special dinner: with four former colleagues from Rabobank whom I hadn’t seen for over a year. We feasted on spring rolls and dim sum while updating each other on all life events. On Friday evening, I went to see the baby of my friend Sanja (the one from the bachelorette indeed) for the very first time, and on Saturday I had coffee with in town with my friends. Meanwhile, at my parents’ house, the first lambs had been born. Including little Charly – disowned by his own mother – who you guys immediately took to your hearts after I shared about him on Instagram. I saw my cousins on Easter Sunday for a walk in the sun, and after a delicious Easter dinner in the evening, it was time to pack my suitcase on Monday, Easter Monday (Pasquetta in Italy). I was going back to Milan. Back to the city where spring is in full bloom. Back to ‘normal’ life. And back to – yes, it might have taken a while – blogging! Because now, you are completely up to date once again. Finally!