Urban Urbino 2014 style

There is no shortage of helpful people around in Italy, especially in train stations. Just one hesitation or glance around from someone who looks non Italian and bingo, a friendly face appears and help could be on the way.

Thanks in no part to such help we are now happily located just outside the walled city of Urbino, our only tourist stop on our way to the port city of Ancona and thence Greece. Our latest helper emerged in the 10 level bus/shopping/parking centre perched on the edge of Urbino as we were looking for our local bus stop and to get to our hotel. He followed us for a bit but disappeared when we asked a shopkeeper for directions.

 

Urbino is a walled city and has had a university for many years. Birthplace of painter Raphael it has a nice relaxed feel about it and we had a good day just wandering through the city and enjoying the ducal castle and some of the art here. The locals and many students were enjoying the sunshine today and there was no sense of urgency in life.

 

 

 The weather has remained on our side and it is just a tad cool as we are up in the hills from the Adriatic coastal strip. There are a few tourists about although most are Italian.

It is good to be part of places where people are just making their way in life and apparently enjoying the lifestyle they have. No political beat ups evident so far, just ordinary people living normal lives.

Buongiorno Milano

One day we were at home, part of self serving, partly alarmed and mostly self obsessed Team Australia and the next day we are sitting in sunny Milano, having enjoyed our parma ham and melon, slurping our gelato, fascinated with the surrounding, still snow capped mountains and acting as citizens of the world.

 

 

 

But the theme of the day has to include technology. As we are headed for Greece shortly, I recall that when we last visited there in 2005, we did have a netbook for internet and the blog. But we were using a film camera and a basic cell phone. And we thought we were over-doing it then.

 

This time we have four computers; ie two smart phones, an ipad and the old now not so trusty, slow but reliable netbook. And apparently we need them all. On the plane over, quite a few on the plane we taking selfies - why it is difficult to fathom.

 

But today I sat on a tourist bus fascinated as the youngster in front of me took a range of selfies using her remotely operated and tripod supported lens and an Inspector Gadget extendable arm with which she could almost reach the other side of the bus, passing other tourists as she lined up the next pics.

 

 And with the float of Ali Baba at just a few billion $$$$, we are only just at the beginning of serious technological change.

 

Milano is adapting itself to the changing times. It is modernising quickly but keeping the old good pieces. It is into eco changes with city supplied cars and bikes. The new buildings are state of the art and well set up with vertical gardens and plants. Bike helmets are sensibly rarely worn in the city centre area and bikes are popular and in use everywhere. And the people are friendly, laid back, unhurried and calm as they go about their day.

This is shoulder season for tourists I expect but there are plenty around. And a good sprinkling of Australians amongst them. As cocky as ever.

We are in good digs and Randall is very impressed with the way his pj's are laid out for him. A habit Y could adopt he thinks.

That is if Y could ever get off the ipad.

Our journey has begun well and we are relaxed and enjoying another chance to discover our other selves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost ready to go

Can one keep old man time at bay?   In 2010 we thoroughly enjoyed a bike/sail trip in the Dalmatian islands of Croatia.   So a similar challenge along the Lycian coast of Turkey seems logical.  After much discussion Randall has almost convinced Yvonne that we have still got it.  But he has had to add a few extras to the trip to get her to sign up.  A casual start in Milan Italy for a spot of shopping followed by a few days in hilltop town Urbino (Le Marche), a ferry ride to Corfu Greece and some days relaxing in the Ionian Islands, thence to Rhodes with some historic sightseeing.  He had to add these final training activities as an inducement.  It has worked so we are just about ready to go.

A further reward after our week on the Caferoglu is a few days in Cappadocia and after a final stop in Istanbul, we expect to be heading home.  A bit older, a bit wiser and perhaps a bit fitter.