Piemonte has been really suffering from rain and snow. No one in these parts has seen a winter like this in 30-50-80 years, depending with whom you talk. It makes being on the hill a real challenge. It's dreamlike beautiful here when it's not pouring or icing or snow. But the fact that we have not had a break in the bad weather since mid-October is starting to get to me.
Yesterday we took a break from the dismal weather - to satisfy an urban fix which has been creeping up on me -- and to buy me a new computer. Micha is home now, and sharing our 6 year old Vaio just isn't going to cut it.
And I have been chomping at the bit for a new Mac for a very long time.
There is a Mac authorized reseller in the University area of Torino. Since that has become our favorite neighborhood of the city, we decided to make an afternoon of it.
I think I can say that if we ever decide that life on the farm is too much for us, we could live, easily and happily, in the beautiful city of Torino. Full of creative energy (it was the 2007 design capital of Europe...), great shops, fabulous museums, wonderful architecture, with the most developed cafe scene in Italy, one gets the feeling that is livable, stylish, and (oh this is huge) built with some planning in mind, on a grid, which is just so very un-Italian.
Here are just a couple of little photo ops which caught my eye. First, a utensil shop. Door knobs and hardware from all over the world. Be still my heart.
...and (for now) just one little off-the-beaten-path design shop which caught my eye...
I have lots of other photos, but I have to get myself much more acquainted with this new magic machine under my fingertips. Suffice it to say that there will be many more jaunts up to Torino in the next couple of months as we put together new design ideas and try out new cafes for our guests.
AHHHH! The sun just came out... time to get out there and breathe a little....
16 comments:
Torino is def. on my list of must visit cities. I like that is is a little off the tourist path.
Now that my beloved Domino magazine has shut down, I need another way to feed my home design fix. Websites are great but not the same.
I look forward to seeing more photos.
I am going to have to make a long list for my visits..(To do visits)...Isn't that where the famous nougat comes from?
Such a great shop, oh I would love some of the door knobs..:-)
So pleased you had a lovely day out..lets hope there are more :-)
I know exactly what you mean by an urban fix, especially when coupled with a little retail therapy. There are times when I need the city.
just one word " jealous"
I've been dragging trees all day, through snow and our new formed rivers. Design and Torino seems to be miles away and absolutely unreachable to me.
Congratulations on your new Mac!! It took me a couple of weeks to figure out mine. I love my new Mac laptop! Would be happy to help with any questions you have.
I loved Torino! I still am in amazement at how many people in Italy think of it as a dirty old city. They do not know what they are missing.
Cool door knob shop!
Glad you enjoyed such a lovely day.
What a nice break! Congratulations on getting a Mac! I made the switch in December and am so happy with the Mac.
We are in the crowd of others who want to visit Torino. We really hate to leave our dear, old sweet greyhound for more than 10-12 days at a time, so it may be a year or two before we get there.
Cameron
PS It was in the mid-upper 70s here today. We lunched outside for 2 days in a row. It's a rare February to have such warmth now.
It's a shame--my seven-year-old laptop would be fine for me had the monitor not gotten partially crushed by an Amtrak seat years ago, but it's great as a backup laptop. I got my current one from negotiating for it as part of my layoff.
I both love and do not love Torino, but I have a whole bunch of musings on that topic that I won't clog your comments with them. I must agree that it is an inherently creative city, though, and I love the fact that it's not an A-list city to visit for Americans--but I feel another visit is in order to appreciate it in full. Especially without the weight of worrying that the rental car in Asti is going to end up in some impound lot for not parking it correctly!
Congrats on the new mac!!
And have a ball as you try out new cafés for your guests . . .
Cafés to me are by far the best part of Torino. And the little Agnelli pinacoteca at the top of Lingotto. And Eataly of course!! But I'll confess to not loving the city entirely. But of course for me it comes with other baggage (crazy Italian in-laws and the stress of listening to everyone yell at each other all the time) of which you are blissfully free.
All the cafés I know are in the guidebooks, but there's one restaurant owned by some of Marco's friends just off the big open square by the Po in the Quadrilatero Romano (?). It's called La Tavola and is wonderful!
I love that the place is a Utensiliria (SP).
Torino is not a city to be experienced in one visit. It's far too complicated for that. As the former capital of the country, and as its major manufacturing hub, it has been through many lives which have left scars and wounds. But the Renaissance brought on by the 2006 Olympics has done remarkable things for the city, and it is really experiencing a rebirth from the ground up. It is the most European of the Italian cities, having a large French influence.
Kim, you need to get Marco to take you to the University quarter. The Quad. Romano lives at night mostly, whereas the University quarter is always lively. Maybe you need to sneak back in when his family is not watching :)
Elizabeth, I am convinced if you see the city several more times it will grow on you as it has me -- with all of its flavors, shadows, and most interesting corners.
Ragazza, the discontinuation of Domino sucks. And yes, I am more inspired by seeing things live and in person than from blogs and websites, but thank God for the blogs and websites or I would starve up here on the hill.
Anne, the chocolate bar was invented in Torino. Hazelnut based chocolate (Nutella and all of its relatives) was invented in Torino. Torino is the chocolate city in Italy. Perugia pales in comparison.
Rob -- urban fixes are required for people who have chosen the country life after having done something else, don't you think? It seems like it is all about balance to me.
Nat -- this too shall pass. Let's get up there together! It really is only one hour away.... I promise you...
Girasoli and Cameron - I am still getting used to this Mac. The biggest change for me is that this one has an Italian keyboard and my Vaio had a German one -- oh man, that will take a while to swallow. I might have some questions about this. But I like it alot so far.
Cameron, I have a hard time leaving Max and he is only three!! I totally hear you.
Yes, Marco and I have often mused about making a "secret" visit without telling his folks . . . .if only we could get the guts to do it!!!
Italian keyboard . . .does that mean AZERTY? I got the hang of the letters relatively quickly, but the numbers and punctuation on Euro keyboards continue to drive me crazy.
I too am sad about Domino, for the record!!!!
Hello Diana! Thank you for your nice comment! I don't know Torino very well! I've been there only once but I's too young to remember! I've to plan a trip when the weather'll be better!!!
Have a nice week!
Baci e abbracci
Vale
Cara,
Our Umbrian country life also calls for an urban fix. This dismal winter affects us deeply. And I agree... urban fixes are a must for us (former urban) paesani. Concerts, theatre, shopping are deeply rooted. Looking forward to more Torino photos! Bacione, Ingrid in Umbria
Ciao Diana...
It looks like I'll be in Italy again soon... just booked a flight for myself in March.
I hope you'll have some free time; I'd be happy to spend a day knob shopping and cafe crawling in Torino with you.
Dana
Ooooh, Italian keyboard! I agree with Kim, the numbers and punctuation would drive me crazy too. I have my keyboard set so it can switch to Italian when needing accents. Every once and a while it switched on its own and it takes me a few moments to realize what happened as the wrong keys keep appearing as I type. You can set your keyboard to the American keyboard, although the physical keys will still be the Italian layout.
Your Torino photos are wonderful, Diana!
I am looking forward to experiencing Torino before we visit you this fall.
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