November 2015 – Fennyblack

No panic, enjoy Brussel, even after Paris attack

This is what I want to share with you. It was planned that on 18th I would have been in Brussels for work. The unplanned was the attack to Paris of some days ago and above all, the panic that media are able to create.

Media have obviously the aim to inform people and it’s exactly what you expect to see that it’s shown each time you watching your TV or listen to your radio; everything converges into a challenge for the scariest news. And mass-media become the way to spread the panic more than the info.

Anyway after lots of hours spent searching for the latest news, here you are what my mind figured out..

Step 3: the super regular and strict squares of Germany

And then some world news…

World news about terror in the air - and suspects on the ground 😥 — World news about terror in the air – and suspects on the ground 😥

But here we go, I’m in Brussel. It’s cold, it’s dark – ’cause it’s after 6pm – and at the airport there was this slowly motion scene where everybody seemed to feel quiet; not any tragic views, nor police everywhere 😳

Destination reached: Place de Luxembourg

This is one of the central square of the city and maybe the place at most risk because it’s where the European Commission is…exactly one of those place that many articles or news cast suggest to not go during those days. And obviously I was there ✌️

Just 5 minutes walking from the Museum of Natural Science full of dinosaurs remains and bones, projections, music and special guests- where I spent the belgian night enjoying the ceremony of .EU Web awards:

Music was very unconventional, by an Italian band named Khora Quartet and also the special guest was very unexpected: Flavia Pennetta, the winner of US Open 2015, Pilar del Castillo from the Euro-Parliament and members of Eurid, the European registry for .eu top level domain

Giovanni Seppia - Eurid — Giovanni Seppia – Eurid

and then Brussel, here you are some shots:

#NoteOfTheDay Attack by 30 Seconds to Mars

Landscapes of autumn: high level of pleasure in Tuscany countryside.

Well, the autumn has started some days ago, but Tuscany doesn’t seem to be aware of it. So lucky. That’s the reason why, on last Saturday I decided to have a trip in the countryside and breath a little of freshness and smell those flavors and perfumes you can only have among the fields, trees, olives, grapes, under the sun.

It took just 1 hour to get there, in Montefioralle, Greve in Chianti – Florence area.

It was love at first sight, a very small village (like mine) on the top of a silent hill that looks like abandoned, a ghost village. I passed the day just in front of it, where a little family of farmers welcomed my friends and me to have a little tour there with a final wine tasting stop. Glamourous.

Tuscany - Montefioralle, Greve in Chianti countryside — Tuscany – Montefioralle, Greve in Chianti countryside

It was lovely to spend hours just by staring at those colors: graveyards were half yellow, half orange, pale orange, and also red, maybe brown too. But the grass was so green that it was hard to think those leaves were going to fall down and cover it completely.

Also, while listening to our favorite team leader explanations and descriptions about the wine process and olive oil productions, it was impossible to not get lost in the surrounding… yes, everybody was always ahead toward the next explanation and room, but I took my time in order to have those souvenirs I’m gonna show you right now:

Tuscany Landscape - Greve in Chianti agriculture and cultivation — Tuscany Landscape – Greve in Chianti agriculture and cultivation

The last one picture shows you a little example of how much the farmers of Tuscany are keen on new trends and technology: it’s not about how virtual they are, but it’s about how can they grew their business just improving little by little their activities, remaining still so nature. Anyway, what I want to say you it’s to pay attention looking at this pic: www.pastaalpesto.com and cooking lesson are the signal under the windows, so smart! Have a look at their websites if you’re interested in having cooking lessons about traditional Italian homemade pasta.

But let’s go further to have a look in the surrounding area: here we are the wine cellars, where the wine is stored, and the welcoming barrels which show you the trail for they called winery !

Wine cellar - Montefioralle — Wine cellar – Montefioralle

Barrels - Montefioralle vinery — Barrels – Montefioralle vinery

Gallo nero - the black cock guarantee — Gallo nero – the black cock guarantee

Maybe the Black Cock – or better Gallo Nero is one of the most recognized certified wine labels in the world. It is clearly related to the Chianti area but the cock is only for those wines from the premier central region – Chianti Classico is the best one. Why a black cock? Its origins are historically-based, here you are a great explanation and a funny old story.

Then, let’s see the most tasteful lines of this article: homemade products, bread, ham, chees and a refill wine card you can top with your money and use by enjoying several type of wines:

wine, bruschetta with chees and ham and special wine card

It’s extraordinary to see how these little villages build their business and help growing their tourism by taking care of the customers experience and its total engagement.

La Ménagère – Cupcakes, coffee, salads, aperitivo, flower shop, what else? In Florence.

la Menagere - Florence — la Menagere – Florence

This is how it introduces itself: a bunch of things, interesting, nice and a little vintage. But the place is much more…completely restyled, it’s very huge and you can enjoy every parts of your day inside of it: it works for breakfast, lunch, a simple tea with friends, very good meals – those which sound and taste a little American 😉 – even if the name it’s French and its business card says Florence since 1896 (?!)

Anyway, what I found most interesting was its internal design and weird furniture. In fact La Ménagère shows exactly how much the static and conventional things are changing, including also the restaurants that maybe are one of the most traditional concept we have – ore better, we had.

Now you can enter a trattoria and buy flowers, cakes, stylish chairs or pictures, things for your home and so on..it means to buy the whole experience.

Have a look:

As you can notice, my pictures aren’t exactly based on their menu and meals 😁 maybe because I appreciate the sorrounding concept more than the restaurant. They got it.

If you are around Via de Ginori (near Cappelle Medicee and leather market of Florence) have a look inside this concept-restaurant!