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Locked down but not out in Italy

Singing from the balconies! One nice thing about this crisis ... solidarity! “Guess you’re not living like a tourist anymore,” was the funny, truthful and somewhat gut-wrenching message of a friend the day the lockdown in Italy began. Today is day 6. My beloved Italia has been hit hard with the COVID19 epidemic. With the second largest elderly population in the world, the epidemic has meant a disproportionate amount of deaths in the country. So though I haven’t been worried about contracting it myself, this isn’t about me or someone like me who, if contracted it would probably have a sucky couple of weeks and then recover. It is about if someone like me contracted it and then spread it to a person with a complicated health history or an elderly person with a weakened immune system. Eerily orderly: Lines for the grocery store, each person one meter apart In a country with no concept (and no physical room really) for personal space, and in a city with reproachable hygie

Resuming in 2012

So I lied to you. I am sorry. I didn't post pictures of tagliatelle or write about the new restaurants I tried in Rome. I did try many and, of particular note, I had one tagliatelle from Met in Ponte Milvio that was crazy good, but sadly, I have no photos as proof.

I can't offer a good excuse. Just that 2011 was a bit overwhelming for me. However, I have told you this story before, so I won't repeat it. I will just say that I breathed a sigh of relief at the ring of midnight and the start of a new year.

But despite a December filled with doctors and antibiotics first for me, then for my cat, then for my boyfriend. The year also ended with a family-filled Christmas, a friends and fondue-themed New Year's and generally wonderful week in Montreal. And this time I do have photo evidence. Behold.

One of the most stunning churches
I have been to: Notre Dame in Old Montreal

A particularly chilly Fiat 500

St. Catherine Street in one of the many snow storms of the week

View from a Crescent Street lounge
owned by former race car driver: Villeneuve

Montreal's famous smoked meat from Schwartz
(Disclaimer: This is not my sandwich. The journalist and not the
vegetarian in me is posting this photo.)

A variety of Maple Syrup products from Marche Jean Talon

A Veggie-style Poutine from La Banquise 

Another fantastic dining experience, Les Enfants Terribles, on rue Bernard

Carre St. Louis and the purple house I fantasize making my own

The at once classy and bohemian Rue St. Denis

Ringing in 2012 with a strawberry and rhubarb pie

Living like a tourist in 2012 has gotten off to a good start.  

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