jiaqiinitaly |

Jiaqi in Italy: Coming to the Tuscan Heart – Volterra

December 2, 2015

Draped over the rising hillsides in central Tuscany, Volterra is a stone-clad town topped with gorgeous medieval towers, and littered with
winding alleyways where swinging washing lines give way to blooming hanging baskets of rose flowers. Thanks to its high-perched position over the rolling plains, sweeping panoramas of Central Italy are available from most all of the flagstone-covered “piazzas”.

Etruscan town

Last weekend, I revisited Pisa to see my Italian friend Gabriele and we decided to make a road trip to Volterra. After the sudden train strike and bus delay, we finally made it to the Etruscan hill town in late afternoon. The moment we stood by the panoramic view point overlooking the Roman theater, all efforts seemed worthwhile.

Roman theater

On the tuscan hill

Volterra is a particular town built and razed by the Romans, the grand Tuscan dukes, and the formidable Medici family alike. Its historic centre plays host to ubiquitous basilicas, cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs, while its sporadic piazzas are filled with the scent of intensively-flavored olive oils sourced straight from the hills. Hopefully, my photos of Volterra can give you a hint of the town’s irresistible, timelessly charm.

Color of Volterra

Street of Volterra

Sunset in Volterra

Leave a Comment » | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Adventure, Culture, Italy, Nature, Sightseeing, Travel | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: Via Padova-the Multicultural Heart of Milan

December 1, 2015

The moment you get off the Loreto station and walk up to Via Padova, you enter the world of secret Milan. Multiculturalism is evident everywhere: from the South American restaurants, Chinese supermarkets, to the many money transfer service shops on every corner. With the often-heard rumor of this street being the “most dangerous” one in Milan, Via Padova captivates me to observe this chaotic neighborhood and the complexity of Milan as an immigrant city.

Street of Via Padova

People of Via Padova

Southamerican service store

Chinese store

From the primary school full of immigrant children and the convenience stores in different languages, Via Padova is both a mysterious and simple neighborhood. From the obscure posters on the street walls and graffitis, you find prostitution ads as well as recruitment for a massage girl’s crew. On the other hand, this is not only the center for underground activities but the safety net for many foreign newcomers. Here they find their home cuisine, their people, their languages spoken, their comfort zones.

Arabic-style hair salon

Via Padova public school

If Milan’s international environment, on business conferences of daily life, have a special resonance with you, the streets of Via Padova will be a catalyst for the deeper revelation of Milan: a Milan of multiethnic character. Translating these multiethnic, chaotic street scenes into photographic images is the challenge I would like to address. While taking honest shots of pedestrians and street stores, I want to communicate the atmosphere and authentic air of this unusual neighborhood.

Bus station in Via Padova

Leave a Comment » | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Culture, Italy, Reflection | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad in Milan

November 12, 2015

1. Research about the city and know more than the touristic center

I can not be happier when I find out this incredibly valuable article that truly captures the essence of Milan. It helps me navigate the city and pull out the most intriguing, local spots immediately, in which some places that many expats in Milan would not even think of. Doing some research about the city you are going to is definitely the key to a happy new start in a new environment, since you will start seeing the best of the best, while others are probably still confused by the currency change.

View of the Piazza Duomo

View of Milan

2. Take it easy

No matter where we are, in our home university or anywhere around the world, the biggest problem facing us 20-somethings is purely peer pressure. Yes, you will find the competition out there once you start your first day of class. Ambitious youths compete against each other on how many new cities they have visited so far, how many European capitals that they have taken a stroll through, and perhaps how many new friends they have made. Studying abroad is not playing the statistic game that we have already tired of in school; it is rather a new chapter in our life in which we can choose to be the best version of ourselves. Why not enjoy it? Take your time, learn to cook the local cuisine, sip in a local specialty tea or drink, and marvel at the fall color in an exotic country.

Sunny afternoon in the park

Parco Sempione

3. Go Off the Beaten Path

Milan is much more than fifty shades of gray, a funny term that Italians use to refer to their country’s industrial city. The city’s hidden gems never cease to amaze me. Every neighborhood has a particular but equally charming vibe, either luxurious-chic, alternative-hip, or down-to-earth humbleness. Navigli, my favorite neighborhood in Milan, has the cutest cafes in town and some hidden mysteries that only the local history experts know. It used to be a working-class canal neighborhood where all the poor ladies washed laundry for rich families; it used to be the inspirational studio of Milan’s legendary artist Leonardo Da Vinci; it used to be an artist bottega where pupils sit by the canal from sunrise to sunset to draw people from lives. Learning the history of your city’s neighborhoods not only strengthens your understanding of the culture but also makes you much more an interesting guide when your family or friends come visit you.

Navigli neighborhood

Hidden garden in Navigli

4. Most importantly, embrace what you have!

It’s not that uncommon to hear complaints about a new, gigantic city from some abroad students. Depending on your own capacity to adapt to a radically different environment, moving to a new country is a personal revolution that will probably trigger resistance! What you need to do is simply to relax – and you’d be better to do it the local way. Take my city Milan as an example, relaxation means a “caffè” (italian expresso) in the afternoon, an aperitivo from the rooftop bar with views of Duomo, a stroll through the fashion district, a people-watching game at the chic crowd.

Duomo

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad in Milan | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Culture, Food, Italy, Travel | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: Old-fashioned Market in Viale Papiniano

November 5, 2015

Typical vendor

I have always had a passion for markets. Fresh produce straight coming from the farmers, cheeses, condiments, clothes, shoes, accessories, shoes, but also home objects. Strictly fresh, honest, low-price, and practical.

My journey in Milan began with a treasure hunt across different farmers’ markets in the city, in search of kitchen essentials, unique clothes, and an authentic view of the local Milanese people. Among all these markets in Milan, there is probably no more vibrant place like the one in Viale Papiniano. Upon entering the characteristically mundane plaza, I was immediately catapulted into the old-fashioned market atmosphere. Through a close look at the intense color and the natural human interactions, I want to present the veracity of the local life in Milan, a part of Milan that is less represented in mass media.

Cheese paradise

Cheese stand

Cheese vendor

Passion for cheese has already become an important part of Italian identity. Milanese are no exception, and they for sure know what is good taste. Cheeses, “formaggi” in Italian, come in amazingly diverse variety and quantity in Papiniano market. Each cheese stand has its own specialty and character. My favorite, however, is the organic cheese stand that sells truffled-flavor cheese exclusively. With one little bite, the indescribable flavor of minerals from that far-away mountain has already convinced me.

Italian in-season produce

Fruit vendor Muhammad

Four Euros please

It’s a great opportunity to see what fruit and vegetables are in season, and Italy has a fantastic range of diverse produce year-round. As what you would expect at a market, there is also the usual yelling and bargaining conversations, which makes it much more lively than a normal supermarket. The stand of Muhammad, a young immigrant from Pakistan, is my go-to place because he always greets me with a warm smile and often discounts.

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: Old-fashioned Market in Viale Papiniano | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Culture, Food, Friends, Italy | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: Parma & Bergamo: Probably the Best of Italy

November 4, 2015

There is no better way to learn about Italy than visiting its less-known, more relaxed cities. With the intention of going off the beaten paths, I visited Parma and Bergamo last weekend for a weekend escape from the 24/7 dynamic Milan. I want to hunt for the humble trattorias and their simple, satisfying, inexpensive cooking. I want to look into those elegant, tranquil courtyards inside of the residential houses with historic outlooks. I listen to how people talk on the train, how they converse with the baristas while quickly sipping their espressos, and how they complain about the weather over phone.

Town of Parma

Historic center of Parma

I come to Parma because like everyone, I want to pretend for a day at least, that I am Italian. There is no easier city to do that in than Parma. One can walk the markets without bumping shoulders with other tourists, eat a sandwich made of the irresistible local prosciutto at any hour of the day, have a late aperitif down an alley cast in an orange sunset glow. Walk along a narrow street in the historic center and see grandmas hang wet clothes from the balcony.

Teatro Farnese di Parma

Parma and high art don’t collide often in the same sentence, but when I am standing in the middle of Teatro Farnese and reading through Correggio’s fresco masterpieces in National Gallery of Parma, I am left completely speechless. Those artists have built these works with meticulousness and extreme attention to details. Looking at these frescos and wooden panels, I can truly feel the religious piety that these artists have devoted into their art.

Historic Bergamo

A peak inside-Bergamo

Under the roof-Bergamo

Bergamo, a gorgeous city slightly north of Milan, is also a precious gem overshadowed by its metropolitan neighbor. Housed the stunning Renaissance-style Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo also features Venetian rocky city walls and fascinating underground waterways. Hidden and understated elegance, is the characteristic that Bergamo shares with Milan. Inside of every torn down residence exterior, there is always a cozy and chic courtyard. La dolce vita to the core.

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: Parma & Bergamo: Probably the Best of Italy | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Art, Culture, Italy, Sightseeing, Travel | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: Field Trip Edition – Under the Tuscan Rain

October 28, 2015

Not a single trip to Italy is complete without going to Tuscany. A slow-cooking food tradition, the famous Chianti wine region, and the rich artistic tradition of Renaissance style all originated from this territory. In early October, I hopped on the bus with my IES Milan program to Siena, a medieval town in central Tuscany. Although it was a weekend filled with drizzling rain and crisp fall air, my experience of Tuscany was in fact much more tranquil and authentic. The rain suddenly became a “stop” sign to the big tourist groups that are always present in every Italian city, turning Siena into a quaint town, as it has always been.

City of Siena

Siena view

Typical door in Siena

Siena is not one of the grand cities of Italy. It doesn’t have the history of Rome, the charm of Florence, the energy of Milan. It doesn’t even have the tourist crowd as you would imagine, probably because of the rainy weather. But greatness is often defined by one’s personal response to a certain place. After climbing 500 steps to go on top of the Museum of Opera, I was on an emotional state looking down at this incredible panorama. Ancient, a little messy, medieval-style, tranquil, Siena defines the essence of a typical Tuscan town.

Montalcino

Tuscany in the rain

Speaking of Tuscany, it is impossible not to mention its gastronomic richness and fine vineyards. Being the little gem of Chianti region, Montalcino produces Tuscany’s best Brunello and, arguably, Italy’s most distinguished wine. Up in the hills, Montalcino is tucked away by vast greenness and wavy mountains. The fogginess, tranquility, and elegance of Montalcino exemplifies the renowned Tuscan landscape.

Dine with style

After a brief tour of a family-runned vineyard, we had lunch at their farm-to-table style restaurant. A plate of homemade tagliatelle with ground pepper, butter, and Parmesan cheese, paired with locally produced Brunello, constitutes the menu of the day. Simple, fine, irresistibly delicious, this homemade meal defines the Tuscan cooking philosophy.

Pisa Tower

Now, after two days of immersing in tranquil Tuscan landscape, it’s time to head to Pisa. As touristic as Pisa has always been, the city undoubtedly offers some of the most incredible architectural wonders of the world, including the Pisa tower and much more.

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: Field Trip Edition – Under the Tuscan Rain | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Food, Italy, Sightseeing, Travel | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: A Weekend In Budapest vs A Weekend In Milan

October 15, 2015

Like Milan, Budapest has been reputed as a city of endless charm. During the summer, I randomly met an Hungarian girl called Gabriella in a museum workshop and we instantly became best friends. Now that she is back in Budapest, I decided to spend a weekend with her and take the chance to visit this long-dreamed-about city. After four days of devouring delicious homemade Hungarian food and marveling at the Central European architectural wonder, I did notice some differences between the Budapest-style weekend and the Milanese weekend. Here are some insights from me, a casual tourist who observes seriously:

Breakfast. Hungarian weekend breakfast is long, sumptuous, and conversation-friendly. The Milanese breakfast, instead, is …? Wait what? Does that even exist? It did baffle me many times that a country obsessive with food does not have an extensive breakfast menu. Breakfast in Milan and northern Italy usually consists of only a few biscuits and a cup of cappuccino. At the most, you add a brioche and some orange juice. The breakfast I had in Budapest, however, is probably the type of big meal you will eat in your grandma’s country kitchen when you go back once a year. Locally-produced ham, hummus, whole wheat bread, fresh butter, cheese platters, pastries, milk and coffee…etc. “A great weekend always starts with a satisfying long breakfast,” said my Hungarian friend.

Cafe Culture. There is no need to re-emphasize how a cafe functions as a semi-religious institution in Italy. Yes, there is a certain ritual and drinking pattern that you are forced to respect and follow. In Hungary, everything about coffee is much more casual. An even more casual and relaxing atmosphere dominates the cafes in Budapest. The former Jewish quarter, now turning into a hip, “ruined” pub district, hides a collection of gem-like cafe bars.

People and Style. The Milanese fashion style is hard to miss even when you are visiting the city for just one day. Take a look of this street fashion blog which generates a sense of how the Milanese dress themselves. “La bella figura” (the beautiful figure), said by Italians, defines their attitude toward everyday elegance. Fashionistas in Budapest, are relatively more reserved. It’s hard to spot flashy color and revealing jewelry in the fanciest neighborhood of Budapest, while even the shop cashier in Milan wears a pair of Valentino-labeled shoes. In the subway, most people prefer to wear darker colors and their coats are more conservatively designed. For me, this is rather a difference of personality than a difference of taste.

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: A Weekend In Budapest vs A Weekend In Milan | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Culture, Food, Friends, Italy, Sightseeing, Travel | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: How to Make the Best Italian Pasta From Scratch

October 15, 2015

There is no better way to learn about a culture than learning a typical grandma-style recipe at her home. Especially in Italy, a country obsessed with producing everything by hand and with a culture of passing down learning to create “from-scratch” meals. Last night, I signed up for a pasta-cooking lesson in Milan and invited my friend Ryan to come with me. There were three other Canadian girls to practice with us and have a peak into the masterful universe of home pasta making.

Our chef Aurora, is a certified chef in Italian cuisine that has several years of experience working in a top Italian restaurant in Australia. Her cooking philosophy, like most of the Italian chefs, features fresh ingredients and handmade traditional methods. Our menu for the day is:

Tagliatelle from Bologna (with ragu sauce)
Vegie lasagna from Liguria
Orecchiette from Puglia (small pasta with Broccoli sauce)
Tiramisu

Preparing Tiramisu

Fresh basil pesto sauce

First, we prepared the coffee for making Tiramisu. Finger biscuits, fresh milk, egg yolks, every ingredient are bought from the open market by our chef in the morning. Later, we chopped the meat and sausage to make the delicious Bolognese sauce for pasta. Here comes the secret word – Massage. With a little bit of a hand massage to the meat mixture, the sauce becomes more flavorful and the texture will be much softer.

In the pasta-making session, everyone seems a little stressed out. It is always pleasant to watch the chef preparing everything from scratch and people rarely realize how much effort it takes. It is in fact, a very, very tiresome job. We have to not only make sure the consistency of moisture is perfect but also force the pasta into standard shape. After half-an-hour of pasta making, we are all amazed by the amount of effort and heart it takes for a wholesome meal.

Making pasta from scratch

Our first product

Now, time to dine. Having tasted our results after two and half hours’ preparation, we were all overjoyed by how delicious it tasted. Fresh made pasta really tasted entirely different than the hard pasta packet from the supermarket. The texture, consistency, and chewiness totally converted me into a believer of “from-scratch” Italian cuisine now.

Pasta, Bologna-style

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: How to Make the Best Italian Pasta From Scratch | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Adventure, Culture, Food, Italy | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: What To Do & What Not To Do In Venice

October 1, 2015

Venice is arguably the most touristic city in Italy, or maybe Europe. Indeed, it is such a beautiful city that I decide to go anyway despite the frenetic tourist crowd. After staying in Venice for four entire days, here are some tips that I invite you to read through before you step into this most dreamy city. It could be a nightmare if you don’t know where to go, trust me.

Spend at least two full days in Venice, or any city in the world. The reason is pretty clear – how are you supposed to get the best out of a place if you just step out of a tourist bus and haven’t learned the transportation map yet? It is impossible to move around and spot any interesting locales if you are still having a headache trying to figure out where you are. In a city where streets and signs are so intricately woven into the fabric of the city to fool its ordinary visitors, you don’t want to fall into that trap. Stay at least two days to walk around, learn the main areas, and go to cafes to learn the local coffee specialty (probably every Italian city has some sort of coffee to claim its own).
Do get lost, occasionally. Before I went to Venice, a wise elder who is an expert of traveling in Italy told me, “getting lost in Venice is the best thing that could happen to you.” It turns out he is totally right. Narrow alleys, restaurants that will pop your heart out by showing the fish-killing process in front of customers, and little artist workshops fill up the city’s less-traveled streets. Travel off the beaten paths, and you will find the endless secrets of Venice.

Eat seafood, but at the right place. Venice is known for its fresh sea products. The renowned spaghetti with clams, not only a tourist must-try, is also the local favorite. Do some research about the most-loved bars by locals before you go, and plan yourself a bar hopping night: stop at lovely decorated bars with dim light, try a bit finger foods made of sea-to-table fish, and sing about your wonderful life.

Sunset in Venice

Neighborhood in Burano

Libreria Alta Acqua

Venice on the water

Island of Murano

Colorful Island of Burano

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: What To Do & What Not To Do In Venice | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Adventure, Italy, Sightseeing, Travel | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: The Italians Call It “Equilibrium”

September 28, 2015

After two weeks staying in Milan, I found out that the Milanese locals really fancy using the word “equilibrio”, meaning “equilibrium” in English. Depending on the context, it usually refers to balance, a middle point, or perhaps perfection. And now I have found the most accurate word to describe my experience in Milan. It is all about the balance.

Like every other big international city, Milan is definitely chaotic sometimes. Traffic and all-year-round fog become a part of the Milanese identity. Here, the Northern Italians who are known for respecting punctuality and efficiency might actually disappoint cliché tourists for their non-Italianess. To me, Milan’s answer to”la dolce vita” is simply smart and respectful. It is the golden middle doctrine, not too lazy, but no rush. The Milanese are definitely in the know of gastronomy, cafe culture, art and design, and all the other disciplines that build out the Italian identity that we are familiar with. They spend the weekdays working hard, sipping espresso, and all weekends hanging out with friends without notion of time. It’s the balance that keeps the city so charming.

This weekend, I explored the Navigli neighborhood famous for aperitifs and design cafés. It was a typical rainy day, but the vintage market is still going strong. Antique accessories, vintage clothes, housing furnitures…They have everything that you and your grandma both defined as “beauty”. Orto Botanico di Brera, is another my surprising find. This hidden gem, tucked away from the Brera museum district, is probably the most tranquil spot in the heart of the city.

Navigli neighborhood

Cafe in Navigli

Fresh Pasta in a farmer’s market

Orto Botanico Brera

Comments Off on Jiaqi in Italy: The Italians Call It “Equilibrium” | Fall 2015, Jiaqi in Italy | Tagged: Adventure, Art, Balance, Italy, Navigli | Permalink
Posted by jiaqiinitaly

Jiaqi in Italy: Coming to the Tuscan Heart – Volterra

Jiaqi in Italy: Via Padova-the Multicultural Heart of Milan

Jiaqi in Italy: Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad in Milan

Jiaqi in Italy: Old-fashioned Market in Viale Papiniano

Jiaqi in Italy: Parma & Bergamo: Probably the Best of Italy

Jiaqi in Italy: Field Trip Edition – Under the Tuscan Rain

Jiaqi in Italy: A Weekend In Budapest vs A Weekend In Milan

Jiaqi in Italy: How to Make the Best Italian Pasta From Scratch

Jiaqi in Italy: What To Do & What Not To Do In Venice

Jiaqi in Italy: The Italians Call It “Equilibrium”

Blogs by Semester

Tags

Like us on Facebook

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Blogs by Semester

Tags