Renee at the window in Hotel Duomo, Orvieto, Italy.

Sometimes you hear a phrase, a question, or a comment, and it sticks in your mind like a barnacle to the bottom of a boat — forever glued to your psyche.  Such was the question asked of my dining companions and me during a recent trip to Orvieto, Italy.

                                      

“Do you want normal, or do you want crazy?”  — Chef Lorenzo Polegri

And there are few dining experiences in one’s life so spectacular as to rank among the most memorable.  But when you find yourself immersed in one, you know it is special.

I was in Orvieto, Italy to study the Monastic Approach to Writing under the tutelage of Justen Ahren from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Ristorante Zeppelin had been recommended to him, thus our eagerness to give it a try.

                                      

Shunning menus, Justen asked for…

Writers attend workshops and retreats for various reasons.  Some wish to hone their skills of description or dialogue, others are seeking inspiration or direction, and then there are those of us who have something to explore within ourselves—something too difficult to sort through with our morning coffee while retaining a smiling face and carefree demeanor.

When I accepted Justen Ahren’s invitation to join his Monastic Writing group studying in Italy, we both knew I was part of the latter category.  My inward journey would be much more difficult than the procession of planes, trains, and taxi cabs I would need to arrive at the base of the cliff which had long protected the residents of Orvieto.

“After climbing a great hill, oneonly finds that there are many more hills to climb.” –Nelson Mandela

A week in a medieval Italian hillside village of artisans, wine makers, divine architecture…

Trudging through standing water in the midst of a rainstorm, I felt a bit like the mariner who had once lived in the residence at Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Beneath an arch, I pushed through a garden gate, past a long wooden table and chairs, pots of flowers taking a beating from the downpour, up a ramp, and into the French door as I had been instructed.

He must have noticed my arrival before my fingers ever touched the door handle. I had no sooner stepped inside of the house—inn really—than a smiling face approached, welcoming me to Noepe. Introductions commenced, the delicious aroma of something from the kitchen wafting through the warm interior calling him back to tend to dinner.

Jack Sonni
Picture taken by Craig Clement

That was how I met Jack Sonni.

That is generally how all of the residents…

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Be Our Guest: Roasted Corn Salad! Nothing tastes better than fresh corn. Shuck it off the cob to make a spectacular side dish that goes well with quesadillas, tacos, and grilled meats. This make-ahead roasted corn salad is another picnic basket favorite that travels well and satisfies a crowd. Simply modify the portions to match the event. It’s fresh, it’s spicy, and it’ll keep ’em coming back for more.

ROASTED CORN SALAD

Ingredients:

3 ounces cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon water

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

3 ears bicolor corn, shucked off cob

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup black beans, drained

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1 jalapeño pepper, chopped

1 ripe tomato, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 tablespoon…

It was in March 2013. I was replying some emails from clients when my supervisor came into my office. He just did regular random inspection to ten camps under his supervision. I handled three of them. After briefing him for some work progress, he left my office immediately, and said, “I’m quite busy nowadays. You know, after Goma’s incident, we need to put more concentration in the eastern part of DRC. I am looking for people who want to relocate there,”

“Could you put my name on the list, please,” I said.

My supervisor could not believe his ears. He asked again, “Do you want to be relocated to the east? You know that some rebellion groups are still there,”

“You told me that you look for people to relocate to the east. You’ve just found one, Chief,” I said.

My supervisor still looked at me astonishingly. He later…

Lake Kivu. One of my favorite places during my three years living in Bukavu. Due to its location that surrounds most of part of Bukavu, I would always be able to see its beautiful views from almost anywhere. It gave me good companionship during my journey to work (my office was located 40 km from the city center where I lived in), or when I was just sitting and being lazy in the backyard of my apartment. And I never got bored to enjoy the beauty it gave. For the weekly photo challenge, I would love to share the beauty through some shots I took while I was there. Enjoy the view.

Lake Kivu, South Kivu, DR Congo. Seen from my backyard.

Lake Kivu, South Kivu, DR Congo. When the sun went down.

Lake Kivu, South Kivu, DR Congo

Lake Kivu, South Kivu, DR Congo

Lake Kivu, South…