That's Just Insipid!

A new David Lynch film nears the horizon. The only leak, aside from the leading cast members, a Poland-for-L.A. shoot, and the title Inland Empire, is this vague summary from the auteur himself:

"It's about a woman in trouble, and it's a mystery, and that's about all I want to say about it," said Lynch.

Somehow, that describes everything he's ever filmed.

Ten Days in Western Traditions

Hey, here's me and a wall that has been standing on its own for more than two thousand years (despite earthquakes). I'm in the heart of the site of the Delphic Oracle, three days into yet another European sojurn serving as co-chaperon, along with Amanda, to a handful of our students. After from Athens and Delphi, we ferried across the Aegean Sea to Italy and toured Sorrento, Capri, and Rome (with a stop in the unique, UNESCO-protected village of Arberobello).

This year's group comprises a history-nut senior, a Korean boyfriend/girlfriend duo (both seniors), and a gaggle of underclassmen. There were some challenging personalities in this the youngest group we've taken on such a trip, but they all proved themselves to be responsible and mature for their age.

Some Highlights:

1. Gelato Flavors Sampled (in order of goodness): Champagne, Pine Nut, Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Mixed Berry, and Peach.

2. Massimo: Our Italian Tour Director, native of the village of Lecce, and a wonderfully witty, sensitive thirtysomething. The last two years our TDs have been English men, kind but stiffly reserved. While always professional, Massimo ("the greatest") was not always so guarded; he revealed shades of himself - opinions, theories, facts - freely. His English was spotless, and we enjoyed trading idioms with him. Although he has been to the US several times, he has yet to make it to New York City; we encouraged him to contact us when he does as we consider him a new friend. [Note: I've noticed that a very unique bond forms between members of a tour and a Tour Director. The amount of trust placed in this person combined with the intenst care and vital knowledge he or she provides constantly as travelers tread on unfamiliar territory (literally) transforms the TD into teacher, parent, and savior. The moment of separation is, as it was last yesterday, to some, a meaningful and often emotional rift. This is phenomenon ripe for further speculation and perhaps even an artistic/academic project.]

3. The Village of Arberobello: Italian for "Beautiful Tree", this is the second UNESCO-protected site we have visited in as many years (last year it was Telc, the preserved medieval village in what is now The Czech Republic). The invaluable, preservation-worthy aspect of this town is that it is the only place in the world where one can find a trullo (plural trulli, pictured below), a small habitation with thick walls and a conical stone roof which allow for cool in summer and heat in winter. Apparently, British real estate spectulators have been buying them up like crumpets in recent years as they are readily rentable to vacationers. For some reason, I picture the playboy from Blow-Up being involved in this. We bought local red wine and amazing cookies here.


4. Greek Salads, Olives, and Mousaka!

5. Football: UEFA Tournament Games: I saw several quality club matches on Greek and Italian TV, featuring international stars like Trezeguet, Henry, Shevchenko, Figo, Nedved, Kaka, Beckham, and Del Pierro. One night in Rome, we drove past the Stadio Olimpico just as Roma kicked-off against visiting English club Middleborough; city officials had banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in the city center all day just to prevent hooliganism (this was also the afternoon Amanda and I went purposefully into a wine-bar for lunch; thankfully, the lunch was the best we had the entire trip). The best match was Chelsea's second-half stoppage-time goal to best Tottenham 2-1; the excitement of the goal was worth stomaching yet another victory by the stacked Chelsea club. I thought of Derek and the London Study Group often during these games.

6. Geographical Beauty: I had no idea Greece was so astoundingly gorgeous. Even moreso was the tiny Italian island of Capri, birthplace of Lemoncello and its namesake style of three-quarter pants, where upon a high precipice with philosophy-inducing view there rests the small villa of Axel Munthe, a doctor and writer who bought the property at the height of his career after having fallen in love with the island as a medical student not that much younger than I am right now. The site of this estate, in the village of Anacapri, was once also the site of both a medieval chaple dedicated to St. Michael and previously the residence of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, from which he ruled the empire at the time when Christ was crucified. The villa has officially become my dream home. [Picture forthcoming, as our digital camera malfunctioned halfway though the trip and we had to resort to disposables which are currently being developed at Costco.]

As I feel motivated, and as photographs develop, further posting will commence. For now, one more image, the fashionable young couple at the Parthenon: