Dolce ricordi d'Italia

Urgent Appeal for Tin's Surgery

Yes!! You can make the difference and it doesn't take much. Every morning when you wake up, you will breathe with satisfaction that you have done something significant; not just for your relief and satisfaction, let's do it this for someone else' life. 


Yes, it doesn't take much, but it definitely will be too late if you just give away this opportunity. Let's be meaningful !


 Click the link below to read about Tin and please donate....


Urgent Appeal for Tin's Surgery


Thank you all. 



XOXO
Jo_tee

Irresistible Italy

It's time to say Good Bye Italy.


These have been really fantastic weeks. From people to place to food, Oh Italy! I am in love with you, I don't wanna leave you. Embrace me in your arms, hide me in your eyes or crave me in your heart, please don't let me go. 


Well, I have to land back to the reality. I can't live in the world of poetry forever. Responsibilities awaits. I can't wait to go back home and work on my new project. 

I know I will come back here again one day. Maybe to rejoice my accomplishment!  
Time to say Goodnight World. I have to wake up early tomorrow to catch a flight to Amsterdam. 




XOXO
Jo_tee

Under the Tuscan Sun

It has really been an amazing week in Tuscany with all 14 beautiful participants– our "Be The Change Family".

We have come from different countries but with one thing in common; our dream and objective “To Help”. Stories of everyone, their journey of life, experiences they have gone through so far and their passion to help, are really motivating. I feel fortunate to be here, sharing my experiences and learning new things. I won't say with my experience in BTC I can bring a revolution in my society or change the world overnight, but I’ll surely make the first step to bring the change. If I could be an example how a small effort can really make big changes, I could motivate many others to do same. I don't have words to express my gratitude to Global Volunteer Network for this wonderful opportunity. 

Last day of BTC program; we were touched by everyone’s last speech, the farewell note had emotion, excitement as well as a sweet tragedy that the ‘Be the Change family’ is now gonna part. Who says, a week or two is not enough to know a person, you don't need a long time or don't have to come from same culture/background, every little thing you share with each other brings you together. Most of us (of course including me) shed some tears of love and gratitude that expressed how glad we were to be here to meet each other. It's just the way you are!

With tons of love, best wishes and a strong determination to be the CHANGE, I’m sleeping the last night in my cozy bed in this gorgeous Villa. 

I’ve to wake up early tomorrow to catch a train to Venice.

Grazie Mille Tuscany! Bounanotte. 


"Be the change you wish to see in the world"- Gandhi

XOXO
Jo_tee

La Chiara di  Purmanio Villa

Lost and Found

I'm having a marvelous and a great time with #GVN "Be The Change" family. 

So far the days are full of fun and information; the workshops, interaction programs, storytelling/experiences and everything; it's been an amazing. On Saturday, we all went to explore Florence and it was awesome. In Florence, we split into groups and decided to meet at Rendezvous point for dinner later. Julie, Colin, Angharad and I made one group (Julie and  Ahamad are the most rocking ppl in this group). First, we went to a cathedral 'coz Angharad and I had to light candles. The cathedral was majestically beautiful. Then, we found a place to sit and sip glasses of wine.

Sexy Florence, Fashionable Florence! All the top brands; D & G, Bvlgari, LV, GUCCI, Prada, Zara Oh my Lord! I felt like I'm actually walking through the pages of Vogue magazine. Every corner of the city is full of eye-catching stuff and fashionistas.

Well, eventually we lost the groups and four of us ended up dinning in a restaurant at the other corner of the city. And, we gave a name to our group "Lost and Found", as we were supposedly lost and knew we're gonna find them again. We also got a bracelet for our group that was offered for free by a roadside vendor. After the dinner, thankfully we did manage to find our lost mates. Time to return Tuscany! Some stayed back for a while to explore night life of Florence, while few of us returned to Tuscany. 

Sunday was even more enthusiastic day for me 'coz Colin discussed about online marketing. Everything about computers and internet rejuvenate me. I am a techno savvy!


Today is Monday and it's time to head to SIENA after breakfast. Ciao!


XOXO
Jo_tee

Eat Pray Love...all in Italy

I arrived in Florence yesterday after 14 hours of flight and exhausting long transit hours in New Delhi andAmsterdam . It was kinda’ hectic to reach Plus Florence Hostel where I had my reservation. It was drizzling; dragging my luggage all the way, I was not sure if I was heading towards the right direction, though I had researched well enough on the internet. The only part I was paying full attention to was, I had to take the road next to McDonalds and keep walking straight.

Found out the place; it was a bit crowded as it’s meant for backpackers and I could see all the youngsters probably in their early twenties. Suddenly, I realized my stomach growling, demanding a heavy lunch and I even hadn’t had my dinner  last night. I was freaking tired during my flight from New Delhi to Amsterdam and couldn’t wake up for the late night dinner on the flight.

So, I thought to go out and explore Florence for a while, eat something and get back to bed as early as I can. I was dying to get a good night sleep, 14hours flight!! zzzzzzzzzz

Oh! I must say… FIRENZE ( Florence ) is beautiful!!

This morning GVN sent a car to pick us up from the hostel. I later knew there was one more participant to the program who was staying in the same hostel. Ghosh! the funniest part was we were sitting next to each other at the lobby and we didn’t know that both of us were waiting for the same car. 

We drove towards Tuscany approx 45 Kilometers from Florence where we’re gonna stay for this whole week. I was captivated by the breathtaking view all along the way. It was like in a movie; the vineyard, castles, churches and olive trees…amazing! I wish I were a millionaire, I could have own a property here. 

We reached La Chiara Di Prumiano, our final point. oh! I don’t have words to describe the beauty of this villa. The villa owner #Antanio said that it’s four hundred and eleven years old…OMG!

 We met GVN people and everyone was so welcoming. After taking a short walk around the farm, we had a great Italian lunch. Olives, cheese and olive oil, it’s a real treat!!!

XOXO

Jo_tee

To Italy

Tomorrow, I’m flying to Italy via Amsterdam for two weeks to participate in ‘Be The Change’ program being organized by Global Volunteer Network, an INGO based in New Zealand .  The program being held in Tuscany , aims to train individuals how to become change agents in communities around the world. Wow!

Feb 2011, Global Volunteer Network gave me a wonderful opportunity to volunteer for a month in Da Nang of Vietnam on Children’s program, and it was the most rewarding experience I ever had. Everyday I used to wake up with a smile on my face, a meaningful reason and an inspiration. With that, I realized I have so much to give away and one-month is quite not enough. I hope to continue volunteering, this time in Nepal or India , after all charity begins at home. I am not presenting myself as a social activist (wearing cotton saree and carrying a classic handloom bag) nor am I trying to change the world overnight, I’m just making a small effort to make some difference, it’s a way I chose to give back what I have gained. Just do it !

I love traveling and the best part I like about traveling is that I don’t miss home when I travel; I always find a home far from home. So far I have been a real lucky, every people I have met are wonderful, welcoming and supportive. I’m hoping the same in Italy. Oh! I love Italian food and the language, especially the gestures they make while speaking.

I’m super excited. 

Buonanotte

XOXO

Jo_tee