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Mini Jetlag and the Freud Museum

Wednesday, 22 November 7:14am

The view changes - our Robot posse
The view changes – our Robot posse

This time last week we were waking up in Torino and getting our lives back into two big and one little suitcase. We looked out and across to the Alps and to Superga.

Yes, today marks one week.

That first night I climbed into a bed made with icy sheets and woke the next morning earlier than I wanted. Mini jetlag! I remember our first weeks in Italy, napping on the couches after lunch and how luxurious and necessary it felt. No naps in London despite the fatigue.

What does it mean to ‘get back to normal’? I don’t think I’m there yet and, at any rate, being away means a strange compulsion to do something different now – only I’m not sure what.  Normal is not what I strive for but…

Normal life in Hackney?
Normal life in Hackney?

Blogging will be sporadic from now on…maybe.
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The journey home

Wednesday 15 November (Day Fifty-nine)

And here it is. The last morning and the journey home.  Getting ready to leave went more smoothly than for any other journey i can remember. I finished my last-minute packing, made the sandwiches, packed the lunch things and then out of the door.

Cases in the lobby
Cases in the lobby

As expected, there were no seats on the bus as we sped along for the twenty-minute journey to Porta Susa. This was where we got on.

Porta Susa looked a bit more friendly today, although we grappled with where to go and when. I messaged Liat to come meet us. I had a bag full of perishables from the fridge – and something had leaked out of the bag onto my jeans while we were travelling!

Porta Susa
Porta Susa

While waiting for her, Krish noticed that the station had meters to measure the solar power collected.

Solar power
Solar power

With about quarter of hour to spare, we were on the platform waiting for our first train of the day, to Paris.

Porta Susa platform
Porta Susa platform

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Last full day in Torino

Tuesday, 14 November (Day Fifty-eight)

A strange feeling waking up today and knowing this was it. There was nothing on the must-do list other than packing and last-minute chocolate purchases.

And today the view of the Alps was spectacular – clearer than I’ve ever seen

View from balcony on the last full day
View from balcony on the last full day

After packing for what seemed like an eternity, off to the market to get that chocolate. Also on the list some marrons glaces, and some lemon pasta. Done and dusted.

We picked up some octopus salad and pizza to eat today and then some fritto misto as a last minute whim. We were already dreaming of a curry in London!

Wood oven at Rondini
Wood oven at Rondini
Margarita Pizza at Rondini
Margarita Pizza at Rondini
Fritto misto
Fritto misto

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Back to the Consolata, to Cit Turin, and the 24 Hour Carrefour

Monday, 13 November (Day Fifty-seven)

Time is winding down. As it does.

Today we decided to go to Cit Turin, the area that Liat lives in. On the way I suggested Krish pop his head into la Santuaria della Consolata I told him my photos hadn’t done it justice and I wanted him to spend one minute looking in to see it for himself.

To my surprise, he did. And to my bigger surprise, the one minute turned into more than half an hour. Not surprisingly, he discovered and was fascinated by something that I hadn’t spent much time looking at. I almost hesitate to post the photos because in a way I feel they are intimate and sacred. But I am posting a few that I found sad or interesting.

These are little portraits maybe ten centimetres across and each depicts someone’s death. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t look away until finally I needed to take a break from what I found so poignant and private.

Portraits

Portraits
Portraits of death

I’m not a Catholic and don’t really understand the significance but I’m going to look it up and ask around.
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Il Gran Balon, and the Concertino dal Balconcino

Sunday, 12 November (Day Fifty-six)

Today was il Gran Balon!

I thought I might buy a few things but this didn’t happen. I considered some lovely baskets and then, because they weren’t from Italy but Senegal, I decided against it. I had also thought about buying an old Barbie doll but I  have more stuff than I need so that didn’t go into my bag either. At this part of the trip I was being mindful of what might fit in the suitcase.

Gran Balon
Gran Balon

Then we went to the Concertino dal Baloncino. It takes place on the Via Mercanti, a lovely little lane in the centre of Turin.  There are some beautiful old shops along here and I was amused by one that sold only Tiramisu.

Tiramisu Shop
Tiramisu Shop
Shop along Via Mercanti
Shop along Via Mercanti

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