A glass enclosed elevator zips you up to the observation deck for a 360 degree view of the city and the Italian Alps beyond. The Museo of Cinema is housed within the structure beginning on the ground floor. Apparently, Italian cinema began in Turin in 1904 so they have a rich tradition and history to celebrate in Turin. Another hot sunny day in Turin.
Before meeting Dave, I went to a local wine shop Casa Del Barolo to purchase a nice bottle of Barolo. Followed the friendly and knowledgeable clerk's advice and spent about 50 Euro on a bottle that will cellar for at least 10 years. He packed it well so it won't break in my suitcase as I told him I was taking it to Canada. Walked to the Lidl grocery store as I wanted a cheaper Italian red wine and that we could drink more immediately back in Canada. Spent 13 Euro for a Valpolicella Classico.
Dave has been cleaning and tidying up his apartment in advance of his wife showing up later this afternoon while we are at our soccer game. We meet around 11:20 am for the walk over to the Mole. For a long time this was the tallest brick building in the world at 167.5 metres. Need to wait in line to be admitted. People are admitted in small groups as you need to be able to fit into the elevator. We were almost in but were the last people stopped. Once inside you line up for the Panoramic lift and Museum. 6 Euro for both. At least we are now out of the sun and heat and it is air conditioned. On two more occasions we happen to be the last persons so stay in line.... oh well....
The Mole
The elevator takes you up the middle of the open structure so that was cool. The observation deck enables you to walk around and see the city from every angle. You can see all of Turin and the mountains in the distance. Take pics from each side. Mostly red roofs. Quite an incredible view of the city and its grid of streets. Asked a Canadian couple from Kitchener to take our picture. She is a squash player and he an injured duathlon athlete. The largest contingents of athletes are from Australia and Canada apparently.
View from the top
We are very hungry so after waiting in the queue to get the elevator down, we head across the street to La Pie Piadineria Romagnola. Kind of a franchise place where you order inside and within minutes your order is delivered to your outdoor table. I ordered the Porchetta palate e rucola which comes in a pocket type bread. Very thin. Filling hits the spot and is inexpensive at 4.90 Euro. Noticed in Turin that your food is always delivered quickly. Peach juice and a dessert of nutella and hazelnut in the same type of bread wrap. Had a few bites of the dessert to save later - yummy! Good chat and then back into the building.
In to see their Museum of Film exhibits. On two levels and a winding walkway on the outside of the empty inner space edge. The entry to this building is incredible just like the Egyptian museum. Archaeology of Cinema starts you off in this darkened space. Lots of old movie equipment and pre-movies technology. Easy to follow the arrows on the floor. Up to second floor for other exhibits. Large open space with red chairs and built in speakers to listen to the movie screen you are facing. About four screens going. Plus, more exhibits around the perimeter. As well, you can follow the perimeter walk around the wall edges. Place pretty busy. We both enjoyed the exhibit.
Animation exhibit
We set a deadline of 3 pm to leave to get back to our apartments. We are meeting Donal and Debbie at 4:30 pm so we can share a taxi. Very hot today, but some clouds in the sky. I am looking for a Pharmacy to purchase some gravol as that might help with sleeping. Found a pharmacy and tried to explain what I was looking for. I think she understood as she produced a small box of Xamamina 50 mg tablets. I gave one table to Dave as he gave me one a couple of nights ago and it seemed to help. Back to the apartment around 3:30 pm. Got my soccer gear ready and Games ID. Updated my travel diary and then out to the street to meet up.
Four of us in the taxi and we arrived at 4:50 pm for our 5:45 game start. We are playing game #3 against a team from Sydney, Australia. Into the dressing room and wearing our green jerseys, black shorts and black socks. Practice at the adjoining field. The other team is warming up with around 20 players! We have 14 players dressed. We start poorly, but score two goals early in the first half and then shut them down. Our excellent goalie David never had to make a save. We have the maximum 9 points from three games, therefore, are guaranteed top spot in our five team grouping. We will advance to the quarterfinals despite one more prelim game tomorrow. Very promising we might make it to the gold medal final.
Unfortunately, towards the end of the game one of their players chops me from behind when I win the ball and scissors my legs viciously. He gets a yellow card and my right knee is badly twisted and injured so my tournament is over! No way I can continue playing. I hydrate after the game with water and gatorade and am rather depressed. Put a bag of ice on my knee to minimize swelling. Finally, got the guys moving towards the bus/subway. Given I was injured and feeling down, I decided not to join the guys for a late dinner/drinking. I grabbed a square pizza at Pane Pizza around 9 pm. Very small casual place that is apparently a favourite of a number of professional soccer players who play for Juventus. The pizza was good with tasty meat toppings and a subdued pizza sauce. Plus, very cheap at 4 Euros total with a bottle of water.
Home around 9:30 pm. Phoned Lana in Vancouver to give her my injury update before she flies out to Marseilles via Frankfurt. I will now meet Lana tomorrow night in Marseilles Arrivals and we will head to Provence together. Definitely looking forward to seeing Lana again and enjoying the south of France. Repack my suitcase and backpack and update my travel diary. Plus, I did finally get my Personal Hotspot to sync with my Macbook, but connection to the internet is too slow to update the travel blog. It is now 11:30 pm and getting tired. Took a 'gravol' tablet and enjoyed the air conditioning. Need to be at Porta Susa train station for the 10:15 departure to France. I have three connections by train to Marseilles. Will set my alarm for 8 am to give me plenty of time to shower, eat some fruit for breakfast and find a taxi.
No comments:
Post a Comment