The Undiscovered City

 

Picture a city with tree-lined avenues, buildings from the glory days of the Austro-Hungarian empire (and others with hints of Venice), a fairy-tale castle, coffee shops and delicious pastries, parks and seaside charm. That's Trieste, favorite of James Joyce and British travel writer Jan Morris.

We visited Castle Miramare, a fairy-tale confection that was completed in 1860. It was a residence of the Hapsburg Archduke Ferdinand Maxmilian II, later declared Emperor of Mexico. When he was assassinated in Mexico, his wife, Charlotte of Belgium (Carlotta) is said to have gone mad. I wonder if Carlotta's ghost haunts the castle?

Yet the charms of Trieste were not what drew us to this lovely city. Instead, it was the charm of one of its residents, Fiorenza, a friend of ours from Seattle who returned to her native city a few years ago when her mother needed more help. Thanks to Fiorenza's assistance, she is able to stay in her own home. 

It's absolutely true that you haven't experienced hospitality until you've experienced Italian hospitality. Fiorenza and her mother, Stella, showered us with food and affection, which, in Italy are very closely linked. 

It was wonderful to see Fiorenza again. Her many friends back in Seattle will be pleased to know she is doing so well and has many supportive friends in Trieste. And they are all so close! It's easy for them to get together, because they live within blocks of each other.

They are all warm, welcoming people just like Fiorenza! We met Tea, her renter who became a friend (first group photo), and her friend from childhood, Marisa (second group photo). We would have liked to have stayed longer to get to know them better.

We explored the town and caught up on the news from mutual friends. We also had great fun taking the city's signature tram/cable car to the suburb of Villa Opicina.

And one other important thing happened in Trieste: Kevin got a haircut! As you can see, I had my reservations, but it turned out quite well.

 

A huge thank-you to Fiorenza, Stella, and their friends for providing that "home away from home" feeling when we needed it most. Grazie mille!