Hi all! I thought I would share a few details about the flat. These will no doubt be improved with more experience. But, in cast it gets too nuts to blog much later, here goes.
There is a bar (cafe) immediately south (turn left out the front door) that is open for breakfast, light lunch and apperitivo. Since I arrived on Sunday, this was a life saver. I was starving and in bad need of caffeine to stay awake until bed time. It was only 11:00 am after all.
There is also a bar on the corner 2 blocks north of the flat. I had dinner there - again light. I had 2 ham and cheese sandwhiches in one day. So, today was veggie day. All 4 food groups will catch up with each other by tomorrow perhaps. So, if you don't want to subsist on pastry or sandwhiches, don't arrive on Sunday wihtout some granola, nuts, dried fruits or seeds in your pocket.
The bar 2 blocks down sells watter and soda by the bottle. That was also a life saver. The supermarket is right across the street. However, it isn't open on Sundays or Monday mornings. Otherwise it is open 8-8, or 8-20 as they say here in Italia.
The 1.66km (1mi) hike to the Center isn't bad. I'm slow, especially with my backpack, and it only took me 30 minutes this mornng. 45 minutes at a tourist's pace.
Mapquest gives the best driving directions. Here are the best walking directions. Head out like mapquest says until you get to Galileo Ferrais. Continue on GF to the round about at Emmanuelle Vittorio (huge statue). Turn east (aka right) on EV and continue until you see the train-bus station coming up on your right. It will be Via Sacci to the right. It's actually Via XX Settembre to the left (under arch ways). The center will be just a couple of blocks north on XX Settembre. If you go too far on EV, you will see the bus station on your right and piazza carlo felice on your right. You're only a block too far. Don't panic.
By the way, there is a farmacia open in piazza carlo felice on Sunday. That's good to know, as very little is open in Turin on Sunday, especially our quiet little neighborhood. (Go to the tourist center at via Garibaldi, piazza castello for more stuff open on Sunday.)
There is a wine shop and a salumi shop within a block north of the flat, but I didn't make it on time tonight. The supermercato across the street is great for quick fixes, but is limited. For a real foodie experience, take the inexpensive cab ride to Eatily near Fiat.
The flat is comfortable. Michael, I will find out if you will have the same one since you arrive immediately after me. If so, I will ask the staff to leave the cleaning supplies (dish soap, clothes washing detergent, sponges...) and anything I think you can use (olive oil, balsami vinegar, sea salt...). I will also leave the extension cord Gabrielle loaned me from the center. The space between the desk and the outlet on the wall is too narrow for our adapters. So, I'm writing this at the kitchen table. The only other outlet that will take our adapters is next to the kitchen counter and I'm not standing there all night!
The internet access is 40 euro/month. But if you are nice to the receptionist, you can have it for the entirety of your 5 week stay for the same price. They have to provide a line for the access, so arrange for it as soon as you arrive, or before.
The reception office is closed on Sunday and on Saturday afternoons. So, let Paula Sera at the center know what day and time you will arrive. She can give you the number to call to be let in by the on-call receptionist who will plan to be here based on when you anticipate you will arrive.
Paola.Serra@unicreditgroup.euicSpeaking of arrival, I find Bryan and Jay's plan best. Flying into Malpensa (Milan) and being driven from there really works. Since I have one layover in Atlanta, I really can't take another 3 hours in another airport after 9 hours in the air. Let Paula know and she will arrange the driver (aka transfer) for you. Her driver is only 200 euro where taxis can be between 250 and 280 euros.
The kitchen at the flat is sparse, but adequate. Tonight I had to beat the garlic and rosemary to death with the oh-so-not-sharp knife that is provided. Finely chopped just isn't a technique possible with the current tools. If I be assured of them being here when I return in January, I will leave the santoku and cutting board I plan on buying for you Michael. You must promise to ensure their safe keeping until I return. Christopher can use them too with the same promise.
The wine opener works perfetto.
The housekeeper made my bed today. That tells me he/she comes daily. Mmmm, I'll keep a watch on that one.
There is ZERO English tv, so bring or redirect your favorite news sources. I have to check La Stampa for something in English. I ran out of time today and went with online resources.
The bus is number 58. You catch it at stop 381 on something something Abruzzi & Vestpucci, about a block northwest of the flat. You get off at 380 on the return trip. The other stop is just north west of the Center. I understand from Dario that I should buy single trip tickets until 9/27 when I can buy a more economical one for the month of Oct. It's getting late and I'm not looking anything up. So, I'll try do a better job with bus info later. In the interim, you can find out about buying tickets andi routes by Googling GTT Turin. If I find a map or comprehensive brochure, I'll get 2 an leave a copy for you.
Is that all? For today, I think so. With a belly full of home cooked pasta and deep, spicy vino rosso, I bid you good night!
