Darphynia's Diary

The BEST pizza flavored snack EVER! On our way to Milan (Milano) we made a pitstop, and I picked up some of these crispy, pizza-flavored bread squares.  They were the best snack item I have had in a long time.  Why did I choose them?  Well, I figured if the Italians couldn't get pizza flavored snacks down, nobody could.  They tasted of tomato, cheese, and basil, yet contained no cheese/milk products!  Yes, they were...are...vegan.  Anyway, if you ever see them, give them a try. An old shopping center across from La Scala. The first Prada Store. We continued on to an old shopping center (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan), which houses the first Prada store ever established (1913).  Our local guide was so fun!  She had a story about the families who controlled the area, and even got our group involved.  After the shopping center we had some free time.  We went into Duomo di Milano, then had lunch before headin...

Day 5:  Assisi to Venice & Gondolas Street performance. Giulietta. The famous balcony. Venice (Venezia) is home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Giulietta).  Yes, the people did exist, but their story is that of fantasy, as far as we know.  The famed balcony where Juliet begins with, “Romeo, Romeo.  Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” is quite an attraction.  You can enter the balcony, but I believe they charge.  At the archway to the balcony, on a wall opposite the arch, and within the small courtyard, people have written and posted love notes or the initials of whom they are with.  In hindsight I wish I had done that.  I may never get another opportunity.  Anyway there is a statue of Juliet near the balcony.  Part of the statue is far more shiny than others.  Why?  Well, for some reason (and nobody really knows why), those who take a photo with the statue often fondle her breasts.   Kissing brid...

I will be headed off to another country in two weeks time.  I realize that I have been a bit absent, but I am trying to get several things finished prior to the trip.  In the last week there have been some new developments (work-wise), and I am currently working on the IRB application for my proposed research.  Here's hoping I am able to get all of the approvals necessary to begin research by summer.  Yes, things happen, and I was hoping to be completely done by summer of 2015...well, there were some hiccups, so I am a bit behind regarding my target date.  Such is life though.  Soon I will have a post about things in my carry-on, what I (usually) have in the morning, recipes, and some other fun product reviews.  Until then, here is a video by Tastemade & Laura Miller featuring one of my favorite dairy-free ice cream alternatives:                    ...