Author Archives: Jennifer Avventura

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About Jennifer Avventura

Canadian Freelance writer living in Sardinia, Italy. A serial immigrant who has lived in Australia, England, Cayman Islands and Jamaica. When she's not out running 6k you will find her sitting at the computer - writing her novel and searching for worldwide work.

Picking up the pieces after Cyclone Cleopatra – Sardinia, Italy

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Sardinia is still in shock from the deadly storm Cyclone Cleopatra which devastated the island on November 18th, 2013. Entire communities are gone, livelihoods which took decades to build are destroyed, entire road systems and bridges washed away in the raging tide.

Six months of rain slashed Sardinia in less than twenty-four hours, 400 millimeters of rain washed away lives, hopes and dreams.

sardiniaA national day of mourning as been declared in Italy as residents come to grips in what has become one of the largest natural disasters to ever hit the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

Islanders from all over Sardinia have come together to help those in need. Drop off centers for donating goods have sprouted up in every town across the island.

Here’s how you can help rebuild the lives for the people of Sardinia. The following links are in Italian – if you need help translating or have any questions then please leave your comment below.

Helpful links:

Comune = Town Hall or City Hall

To make a monetary donation please follow the banking details from the Comune di Olbia:

Account: n. 0540 – 070361388
IBAN: IT72U 01015 84980 000070361388
BIC/Swift Code: BPMOIT22XXX
Reference: Comune di Olbia Emergenza Alluvione

Alluvione = Flood

Sardinia needs your help.

Sardinia, Italy – Emergency Flood Relief Fund – How You Can Help

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sardiniaThe city council of Olbia have set up an emergency relief fund after the devastating floods on November 18th, 2013. Sardinia is still in a state of shock and 17 people have lost their lives in one of the largest natural disasters to ever hit the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

If you would like to donate please follow the banking details below:

Bank details:

Account: n. 0540 – 070361388
IBAN: IT72U 01015 84980 000070361388
BIC/Swift Code: BPMOIT22XXX
Reference: Comune di Olbia Emergenza Alluvione

Residents in effected areas are in dire need of clothing, shoes, towels, blankets and toiletries. If you can donate please send a package to the following address:

Edoardo Padre
c/o Bar Baraonda
Via Mameli n.11
07026 Olbia (OT)
Sardegna, Italy

If you have any questions on how to help in the relief efforts please leave a comment below.

Sardinia and her residents thank you.

Cyclone Cleopatra Crushes Sardinia Killing 16

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Cyclone Cleopatra Crushes Sardinia. Sardinia is in a state of emergency and needs your help!

The death toll from yesterday’s devastating cyclone Cleopatra is 16. Today the entire island is in chaos and tears. The Gallura was the hardest hit by gale force winds and extreme rain. Olbia is in an extreme state of emergency with the majority of the town submerged under water. The coastal town of Torpe has been fully evacuated by the mayor.

A lot of people are contacting me asking if I’m okay and I appreciate the outpouring of kindness and support. My area was not affected by the storm like it was in other parts of the island. We did see torrential rain for a solid twelve hours, lightning so sharp and bright, and thunder that made the walls shake.

I want to help those affected, and I need to physically help those affected by this natural disaster. The best I can do is write about this deadly storm so the world can be aware. Many people have contacted me stating they haven’t even heard about Cyclone Cleopatra in the news – please help to spread this devastating news with the world by sharing this post with your family and friends, on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. At this time it’s very important the world knows. Sardinia needs your help. Today Sardinia cries loud tears of loss and pain.

From Facebook:

-urgente servono gommoni e mezzi pesanti a Berchidda 3346837575
– servono aiuti in via Iglesiente a Olbia, é urgente
– zona di Olbia il 115 è in tilt. Numeri alternativi: 0789/69502, 0789/52020 e 366/6617681.
– sala medica allestita nel municipio di Olbia in quanto l’ospedale è difficile da raggiungere
– statale 131 altezza Bauladu strada è allagata e l’acqua supera il metro di altezza
– ponte crollato statale 129 tra Nuoro e Orosei
– SS 131 NUORO-OLBIA CHIUSA DAL KM 66 (BIVIO ORUNE-LULA\DORGALI)
– confermata evacuazione Terralba
– a Torpè ci sono persone arrampicate sugli alberi
– la diga di Torpè a rischio collasso: evacuato il paese
– emergenze comune Uras 348/7074692, 347/1240911
– la Farmacia Lupacciolu, in via Genova ad Olbia è aperta per le emergenze

Olbia residents are offering up accommodation for those in need:

Ad Olbia offrono alloggio

– Marrante: 3403624311
– Pina Murru: 3470830042
– B&B, 10 posti letto gratis, via Dannunzio 92. Tel. 331 2095889
– B&B offre alloggi gratis 3939800313
– Sabrina Di Giusto ha 4 posti letto, murta maria 328.3323210
– Massimo Dessena offro la mia casa con 5/7 posti letto 3939051855
– Etabeta Fancello: Posso ospitare tre persone, tel.3426904741
– Monica Cretì: 3465075162
– Renato Schirru (Il Laghetto) 349280052

A Facebook message from an expat in Olbia tells the real pain the residents are going through.

Olbia

A few  Tweets

https://twitter.com/claudia_pesce/status/402695069700227072

https://twitter.com/RinaCoppola/status/402695055536054272

https://twitter.com/79_bond/status/402694904335593472

https://twitter.com/valvirdis/status/402694808810311680

https://twitter.com/roberto_rigoni/status/402694678145163264

Today Sardinia weeps.

Related:

Related articles

There are a few organizations working on a renewal and relief fund, the moment I know of how you can help I will post it here.

How to donate:

The City Council of Olbia has set up a bank account dedicated to raising funds to provide practical help to the territory and the people affected by the terrible wave of bad weather.

Vista la calamità che si è abbattuta sul territorio del Comune Olbia, l’Amministrazione comunale ha attivato un conto corrente bancario dedicato alla raccolta di fondi per garantire un aiuto concreto al territorio ed alla popolazione colpita dalla terribile ondata di maltempo.

Coordinate per i versamenti:

Bank details:

Conto Corrente n. 0540 – 070361388

IBAN IT72U 01015 84980 000070361388

BIC (codice swift) BPMOIT22XXX

Causale: Comune di Olbia Emergenza Alluvione

Il Sindaco On. Giovanni Maria Enrico Giovannelli

Thank you.

My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the victims.

Please share this message.

Inside Sardinia: Nuraghe Santa Sabina

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Around every corner lies a medieval surprise and when we passed Nuraghe Santa Sabina we just had to stop and admire the ancient architecture and beauty.

Nuraghe Santa Sabina by Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life

Unfortunately, we were there in the off-season and the office was closed but that didn’t stop us from stretching our legs, breathing the fresh mountain air and investigating this fabulous structure, albeit from afar.

Nuraghe Santa Sabina is in the small rural town of Silanus in the province of Nuoro. This structure is the perfect example of the ancient Bronze Age stone towers (nuraghe) that dot the island of Sardinia. In front of the nuraghe is a stunning Byzantine style church.

Santa Sabina by Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life

The next time I’m in town a full investigation into this medieval church and nuraghe is a must!

Where to find Nuraghe Santa Sabina?

Related articles

  • © My Sardinian Life/Jennifer Avventura. All rights reserved 2010-2013. All pictures, unless otherwise stated, are property of My Sardinian Life. Do not use without written permission.

What detours do you take when traveling the open road?

Snapshots: Layers of a Sardinian Sunrise

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They say that the early bird catches the worm, and in this case I caught a beautiful Sardinian sunrise, layered with soft fluffy clouds.

Layers by Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life

This is my response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Layers.

Are you an early bird?

© My Sardinian Life/Jennifer Avventura. All rights reserved 2010-2013. All pictures, unless otherwise stated, are property of My Sardinian Life. Do not use without written permission.

Travel Theme: Short

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The travel theme this week is short, and it finally gives me the opportunity to show off these cute, little dolls wearing traditional costume’s from the heart of Sardinia.

Traditional costume from Tonara
Traditional Costume from Tonara

And here’s a short door so the cat can get through.

Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life (9)

I found this adorable, paper kitten mewing at the bottom of the door to an old bakery in Tonara, Sardinia and thought it was super cute that someone took the time to tape his little face into the hole, so I just had to take its picture.

This is my response to the weekly Travel Theme.

Learning Italian: At the Gynecologist

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Continuing on from the super successful post on Learning Italian: You said what?, I thought it only fair to share another one of my embarrassing moments from my expat life Sardinia. This story involves vagina’s and doctors, so if you are easily offended I suggest you click here and if you’re one of the millions of weirdo’s who gets giggles out of others’ follies then, by all means, please read on.

At the Gynecologist the first time:

We had just driven an hour into Sassari and we were lost. All the buildings looked the same, they looked like pale, sick apartment buildings not a doctor’s office, there wasn’t even a sign. A young woman came walking down the street and stops in front of us “Lèi e Jennifer?” With a rather perplexed look on my face, I nodded yes. “Sono dottoressa Venere.”

I followed her into the cold, dusty archway and whispered to my husband “This is a little weird.” He nodded and continued on my heel.

Dr. Venere opened an ancient wooden door to reveal a small apartment turned into a gynaecologist office: one tiny bathroom, one bedroom and a living room/waiting room, it felt like I was in the doctor’s apartment. The red sofa stood out against the white walls in the waiting room and she said to my husband “Lei signore resta qui.” Dr Venere pointed to the luscious sofa and gave my husband a wink. Yes, a wink! I decided to ignore it.

She gestured for me to follow her and I obeyed her stern look. She opened her bedroom door and in place of a bed was a canary yellow gynaecological examination table complete with remote control and pillow.

“Togliti i pantaloni e sedersi lì.” Say what? What she say? I’d only been in Italy for a year and my grasp on the Italian language consisted of: Io, pasta, pizza, ciao, mi piace, tu and spagetti. The examination table reminded me of Big Bird and I was scared.

Pan–ta–loni. Pants? Yes, she wanted me to take off my pants, right! She can’t check out my vagina if my pants are on, why isn’t she leaving the room?

The doctors in Canada leave the room when a patient gets naked and provides a lovely, white paper robe. I gathered enough courage to ask her “un vesitito? one dress?” as I pointed to the recyclable white paper adorning the yellow chair.

She looked at me quizzically, pointed her pen at my waist and motioned for me to remove my pants and sit down as the procedure was about to begin.

Santorini, Greece 2005 by Jennifer AvventuraI was mortified.

How could I do this without a dressing gown? I’ve never done it without a dressing gown! WAH! Cue internal freak-out and escape plan.

She was staring at me, I was staring at her, and the Big Bird chair was staring at my vagina. Somebody help me!

I did what I always do in situations like this – throw caution to the wind and just do it. After all, this is Italy, and I learned a new word that day: pantaloni = pants.

Are you an expat? What was different on your first visit to the doctors?

Stay tuned for more horror stories from the gynecologist’s office.

© My Sardinian Life/Jennifer Avventura. All rights reserved 2010-2017. All pictures, unless otherwise stated, are property of My Sardinian Life. Do not use without written permission.

Snapshot: Imported Antique Cameras

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Camera photography by Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life

Sharing a simple photo from Tonara, Sardinia.

Learning Italian: You said what?

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Okay, I’ll admit it, or maybe I don’t want to just yet it’s a little embarrassing. I mean it has been five and a half years and all, I should know this stuff, but I don’t.

My Italian sucks!

Well, it doesn’t suck in the big sucky way, but it could be better. Where I get confused is the moment I have to open my mouth and speak Italian.

“Buongiorno.” Okay, that was easy.

“Come stai oggi?” Alright, maybe my Italian doesn’t suck as bad as I think it sucks.

Let’s pretend I’m at the local farmers market conversing with the sausage seller.

“Salve Jennifer!”

“Ciao Pablo! Come stai?” It’s so easy these one-on-one conversations.

“Sto bene. Il solito – the usual?” Pablo is cute and short, and has a super big smile each Monday morning.

“Si, il solito. Mio marito va pazzo per tuo salsiccia.” Now, it’s time to cue the laughter card because I just told the sausage vendor:

“Yes, the usual. My husband goes crazy for your sausage.”

If you don’t have a dirty mind then the above statement will blow right on over your head. I on the other hand was dying inside the moment the words left my mouth.

Pablo looks at me with a wide-eyed grin knowing what I want even before I arrive at his table.

“Senza busta vero?”

What I said:

“Si, no busta. Non mi piace ad avere la plastica a casa e poi fa male per nostro mondo.”
“Yes, no bag. I don’t like to have the plastic at home and then it’s bad for our world.”

What I wanted to say:

“Correct, no bag. I find it unnecessary to have a large collection of plastic bags at home, there is no need for it, plus plastic takes about a billion years to disintegrate thus making it bad for the earth.”

And with the same smile I’ve seen every Monday for the last five and a half years Pablo hands me the sausage without a bag and I smile graciously yet embarrassed, turn on my heel and search out the fruit and vegetable vendor.

Fig porn by Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian LifeNow let’s pretend I’m speaking with the fruit and vegetable vendor:

“Ciao ragazza!” I really hate it that he calls me ragazza – girl. I’ve bought his carrots and figs for years, he should know my name.

“Buongiorno. Mi dai per favore cattru figa. Mi piace molto la figa.”

The fruit vendor is beside himself and nearly crying with shock and laughter. The two elderly women beside me seem to be suffering from some type of cardiac arrest, shock or there’s a new disease around that leaves your mouth hanging open.

What I said:

“Good morning. Can you please give me four vagina’s. I like vagina’s a lot.” Okay so, this is something I said years ago, not recently, but it was said and still today the shock and giggle factor remains the same. I also said four in Gallurese.

So you see, learning a new language is not easy and at the best of times can be a whole lot of embarrassing.

There are still a number of things I screw up on like when to use UN, UNO or UNA – A, One, A.

Let’s try a little excercise and please feel free to correct me in the comment section below. I’ve just looked around my house for the following word list and I hope get them all correct. I’m aiming high!

Una banana – a banana
Un portacenere – an ashtray
Uno libro – one book. I wanted to say A book, would I write un libro?
Una penna – a pen
Una finestra – a window
Un divano – a sofa
Uno frigo – one fridge
Un cafe – a coffee
Una mela – an apple. And if I wanted to say One apple would it be Uno mela? I don’t think so, cue confusion.
Un asino – a donkey

I think this is all too much for 7:30 in the morning. I have system overload and need more coffee but this is the life of an expat in Italy. There are always questions, there will always be questions and I will always admit my mistakes and laugh at myself. It’s the only way to learn a new language.

What linguistic blunders have passed your lips?

Philippines Typhoon Relief and Renewal Fund – How you can help

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The death toll of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in the Philippines) that ripped through parts of the Philippines is nearing 10,000. Thousands of houses have been destroyed and many areas are still cut off from transport, communication and power.

Hundreds of thousands of people are still coming to terms with this devastating storm and are trying to cope with the lack of clean water, shelter, food and medicine.

A good friend of mine recently married a beautiful woman from the Philippines. They now have nothing. There are young children without a roof, water and food. There are entire families and communities that are suffering from this natural disaster and they need your help.

Words from my friend Chris:

“Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in the Philippines) is the most powerful Typhoon/Hurricane in recorded history. My wife’s family is from a rural fishing and farming village. The family home was destroyed by the winds and they, like many others in her village, will need to completely rebuild their homes. I do not know what the cost to rebuild a home is in the Philippines but I am certain any money will help.

If we can raise enough to get their house framed in, I will ask T. to start helping others in the area who have lost their homes as well!”

UPDATE: November 11th, 2013

“I have just been on Skype with Theresa (She is in Iloilo right now) and she said that they have been told that they are probably going to be out of power for 4 months.  She is trying to get a generator so that they can power a refrigerator and have some lights and use some power tools.

They will need the generator and fuel for it.  I have transferred some money and am waiting on the Fundraiser site to complete the transfer of what has already been raised. They said it will take a couple of business days for the transfer.” Chris Faulkner

How YOU can help rebuild Banate, Philippines.

If you are able to give even $2.00 then please click the following link:

Banate, Philippines Typhoon Relief and Renewal Fund

Your name, amount donated can be kept confidential or you can choose to publish your name and amount donated.

If you can’t donate then please help spread this message by sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and any other social media tools.

I thank you. The Faulkner family thanks you and the citizens of the Philippines thank you.