Tag Archives: sardegna

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.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Habit

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This weeks weekly photo challenge is habit, and there is no better place in the world where the people still abide by the same habits or rituals as they did hundreds of years ago, like they do here in Sardinia.

This hard-working man from Tonara is making a wooden platter in the shape of Sardinia to sell or give away as gifts to friends. For millenia the islanders have used natural resources from the surrounding area to make stunning hand-crafted items that will last a lifetime.

Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life Habit

This is my response to the weekly photo challenge: habit.

Do you prefer to buy your gifts from small independent business?

  • © 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.
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Snapshots: Memories from Mamoiada

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Mamoiada is a small rural town in the province of Nuoro and is famous for its carnival held in February. I recently had the pleasure of visiting this mountain town and it held up to my expectations. Follow me on a photographic journey to the heart of Sardinia – Mamoiada.

View of Mamoiada from the watch tower at Cantina Puggioni Giampietro.

View of Mamoiada from the watch tower at Cantina Puggioni Giampietro.

Tzilleri = Bar

Beautiful old alleys and doorways.

Typical bread for that special day.
Patience and care goes into making this typical bread from Mamoiada.
Roast Pecora

Roast Pecora

Roasting chestnuts.

Hand-crafted masks.
Masks of the Mamuthones.
The most comical guy I've met in a long time at Mamoiada.

The most comical guy I’ve met in a long time at Mamoiada.

Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life Mamoiada (3)

Tappas in Mamujada 2013

I’d like to personally thank the Mamoiadini for throwing such a BIG fabulous festival at the Tappas in Mamujada. From what I read there were about 25,000 people in attendance this past Sunday. Keep up the great work. I look forward to a return visit.

  • © 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.