At the beginning of September I was commissioned by a book publisher from England to write a detailed 38 hotel listing for Sardinia, Italy. I was over the moon at being asked by such a global brand that I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Heck, I even did the happy dance all over the house for a few days as this project was my first real Freelance job, and I was ecstatic!! I’d like to thank The Travelbunny for recommending me. Holla Girl! Grazie.

Source: Wikimedia

I finished the job and handed in the project two days before the scheduled due date. It was imperative that my contract reach London in time, to get paid. I printed two identical contracts, signed both on the dotted line as asked, and headed to the Italian post office in my town. I inquired about a courier service and she told me the price – €35. I nearly had a coronary. Later, I asked in an Italian expat group – what the mainlanders pay for courier service to England and I was informed – €15. A staggering difference.

I asked the postal worker if there was a cheaper, still secure method to send these ever important documents to England, and she told me that I could send the documents via a Raccomandata Internazionale – an International registered letter, which I could follow with the tracking number on the receipt. The cost of the raccomandata was €7.00. A huge difference in price, and one that I could easily afford. I filled out the necessary documents and waited, and waited and waited. Continue reading →

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.

A few Tweets

@EuroSavant: Not only #Philippines #Sardinia also hit by killer-storm, flooding kills at least 12 clik4pics http://t.co/rNvWTqukWT #Sardegna

— Gina Bondi (@GinaBondi1) November 19, 2013

Pray for sardinia (italy)… #prayforsardinia #Sardegna #allertameteoSAR

— Claudia Pesce (@claudia_pesce) November 19, 2013

Buongiorno! 14 morti? Che strage! Un casino! Caduto in una malinconia e preoccupazione estrema! Forza bellagente! #alluvione #sardegna

— Giovanni serra (@gringoserra78) November 19, 2013

Sono vicina al popolo sardo. Spero che questa devastazione finisca al più presto! #Sardegna

— Rina (@_RinaC) November 19, 2013

#Sardegna #allertameteoSAR i Vigili del Fuoco dicono che la causa delle morti sia la gravita' degli eventi atmosferici.

— Bernardo Botti (@BernardoBotti) November 19, 2013

#RIP "@BBCBreaking: 14 killed, several missing after Cyclone Cleopatra hit Italian island of Sardinia http://t.co/KoVZAwztaY #Sardegna"

— ANT (@thelockedwonder) November 19, 2013

Emergenza #Sardegna Emergenza #Sardegna Emergenza #Sardegna Emergenza #Sardegna Emergenza #Sardegna Emergenza #Sardegna Emergenza #Sardegna

— Cristiano 00 Milan (@79_bond) November 19, 2013

La nostra terra che piange e lotta, distrutta,ma la nostra forza non si abbatte. Che dolore mia amata #Sardegna

— ValVir (@valvirdis) November 19, 2013

Ciclone #Cleopatra è calamità sulla #sardegna. 14 morti. Città evaquata per diga pericolosa a monte #climatechange

— Tommaso Pitacco (@TommasoPitacco) November 19, 2013

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

Solidarietà per chi in questo momento, sta combattendo con la furia del tempo e per chi ha perso tutto in #Sardegna

— Valentina (@Valenfiore) November 19, 2013

Today Sardinia weeps.

Flash floods in Sardinia kill nine (telegraph.co.uk)
Sardinia flash floods leave nine dead and hundreds homeless (mirror.co.uk)
Nine dead as storm ravages Sardinia (independent.ie)
Sardinia flash floods leave nine dead (terradaily.com)
Deadly storms and floods in Sardinia (oddonion.com)
Six people dead in Italian flash floods (sbs.com.au)
Sardinia on ‘maximum alert’ after deadly storms (theguardian.com)
Nine dead as storms hit Italian island of Sardinia (emirates247.com)
Deadly storms and floods in Sardinia (bbc.co.uk)
‘Apocalyptic’ storm floods Sardinia, 9 dead (metronews.ca)

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: