Joy and the Art of Appreciation

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

I’ve been slack: I simply haven’t been writing the past few weeks.  I guess sometimes you just get too busy being awesome; very time consuming!   ;)

A few weeks back I wrote ‘Endure to Conquer’ and chatted about the challenges and projects I’m working on at the moment.  It still all holds true: nothing earth-shattering has gone down in a few weeks but I’ve gained some great momentum in the direction I want to be heading (i.e. cashed up in tiny shorts, drinking gin with my 87-yr-old Nan in Central Queensland on a Tuesday).  Ok that’s a bit unrealistic.  She doesn’t drink gin.

So a few weeks ago a dear friend called me to touch base and see how I was travelling.  I promptly burst into tears as girls are sometimes prone to doing.  It was then that I received the best piece of advice I have received in eons.

He said: ‘I know you’re not overly enjoying what you’re doing at the moment.  You’re not where you think you should be. You’re not where you want to be.  But I know there are moments in every single day that you enjoy.  Hold on to those moments.  The joy you have will help gloss over the crappy parts and make time go quicker.’*

Simple? Yes. Obvious? Maybe. Poignant? Absolutely.

I always endeavour to be patient with the advice I receive, as it is always well meant, but often feels redundant.  This pearler really hit home for me because it was exactly what I needed at the time.

Whatever is going on in your life, there is always joy to be had.  Those great moments spent with your colleagues, friends, children, your partner, in nature, that nod between two joggers pounding pavement in the early morning.

As we get closer to Christmas there are the inevitable parties, ‘must-catch-up-before-Christmas’ drinks, shopping, cooking and preparing for holidays.  Lots of fun to be had.  I actually had my first bout of Christmas baking yesterday with a beloved girlfriend: gingerbread and shortbread in 30 degree heat and 90% humidity felt somewhat counterintuitive, but fun nonetheless!

Whilst for most of us there is a lot to be excited for and happy about: Christmas can often be a stressful time. Trying to wrap things up for the end of the year, achieve the goals you have set for 2011, do all the shopping and preparations for the holidays.

This year I am going to do my best to enjoy the season, see the people I hold dearest and give the gift of time.  (Don’t worry friends, that time gift still yields shortbread and rumballsl!)  I look forward to spending quality time with friends and family and refuse to be caught up in the hype of super-spending on elaborate gifts.  As much as I love to give and receive gifts at Christmas, I also love the gifts that are given randomly for no special occasion: like the gift of wise words from my great friend when I needed them.

His words pushed me to actively take more joy in life again; even though it can be a hard slog.  I’ve so much to be thankful for, I can’t imagine what I’ve done to deserve such blessings.

So folks, this festive season why not ease up on the crazy spending and spend the time that would normally be tied up in shopping/gift-wrapping/stressing over credit card bills with the people that make your life worth living.  In 12 months’ time it will be those moments shared that you remember more than any gifts you gave or received.

Wrapping up; if you are feeling a little lost or feel the need for a little inspiration, I recommend Steve Jobs’ chat at a University graduation some 6 years ago.  What a legend.  See link below.
http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html

 

Happy holidays everyone!  4 weeks ’til Christmas: woohoo!

 

xoxo,

 

AB

*Creative license and paraphrasing have been utilised.

 

Categories: Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Keeping a Travel Diary

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

Prior to May this year I had never travelled to Europe and never travelled solo: I was nervous, but excited.  I was also eager to record as much of my experience as possible.  My memory has been likened to a sieve and with a deep love of nostalgia; this is a problem.

An old-fashioned travel diary was my modality of choice.  Having never kept a diary consistently before, I was doubtful as to how disciplined I would be at making entries, but excited at the chance to prove myself wrong.

Turns out flying solo was very conducive to diary entries: I wrote in restaurants, on park benches, on beaches, in hostel bunk beds, on balconies, on boats, buses, trains and planes.  It was a little bit like having someone with which to share the experience, without the potential hassles of travelling with a friend or lover.

I met others with travel diaries, too.  One particularly awesome guy had a pocketbook where he simply recorded in bullet point the happenings of the day.  One or two lines, nothing more.  It was his belief that flowery regalia changed the nature of the memory simply through narration.  Whilst I respect that, I’m a talker, always have been and if there was no-one to talk to, then damn it, I would write!

This was reflected strongly through the gaps in my diary entries:  when there were great people around and long, boisterous days the entries were missing and filled in days later (Positano on the Amalfi Coast was a great example).  When I was on my own the entries were long and detailed. (Marseille and the French Bikram Yoga experience!)

Other travellers kept account through photography (I did this too via my crappy point-and-shoot), others still through video diaries or dance diaries!  See my gorgeous friend Julia dancing across several continents.

Either way, if you’re heading on a trip soon I highly recommend recording your experiences.  Our chances to travel are more limited than we would like (for most of us) and the nuances of the places and people we meet are too soon forgotten.  It’s well worth the effort.

Now that I’ve been back for 6 weeks (can’t believe it) I often pick up my diary and open to a random entry to relive the experience.  It’s incredible how much you forget so quickly.

 

Here are some of my fave travel journals on Amazon at the moment:

 

Here’s an entry I found that kept me smiling all week:

 

The Top 10(ish) in no logical order:

 

  • The Danish wife of an Italian farmer pulling a disgusted face at the glass of water in front of her and emptying its contents on to the grass: “After two years here, I drink only wine”

 

  • Lemons on steroids in Sorrento- HUGE!

 

  • A trek, ferry, train, bus and car rides all in one day to get to the middle of nowhere- and it was worth it

 

  • Meeting bloody Australians EVERYWHERE! We drank all of Guiseppe’s organic wine…

 

  • Regional drinking: Ale in England, Guiness/Irish Coffees in Ireland, Campari, Prosecco, Bellinis, Limoncello and Vino della Casa in Italy, Evian in Evian- Champagne is next!

 

Amichan and I on the boat to Evian from Lausanne

 

  • Confirming your suspicions that you are in fact ‘mildly’ gluten intolerant by sampling Italy’s finest pane, pasta, pizza and pastry!

 

  • Seeing a Japanese friend after 8 years and it being just as you remember, except better because now you’re eating Vietnamese Pho in Switzerland speaking French.

 

  • 3 countries in 24 hours!

 

  • The view from the balcony of Hostel Brikette in Positano

 

  • Beer towers with the boys in Rome

 

  • The Best Pizza in the World in the Pizzeria that INVENTED IT!

 

The Basilica of Beer

 

  • The ride to the Pizza place on a Neopolitan woman’s Vespa!

 

  • Clubbing in a cave on the beach with the local Italian guy from the hostel and the American girl who arrived 6 weeks prior and forgot to leave…

 

  • Being hit on by 50 y.o Giovanni in his white chinos, unbuttoned shirt and luscious chest hair  … Hmm.

 

  • Accidental free tour of the Vatican city and Sistine Chapel…whoops!

 

If there’s anything better than a Michelangelo fresco, it’s a FREE fresco!

 

  • THAT winery in Mestrino with the 16y.o. yankee that could not believe his luck!

 

  • Incessant Wizard of Oz jokes at poor folk from Kansas

 

  • Making it to Marostica in northern Italy where Zia Luisa’s family the Benedettis are from- thanks to the kindness of my lovely hostess in Mestrino!

 

  • Italian and French outdoor markets in the same week….

 

Tapenade and aioli galore in Evian

Ok so that’s 19! I could go on….

 

 

Happy travel writing!

 

xo, AB

 

Categories: Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Hedonist’s Dilemma: in pursuit of denim cut-offs

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

This site is devoted to earthly pleasures, yes. For most, this conjures up images of no-holds-barred hedonism: gorgeous and exotic foods, delicious wine, beautiful scenery, music, cigars, love-making on fur rugs in front of an open fireplace with glasses of cognac… ok, perhaps that’s just my personal take on the concept!

My European jaunt was certainly a wonderful exercise in my version of hedonism. Minus the making love on fur rugs in front of an open fireplace of course. It was Summer!

All manners of excess aside, most of us simply cannot maintain a ‘pastry for breakfast’ regime  for long without denying ourselves some other pleasures in life: namely fashion and/or looking awesome naked.

Mireille Guiliano of ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat’ fame quoted her family doctor as advising that there are two natures in all of us: Narcissus leaning over his pool and Pantagruel leaning over his table. (i.e. the part of us that wants to put Jocelyn’s Provisions out of business vs. the other that wants to slide into a slinky party dress/go break hearts on a Saturday night).

The key, according to Giuliano, is not to conquer the latter but to make friends of your two selves; to be master of your willpower and your pleasures. I could not agree more.

 

 

 

 

Whilst I am the first to admit I gain immense pleasure from beautiful, indulgent, well-made food (especially decadent sweets)… there is nothing worse than feeling like your indulging is ‘out of control’. Nor is there anything less heartening than changing 8 times before leaving the house because nothing sits quite the way you would like it to (read: not being able to do the zip up). This is not a pleasurable way to live, and no amount of wine, artisan bread or brownies would make up for it.

And so, post-European extravanganza, I am on a health kick.  My goals are not pious: I am not aiming for increased fitness, glowing skin, shiny eyes, better energy or protection against disease. I am not in a ‘my body is a temple’ mindset.

Instead, I have a ridiculously shallow aim, a garment I have always lusted over and never quite pulled off: the denim cut-off. You know the ones I’m talking about: frayed around the bottom, pockets slightly longer than the leg, perhaps even cut on the diagonal up the butt cheek… effectively denim underwear! Classy, I know.

 

not short enough lady, but close!

 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m relatively ‘fit’ (whatever that means). I’ve exercised for nearly a decade in the pursuit of svelte and have improved my athletic abilities across the board. I’ve always loved salad as much as soufflé, have gotten quite slim at times, even gotten a little bit more ‘toned’. However, I’ve not achieved what I set out to achieve originally: body recomposition. That is to gain muscle and lose body fat; not just to ‘lose weight’, often a loss combination of fat, water, muscle and fun.

Since returning home, I’ve been following Tim Ferriss’ Slow Carb regime with some measured success.  However, I am yet to see results drastic enough to warrant the effort.  And so, with renewed vigour, clarity and motivation I am going to see the boys at Biologiclabs tomorrow to see what scientific-based training and nutrition gems they have for me. They specialise in bodybuilding and whilst I’m not convinced that stripper heals and glittery bikinis will ever be on the cards for me, you can’t fight the fact that those ladies be lean.

I have a feeling the upcoming months will involve an inordinate amount of poached chicken, greens and heavy squats.

Wish me luck! All in the pursuit of mastering hedonism and narcissism. Never fear though, this hedonist will never totally cross over. Champagne and cake are just too.important.

 

If all else fails I’ll just have to enlist Nigella Lawson’s stylist!

 

 I’ll take that dress in every colour, thanks.

 

Love, protein and push-ups,

 

 

AB xo

 

 

Categories: Health | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

A week’s worth of oven-lovin’: baked greats

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

One of the things I missed the most whilst living out of a backpack for 14 weeks was a kitchen!  Not my kitchen necessarily, just a kitchen. I’m not fussy and I can make myself at home in record speed!  Luckily I was able to stay with lovely friends in various countries throughout the inaugural Eurotrip who let me take over theirs.  There was ratatouille, banana pudding, chicken stew, apple crumbles, choc-chip cookies, frittatas, scones in the Aga, Bologna-inspired ragu, banana bread that was a wee bit moist and that gooey diabetic mess that is caramel slice (millionaire’s shortbread for those of you in the UK).

 

Me in Mother Teresa’s kitchen; Newry, Ireland

 

So, whilst very grateful for the cooking I got to do in the kitchens of my gracious hosts in Ireland (above), in Oxford, York (the cricket tea in June deserves a post to itself), Tooting and Evian; I was very excited to get back home (my childhood home) and run riot!

Even though I am on a killer diet in preparation for the wooing of Tim Ferriss in Melbourne at the end of October (*swoon*)… I have had a cheeky week of baking for loved ones and papped some pics to share with y’all (yes, in written prose I have an Alabaman drawl. Just go with it…)

 

Belated Birthday and ‘You got a 9-5′ Celebration & Commiserations:

 

 

Snickering Tart; for Sharon Friel, my favourite tart
The Recipe. The Snickers.
Friels, Pie and Le Grand Mansion

 

 My Cousin Cherie’s Cupcakes; I know you’re drooling by now…

 

Great Granma’s recipe: vanilla butter cupcakes

 

Vanilla butter frosting + sprinkles + smarties. It’s not classy. It’s certainly not avante garde. But when something is THIS good, you’d be mad to change it!
Saved one for cheat day. Cupcake-driving is the new drink driving. Gorgeous, naughty.

 

Visiting friends at The Australian Institute of Fitness for old times’ sake:

 

Flourless Chocolate Torte, Strawberry Compote Bits and No Bits/Double Cream (GF friendly)

 

 

Driving with cake + condiments = STRESS!

And, of course, the damage:

 

Um, I’ll cook, you clean? If this sounds like you, post phone number to comments!

 

So, there you have it: the sweets I baked this week to distract me from sorting my life out!  What a glorious distraction.  Currently taking requests…

 

 

Love, sprinkles and icing sugar,

 

 

 

AB xo

 
 

 

Categories: Food | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The UK Top 5…

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

When I set off on my trip in May, I was very much looking forward to seeing my fantastic mates in the United Kingdom.  However, I wasn’t particularly sold on the idea of the UK itself.  It conjured up images of a cold, grey landscape complete with miserable whinging poms, flushed and chubby-faced.  I was always baffled as to why so many Australians would not only choose to travel there but to live there too!  Seemed crazy to me.  Not to mention the pesky issue of the pervasive ‘Heathrow Injection’.

But wait! Hold the hate mail!

I figured out why my friends from the UK are so great: England, Ireland and Scotland ROCK!  Who knew?

Whilst I only had the pleasure of a few days in both Ireland (Newry) and Scotland (Edinburgh), I was lucky enough to spend about 6 weeks in England and enjoyed it immensely.  There was the diversity and excitement of London and then, in stark contrast, the quaint villages of North Yorkshire.  Seaside towns, complete with sweeping landscape, cobblestone streets and carnival atmosphere.  The quintessentially ‘English’ towns of Oxford, Bath, York, Chester… all beautiful, rich in heritage and so far removed from anything we have in Australia.  Don’t believe it?  Where have you visited in Oz recently that featured a Town Crier?

Not only would I recommend the United Kingdom as a tourist destination, I will now be a repeat visitor.   Not sure that I’m sold on the idea of moving there (a northern winter doesn’t turn on this Queenslander), but I seriously cannot wait to go back again!

Here, in no particular order, are my ‘UK Top 5′:

 

Mum & Me with a gorgeous flowerpot in Chester

Flowerpots

 

Let’s just say you ain’t seen flowers ’til you’ve been to England.  The climate allows for colourful annuals to be grown in abundance.  Whether in kitsch wheelbarrows at the village watering hole, in beautiful black square pots adorned in gold lettering or jazzing up an apartment window box; the flowers in the UK knocked my socks off!

Flower Pot Wheelbarrow at the Ham and Cheese, Scagglethorpe.

 

Pubs

We Aussies think we know how to drink; and I’m not saying we do a bad job.  However, when it comes to places to drink, nowhere does cosy, charming and full of character like the UK.  From the crazy names (The Spotted Cow, Golden Fleece, King’s Head, Eagle and Child, Cock and Bull, Black Boy Inn) dating back hundreds of years, to the enormous range of lagers, ciders and stouts on tap and of course the warming, homely comford food: English pubs are just something else entirely.

 

Pub Grub

Two Traditonal Faggots is a valid lunch option…

There is of course, the traditional Sunday roast (and don’t they do it well) – complete with Yorkshire puddings, mixed veg, gravy and three types of potato.  However, there is also the traditional English fare that would have some of us wondering what on earth we were ordering!

Anyone for a bit of Growler?

Not that you couldn’t find two traditional faggots or a bit of growler at your local in Oz, it’s just less likely they would actually written on the menu…

 

 

 

 

 

Colourful Doors & Great Knockers

Enough said.

 

Great knockers!

Cream Teas

 

Call it a Devonshire Tea.  Call it a Cornish Tea.  Call it a cream tea, call it whatever you like.  If there are freshly baked fruit scones, homemade jam, clotted cream, a three-tier stand and a pot of refreshing leaf tea: I AM THERE!

No where does it like the motherland.

So there you have it, folks!  My UK Top 5.  Of course there are other things worth visiting the UK for, many requiring audioguides.  It is just my personal opinion that the boozing, eating, flowers and doors are the best bits!  I’d love to hear you’re favourite bits about this great part of the world too!  Please post to comments.

Cream Tea at Betty’s in York

 

 

 

 

 Love, clotted cream and cider,

 

 

 

 

 

xo,  AB

Categories: Travel, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Holy Grail of Gelato

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

When in Rome…eat Gelato thrice a day!

 

Happy, happy, joy, joy!

My main goal on the inaugural European Gastro-trip was to eat and drink regionally throughout Europe.  I drank ale with my scotch egg in Oxford, Guinness with my wheaten bread in Newry, Tagliatelle Bolognese in Bologna; I could go on (and I will)!

Well-travelled friends from Australia and the UK were generous in their recommendations on culinary ‘must-dos’  as I arrived in each glorious, shiny new destination. Rome and Gelato was a theme that came up again and again.  Hedonists and health-nuts alike (girls, you know who you are) implored me to eat copious quantities of the stuff even before I got to Rome.  ‘Three times a day, Amanda! Go to the place with 100 flavours!’

I found it Tahlia!
The Gelati Tourist

Now, the city of Rome is home to The Vatican: the world’s smallest sovereign state and the biggest Catholic hotspot in the world.  Rome also boasts some of the most impressive historical artefacts in Europe including the Pantheon, Colosseum and Roman Forum.  Extensive collections of Renaissance art are housed in the National Roman and Vatican Museums.

So I was surprised (and secretly chuffed), that despite all of these great attractions, when asked what was memorable about the city, the answer from friends and fellow travellers alike was:  GELATO!

ge·la·to  (j-lät, j-) n. pl. ge·la·ti (-t) An Italian ice cream or ice.

I’ll say it once, and I’ll repeat myself incessantly:  go to Rome and eat Gelato. Now. Book it. I’m even going to give you 15 minutes to leave this post and book your ticket.

***

Ok! Now that’s sorted I can get back to helping you rationalise the post-purchase dissonance you may be experiencing after spontaneously buying a plane ticket to embark on a gelato pilgrimage in the Italian capital.

Is there great food in Italy? Obviously.  Can you get ice-cream throughout Italy, the world at large and in your home town? Yes! So why is it so special in Rome? Well, not only is there a gelato shop on every corner, there is really good gelato on every second corner!

Google ‘rome gelato’ and global food blogs will shower you with ‘Top 10’ lists, how to spot an excellent gelato spot from a stinker, flavour translations, how-to-order in a traditional gelato shop and phrases to look for meaning ‘made in house’ and ‘organic’.  It is only then you begin to grasp the gravity of the gelato situation.  I couldn’t wait to get amongst it.

Caramel & Fig; Chocolate Fondant
Annihilated the poor thing before it even had the chance for a decent photo op

One evening after a delicious aperitivo, I decided to go on a little pilgrimage to 3 of the top rated gelato spots in Rome: Ciampini, Il Gelato di Caudio Torce and San Crispino.  Having already tasted the delights of Giolitti that morning (for breakfast), I was excited to see what the rest had on offer.

GIOLITTI- Coffee, pastries to die for, even better gelato!
The first star on my Roman Gelato Map

I hit San Crispino near Fontana di Trevi first- a very famous and very posh gelateria made even more famous by Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat Pray Love’ and the movie of the same name starring the enchanting Julia Roberts.  They use only the best organic ingredients, sourced locally and even refuse to serve cones as they cannot control the quality.  Gelati fundamentalists; you can’t say the Italians don’t take their food seriously!   Their flavours are delicate and not too sweet; beautiful.  The gelati is not on display in garish mountains like in most spots, but hidden in silver-lidded vessels; away from air and lustful eyes.

Julia gets it

Second on my list was Ciampini in Piazza di San Lorenzo- famous for the cream adorned creations.  Yes- ordering your gelati con panna (with whipped cream) is totally acceptable.  Joy of joys! Bring your lactose pills people; it’s dairy time.  I was fairly sated from my San Crispino hit and so settled for a hazelnut tartufo- a ball of luscious lovin’ served on a stick!

Ciampini 'Heaven on stick'
My Tartufo- choosing a flavour was the toughest decision of the day

 

Last, and so far from least was Il Gelato di Claudio Torce in Piazza Monte D’Oro, just around the corner from Ciampini.  Even at the height of my gluttony I couldn’t face 3 gelati hits in less than 2 hours (in retrospect this does seem a bit soft) but was so thrilled at the sight of the flavours I vowed to the cute gelati boy that I’d be back the next day.  He replied in his heartbreaking accent ‘I will wait for you all day’ *swooooon*!

The following day was my last in Rome, and following an accidentally-free tour of the Vatican (ahem) I scuttled to Piazza Monte D’Oro to see my beloved (the 4 beautiful cabinets of gelato that is) before making my way to Naples.  The result was one of my most treasured memories of the trip.   My poor little taste buds didn’t know what hit ‘em.

 

Grazie mille, Claudio Torce
100% Madagascan Chocolate, Lampone (raspberry) and Habernero! WIN!

 

I could rave all day about Claudio Torce and his ballsy flavour combinations, flawless textures and cute gelato boys, but Katie Parla has said it all in several posts about the Gelati Genius.  It was her blog that led me to this revelation in icy delights and for that I will forever be in her debt.  I only wish I could be there for the Gelati Aperitivo she is hosting on September 17! How delightful!

So, there you have it folks.  My gelato journey through Rome.  I could not be more emphatic in my recommendation that you must do it at least once in your life; if not once a year.

In closing, I’m voting to have the saying ‘like a kid in a candy store’ changed to ‘like Amanda in a gelati shop!’

 

 

xo, AB

 

Categories: Food | Tags: , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Everyday I’m tra-vel-lin’

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

I have often fantasized about having a soundtrack for my life.  Magical invisible speakers that broadcast my favourite songs as appropriate throughout the day, synced perfectly with my current mood and/or situation.

Since I landed at Heathrow Airport on May 29, I have felt at times that I did, in fact, have a soundtrack. Whether played in a bar, hostel, on my iPod or in my head; these songs have followed me across 11 countries over 12 weeks.

I can see myself in the future hearing these songs and exclaiming:  ’Oh! This song reminds me of when I was in Naples!’  (This anticipation of remembering the trip I have christened ‘pre-stalgia’).

The following make up a shortlist of some of my favourites:

 

‘I need a dollar’ - ecomog feat. Aloe Blac and Au – The George Hotel, Malton, England

My first big night out on the other side of the world.  Quaint Yorkshire village town – start of Summer – only girl out with a cricket team of boys with thick northern accents.  Dangerously cheap double vodkas, jetlag and excitement fuelled a memorable night.

 

‘That’s Amore‘ – Dean Martin- Naples, Italy (inspired by The Best Pizza in the World at Da Michelle)

This tune was in my head not only in Naples, but in Rome and in Madrid as a slightly altered and repetitive version: ‘Iiiiiiiiiii’m in Spain, I’m in Spain, I’m in Spain, I’m in Spain, I’m in Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain!’

Da Michelle, Napoli

Never was 5 euro better spent.

 

 ’Sorrento Moon’ – Tina Arena- Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Italy (the first CD I ever owned, and most likely written with Sorrento, Victoria in mind, but it still seemed utterly appropriate!)

I skyped a gorgeous Brissy chick at midnight one Saturday in June from a trailer park in Sorrento; star gazing.  That little slice of heaven was mine, for the bargain price of 20 euro a night.

 

Picturesque Sorrento on a Saturday in June

 

‘Give me Everything’ - Pitbull and NeYo – EVERYWHERE, Earth

This song has followed me everywhere.  From The Coope Wedding in May, that pub-crawl in Malton (North Yorkshire), Canal Court in Newry (Ireland), painting the town red in Florence, the nightclub in a cave in Positano, the streets of Lyon (France) on Bastille Day, that other pub-crawl in Madrid (damn that Sangria) and the rough nightlife of Lagos (Portugal).  Still, I can’t help but love it.  So many great memories with some of my favourite people in both hemispheres.

 

‘Pumped up kicks’ – Foster the People- Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy (played by Master DJ Ashleigh Oxtoby at Hostel Brikette)

Monday morning, the most beautiful sea vista in my life to date, a random group of (brilliant) dancing peeps handpicked by the Universe and Limoncello-Laced Lemon Bombs. An unforgettable moment.

Some of those great people I met in Positano have great blogs:

http://franklyeuropean.tumblr.com/ (Frank’s photos inspired me to cease taking photos and ask him to send me his)

http://homeiswherethestartis.wordpress.com/ (Victoria aka ‘Hot Diet Coke Girl’ really is a golden-haired mermaid! We shared a love of carbs. )

 

Tiramisu

The Golden Mermaid and me feeding each other Tiramisu and Ricotta pie in Positano

‘Cecilia‘ – Simon and Garfunkel – Scotland

Road tripping with my parentals after two months of backpacking: lovely to see them and lovely to be lapping up the luxury of not having to wear thongs in the shower at one’s accommodation!

British radio stations seem to be many and varied; my favourite being ‘Heart’, a station that plays exclusively naff, old tunes!

George Benson, Lionel Richie, Toto, Paul Simon with and without Art Garfunkel.  We had just crossed the Scottish/English border when ‘Cecilia’ came on.  Reminds me particularly of carpark dancing on a long weekend in Melbourne with a beautiful friend of mine.

 

‘Party Rock Anthem’ – LMFAO – England, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal

This song inspired me to wear flat shoes.

In Italy I had one of those delicious moments when you amuse yourself and confuse everyone else; I was stuffing my gear unceremoniously into my backpack (on loan from the one and only Sharon Friel) and suddently blurted out: ‘Everyday I’m tra-ve-llin’ and started shuffling across the dorm room.

 

Last, but not least:

‘Marry you‘- Bruno Mars- Road Trip from Oxford to Malton

I’m promised by my Bruno Mars-loving road tripping companion that this will be the tune we will be belting out at the top of our lungs tomorrow.  Nope, it’s not an ass-about proposal, just a love of really girly music.

 

Songs that will forever remind me of The First Big Trip.

 

Love & (Passionfruit) Kisses,

 

AB xoxo

Midnight, 19th August, 2011. Oxford.

Categories: Music | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

Welcome!

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Amanda Bowen

 

This is a site devoted to earthly pleasures and frustrations: our happiness and  lifestyle.  The things that bring us joy and create moments worth remembering.  The things that frustrate us and force us to grow.  All in the pursuit of making the most of life and creating more opportunity to give.

Click on ‘About the author‘ to find out more…

And the name? A late night in Marseille is to blame.  Bowen (like mangoes) is the easiest way to communicate my family name to car insurance companies over the phone (I generally have to switch up that policy every year or so.)

Bowen Mangoes are (by my own admission) the most delicious to be found in the Australian Summer.

It’s even a place: Far North Queensland. Go There.

 

2009 pilgrimage to my namesake town

 

 

 

 

 

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