Once the musical

Once I knew I was off I decided to book the ticket for Once.

Once I got the ticket I couldn't wait to see the cast playing and singing in Once.

Once I arrived at the Theatre I realized I had also an upgrade to the stalls... for once!

Once I took my seat I could go on the stage as... there's a surprise to discover... at least once!

Once I sat down I could order my cocktail to be delivered "sur place", during the interval, to drink once.

Once the lights went down and the show started I could finally hear "Falling slowly" live for once (or twice).

Once the interval arrived I could receive my Piña Colada at my seat, without drinking it all at once.

Once the show finished I was melancholic but happy as it's been so sweet and emotional, glad I could see it once...

Holidays memories

Holidays are over. I should have written what I did and saw as London was glittering, as usual, but I had my bear-family here and I did everything but ignoring them writing on this blog.

I had such a lovely time, eating out with them, trying new restaurants (oh they are all so cozy in this magic city with a little bear like me!), showing them new sides of London.
So here I am now, with the best moments of Christmas period:

1. Paddington movie: well, it's so sweet you can't stop loving him. Of course I adored it as bear-colleague but even more as the film starts showing an earthquake in Peru that make Paddington take the decision to move to London. Maybe you don't know but I came to London as well after and earthquake and Paddington made me feel again the same emotions of moving on, getting used to a new city, learning a lot of new habits, of course without forgetting some marmelade: let's make life easy!

2. New Year's Eve, we went to see the fireworks at the London Eye. It was simply amazing. First of all when the countdown begins on the Shard, midnight comes, the Big Ben bells start as well as the first fireworks: that's such an emotional moment!
I won't forget this!

3. Christmas lights all over London: just beautiful and warm

Southbank Christmas Market from London Eye

4. Shopping centers windows: always full of fantasy and creative touch

5. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park: it's so funny when it opens as it's sad when it ends up... waiting for another Christmas to come, next year, and it will be unforgettable as always.

Let's make this 2015 fantastic then!

London Autumn best 5

Gosh it's Christmas time already.
How does it come time flies so fast in this city?
Well, it has been a wonderful autumn since the last time I wrote you and I have been doing a lot of funny, scary, interesting and lovely things. I'm a really active bear!
Some of them are not on anymore and it's a pity as they were really amazing, some of them are on their way so I will anticipate. So this is my "autumn14-chart". Enjoy!!!

1- Lord of the Dance - Dangerous Games at London Palladium: Michael Flatley's show was in London in September and October. I really couldn't miss it as it was a dream coming true and all my expectations were definitely satisfied. I really appreciated irish music and dance, the story and the epic final I had been watching on the dvd for years.A little melancholy appeared as Mr Flatley told about all the efforts put in this show since he started, but I can say they were worth it!

2- Autumn foliage in London parks. I think pictures talk by themselves. It's one of the best moments of the year and the parks shine of different sparkling colors.

3- London Dungeon: I visited it just between Halloween and Bonfire Night: is there a better moment for that? I was surprised in a positive way: you won't just walk along the justice systems and medieval torture of past London, you will really become part of the show assisting real scenes animated by a cast of actors who could play Shakespeare without any doubt! Thrilling surprises, rides, theatre and culture all mixed up to create a fantastic show. Once out you will appreciate the day-light and enjoy a "chocolate-torture" on the river ;)

4- Wicked: one of my best bear-friends came to visit me and we went to see Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre. The Wizard of Oz had a lot of secrets to reveal before Dorothy could discover his world. I really couldn't imagine it! Great cast and voices, special effects that will make you feel in a real-fantasy world so be prepared to defy gravity!

5- Last but not least: Paddington Bear coming to town! This winter will be all for Paddington movie, the famous lovely bear coming from Peru and facing a lot of adventures in London. The city is full of statues to find, like hidden gems to look for and I really enjoy going around to meet him and asking him suggestions about how to survive as a little bear in this wonderful and challenging town. Waiting for the movie I will try to find as many Paddington as I can! It will always be a pleasure to greet him!

So what's your favourite autumn London activity? Don't be shy and let me know!

Happy 2nd Birthday Teddy

August is flying away, but I can't forget this is Teddy's second birthday.
My little Teddy Bear has become to me such a lovely voice to tell London daily life with different eyes, different dimensions, different points of view, it's not that easy to consider things through the eyes of a little pet! However it's funny and delicate at the same time and, even when life gets busy, I want to find some time for Teddy.
London is such an amazing city there would be something to talk about every day, it's a real door on the world, be sure that whatever happens on hearth you will touch and experience a part of it in London. And that's basically the main reason why I love this city so much.

So happy birthday Teddy, with the purpose of experiencing, having fun, discovering, developing, creating, enjoying new talents and pleasures, taking the best side of life. That is what I wish to all those who will see these pages, by chance or interest.

A Cupcake-affaire

Summer is made for memories to build and they can be related to places, people, feelings, sounds, food. And flavours that remain in your brain more than in your mouth.
So I will absolutely remember this summer for new cupcakes I have tasted.
It was a grey, fresh (uhm... cold I'd say) day and I was wandering in London-town when I suddenly met a bright lovely light-blue carriage full of inviting different cupcakes: Lola's cupcakes.
I immediately saw myself in my hole with some of those sweets and a cup of hot and warming tea. So I decided for 4 of them (the choice was not easy indeed!): the salted caramel, the black forest, the macadamia&dark chocolate, the cheese icing and I have to admit: this one has completely seduced me.
The cake is soft and fluffy, the mix of icing and jam, nuts and other flavours well balanced and really creative.
It's possible to choose between 2 different sizes, and -as a bear- I should have chosen the smallest, but I like challenges and I am a brave bear so I took the bigger ones. It's time to prepare the energy to face the colder season after all!
Well done Lola!
http://www.lolas-kitchen.co.uk/index.php

L'estate è fatta per i ricordi da costruire e possono provenire da luoghi, persone, sensazioni, suoni, cibo. E sapori che rimangono in testa molto più a lungo che fra i denti.
Così sono certo che ricorderò questa estate per aver provato nuovi cupcakes.
Era una giornata grigia e fresca (oserei dire proprio fredda!) e stavo vagando giù in città quando improvvisamente ho incontrato un carretto azzurro pieno di cupcakes tutti diversi e tanto invitanti: Lola's cupcakes.
Mi sono visto subito nella mia tana con alcuni di quei dolcetti e una tazza di te caldo.
Così mi sono deciso per 4 (scelta per niente facile!): caramello salato, foresta nera, noci di macadamia e cioccolato, copertura alla cheesecake, e devo ammettere quest'ultimo mi ha completamente sedotto.
Il tortino è assolutamente soffice e morbido, il mix di coperture e marmellate, frutta secca e altri ingredienti ben bilanciato e molto creativo.
Si può scegliere fra 2 dimensioni, e come orsetto avrei dovuto prendere i più piccolini, ma a me piacciono le sfide e sono molto coraggioso così ho preso i più grandi. E' tempo di preparare le energie per affrontare le stagioni più fredde dopo tutto.
Ben fatto Lola!
http://www.lolas-kitchen.co.uk/index.php

A bear-postcard for you

I know it's raining a lot around Europe and Italy, but summer is keeping good in London by now, with some whole sunny days, really lovely to enjoy.
Today I was going around in Kensington Gardens as I found this little cute statue that seemed to be made for little bears, so this is my postcard of the day for you.
With love,
Teddy
XXX

So che sta piovendo molto in certe zone d'Europa e in Italia, ma l'estate si sta mantenendo buona a Londra con alcune giornate soleggiate davvero amabili e godibili.
Oggi ero in giro ai Giardini di Kensington quando ho trovato questa piccola adorabile statua che sembrava fatta proprio per piccoli orsetti, così ve la trasmetto come cartolina del giorno per voi.
Con affetto
il vostro Teddy
XXX

Teddy's Holidays. Colmar.

Where is Teddy gone? Everybody is asking!
Well, I have to admit, I have been travelling a lot in the past 2 months!
I faced a long trip to go to visit my family in Italy. More than 1000 miles, and all by myself: what an adventure!
I went through 5 different Countries: UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Really a lot for a little bear like me.
I stopped in such a lovely town, in France, that I really want to share with you: Colmar.
When you say France people always think to Paris, maybe Cote d'Azur and that's all, but this Country is so full of lovely towns and villages, and Colmar is one of these.
I stopped here for 1 night, I had already been here once and I am really glad I visited it again.
Firstly, as you arrive you are stunned by the unexpected copy of the Statue of Liberty, usually known to be in New York: that's because it was designed by Auguste Bartholdi, who was born in this french town. I really wanted to climb it (it's not as high as the original one) but I had so many things to visit I changed my mind, and in the end, there was no honey on top of it!
Colmar is absolutely fascinating on sunset time. You can walk through the town center and enjoy the little channels along the streets until what is called Petite-Venise (Little Venice): a lovely and poetic area full of historic buildings, taverns and brasserie surrounded by small canals. With the first evening lights turning on it looks really magic.
I really suggest to stop at the marché couvert (covered market) in Rue des Écoles: a little door will open for you a space of stalls and shops of any kind, from crafts to bakeries, all french style. It is worth a visit!
Then you will enjoy the shopping streets and the bakeries and patisseries, which will surround you of that intense butter sweetness, while croissants and pain au chocolat grow in the ovens. You won't end your visit without a baguette in your hand.
This is Colmar in summer, but it's much more famous for its Christmas market in winter, one of the best of Alsace region.
I'll see you again, douce Colmar.

Dov'è finito Teddy? Me lo chiedono tutti!
Devo ammettere che ho viaggiato un sacco negli ultimi 2 mesi!
Ho affrontato un lungo viaggio per andare a trovare la mia famiglia di orsetti in Italia. Più di 1000 miglia e tutte per conto mio: che avventura è stata!
Ho attraversato 5 Paesi diversi: UK, Francia, Belgio, Svizzera e Italia. E' davvero tanto per un orsetto piccolo come me!
Mi sono fermato per una tappa in una così bella cittadina in Francia che voglio condividerla con voi: Colmar.
Quando dici Francia tutti pensano a Parigi, forse la Cote d'Azur, ma questo Paese è così pieno di cittadine e villaggi meravigliosi e Colmar è una di queste.
Mi sono fermato per una notte, ci ero già stato una volta e sono proprio contento di averla visitata di nuovo.
Innanzi tutto, all'arrivo alle porte della città si rimane colpiti dalla copia inaspettata della Statua della Libertà, generalmente conosciuta per essere a New York: questo perchè è stata disegnata e progettata da Auguste Bartholdi, nato in questa cittadina appunto.
Volevo scalarla (non è assolutamente alta come l'originale), ma avevo così tante cose da visitare che ho cambiato idea, anche perchè non c'era mica il miele là sopra!
Colmar ha un fascino particolare al tramonto. Si può passeggiare lungo il centro e godersi i piccoli canali che costeggiano le vie fino a quella che è chiamata Petite-Venise (Piccola Venezia): una zona molto poetica piena di edifici storici, taverne e brasserie, cinte dai piccoli canali. L'atmosfera è ancor più magica all'accendersi delle prime luci della sera.
Suggerisco davvero una visita al Mercato Coperto in Rue des Écoles: una porticina vi aprirà uno spazio fatto di bancarelle e negozietti in vero stile francese: vale la visita.
Potrete poi proseguire per le vie dello shopping, dove non mancano mai pasticcerie da cui proviene quell'intenso profumo di burro di croissants e pain au chocolat che crescono in forno. Non finirete la visita senza una baguette in mano.
Questa è Colmar d'estate, ma è anche più famosa per il suo mercato natalizio d'inverno, uno dei più belli dell'Alsazia.
Ci rivedremo, dolce Colmar.