Slawka Giorgia Scarso - Freelance writer specialised in Wine, Travel and Business

Il brand nel vino - brand concept in wine

2006-03-02T16:04:00.000+01:00

A feature on brand concept in wine marketing, analysing how this differs between different channels of distribution. First published in Tigulliovino.it in March 2006.
Also available on Art Motions.

Blogger oriented strategies and wine - Strategie blogger oriented e vino

2006-02-13T12:06:00.000+01:00

While some might say that bearing gifts of wine to journalists and wine writers doesn't mean you'll get an article on your winery any longer, the same technique works wonders when you're giving free bottles of wine to bloggers. This is what claims the South African wine estate Stormhoek, which has doubled its sales in the UK last year, thanks to this very strategy.
This webmarketing-wine marketing feature by Slawka G. Scarso was first published in Briciole di Internet Marketing, and, by syndication, in ADV News, in Feb 2006.

Wine and the web's new frontiers - Not mere e-commerce

2006-01-31T10:02:00.000+01:00

Original title "Le nuove frontiere di internet per il vino. Non solo e-commerce." In this feature on web-marketing for the wine industry, Slawka G. Scarso examines how e-commerce isn't the only way to increase revenues via the Internet for wine estates. Starting from Italy's Wineshop, the most successful example of online wineshop in Italy, she focuses on cases such as that of Tasca d'Almerita, showing how the web can offer excellent solutions for wine estates, as an intranet web, or in the sales of services attached to the bottles (as for Arnaldo Caprai). First published in Bibenda - January-February 2006.

Cabernet & Merlot - a couple under exam - Cabernet e Merlot, una coppia in discussione

2006-01-28T13:11:00.000+01:00

A feature by Slawka G. Scarso on the propulsive use of the Bordeaux blend in Italy, covering lesser know regions and showing how these two grape varieties, blended together, have helped to improve quality in wines and consequently the image of regions otherwise known for their large production and lesser quality. First published in Bargiornale - Italy's numer one Horeca magazine - in January 2006.

Wine, beer & advergames - Vino, birra e advergame

2006-01-02T19:53:00.000+01:00

A feature by Slawka G. Scarso on the use of advergames in the wine, beer and alcopops industries. From Santa Margherita in Italy, to the Miller beer run in the US, the use of this webmarketing tool analysed, with particular reference to alcoholic beverages. First published in Tigullio Vino - January 2006.

INCIPIT
While some are crying the premature death of e-mail marketing (as we have known till now), and some others would like to inflict all sorts of tortures to whoever invented pop-up blocking systems, there's one tool which continues to have success and generate positive outcomes, namely advergames. Advergames were in fact introduced only a short while ago and have contributed to the rebirth of Internet advertising investments.
Thanks to this tool, a company offers a free online game, integrated with an advertisement message.
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Photo by Stefanie L.

Also hosted by Art Motions

Physicians, the Internet and new opportunities for medical writers in Europe

2005-12-22T15:17:00.000+01:00

A feature on the increasing use of internet by European physicians. A factor likely to develop the demand for medical and scientific online journalists and web editors. First published in Infocity - December 2005.

INCIPIT
65% of physicians in Europe consider internet an essential tool for their activity. This is one of the results of Taking the Pulse Europe v5.0, a research which was presented in New York on December 8th, and conducted by Manhattan Research, a research company specialised in exploring synergies between medicine and the web. The study was directed at physicians in various fields of specialization, in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

Photo courtesy of Tanya Harding

Technological Talk Shows. Tim's Primo TV launches //Digitalk - Talk-show tecnologici. Primo Tv di Tim lancia "//Digitalk"

2005-12-15T11:00:00.000+01:00

A webtv and digital television feature on the launch of a new format on Italian mobile tv. First published on Infocity - December 2005.

INCIPIT //Digitalk, the programme on digital technology created by Marco Camisani Calzolari, and already broadcasted on E-TV (Sky platform) and on video streaming on www.digitalk.tv will soon be broadcasted on PRIMO TV as well, as an on demand format offered by TIM mobile network.
The above mentioned expansion of the format to mobile tv is a natural step in the light of the sinergies existing bewteen mobile tv and the themes covered during the talk show. It is the result of a partnership signed on december 6th between E-TV and Kelyan Lab - a participated company of Franco Bernabè' s group and of The Global Mouse (an investment fund in which Telecom Italia is also a participant). ...

Blogs- press office's new frontier - I blog – la nuova frontiera dei comunicati stampa

2005-12-09T12:59:00.000+01:00

Another feature on the use of blogs to publish press releases. This time with particular attention to Fabrizio Pivari's service, which was the first of the kind to be introduced in Italy. Published on Briciole di Internet Marketing and on Mr. Webmaster - December 2005.

Instant messaging, blogs and journalism

2005-12-02T10:12:00.000+01:00

A feature on the results of a recent research conducted by EURO RSCG Magnet in collaboration with Columbia University. The research focused on the use of instant messaging and blogs by US journalist in the time of low credibility of corporate communication after scandals such as Enron. First published in Infocity - December 2005.

INCIPIT
Da una recente ricerca di Euro RSCG Magnet in collaborazione con la Columbia University, sono emersi degli interessanti atteggiamenti da parte dei giornalisti statunitensi nei confronti di messaggeria istantanea e blog. E anche qualche consiglio per le aziende.

Il panel dei giornalisti intervistati (tutti facenti parte della Bacon’s Media Map) includeva soprattutto giornalisti della carta stampata (77%), contro solo l’8% di giornalisti online.

Cresce in modo rilevante l’utilizzo di messaggi istantanei, passando dal 38% di novembre del 2003 al 53% di aprile del 2005. L’utilizzo per motivi personali rimane quello principale, ma una buona fetta dei giornalisti (65%) dichiara di utilizzarli anche per comunicazioni professionali mentre non sembra decollare l’utilizzo di Msn & company per effettuare interviste.
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Photo Courtesy of Freeimages.co.uk

Using blogs to publish a press release - Utilizzare i blog per pubblicare i comunicati stampa

2005-11-28T15:42:00.000+01:00

A feature on free services offered to small and large companies in need of publishing their press realeases, using blogs. First published in Infocity - November 2005.

INCIPIT The number of companies using blogs to publish a press release is increasing. The main advantage lies in the ease of adding a news by different people in the same company, withount any particular training. More importantly, blogs make it possible for the news to be easily accessible via search engines such as Google, and throuhg XML feeds. Recently, a new information channel is being developed in Italy too, namely that of "container blogs" open to every firm or communication pro who can, through the simple structure of a blog, publish their own news.
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Photo courtesy of EMİN OZKAN

In the era of internet, do companies still need trade fairs to make business?

2005-11-15T15:09:00.000+01:00

A feature on the sinergies between email marketing and traditional trade fairs as a business tool. First published in Infocity - November 2005.

INCIPIT
Trade fairs have always been an important marketing and commercial tool. Based on the possibility to meet potential customers personally and on concentrating business people operating within one sector in the same place and at the same time, have they perhaps lost in importance in an era in which virtual communication is common practice?
Nowadays, Italy's trade fair sector is particularly developed, with over 1.000 trade fairs of which 195 international fairs, 422 national ones, and 113 regional. This data means that Italy is in fact second only to Germany in the world trade fair market.
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Photo courtesy of Thorsten Epping

Wine and quality in the Castelli Romani area - Vino e qualità nei Castelli Romani

2005-11-10T10:41:00.000+01:00

A feature on the rediscovered quality in wine from the Castelli Romani area. First published in Vivavoce - Novembre 2005.

INCIPIT
Wine from the Castelli Romani area has always been famous worldwide, but why? Mentioned by Grand Tour writers who visited this area, appreciated by Roman tourists who come here for a day-trip and by foreigners who enjoy the goliardic atmosphere of the fraschette, wine in the Castelli Romani can boast a fame which goes back in the centuries. A fame which is sadly linked not to excellent quality but to being an easy drink, perfectly suitable for a light hearted night out, often, but not always, the beginning of headaches from out of hell.
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Photo courtesy of Tamás Mezei

Visiting Rome with your kids

2005-09-29T09:42:00.000+02:00

This is a short guide to activities specifically designed for children. A treat to offer them to alternate traditional sightseeing of the Roman Forum or St. Peter’s with something that’s more child-oriented but can be fun for grown ups too. Written by Slawka G. Scarso and first published in LifeinItaly - September 2005.
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Photo courtesy of Museo Explora!

Rafting on the waterfalls In Umbria

2005-09-17T15:07:00.000+02:00

A feature on white water rafting near Rome. Written by Slawka G. Scarso and first published in LifeinItaly - September 2005.

INCIPIT If you’re looking for some adventure, after all the sightseeing in the Eternal City you can visit the Cascate delle Marmore, about 100 km from Rome. These waterfalls situated in Umbria were artificially built by the Romans and are now a great tourist attraction. They consist of three major falls for a total leap of 165 metres. Here, not only you can stroll down the paths and climb up the hill towards the top of the waterfalls, inside a finely preserved and equipped park with beautiful belvederes scattered here and there. There’s also a club which organizes rafting and hydrospeed tours. Bear in mind that the raft starts just after the 165 metres leap, so you won’t need to do that! ...

Italy, the best place for volcanoes lovers

2005-09-07T16:56:00.000+02:00

A feature on Italy's volcanoes, from Etna to Stromboli and Vesuvius. Written and illustrated by Slawka G. Scarso, first published in LifeinItaly - September 2005.

Incipit
Numerous areas in Italy have volcanic origins where volcanic activity occurred thousands and thousands of years ago. From the Castelli Romani area, just outside Rome, with its gorgeous volcanic lakes, Albano and Nemi – providing an excellent alternative to the not so clean seaside near the Eternal City - to the Colli Euganei near Venice and Padua, and to the island of Pantelleria, which is in fact closer to Tunis than Rome. Often these areas are covered with vineyards, as vines thrive in soils rich in potassium and other minerals left after the eruptions. But Italy can boast a few very interesting active volcanic areas too. In fact, Vulcano, Stromboli, Etna and Vesuvius are the most famous active volcanoes on Earth.

Tasca d'Almerita, pionieri di Sicilia - Tasca d'Almerita, Sicily's pioneers

2005-08-03T17:27:00.000+02:00

A feature on Sicily's wine estate Tasca d'Almerita, with a comprehensive tasting of its products, including olive oil and grappa. Written by Slawka G. Scarso, first published in Bibenda - July-September 2005.

INCIPIT
According to the dictionary, a pioneer is a soldier sent on foot to prepare the road for the army. Given this, if we close our eyes and think of Sicily and its wine, slowly the outline of a foot soldier will loom, walking from the Sicilian inland and holding a flag depicting a lion.
This is what Tasca d’Almerita has represented, and still does, for the Sicilian oenology in the last few decades. A pioneer of Sicily.
After all, this historical wine estate has always been an ambassador of the qualitative innovation of Sicilian wine, introducing, before others, drastic pruning techniques to reduce production, appreciating the use of grape varieties such as Inzolia and Nero d’Avola and using barriques in a modern style. All this not without running the risk of initially obtaining, as underlined by some, wines that were slightly too solid.
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A sample from the tasting notes
Contea di Sclafani Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 92/100
Intense ruby, it conquers immediately with its colour. Liquorish and mulberry scents, followed by notes of humus, poppy seeds and eucalyptus. Pleasurable to the palate, with subtle though still lively tannins and a roundness to flawlessly balance the whole, inviting to yet another taste. It rests for one year in small barrels. Taste it with game. Just perfect.

The 5 most romantic places in Rome

2005-07-28T19:03:00.000+02:00

A travel feature by Slawka G. Scarso, first published in LifeinItaly.com

INCIPIT
If you’re travelling to Rome with your partner, there are 5 incredibly romantic places you will not want to miss, especially if you visit the Eternal City during the summer. Visiting these places with your loved one can provide a lifetime experience, a Thousand and one Night story to be told to you friends and make them envious for decades!
1 The breathtaking view from Gianicolo
Knowing that ancient Rome was famous for its seven hills, no wonder the first romantic spot is a belvedere. The number one view of Rome is that from Gianicolo, according to many. Just above Trastevere, it overlooks famous sites as the Pantheon or the monument to Vittorio Emanuele in Piazza Venezia. Rome unrolls in front of your eyes and underneath the immense vault of the sky in all its beauty, on this popular yet always cosy and full of atmosphere belvedere. Walk slightly further, and you can sit on the quiet steps of the amphitheatre Quercia del Tasso. Offering a similar view, who cares if there’s no show while you’re there. The company will be enough!
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Mezze Bottiglie? No, Grazie - Half Bottles? No thanks

2005-05-28T15:01:00.000+02:00

A feature on half bottles and other techniques to help increase wine sales in restaurants by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in Bibenda May-June 2005.

INCIPIT
People have always been attracted by new forms of sale. No wonder it is commonly said, when faced with a genial idea, that “this is the best invention since sliced bread”- which, by the way, was first on the market at the end of the Twenties, thanks to the invention of 26 year old Otto F. Rohdwedder who didn’t pay any attention to those who told him that the bread would have gone stale straight away, and thus his project would be destined to failure.
Since then, inventions of this kind have covered supermarket shelves with precooked and mono-dose food. From snacks to single dose cornflakes and laundry detergents in tablets which cost a fortune in comparison to the traditional powder but who cares when they’re so practical?
And at a time when globalization thrives in the wine market, could this sector remain a happy oasis where these things do not happen? Not at all.
So here comes every sort of newer (and slightly older) strategy to sell the same product as yesterday, because you cannot avoid meeting the needs of the consumer, especially when he is so price-sensitive.
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Arrivati al successo, in silenzio - A silent success

2005-05-28T13:17:00.000+02:00

A feature entirely dedicated to Sardinian wine producers Argiolas, including a comprehensive tasting of their products: not just wines, but olive oil, grappa and liqueurs. Written by Slawka G. Scarso, first published in Bibenda - May-June 2005.

INCIPIT & EXCERPT
Forget the isolation of Sardinia. Argiolas is today, without any doubt, one of the most representative Italian wine estates on an international scale. Its competitive advantage is probably linked to two elements: on the one hand, the initial efforts aimed especially at the foreign market, and at consumers who were more inclined than national ones to purchase Sardinian wines; on the other, a strong trade marketing strategy directed at motivating trade and restaurant owners.
Founded almost 80 years ago by Antonio Argiolas, this wine estate can now count on the participation in the production and promotion activity of three generations of the same family, with a great contribution given, in this second sector, even by the younger family members, and in particular by Valentina Argiolas. A large range of wines defines the production. Wines made of the grapes from vineyards all situated on the hills of Southern Sardinia, where rain is usually scarce and the summers finely ventilated.

...All wines have a powerful structure. While the white wines’ only weak point seems to rest in the important alcoholic component which slightly dims the acidity, the red ones all flaunt a particularly amiable personality, on various levels of interpretation: starting with the simpler, if one may say so, Perdera, and culminating with the powerful and gigantic Turriga, in a decisive crescendo con brio and elegance which comprises Korem, a younger brother to Turriga, in which a palate of international style counterpoints a range of scents all of which are reminiscent of the Mediterranean scrub-land.
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Le fiere del vino – Wine trade-fairs

2005-02-10T12:35:00.000+01:00

A feature giving tips on an efficient use of trade fairs as a marketing tool for wine estates. Written by Slawka G. Scarso and first published in Bibenda – February-March 2005

INCIPIT
Even though the growth of the trade fair system might have come to a halt in Italy, this doesn’t seem to influence the wine market. On the contrary, wine trade fairs have recently grown in number, on a national and local scale, possibly because trade fair organizations have thought of fighting the immobility of the system by focusing on a sector such as wine, capable of moving masses of people even during a difficult economic phase.
No time to waste on discussing which is the best trade fair. What’s more important, is trying to organize the participation in the event in order to use the relevant budget in the most efficient way. Because, no matter what crisis may affect the system, trade fairs are indeed one of the most important marketing tools for wine estates.
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Vini del Vulcano – Wines of the volcano

2005-02-10T12:22:00.000+01:00

A feature by Slawka G. Scarso on wines coming from the areas in Italy where volcanoes are still active, covering Etna, Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei. First published in Bibenda – February-March 2005

INCIPIT
Thousands of years have passed since it was commonly believed that the ironmonger-god Vulcanus worked under the island of Volcano. Or that fumes from the Hades came out from the craters in the Campi Flegrei area. Nowadays than our ancestors- Italy can still count on a few areas where volcanic activity persists.
We’re not talking of soils originated by eruptions which took place 50 or 200 thousand years ago, but of active or quiescent zones. Here, volcanoes might not necessarily represent a threat for wine making (the ashes emitted recently by Etna, for instance, haven’t caused any damage in the vineyards, if anything they did quite the contrary), but they are, nevertheless, a presence with which it is necessary to come to terms.
The wines tasted on this occasion come from the slopes of Etna and Vesuvius, and from the Campi Flegrei area, where the last eruption dates back to 1538 but hydrothermal emissions and bradyseism phenomena are frequent. Made mostly of Nerello Mascalese, Carricante, Falanghina, Piedirosso, Coda di Volpe, these wines are in some cases based on international varieties, with an interesting surprise coming from Grenache. Good quality products on the whole, with ample space for improvement and some already very good results which could serve as an example for the others.
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A sample from the tasting notes
Benanti – Etna Bianco Superiore Pietramarina 2000 86/100Lit by golden accents, it offers scents of broom and acacia flowers, framed by aromatic herbs. Very good acid and mineral components, carefully balanced by a round note on the palate. Citrus fruits suggestions intertwined with floral tones emerge in the long final. From the vineyards in Milo, it rests for 24 months in steel tanks. Ideal for linguine with tomato and lobster sauce.

Photo courtesy of Magmatrek - www.magmatrek.it

Leading Student Groups Abroad

2005-01-15T09:23:00.000+01:00

A piece on programs providing jobs to qualified teachers to lead students abroad by Slawka G. Scarso - First published in Transitions Abroad - January-February 2005

INCIPIT

Children and teenage programs are offered around the world, most with the objective of creating a fun environment where students can learn a foreign language. You can find out about these organizations online. These programs vary widely.

English Summer Day Camps (ESDC), has openings for leaders (called counselors) who are responsible for about 10-12 children in summer camps in Austria and Germany. The Swedish born organization EF looks for group leaders for its 2- to 3-weeks summer language vacations in locations ranging from Rome to Quito, from Malta to Nice; group leaders in this case are required to organize leisure time activities or take the group of teenage students they are responsible for on sightseeing tours after their language classes. Similar openings are available with Abbey Road Overseas Programs. Another organization, LEAPNow, seeks trip leaders for groups of teenagers spending a whole semester in Central America, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, or India.
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Il vino solidale – Charity programmes in Italian wine

2004-12-10T10:03:00.000+01:00

A cover feature on the use of charity programmes as a marketing tool for Italian wine. Covering Wine for life, L’Insieme, Umani Ronchi and Erik Banti. Written by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in Bibenda – December 2004-January 2005

INCIPIT

Wine has become more good. For once a similar statement is not the consequence of a tragically poor vocabulary. Nor necessarily of avant-garde techniques in wine-making, or of a particular clonal selection. The Italian wine world has recently taken part in numerous charity programmes. Not mere sponsorships – these activities are not restricted to increasing a company’s visibility by showing its logo in the promotional material of the sponsored event. On the contrary, they imply a wide plan, intimately linked with wine production.
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A sample of tasting notes from the article

Villa Russiz - Collio Sauvignon de La Tour 2003 92/100
Greenish reflexes. Herby and sage scents, finely mixed with melon and grapefruit notes. Warm, it has excellent structure and balance, with acidity and roundness in evidence. Aromatic herbs lead the long and tasty final. It remains on its lees in steel tanks for 9 months. Try it with an asparagus flan.

Consumatori con la vista debole – Shortsighted consumers

2004-10-15T10:10:00.000+02:00

A feature on consumers’ perception of the price of wine, trying to put light on the dramatic increase on the price of wine the Italian market has experienced lately. Written by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in Bibenda – October-November 2004

INCIPIT

When talking about prices, consumers appear to be short-sighted.
More to the point, talking about the price of wine means talking about the perception of price we have, and it’s easy to represent this perception through the sense we all consider to have perfectly tamed. That is sight.
How does the consumer “see” price? And how sensitive is he to this element, bearing in mind that sensitivity is measured as the range between a minimum and a maximum price considered as acceptable for a bottle of wine?
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Alto Adige – Incontri con le aziende – A tasting of wines from Alto Adige

2004-10-15T10:05:00.000+02:00

A feature on wines from Alto Adige, with an introction by Slawka G. Scarso and Luca Grippo. First published in Bibenda - October-November 2004

INCIPIT
Sometimes a blind envy arises in us, or in a part of us which we prefer to hide, for those who seem to succeed in everything they do. An envy which bereaves us of the capacity to note all those human errors from which none of us can escape. This is what happens when speaking of Alto Adige. Excellent wines, sold at adequate prices, certainly more convenient, on the same quality standard, than elsewhere in Italy.
How do they do it?
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A sample of tasting notes from the article
Cantina Nalles & Magrè Niclara
A.A. Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Anticus Baron Salvadori Riserva 2000 89/100

Ruby-garnet red, it smells of sweet and piquant spices, blackberries jam and morello cherries. Of good impact on the palate, it is balanced, with the alcohol note in slight evidence and subtle tannins. Fine structure and cherry character on the finish. 22 months in barrique. Excellent with pheasant pie.

Scared in Scari: trekking to the volcano on Stromboli

2004-07-14T17:02:00.000+02:00

A travel piece based on my trekking in Stromboli, four months after the eruption and the consequent tsunami of 2003-2004 by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in Go World Travel Magazine - July 2004

INCIPIT
“Has this hydrofoil broken down?” asks the German tourist sitting next to me as the ferry stops. We are floating free off the minuscule village of Ginostra on the volcanic island of Stromboli, right in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, and the tourist can't figure out why we've stopped here.
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A quiet Sunday lunch in Venice

2004-07-14T16:35:00.000+02:00

A travel piece based on my one day trip to Venice. Written by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in The Traveler - July 2004

INCIPIT
When I decided to go to Venice on a Sunday outing just after Christmas, I thought I was doomed to be squashed by other tourists on tiny bridges, to hang onto a vaporetto (the ferry-bus that takes you from one end of town to the other) with my feet dragging in the Canal Grande waters, to share a one-way raised walkway put during winter floods with hundreds of people and their cumbersome luggage. Still, I was determined to do it. I must say that my first impression as I got out of the station was a little claustrophobic; not so much for the number of people as for that of stalls selling scarves, gondolier style striped T-shirts and Carnival masks that looked everything but hand made in Venice.
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Summertime in Rome

2004-07-02T17:23:00.001+02:00

A travel piece based on my insider knowledge of Rome. Written by Slawka G. Scarso. First published on Go World Travel Magazine - July 2004

INCIPIT
As an Italian stand-up comedian once said, if Romans can’t drive to some place, they won’t go there. Walk around the Italian capital on a Saturday night and indeed you will see hundreds of cars queuing on the sides of the River Tiber or desperately squeezing into the narrow streets behind squares such as Campo de’ Fiori or the neighborhood of Trastevere, packed with restaurants and cafés, and trying to fit into the space of a dustbin as if they were playing the computer game Tetris.
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Opening a closed door in the Azores

2004-02-01T16:44:00.000+01:00

A travel piece based on my trip to the Azores, the most remote islands of Europe. Written by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in The Traveler - February 2004

INCIPIT
No need for hair pins nor jimmies. There are different ways to open the locked door of a historical building when you're visiting the most remote islands of Europe. All that is necessary is a confident peep inside any window, some gesticulation meaning that you'd like to look around (a circular movement of the arm usually does the trick) and most importantly, a nice smile. The Azoreans are so proud of their sights they will open you every door, even if the church or palace you'd like to see is closed for repairs or the visiting hour is over.
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A path breaking experience

2003-08-02T17:17:00.000+02:00

A travel piece based on a short trip to the island of Alicudi - in the Aeolian archipelago, north of Sicily. First published on The Traveler - August 2003

INCIPIT
We got off the ferry boat on a hot may day, with two commuters, a motor cart loaded with fresh vegetables and the postman. Two girls around ten years old with long brown hair highlighted by the sun and an early golden tan approached us and tried to sell us some sea shells. Getting exercised for the high season, we thought - as if many tourists ever arrived at this remote island.
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10 Hours in Lisbon - day to night discoveries in the land of fado

2003-05-14T16:54:00.000+02:00

A travel piece based on my experience in Lisbon, together with four friends. 5 girls discovering the capital of Portugal on a summer night. First published on The Student Traveler - May 2003

INCIPIT
Five of us, all girls, took a couple of maps of Lisbon for potential orientation crises, a list of two or three "musts" to see and do, plus the bare necessities for the night, then headed for the city center. It was early in the afternoon. We had just arrived from the Azores and had to stay in Lisbon until our next, ridiculously early, flight for Rome the following morning. With a mixture of Before Sunrise revival and "what's the point in wasting money on a hotel room when we'll only sleep a couple of hours," we decided we'd rather walk around Lisbon all night.
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