Day trip drive: Calcata, Italy

by Jamie Rhein on

When I browse the photos in Gadling’s photo pool to look for a “Photo of the Day” post, inspirational, lush, funky and interesting shots are aplenty. It’s hard to choose between them. Yesterday’s choice, David Farley’s shot of the restaurant, La Grotta dei Germogli gives a hint of the pleasure of being there which is one reason it caught my attention. It left me intrigued, prompting me to find out more about it. Oh, my goodness! This is a reason to head to Italy.

Calcata, where the restaurant is located, is a medieval village in the hills, 30 miles from Rome, thus a day trip suggestion. The town, over the years, has been taken over by the artsy crowd. When the government condemned it back in the 1930 because officials worried that the volcanic rock cliffs that it sits on would crumble, people moved out. But, the 1960s happened and hippies and artists moved in turning the town into a happening place.

I came across this New York Times article that details Calcata’s path from ghost town to groovy. It has something to do with the positive energy the village exudes. If you’re going to be in Rome, this looks like a terrific gallery and eatery filled spot to mellow out. There’s the blue chair folding chair on the balcony overlooking the hills with your name on it. It’s at the La Grotta dei Germogli. If you go, the gnocchi with almond pesto sounds delicious.

Go Airlines pilots fired after overshooting runway

by Jeffrey White on

Two pilots for Hawaii’s inter-island airline Go have been fired. Why? Because they overshot a runway during landing.

By 15 miles.

The company that owns Go Airlines says the two pilots in the cockpit for that fateful flight between the Hawaiian capital Honolulu and Hilo are out, though they are not releasing their names.

Investigators tell the Associated Press that they are reviewing whether the pilots had fallen asleep in the cockpit during the short flight, which had 40 passengers on board. Apparently air traffic control could not raise them for close to 30 minutes.

The flight ended up landing safely in Hilo. The local pilots union is appealing the firing.

You’ll never believe what other crazy stuff the airline industry been involved with lately …


Tijuana get shot and die?

by Jeffrey White on

Man, is there any reason to go to Tijuana these days?

The LA Times today is reporting a massive shootout on the streets of downtown Tijuana that killed close to 15 people. Apparently, it was a face-off between competing gangs. But what’s scary is that the shootout took place near a popular shopping mall, “leaving a trail of corpses,” as the Times delicately puts it.

The gun fight is the most recent flare up in a spate of drug-related violence, four months into a year where murders and kidnappings are significantly on the increase. As if almost sensing trouble south of the border, the Washington Post is reporting in its travel section this weekend that the State Department claims that last year there were “dozens” of Americans who were kidnapped in Tijuana, many either seriously injured or outright murdered.

Mexico watchers say that the increase in violence is tied to a strict government crackdown on drugs and drug trafficking. The Mexican president has sent national troops to patrol Tijuana’s streets.

In the few times that I’ve been in Tijuana, the place struck me as pretty much devoid of any redeeming quality. So much better to point that car south and keep on going. Now it seems like that decision could save your life.

Airline torches woman’s baggage

by Jeffrey White on

Did your airline lose your luggage recently? Relax, it could be worse. Just ask Barbara Blewitt.

When she arrived in Atlantic City recently on a Spirit Airlines flight, she was shocked at what she found: When her luggage materialized, it was burned, including everything inside.

“I had no clothes, no underwear, no cosmetics, nothing but a burned suitcase,” Blewitt tells Tampa Bay’s 10 News.

The airline reportedly issued Blewitt a “baggage irregularity receipt,” but she has yet to receive compensation. Spirit Airlines tells the television channel that it is looking further into the matter. It is still unclear how this might have happened.

Asks Blewitt, “How do I know how good your plane is if you can’t even take care of my luggage, or at least say I’m sorry.” A fair question.

Here’s another one: Why go to Atlantic City in the first place?

Photo of the Day (4/26/08)

by Jamie Rhein on

The days for sitting outside overlooking a view and sipping a glass of wine are here. This shot of La Grotta dei Germogli, a restaurant in Calcata, Italy looks like the most perfect place. Imagine sitting in that blue folding chair, with a glass of earthy red wine to savor. This looks like the type of place one stumbles upon and thinks, what a find. David Farley, who snapped this took the shot in November, had an autumn experience. Just think about how the flower boxes must be blooming now.

Share the shots of places you’ve come across by posting them at Gadling’s Flickr photo pool and one might be picked for Photo of the Day.