Matt's Old Friend John Visits Italy

For this week's episode, we're doing something a bit different: Zen took the night off from chatting, and instead I sit and chat with my friend John Kissingford, who’s been a friend of mine for over 4 decades – since our high school days in Long Island. 

We reminisce about old times, playing the cello, fencing, skiing, and Shakespeare; and we talk about some of the ancient places we've seen on John's visit to Italy this week.

And this episode has a bonus - new bumper music! I (Matt) played guitar tracks and a bass line; and John - who hasn't touched a cello for 20 years or more - recorded a cello part! 

Want to know more about us and our travel services? Find us at:

www.LittleRoadsEurope.com

www.facebook.com/LittleRoadsEurope

We craft small-town driving itineraries for travelers to Italy, Ireland and Scotland.

And our "alter-egos" as musicians:

www.OrsiniVirtuosi.it

Transcript

Old friend John visits Italy podcast notes

Note: This is not a complete transcript, but rather the show notes we write in advance to prepare for the episode. 

INTRO: 

Welcome to Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond

Today we’re doing something a little different - Zen’s taking the night off from chatting; instead I’m sitting here with my friend John Kissingford, who’s been a friend of mine since high school in Long Island. 

Say Hi John… ( ________________________ ) 

This is his second visit to Soriano since we’ve lived here, he’s spending some time down in Rome, fencing. 

So we’re going to sit and chat for a bit, talking and reminiscing in a hopefully interesting way. 

Among other things, we’ll discuss…

- where to find a 3000-year-old pyramid,

- why I’ve been nicknamed “The Anarchist” for decades, and

- what is fencing, anyway?

[music up then down to 20%]

This is Matt Walker -         …and I’m John Kissingford - 

We’re sitting on the terrace of our tiny home in Italy - so you’ll get a sense of the sounds of life in our little town. As always, complete with church bells, cats meowing, motor scooters and whatever else, as if you’re sitting here chatting with us. 

- so pour yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of prosecco - here on Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond.”

[Music up then fade out]

For those of you who don’t know me: My wife Zeneba and I are travel writers and consultants, and also professional musicians; we moved here to work in Italy about 6 years ago.

If you want to learn more about us and our lives, you can find us on our website LittleRoadsEurope..com, on our socials, and of course here on our podcast. 

… and for those of you who don’t know John, you will a bit, after this episode.

…and by the way: we record our own bumper music;

Since we’re musicians working here in Italy, ecc ecc ecc … and … John recorded a cello part for this week’s bumper music!!!

So, let’s get into chatting with my friend John…

You’re here visiting and also participating/organizing fencing events in Frascati/Rome - 

(more on fencing later)

You recently retired after how many years of teaching?

[J briefly] English teaching, all the theatre stuff (NO Holds Bard)

 We knew each other in HHS, but sort of interacted back in grade school - playing cello in school orchestra since 3rd grade

Flower Hill Elem - more fashionable part of Huntington

(I came from across the tracks in Hunt Station)

Lost track in junior high (middle school) 

In high school, connected sitting together in orchestra - 

Common threads:

Close to same age (despite different grade)

Youngest of 4 kids 

Cello/orchestra stuff

Fencing

Drivers Ed class

Affinity for stupid jokes, Monty Python, Muppets, girls, Douglas Adams & other nerd stuff

— “ADVERTISEMENT” BREAK —

Before we continue we need to stop for a word from our sponsor - - - -  just kidding, we don’t have any sponsors - instead, today’s show is brought to you by: 

A Good Idea. And today’s Good Idea is: Reach out to old friends!

That’s it!   … So anyway, where were we?

Later: Hung out together a fair bit: 

Fencing team, ski trips (both things I was terrible at) 

1st time meeting your Dad, in driveway - “John, who’s the anarchist?” 

College: You were going as an English major: Why? 

I thought it seemed like a cool idea - writing always interested me, short stories

but it turned out I stunk at that too, especially reading - so switched to music

You finished school and … [your career bullet points]

Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Mass, CO

Working years: Visited each other occasionally, back in NY and also in FL and (?? else ??), and especially out in CO

And now… (where are we now? What are we doing?)

[wrapping up] 

Meaningful to me to maintain a few close relationships - after moving overseas and having to get rid of so much stuff, these kinds of connections are what lasts and you can take with you

OUTRO: 

I think that’s a good place to wrap it up here - but before we go: “ASK US ANYTHING:” 

Listener asked: What is your favorite cocktail to get for aperitivo hour?

[John weighs in! as visitor]

We hope you enjoyed joining us for our chat about searching out a place in Italy!

 We’ll be talking about a wide variety of topics here on this podcast, from travel tips to slice-of-life stories - we’ll be posting a new episode each Tuesday. 

So catch us next time - we’ll see you down the Little Roads… CIAO!