At least at the outset of this blog, I will be 'bulletpointing' my writing instead of fleshing it out or making it more colorful and interesting. The main goal is to capture the experiences at the end of the day rather than wait until I forget some stuff.\
- Jessica was a big help as a translator and guide through the airport. Unfortunately, we missed the train but we still caught a taxi (57Euro) to the Residence. It is always nice to have someone to speak semi-fluently in the native tongue.
- My goal is to learn to get over my hesitance to speak Italian (of which I know only about 40-50 words or so). Today's longest conversation in Italian was only "Buona Sera" to the guard.
- Lunch - a ham and mozzarella panini. I didn't like it much, but it was only 2.5 so I won't complain too loudly.
- Dinner was at La Fenice, which is right next to the Residence. I had a pasta alla carbonara, which I mistakenly thought would include a red sauce. Instead it is "pasta with smoked ham, cheese, eggs, and olive oil", according to my Italian-English dictionary. Guess I should have taken it with me. The good news is that it was pretty good. They also have a great antipasto sampler (meats, cheese, zucchini) and a full list of pizzas, both bianca and rosa. And the house white wine was delicious (but I'm a sweet wine fan instead of a hardcore wine drinker).
- For dessert, I had my first two scoops of gelato!! I was only looking for a store to buy water and a Coca Cola, but all of the stores closed at 8pm (go figure!). So I bumped into La Fiorentina, which is a pastry shop that also had Cokes and gelato. I had pineapple and strawberry - both delicious! I can't wait to try one of the really great gelatorias. In the meantime, I will go back to La Fiorentina (Via Andrea Doria 20-22 - www.lafiorentiina.net) again. The waitress spoke good enough English that I had no problem communicating what I wanted.
- I also went to the Trionfale Mercato (right across from La Fiorentina on Via Andrea Doria, although I did not see the restaurant at the time). Huge catacombs of marketspace with fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, and sundry items. I picked up a couple of Lemon sodas, strawberries, and a big bottle of (cheap) Lambrusco wine for later. Once I figure out how to get the stove to light, I will be brave enough to cook pasta and various meats for dinner to save costs. No need to eat out everynight.
- For some reason there were fireworks at about 9pm. Must find out why later.
- Skype is a godsend! I will have to detail that later but being able to not only talk to my dudes and the good wife, but to see their faces (and for them to see me) is wonderful!!
That is all for now. More details and information later, especially if I can get out to see the rest of the city when the rain stops.
