When In Rome . . .

Gather close, boys and girls, and I will tell you of a magical place in a land of emperors, kings and queens, beautiful princesses and suede horses that pull chariots of velvet.

There is a place in a land far, far away, a land more magical than the land of talking mice, where you can order a slice of NY Style pizza by the weight. A slice upon which you decide how much you want to pay. (and eat)

This magical pizza joint lies in the motherland of pizza, in the shadows of the Tiber River, the city of Roma, Italy, where every Signora is a bellissimo bella.

Around the corner from the Spanish Steps, just off the Piazza di Spanga, at the mouth of the Spanga Metro Station is a pizza joint clearly labeled “Pizza.”

Buon Gusto! The slices are weighed and you pay 1 euro for 100 grams of magnificent pizza. You can order by weight or by price. Throw your euros in the bowl and the Prince of Pizza will weigh out a piece just for you, tell you the price and ask if you'd like it. Capisce?

It's too small? “This one?” The Prince said, “In the garbage!!” And he tossed the slice into the trash. I watched in horror.

The magic continues after you order. Look at this. This is how your slice is served:

Magnifico!!

No mess! Just eat it up like a burrito.

Buon appetito!

Tuscany: Venice to Florence to Greve

Entering Tuscany on the A-14 interstrade from Venice was simple enough, but kind of a crazy ride.  The little foothills became big mountains.  The sky began to drizzle.  There were about 8 million ka-zillion tunnels, to the point of annoyance.  Bumpy, curvy roads -- a playground for BMW, Mercedes and Ferraris, not so much for our little Fiat Panda.  The baddest Panda in town.

(Europe is full of Pandas.)

Marj was bouncing around the backseat with loose luggage smashing into her.  I was in front hanging on to the strap above my head.

We bounced down the huge drop into Florence and landed with a purpose.

Pizzeria O'Vesuvio. 

DJ Pauly D's pizza.

This place made famous by the hideous show "Jersey Shore" is located in the heart of old town Florence.  Right there in the skin tight alleys and cobblestone drives.  Don't try to drive there.  Baddest Panda in town or not, a car's not going here.

Trying to drive around Florence absolutely ruined the whole city for me.  As we approached Florence, I was giddy with history.  I tried to imagine the city on lockdown - enemies encamped all around, the struts blocked - no way in or out.  For ten months they lived like that until starvation and disease brought them to surrender. 1530 - the time when Machiavelli and Michelangelo were hanging around town.  Florence was started maybe 50 BC or something like that as a retirement community for veterans.  This place has tons of history and I was ready to experience it.

Until I got  there.

1.5 million in the metropolitan area

Within one hour, I wanted out.  And fast.  I hated Florence.  The ancient area is packed with tourists, you can barely move.  Cars and bikes and scooters, beeping, screeching, trying to get past pedestrians.  Ugh.  It was terrible.  We had our pizza, peeked over at the Duomo and high-tailed it out of there in the Baddest Panda Ever.

And then?

Yeah, this:

This, my friend, is Tuscany. 

Go ahead and see the David statue in Florence.

See the leaning Tower of Pisa.

But go in and get out quick.

Even with the drizzling rain, our apartment in Greve-in-Chianti was awesome.

Upon waking the next morning, the rain was gone, the sun was out and we began a walk up the hill out of Greve to see the wine country up close.

I guess we're just not city-folk.

How the Europeans Do Mornings

(Greve in Chianti, Tuscany)

It would appear, under the Tuscan Sun, one takes a break around 8:30 in the morning when the bell tower chimes and goes down to the piazza with or without a dog on a leash, with or without a hand rolled cigarette. One stops in a cafe for a caffe' at the counter and talks with a person, any person nearby.

(Trieste Piazza, Greve)

After the espresso, one sits out on the terrace among the flowers and talks with passersby......

Some Things Break the Language Barrier

It's a very lonely world when you speak just one language.

(venice, italy)

It causes some confusion,

hilarity,

bonding moments with new friends,

learning moments, 

embarrassing moments.

 (also venice)

Learning the language on the fly is challenging.

 (milan subway)

But some things are just universal in any language.

(la pizza in milan)

Cowbells of Switzerland

It is said that in the Summer months of Gimmelwald Switzerland, these hills come alive with cows wearing the traditional Swiss cowbells.

During "Alpaufzug" the cowherd is led through the village and up into the hills for Summer grazing.  The best milking cow leads the pack and wears a flower wreath.

We visited Gimmelwald 

in the month of May

where it can look like this one day:

. . . and like this the very next day:

The cows were not here in May, but the sheep certainly were.

They, too, donned cowbells.....

Gimmelwald, Switzerland

Guten Morgen! 

I stepped outside cradling my coffee and tip-toeing over the icy front porch, lifted my head in prayer as the sun peeked over the Swiss Alps.  Enchanted by a musical ensemble of cowbells and the baying of the sheep.  Fat, fluffy cat twisting around my ankles.  And a tiny small voice on the upper balcony behind me calling "Hi, Mama!"

Dies ist der Tag den der Herr hat gemacht und wir werden uns daüber freuen.

More info. on Switzerland:

Cowbells in Gimmelwald

Photo Tour
Great Hikes and Town Info.

Gimmelwald, Switzerland Photos

Switzerland

We thought each view was spectacular, but the next was always better.  We're going higher tomorrow and it's supposed to be sunny.  Enjoy this photo walk through our day, I don't think words are necessary.

More to see.....

Bigot Chocolatier - Passion in Every Bite

"This chocolate is to die."

Marj and I went by the Bigot chocolatier in Amboise, France and picked out a couple of chocolates.  We ate them as we walked along the Loire River.  In this photo, Marj was talking to herself about how delish her chocolate was.  Look at her hands -- so expressive.  When I talk to myself, I am kind of expressionless, monotone.  But she has great expression and passion when she talks to herself.

And I caught it on film.

We got a raspberry chocolate, passion fruit and vanilla/caramel creme.  My favorite was the raspberry, it was much better than any in the States.  The vanilla/caramel was the "to die" for one.

Best Pound Cake Ever

For today's Tasty Tuesday, may I present a Jackie Busbee recipe.  It's the best pound cake I have ever eaten. If you've been here for many Tasty Tuesdays, you already know any Jackie Busbee recipe is going to be a great recipe.

Jackie's secret tips:

• Don't preheat the oven.
• The longer you beat it, the better it will be.
• Don't dump it while it's hot.

Cream together:

• 2 sticks margarine
• 1/4 c Crisco
• 3 c sugar

Add 5 eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each egg.
Alternate 3 c plain flour with 1 c of milk, continually beating.
Add 1 Tbsp. lemon or almond flavoring.  (I always use almond)

Start in a cold oven.  Bake at 325 for 1-1/2 hours

Happy Mother's Day

A distant cousin of mine sent this via email this past week.  These are azaleas from his yard and they fought hard to be here with this crazy weather we've been having this spring all across America.

I am spending Mother's Day this year with one of my daughters in the Loire Valley of France.  I really miss my other two kids and 1 1/2 grandchildren though and wonder what they will be doing for Mother's Day.  Also thinking of my own mother and wondering what she'll be up to.

I hope you all have a wonderful day relaxing with family.

Paris:  Luxembourg Gardens

Paris:  Champs de Elysees

Midnight in Paris

The perfect way to view the Eiffel Tower

is just before Midnight

From across the Seine.

With a Croque Monsieur

(grilled ham and cheese with bechamel sauce inside)

and a Hot Chocolate

While sitting on the steps

Listening to a street musician

and Singing along with the crowd.

At Precisely midnight

Watch the Eiffel come alive

With sparkling white lights

Like diamonds.

Metro:  Trocadero Stop

RER train lines stop before 1 a.m.

Don't miss the last train

(we did)

Home is Where the Heart Is

Marj in London . . .

Marj at home . . .

"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." 

- George Edward Moore

Chiswick Library!