Yesterday I was invited to Sunday lunch by Emanuela & Giovanni. Usually they invite the whole family (8-10 people) but to my surprise and delight, it was just the three of us. We actually had a coherent conversation over delicious homemade pasta, roast pork and fried zucchini. Dessert, frittelle made with chestnut flour and raisins. They are both fabulous cooks. In fact, Emanuela teaches children how to cook/bake and she even made the wedding cake for her son’s wedding. They have an agriturismo at the foot of Montecatini Alto which I highly recommend: Poder Gori. It’s beautiful! They sent me home with enough fresh pasta and frittelle for Stella and me to have for lunch today. But we couldn’t wait, we ate the frittelle for dinner last night.
Stella told me that her son was arriving from Ecuador on Sept 8th. I said, oh he’s already here. She said no he’s coming on the 8th. Of October, I say. She is getting her dates mixed up, I noticed she was mixed up about the arrival of 2 other sets of guests besides me. I’m beginning to understand why Luca is coming. Stella and I have had the exact same conversations several times. It’s worrisome but, for me, it’s like Ground Hog Day, and I am able to correct my grammar with each go around.
I am going to see Leo & Claudia this morning and then tonight going to Lucca to see Anna and her family. Will write more later.
Just got back from a trip to the supermercato Esselunga and a visit with Leo & Claudia. First the supermercato. OMG!!! I was shocked at how much it had changed. It is so much more spacious, reorganized and modernized, and beautifully lit. White marble floors.The glass doors in the refrigerated section are so clean and non-reflective that I slammed my hand reaching for yogurt. Ouch. I used to say that Whole Foods wishes it were the (old) Esselunga. Now it is completely out of its league. It’s like comparing the Ritz Carlton to Motel 6. Even the parking lot is more beautiful. They actually managed to get Italians to park their cars side by side, in an orderly fashion. It’s a miracle. It has a cafe and bar, one could leisurely grab a cappuccino in a real cup, thank you, and a fresh pastry. I want to live there in the store, it has everything I could possibly need. I asked Stella where she shopped while they were renovating and she said they never closed it, they worked on it in sections. Truly unbelievable. It’s a masterpiece! I understand that all the Esselungas in Italy have been modernized.
Saw Leo & Claudia for a quick visit and an update on family. Leo had a cerebral hemorrage in April which still affects his eyesight and energy level to this day. When he woke up in the hospital, he had lost his ability to read. He was a voracious reader and writer. He has recovered, somewhat. I was glad to see that they had installed an elevator in his building. At least he doesn’t have to climb 4 flights of stairs anymore. Claudia, architect/writer, is already lobbying for me to move here, sigh. She is quietly relentless.
I was watching a YouTube video on the basics of the AudiQ2L 35 TFSI when I got a text that there was a surprise waiting for me downstairs. It was Federico!!!! He gave me a big old bear hug and practically lifted me off the ground. So gooood to see him, he’s as handsome and funny as ever! Such a pleasant surprise! He showed me how to properly connect the portable charger to the phone and pointed out that I didn’t have the proper cable to charge the charger. An easy fix he says.
Drove to Anna’s house in driving rain. Had to take several scary detours into the unfamiliar. Francesco answered my questions about the car, so I am all set. Showed him the manual as he couldn’t believe it was in Chinese. Met Lorenzo’s adorable girlfriend, Giulia, a nursing student at the U of Pisa. Celebrated Anna’s birthday with a wonderful dinner. Roberta & Enrico joined us for cake & champagne. Very scary drive home. It wasn’t raining, thank goodness, but it was pitch dark, no street lights(!), roads are narrow, curvy, and at times flanked by low walls which leave very little wiggle room. And tailgaters, argh. It’s not a good idea for me to drive at night.
