All posts in category Italy, here we come!

Newyorktoitaly

Ciao Readers!

It’s been awhile!  So, the title of this post is a play on the title of my blog, and a preview of some hopefully exciting blogs to come.  I am off to New York next week to run the NYC half marathon (check out the very cool course – map below).  As you all may remember from my other posts about running, I am no world-class athlete, so I got into this race the old-fashioned way – by getting my name drawn in a lottery.  It was very exciting to get the email this past December telling me I had made it in.

Now, I have to tell you I was worried about going, as I (had) an upcoming jury trial in April.  I thought I was cutting it close, but would make sure I was well-prepared in advance.  Then what do you know – the trial just got reset for June.  While that was rather disappointing, suddenly I had a big swath of open time….and lots of miles saved up…..and the ongoing dream of going back to Italy (to language school in Lucca to be precise)….  It seems as though the universe wanted me to go…..so after NYC I am off to try and remember how to speak Italian (and I am certain, take a cooking class or two).  Stay tuned!

2 Comments
by Newmexicotoitaly on March 9, 2017  •  Permalink
Posted in Italy, here we come!, Learning the Language, Trips In Italy
Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on March 9, 2017

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2017/03/09/newyorktoitaly/

The Best Truffle Festival EVER!!! (In San Miniato)

Ciao Readers!

I have to admit, I’ve been hard-pressed for inspiration for a new blog post since my gallbladder removal. Some of the rejected ideas I’ve had include “Gallbladders and Other Extraneous Organs,” “The View from My Couch (a photo anthology),” and “Chicken Broth and Other Boring Recipes.” However, as I recover I am thinking about Italy (no surprise), how I can get back there this Fall, and if I can time it to coincide with the “Best Truffle Festival Ever.” So, please come along and reminisce with me about the wonderful truffle festival held every November in a nifty little Tuscan town….

Newmexicotoitaly's avatarNew Mexico to Italy

Ciao Readers!

Okay, my mouth is watering just reminiscing about this festival and I am still smiling thinking about the fabulous little town it was in – San Miniato.  Apparently for the last 3 weekends of November every year for the past 42 years this little town has had the largest truffle festival in all of Tuscany (truffles as in fungi, not chocolate, though there was some of that as well).  It was so much fun (and soooooo delicious [if you like truffles])!

Now, for those of you paying extra close attention, you may remember that San Miniato is the name of the church on the top of the hill overlooking Florence (and supposedly where San Miniato brought his severed head).  Contrary to what I first thought, this is not where the festival was – there is actually a separate town (requiring a 40 minute train ride, then a bus…

View original post 202 more words

1 Comment
by Newmexicotoitaly on June 1, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Italy, here we come!
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on June 1, 2015

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2015/06/01/the-best-truffle-festival-ever-in-san-miniato-2/

A Photo-Filled Foodie Farewell to Florence!

Ciao Readers!

Well it has been quite some time!  I didn’t think I could leave Florence without one “farewell” post to say goodbye to all of things we have enjoyed about our temporary home.  And what better way to end our stay (and my blog) than with a cooking class!  Specifically, a hand-made ravioli-making class!

But before we start cooking, a quick update and “goodbye”…  Over this past month, we have been trying to enjoy all of the things that drew us here to begin with (in between trips to the post office, the vet, etc.).  As the weather has been way too sweat-inducing (much like Hell, it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity) to enjoy the (non-air-conditioned) museums or the gardens, this basically leaves us with…FOOD!   We have been going back to all our favorite spots and eating WAY too much – in the form of pizzas and pastas and pastries and bruschetta with fagioli & lardo, and…well, you get the picture!  It has also been a time to say “goodbye” to folks we were just getting to know, and to thank those who have helped us during our stay (you know who you are).   In an effort to go out on a positive (and delicious) note, we indulged in a one-day cooking class….

We took this class from Food for Friends, which provides small in-home cooking classes (our class was us and two friends from Oslo and London).  The “home” is part of a magnificent Palazzo owned by the Chef, Francesca (pictured with Steve, below) and the course is run/translated by her friend Jacqui (originally from England).  For our course we made two too-yummy to describe ravioli – a traditional spinach and ricotta with butter and sage sauce and a more modern radicchio and burrata.  The class was great fun, especially because Steve put me to shame.  After all my boasting to the chef (in Italian, no less) about all of the cooking courses I have taken, my first batch of dough was so rock-like I had to start over!  In contrast, Steve’s dough and ravioli were so perfect that Francesca actually put some of his away for herself for dinner!  (Lucky for all of us there were only a few of my dense ravioli in the mix).  Throughout our cooking session Francesca would whip up little snacks, and there was plenty of prosecco to boot.  Overall, a good (and scrumptious) time was had by all!   Since there still is no smell or taste-o-vision, you’ll have to make do with the photos (which walk you through both pastas as well as the snacks)…

With these yummy photos from our class, I leave you, Dear Readers, as the Italy chapter of our life comes to a close and the next chapter begins….  It has been a pleasure.  Enjoy:

8 Comments
by Newmexicotoitaly on July 19, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Italy, here we come!
Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on July 19, 2013

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2013/07/19/a-photo-filled-foodie-farwell-to-florence/

A Trip to the Italian Emergency Room

Ciao Readers!

Well, as at least one of you predicted, experiences continue to happen that warrant (scream out) to be blogged about.  Today was just such an adventure.  Lest you worry, everyone is (basically) okay.

You may remember my blog about “The Gaudí House” – a unique looking house not too far from where we live.  Well, my parents arrived for a visit two days ago, and today we set out to see the sights.  On the way we passed the house, and of course my mom had to take photos.  Well, not realizing that the very large dog that lives there is territorial, my mom stuck her camera (and thus her arms) through the front gate (pictured below) to get a better shot.  The usually docile (i.e. asleep) dog immediately sprang into defense mode and promptly bit my mom’s arm.

Long story a little bit shorter – no one at the pharmacy minded that we cut in front of everyone in a panic (there was visible blood dripping) while the pharmacist bandaged up my mom’s arm well enough for us to walk to the emergency room.  The emergency room was a bit of chaos and I did the best I could in Italian (and also learned the irregular past participle of “bite” – “morso”); they cleaned and bandaged my mom and then sent us to the waiting room to wait for her to get various shots.   In the waiting room we met another American with a broken finger (an illegal street vendor pushed her down running from the police) and another American tourist who wasn’t paying attention while walking and fell and broke her leg and ribs.  There were many Italians and other foreigners in various degrees of distress – your typical emergency room waiting room, except with more languages.   The lady with the broken finger was apparently low on the “emergency” list as we got there several hours after her but got seen before her (she actually took photos of my parents for me on her iPhone, which she’ll e-mail me later).  We were all glad for the company to chat with and pass the wait.

In any case, after several hours my mom was seen and I actually had a conversation in Italian with the doctor (or nurse, still not sure) about what shots he was administering, possible side effects, etc.  We even joked around (he said that Italy gave my mom a little gift –  “regalino”) to bring back.   My mom was a trooper, though I had to look away during the shots.   We were pretty sure the dog, who we see every day and never leaves the yard, doesn’t have rabies, so the doctor(?) seemed satisfied about that.  After we were done it was time for the bill…

Now, how much do you think a trip to the emergency room complete with bandages and shots would be in the U.S.?  500$, 1500$, more?  The total bill came to 30 euros (about 39$)(plus another 4 for a prescription I had to pick up at a pharmacy).  Pretty impressive, yes?  You’re a foreigner with no health insurance and they take care of you and send you on your way for next to pocket change.   Funny, I had asked Steve where the hospital was just in case before his mom visited, hoping I would make it till August without ever having to find out how the health care system here is.  Well, the best laid plans…but overall, my mom will be okay and feels that she had a “very positive experience” with the healthcare system here.  So kudos to Italy where kudos are due!

Until the next (hopefully less blood-pressure-raising) adventure….

gaudi house

10 Comments
by Newmexicotoitaly on May 2, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Culture Shock, Italy, here we come!
Tagged

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on May 2, 2013

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2013/05/02/a-trip-to-the-italian-emergency-room/

Italian Culture (as seen through an amusing Italian video)

Ciao Readers!

Well, I think I am about done showing you around Paris and Amsterdam (for this trip).  So, it’s back to Italy we go.  I have been trying to find a way to humorously explain how aggravated I felt at coming back into Italy and again having to fight for my life getting on and off the train, breathing in all of the smoke (in Paris there are no smoking signs on the platforms and I saw them being enforced!) and just feeling all around less civilized than I had in Paris and Amsterdam.

At the same time, I have also been trying to find a way to incorporate this very funny video (produced by an Italian) which explores exactly these issues.  So, instead of listening to me being grumpy, I share with you a very funny look at “Italy v. Europe” (and I agree with all of it except the coffee part).  It’s worth the few minutes, really!  Enjoy….

Have a great weekend!

8 Comments
by Newmexicotoitaly on March 15, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Culture Shock, Italy, here we come!
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on March 15, 2013

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2013/03/15/italian-culture-as-seen-through-an-amusing-italian-video/

“The Puppetinos Leave New Mexico” (The Prequel)

Ciao Readers!  And Happy (early) Birthday Sachi!!!

Back by popular demand, today I again present “The Puppetinos,” starring in their very own prequel.  In this episode, we go back across the pond and see how it all began (thanks for seeding the NM idea, Tuscan Traveler!) (and thanks to my sis-in-law for the photo of Hurricane’s “Disaster Burrito”).  And yes, I know, I currently have too much time on my hands…

So, dear Readers, I will leave you with this video for now.  As Steve has time off from work coming up and we have a fabulous train trip through three countries planned, I am going to sign off for a couple weeks and come back when I have new and interesting things to say (you’ll get to find out which countries then….).  (Hopefully my toe will be healed enough in time for our trip!)

Feel free to send an old-fashioned e-mail in the meantime (wow – is e-mail already passé?).  Ciao for now!

7 Comments
by Newmexicotoitaly on February 14, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Culture Shock, Diversions to Other Places, Italy, here we come!, New Mexico, The Puppetinos
Tagged , , , , , ,

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on February 14, 2013

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2013/02/14/taking-a-short-hiatus/

The Puppetinos Move to Italy (the movie trailer!)

Ciao Readers!

So, it appears I broke my little toe last week and, while this is not a life-threatening injury by any means, it does make getting around (or even to school) pretty unmanageable (remember, 4th floor, no car).  This means I haven’t really gone anywhere or done anything of note, unless of course “going stir crazy” counts.  Yesterday, in an effort to ward off the urge to hop out of the house, in addition to baking the lemon-almond cake yet again (it is seriously good, you really should try it!), Steve and I started goofing around with our earlier “Puppetinos” idea.  (You may recall, when we turned down being on “House Hunters International,” we acted out a smart alek-y episode with puppets.)

So, dear Readers, without further ado….here they are, starring in their very first movie (well, trailer)……. The Puppetinos!!!

10 Comments
by Newmexicotoitaly on February 11, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Culture Shock, Italy, here we come!, The Puppetinos
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Newmexicotoitaly on February 11, 2013

https://newmexicotoitaly.com/2013/02/11/the-puppetinos-move-to-italy-the-movie-trailer/

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »