Enoteca e italiani
August 12, 2004
Povera Tomas
Thom has officially become alarmed, because on the path that we’ll take each day to and from school, are numerous Gal Heaven shops (Escada, Gucci, D&G, Prada, Versace). So far, I’ve only panted against the glass. But Thom won’t be with me every day, now, will he? Heh heh…
Thom’s old buddy Trey Kish is in town for five days. In restaurants, Trey keeps asking waitstaff for “assino” instead of “aceto” (“ass” instead of “vinegar”). We get some interesting looks.
Due Dolci Nonne (Two Sweet Women)
We’ve also discovered an out-of-the-way winebar with a small menu a few blocks from our pad in Oltrarno. It’s run by two women, the elder of whom nods off comfortably for 2/3 of each visit; we think they may be a daughter-mother pair. They speak no English, are both molto paziente with our fumbling attempts at Italian, and give us lessons each visit. We’ve also just discovered they want to adopt Charlie, who’s going to get an even bigger head on him from all the fawning attention he’s been receiving.
A mercato, a mercato! (To market, to market!)
Thom has been to the Mercato Centrale (the largest of the markets, indoor/outdoor), by our school, but I still haven’t seen it yet. I’m planning to go tomorrow morning for all sorts of goodies, although our gas still isn’t on, so we can’t cook much. We’re eating loads of fruits, veggies and cheese, though, so we’re pretty happy.
Italiani (Italian men)
Day before yesterday, I was walking back from getting caffe and walked by four middle-aged fellows standing out in front of a market smoking. I’ve been trying to pay attention to what people say, so I can jot down snippets and go home to look it up. Well, I liked the “bella” part, but not, uh, what followed. I thought I’d looked up the wrong word! I’d been warned about it, but hadn’t experienced any ogling til then. Mio dio! However, that’s balanced out by the older fellows we know at the tiny markets nearby, who tell each other when I walk Charlie that I’m “molto dolce ragazza” (“such a nice girl”).
Not too much else to report at this point. I’ve caught Thom’s cold, so that’s no good. More soon.
Ciao,
Jen