I was invited to a local ‘social’ club. I knew something was going on in this one building but I only heard people in there as I walked by. No windows so I did not know what they were doing. My sweet neighbor, Luigina, invited me to come with her. She speaks no English…so just instinctually I followed her gestures and off we went! This social club is where they play cards, watch tv and talk.
I did not play but watched this fascinating game of ‘Scopa’ – 40 cards that were beautiful but not our 52 card deck. Seemed like a game of hearts – 4 players, 2 teams. Luigina partnered with Anna. One other lady brought around tiny cups of hot mulled wine. It was so good. Anyhow, Anna is a good friend of Luigina and I see her around the village a lot. She must live near me. Anyhow, this Anna is hitting 90 easily. She is a talker…and quite the card shark! I watched her play and she was so funny. A very enjoyable couple hours where no one spoke English but we had a fun time. The next day I see Anna out walking. I say my Buongiorno and she starts speaking very fast to me…finally I said ‘Anna, Anna – no parle Italiano’. She stopped, and then started right again speaking so fast…I let her finish, and smiled in agreement with whatever she said. Just made me smile. The older generation speaks very little if any, English. Italy has the fewest English speakers of the European countries. It’s easy to see why. Now they teach it in school but back in the day, it was all Italian. And Orte is not a big tourist town so no reason for many or any to learn it. Anyhow apparently for 10 Euros I can get an annual membership to this social club. I just might do it.
Living in Phoenix for a number of years, rain is always welcome. But…in Italy it can get distracting!
Rain makes seeing new places rather difficult. So we wait for it to stop, or subside…and then we venture out. Luckily I bought an excellent umbrella on Amazon that is wind resistant also! And I have winter boots so I do get outside and sometimes I go to the local Enoteca! With an amazing wine selection and great company! It’s the holiday season so a glass of wine! Sangiovese grapes are grown nearby. And even cooler is an organic vineyard that is down the mountain and sells out their wine quickly here. It is pretty good. But today…is a day for home made Minestrone soup!
This entails a bit of shopping in the village. First to the Produce store, where Max is as smiling and happy as ever…I need one potato, one onion and a lemon. We visit a moment then I am off again! Yes a lemon. Maybe a bit in the soup. Recipe called for it. I’d prefer a bit of ‘hot’ zing to it! Maybe the lemon is for tea!
To the Bakery for some very fresh bread…still warm. Once you get used to bread that has no salt, no sugar and no preservatives, you find it is what you want. I have found something close stateside but it does have ‘stuff’ in it. The woman who owns the Bakery speaks English, she is Romanian. We always have a lovely exchange. Today it was the weather!!
Then a stop at the Alimentari (grocery store) where the lovely ladies and I decide on the correct size of pasta (small) for the soup. No, my Italian is not that good but I can converse somewhat and they are very nice and patient with me. The rain is coming down a bit harder and a tad windy…so I am glad to get home and get this soup going!
The grocery store sells frozen minestrone vegetables for the soup, so adding a potato and onion is all I need to do, plus some seasonings and tomato stuff. And I’ll freeze some. Apparently it freezes well…so that is my morning plan. This afternoon, although I would like to get out, I think I will do some personal painting. That being said, so last night….
I decided to go to the local Enoteca (wine shop and bar) and have a glass of wine. While there, it became like ‘Cheers’ more people coming in and a couple I knew. Two fellas came in that speak English. So they joined me and Alessia (my hairdresser here). The wine flowed, we all chatted, Sylvia made us a great plate or hors d’oeuvres !!! And we finished off a bottle of wine and even one more glass! And miniature chocolate soufflés! Quite a holiday celebration!
Then a pleasant walk home in a drizzle. I had my umbrella with me. I feel very safe here. Walking at night in the village is lovely. It’s quiet but the streets are well lit. There are many apartments available for sale or rent and priced so reasonable !! More people from other countries are finding Europe a more interesting place to live. It’s easy to see why. The history, the arts, the food, the wine…but I digress….
I am planning on one more local trip before Christmas – to see the largest Christmas tree in the world! Not too far from me…will be soon…as I am spending Christmas with my nephew and his family in Frankfurt, Germany. Should be great fun. I do remember some of my German from high school, generally just enough to aggravate a German!
Subscribe to not miss the next Blog!!!
Loved catching up again on your life, as usual!!
I’m very lucky.