This message is not starting off on a good note....I just checked ESPN for a few scores --- The Dolphins' and the Redskins' losses are very disappointing! My dream of a Skins-Fins Super Bowl may only happen in my mind.
I've been in Rome for 4 days now and I'll have one more day tomorrow. Tomorrow I will do the tour of the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and I will see the many fountains in Rome. I will be leaving for Florence tomorrow night. You may be wondering, "What has she been doing in Rome this whole time if she hasn't done any sightseeing?" The answer is very simple...I'VE BEEN EATING. The main reason why I wanted to come to Italy is for the food. Now let me clarify something... I have walked by all these main historical sites but I haven't done any tours yet because I've been too focused on eating. Here's my routine...
7:00 am Go for an hour run
8:00 am Shower
8:45 am Breakfast
9:30 am Gelato
9:45 am - 12:00 pm Walk Around
12:15 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Gelato
1:15 pm - 4:00 pm Walk Around/Shopping
4:15 pm Pastry Snack or Gelato or Both
4:30 - 7:00 pm Walk Around or go to Cafe to write in journal or to eat
7:30 Dinner
8:30 Cafe, Bar, Nightlife...Late Night Snack is highly likely
Clearly you can see how eating consumes my day and how it has kept me away from doing the tours. Actually, I was debating on even going on the tours tomorrow. I'd rather just eat and walk by the sites again. Seriously, now that I have seen the buildings in Athens I totally get it. These ancient buildings can stand up for a very long time! It's not a big shocker to me anymore! My parents would probably think I was out of my mind if I came all the way over here and didn't check out the main sites. They already think I have gone off the deep end for quitting my job and doing this trip. Don't worry mom and dad, I'm going on the tours!
Let me report on the food status of Italy....I'm madly in love with the food. Every time I take a bite out of anything, I just close my eyes and savor that moment. The homemade pasta is incredible. It just melts in your mouth. All the sauces are delicious and very rich --- just how I like it.
The gelato....Don't get me started on the gelato. Prior to coming here, people would tell me that the gelato in Italy is so different from the gelato in the U.S. I always thought those people were annoying because they just love to point out that they've been to Italy. Who cares where it's from? Ice Cream is always good. This is how my mind works, a mind of a true ice cream lover. Well, I'm now jumping on board with those annoying people...this gelato is unbelieavable! It has the perfect blend of sweetness and it's also rich and velvety. You know how I mentioned that I go to gelato at least 2x a day? Well, I failed to mention that I have 2 scoops each time I go so I've been able to try a different flavor each time. This is why I have to run in the morning and walk around all day. BTW...Christy Garvey, that detail was for you since you always like to know my exact food intake for the day.
Now let me get to the best part...THE PIZZA. Pizza and sushi are tied for #1 on my favorite foods list. The pizza here is A M A Z I N G. The sauce is perfect. The crust is perfect. The mozzarella is perfect. The portion size is perfect . I took a day trip to Naples today just for the pizza alone. There are plenty of pizza places in Rome but Naples is known to be the Pizza Mecca so of course I didn't hesitate to take a 2 hour train ride to try the pizza. This pizza did not disappoint me. It was even better than I thought it would be. I'm a die hard pizza lover so I consider myself to be a good pizza critic. Here is a mini timeline of how pizza has affected my life...
1978 - I was born this year and wasn't able to eat solids. No pizza during this time.
1983 - Around 5 yrs old I remember eating a Celeste pizza and thought it was good
1990 - 2004 Grew up eating Papa John's, Dominos, Pizza Hut and I loved it. Papa John's was my favorite but I didn't hesitate eating Dominos or Pizza Hut. Also, I would enjoy going to NYC and eating NY style pizza
2005 - I moved to Chicago and finally had true Chicago-style pizza and fell in LOVE with it. I love the deep dish style of Lou Malnatis and Eduardos. I haven't touched Papa John's, Dominos, and Pizza Hut since I moved to Chicago.
2008 - I met the Pizza of a Lifetime: Pizza Da Michele of Napolia
As I had my last bite of my Margarita Pizza in Naples I started to get sad. This pizza only exists here and I knew at that moment that I will not be able to eat it again for a very long time. I'm not a religious person so this pizza encounter was like me meeting the Dalia Lama. I felt like I had traveled so far to find this pizza and it was definitely a fulfilling journey. Just like the Dalia Lama, the Margarita Pizza offered me a few words of wisdom..
"Don't be sad Nancy. You traveled far to find me and now that you have, you have been able to enjoy this opportunity. You will always remember this taste even long after you leave here. Don't feel bad about going to back to Chicago and eating your favorite pizzas there. All of the pizzas in this world serve its purpose. I have now served my purpose to you. Any time you want to have a piece of me, just close your eyes and remember this moment."
Now that I feel better about my last bite of this incredible pizza, I need to drown my football sorrows with some gelato.
5 comments:
great posting nance! love your dialog with the pizza in Naples! haha. You did forget to mention your recent Pizza tasting in NoVa- at Valentinos!!! i'm impressed you are going running each morning. can't wait to hear more! xoxo
Nancy! I am sure you will figure this out but the best Gelato place in Firenze is right that main bridge. I can't remember what it's called but that is probably better directions than some of the crazy Italians will give ya. I hope you are trying the after dinner drink Limoncello.
BTW... Your 'schedule' cracked me up. I can hear the trumpt playing now, lol.
You should call my old roommate... I will try and find her email.
Keith
Nance! I am soo impressed by the fact that you are running every morning. Wow. You must be in killer shape. I mean all running + walking around all the time. I am packing my running shoes for Paris. Maybe you can inspire me!! I cannot wait til to see you next week!! (I will fill you in on gossip girl) xoxo
Don't worry Nancy! If you make it tomorrow for your tour I will be VERY proud because I know I would skip it and just keep eating! By the ways, good job on the running. I know I would say I would do it but I would always be too full from eating all the time.
This post made me laugh so much and remember the MANY wonderful dining experiences we had in Chicago!
My mouth is watering just remembering the delicious tastes of Italy. If it is any constellation the pizza in France (at least in the South) runs a distant (but still closer than anything else) second to the pizza of Italy.
And, OH, the gelato!!! You have done a great job summing up the food experiences of the country. I think I may have a new career in mind for you..... You have seen "My Best Friend's Weddin?"
Post a Comment