Turning Back the Clock

How in the world are we once again turning the clock back? It seems like I just "lost" my hour of sleep. Don't get me wrong; I always welcome more time to sleep especially when it's a week before the states meaning the ridiculous 9 hour time difference switches to a mere 8.

Then again when you wake up normally by 0600, you really don't want to realize that it's Sunday and only 0500. Good thing BP was stretched out beside me which prevented me from moving because if I had, my feet would have been his first victims of the day.

When we finally decided to get up (ie Beige Rat, formerly known as White Rat was dropped on my head) I braved the cold water once again. Brr. Yeah, didn't call anyone still- I was busy sleeping!

What to do on this sunny domenica? Why, go to Auchan (aka SuperWalmart) with Joe of course! Once again my shopping skills that have been developed through shopping in Salinas on weekends were put to use- dodging kids, maneuvering around carts, picking the aisles less traveled. Why yes! This is a destination when you visit me. We can try to find a less crowded time but it's just amazing. Think the newer Safeway stores with  various sections- that's how this is but 10xs larger! Oh the bread options! The cheese selections! The fresh meats! The cured meats! And the glorious produce...which I now know how to properly use the scales to buy to my heart's content! Don't get me wrong, the pasta and wine selections are pretty amazing too but it's those other sections that almost make you feel like you're in a real market rather than a grocery store.

After delivering Joe back to his place (and saying hi to a few of the folks also staying there) I ventured on our to Baia to an agriturismo per pranzo with a coworker's family and some of their friends. It was really nice to check out another one of these fairly common places. The food was yummy and the variety was welcomed- especially their roasted carrot antipasto dish. Unlike other agriturismos I'd been to, this one was spread out over a ton of land and besides the long wooden tables that could easily fit an extended family it had a play area of the kids: multiple fields, a mini zip line, games, goats, mules, swings. Of course it also had a ton of mosquitoes but you know, I may be the only one who really knows that as I think I gave at least a pint of blood with my 10+ bites? Oh how fabulous hot water would feel on these!

We were there for several hours and actually closed down the place. I guess that we were there for a long time even given the whole "sit and enjoy and you tell us when you're ready for the bill" mentality since they presented us with 12 bottles of wine as a gift, but we "had to enjoy them at home." Yep. Only in Italy! I guess the best part of the afternoon was spending it with people that have lived here for 3 years and knew a ton of what to do/see. I'm actually traveling with a few of them to Venice in February so it will be a great time based on today's lunch. Of course talks of Dublin for St. Patrick's Day were also in the mix but why not? I'm only here for 3 years (okay, maybe 5) and if the opportunities are there why not? I can totally live without my Italian fashion (yes, even shoes) if it means I can experience more.

Um. On second thought, I'll trade one long weekend trip for a pair of shoes.