Weekend in Review

Whenever my work day ends at 1800 on a Friday evening...you know some crisis hit just seconds before my normal quitting time. In all honesty, I was only a tad faster than a tortoise getting into the office that morning and when combined with raw sewage spilling out onto one of the decks in the office building, the evacuation didn't allow me to sit at my desk until 9 am. So after some math, I really did not sit at my desk for all that long, but it's just extremely frustrating when issues hit regarding travel so late in the day. Took me back to NPS days...

Luckily I have some of the most fabulous coworkers EVER. Despite the Freaky Friday feeling when I was the one staying late when they got out of there closer to my normal time, we all met up to decompress and laugh away the stress from the week; like friends will do and only coworkers really can when we've all be exposed to the same stuff. All. Week.

And when that's not enough? You're so thankful that the wine tour you signed up for weeks before falls on that weekend, and the large group you were anticipating turns into primarily a group of your friends. 

On what started to be a rainy Naples Saturday, the whole 8 of us headed up north towards Benevento on a standard 50 person bus. Yep. Lots of room for wine. And moving between seats as the clouds lift, rain stops, and the sun appears shinning its warm rays down on the green ground.

Trip #2 up to the OCONE winery was just as good as the first time last May. Actually, this time was better as our small group was able to tour learn more about the winery! Our small group quickly took on that of a family appearance as we moved the tables together to make our "head table" to dine at over our ridiculous number of wine tastings. Our tour guide, Aldo, who happens to be a walking encyclopedia once again walked us through the Neapolitan Toast several times so we could kick off the tasting with a proper spumante toast:

(As you raise your glass up)

Aiza aiza aiza 

 (As you lower your glass down)
Acala acala acala

(As you clink glasses with everyone)
Accosta accosta accosta 

(Everyone raises and holds their glass)
Alla saluta vosta! 

SALUTA!

And how can you not be in a good mood after a toast with friends? Or sampling all those wines? It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon- buoni cibi, buoni vini, buoni amici! All the boxes that had "KO" scribbled on them didn't hurt either to start getting my wine shipment to resemble a decent collection. And? With the exception of a few bottles from this place, these are "every day" wines which means when I'm missing Italia? Hit the wine stash, raise a glass, and teach my new friends the Neapolitan toast. 

Our time with Signore Domenco and his sons was far too short, but the wine and food coma was coming on strong so we didn't fight it too much as we loaded back onto our bus and made the drive back to Naples. Plus the final event of my day- tapas, paella, and karaoke! Yeah, no pictures or videos from that fun night, but rest assured- it was the perfect way to end my day!