Italian Noms

I think we can all agree that Italian food is amazing. When I got back to the States, I had a one month hiatus from eating anything remotely Italian. It was just too depressing to think about having anything but the real deal.

Colazione

Italians have a whole bunch of options for their breakfast. My Perugian breakfasts consisted of small, dry toasts, Nutella, fresh fruit, meat and cheeses, and pastry croissants filled with chocolate. As always, a cup of coffee (cappuccino, espresso) was there to accompany the meals :)

Cappuccino in Roma

Breakfast in Perugia

Pranzo

Most of my lunches in Italy were very casual since I was making a travel connection, was on a tour, or had to make an evening rehearsal. Bars, pizzerias, and trattorias were the name of the game!

Pizzeria in Perugia. The table did food swaps so we could all enjoy the variety of goodness.

Gnocchi in a balsamic vinaigrette sauce in Montepulciano

Lunch buffet in Perugia

Best panino of my life from La Buca del Tartufo (not far from Palazzo dei Consoli) in Gubbio.

Cena

Served around 8pm, these were the meals I looked forward to the most! Antipasto, contorni, primi piatti, secondi piatti and dolci... va bene! Also, here's a random factoid about Perugian cuisine: their bread has remained unsalted since 1540.

Welcome dinner in Perugia

Last meal in Italy- Fettuccine Alfredo

Vino

My favorite wines are Tuscan reds, like Chianti (I blame studying abroad in Florence for my love). I'd order a glass of the house wine for most meals, and go to the grocery to pick up super cheap bottles to drink back at the hotel. Even their worst "2 buck chuck" was decent. If you're on a budget, that's the best way to go!

Spaghetti and Chianti in Florence

Gelato

Straciatella. Enough said :)

Three flavors in that one cup of gelato

Live Vicariously Through Me (Again)

Hi all!

T minus 10 days until I return to my beloved Italia :) Let's be real, my countdown started 60 days out. I have a premonition that this will be another epic trip abroad. Singing the Verdi Requiem on the 150th anniversary of Italian unification and celebrating my quarter-life milestone. I can't wait!

In the meantime, here's what I'll be up to abroad.

Roma

On the 25th, my two roomies and I will peace out of the USA to get into Rome a few days earlier than the rest of the choir to do some serious sightseeing. (We have a 5 hour layover in Amsterdam which should give us some time to make mischief, too.) We'll be staying at Roma dei Papi Hotel de Charme solely based on my knowledge of having been to Rome 5 years ago. It's right near the Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo, and across the Tiber from Piazza Navona and The Pantheon.

Angels and Demons scene at Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWzyab1v-lI

Other things on the to-do list:

Spanish Steps

Trevi Fountain

Roman baths

Colosseum

Arch of Constantine

Roman Forum

etc.

Perugia, Todi, Gubbio

After a few days in Roma, we will catch a bus with our compatriots to Perugia which is at the heart of Umbria (the region of Italy right below Tuscany). Perugia will act as our base city as we tour the region singing Verdi's Requiem.

During the day, we have free time before rehearsal to rent a car, hop a train, or hike anywhere we please. These adventures are still TBA but will most likely include a trip to Spoleto to check out the music festival, Festival dei Due Mondi. (The Spoleto Festival in Charleston is the USA counterpart.)

Concert time! The amassed choir will consist of peeps from Washington, Pennsylvania, members of the National Philharmonic Chorale, and the University of Perugia. Our orchestra is from Budapest, Hugary. Good thing music transcends language :) Speaking of music, check out our uber music-themed hotel: http://www.hotelgio.it/eng/home.htm.

July 1- First performance in Todi at the Teatro Comunale (below)

July 2- Performance at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo .... Post-concert party per mi cumpleanno!!!!!!

July 3- Performance in Gubbio at the Teatro Comunale

Firenze

5 years ago I rubbed il porcino's snout, and as the legend goes, I've found myself returning to the city I love :) A small group in my choir is traveling via rail for a day trip to the inspiring city of the Renaissance. I can't put a finger on what I love about Florence. It's steeped in rich history, you could walk by a Michelangelo or Donatello and not even realize it-- art and beauty are so commonplace... The moment to moment feeling of what exactly it means to be Italian -- living, breathing, experiencing another way of life... Gaahhhh I can't wait to stop by The Oil Shoppe for Alberto's famed meatball subs :)

Ciao ciao!

Italy Memories

First blog post. Yay! This morning the weather was so beautiful! It reminded me of my morning walks to class in Firenze:

A light morning chill kisses the body as the warmth of the sun permeates the piazza. Vendors set up shop among throngs of ‘ciao bella’ as female silhouettes catch the eyes of hopeful young men. Women in chic Italian fashion ride their bikes through the curvy streets. Older men with a genuine look of content and happiness gather for an espresso before an honest day’s work. Water from the morning street cleaning puddle on well-traveled stones and sparkle with the prospect of another day in la vita bella.

Manco l'Italia.