Door Series #39

Chocola-To 2011!!!

 It's that time of year again. The time in Torino for all things chocolate. The Choco-la-To festival started today in Piazza Vittorio and I walked over to watch them set up.

Centocinquantenario (part 2)

More photos from the celebrations.

Who knew that Italians like to celebrate their Unification day with American fast food?!

Happy Birthday Italy!

 Yesterday, March 17, 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of Italy's Unification, and wow! What a party Torino had. Torino was the first capital of Italy and the unification happened right here just behind our house. There were fireworks, music, chocolate, and free polenta! All of the museums were opened all day free to the public and the lines wrapped around the blocks. Cafes were full and everyone was wearing their tri-colors and showing their pride.

Part 2, more pics tomorrow!! Stay tuned.

Beware

The Ides of March is the first day of the Roman New Year. It also marks the first day of spring in the Roman calendar.  It notoriously comes with bad luck.

 Yesterday, I should have known that the Ides would be a downer day. My issues were small and just annoying, raining cats and dogs, couldn't get anywhere to get any work done, stupid argument with the boyfriend, empty pantry at dinner time, waiting around for payday...didn't arrive. I usually don't like to complain about things on my blog, especially mini issues like these, but today it goes with the theme the Ides of March. 
Of course, worrying about little things helps to take my mind off the enormous problems of the people of Japan who might have had the worst Ides of March since Caesar. My heart goes out to them. 


What happened to you on the Ides? (March 15th)

Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry "Caesar!" Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.

Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.

Caesar:
What man is that?

Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15–19

Kids at Carnevale

 Carnevale is known as a grown up celebration, but what do the kids do? They celebrate carnevale too! In Rapallo, and in many other places around Italy, the kids dress up in costumes, have a parade, and spread confetti all over each other and the city.

As the kids parade threw, they leave behind a snowfall of confettied streets. I tried to make a confetti snowman but it didn't quite take. Happy carnevale everyone!

Door Series #38

Old Men and the Sea

All of the retired age men in Rapallo spend most days sitting together and talking about the weather on the sea front. They dress up and stroll on down, pick a bench, and pass the day.

Jolie and the Castle Part 2

Forgotten Palazzos

 Though once a medieval borgo, Rapallo was most popular at the turn of the century. Much of the hotel and sea front architecture is from this time. Many of the pastel colored pretty palazzos have been abandoned. I walk by them everyday and wish someone would lovingly restore them back to their heyday conditions, but then I remember that in Italy even some of the ancient Roman ruins are forgotten about.

Cook Off!

 Pier and I had a sort-of a "cook-off". We both made an appetizer, I made main dish and Pier made the dessert.

Here is what we made.

My appetizer: Asparagus and Fontina Tart

Piers appetizer: Salmon and Cream Cheese Stuffed Crossiants and Pancetta and Fontina Stuffed Crossiants

My Main: Roast Beef with Potato Rounds

Pier's Dessert: Homemade Pastry "Ravioli" stuffed with sweet ricotta and chocolate..and some dry champagne

We couldn't determine whose was better but we had fun eating seconds to try and decide.