Gelato Season has Begun!

As Rachel announced last week, Spring has come to Alessandria and that means I have now consumed un cono per day since March 1st. I can't tell you how happy I am these days! I am partial to nocciola (hazelnut) and stracciatella (chocolate chip) which means I rarely waver from those two. However when Gabriella was here she mentioned a flavor I should try- riso (rice) which tastes like rice pudding- that she loved so much that she now rates the quality of a gelateria by whether they carry that flavor. A woman after my own heart "rating" gelaterie- fantastico! I like riso but it hasn't knocked my two favorites off the top of my list.

Now this is when I tell you that I died and went to heaven. When you ask? Well it started in February when both Rachel and I noticed the most amazing aroma wafting in our courtyard and it seemed to be coming from somewhere in our apartment building or at least nearby. We smelled it every day for at least a week before we ran into our neighbor Massimo in the courtyard. When we commented on the delicious aroma, he motioned for us to come with him. And there in one corner of our courtyard (which all along we had assumed was a storage unit) was a room where hazelnuts were being roasted and the syrup extracted from them to make MY nociola gelato! He introduced us to Guglelmo Cercena

whose family has been in the gelato business for over 100 years, starting out peddling ice cream on the street

before opening up their first store in Alessandria and now with gelaterie in most of the major northern Italian cities. Guglelmo was happy to show us what he was doing in this dark tiny little room. The equipment is all over a century old

He indicated that we should bring over a container to take home some hazelnuts. Timidly we brought back a small butter container which he filled. The taste of those warm and freshly roasted hazelnuts was out of this world. A few days later our favorite hazelnut roaster laughed when we returned with a much larger container.

Of course my first question back in early February was when will the gelateria reopen for the Spring and summer months? He said March 1st which meant he would be roasting hazelnuts for much of February to extract what you see below for my nocciola

Who would have thought that the first place I ever had gelato in my new home of Alessandria was made in my very own backyard? And that first gelato was solamente nocciola- both scoops!

And from opening day, March 1st, (as I mentioned at the beginning) being true to what feels like my destiny , I have had a gelato every day... because who am I to mess with such fate?

Just who IS that tall woman blocking your view of me? The gelataia (the ice cream seller) in the white cap waited on me on my very first day- it was (unrequited) love at first sight. She has taught me how to pronounce my favorites, too. Is anyone in the entire world luckier than me??

Guest Bloggers....

Kim e Rachel Vanno in Italia
by Gabriella e Henry

Kim and Rachel said with a cheer,
"In Italy we'll stay for a year!"
On a plane they did go,
their baggage in tow,
with only the smallest of fears.

Alessandria is their new home--
a place that allows them to roam.
With friends far away
they have time to play
and use Skype instead of a phone.

Their neighbors they soon got to know.
Up to Rita's Rachel now goes.
With strain she does glean
what words Rita means
and learns about pasta and dough.

They've traveled around near and far
and they've done it all with no car.
But going by train
can be a real pain
and some trips are really bizarre.

When in town they go to the gym,
and play games of cribbage and gin.
It's all in their blog--
their life's catalog--
with reveals the bliss they are in!

A Sunday Festival in Alessandria...

As mentioned yesterday, today is International Women's Day and it's festival time in Alessandria.

These yellow flowers are sold everywhere and seem to be "thematic". They are a version of mimosa.

There was an additional Sunday market with vendors selling wine, cheese, and other great goodies.

This gentleman was selling wine from the Asti region. For some reason, he asked us where we are from? (Was it our accents??) Turns out he visited Philadelphia 15 years ago. We had a very nice visit, did some wine tasting and yes, did buy a bottle or two, or three, or...

Later, we encountered a political march. Many of the themes had to do with immigration and labor issues.

Safety was a priority....

Later, we spied the "Two Sisters" (see previous blog). They were all dressed up but had just missed the political march.

A great day ending....with wine, fresh strawberries and soft cheese from Sicily!
Life is good! Thank you!!!!

Saturday Springtime Wanderings...

Over the past few days there's been a change taking place in the air. The mornings and afternoon are lighter and there's that distinct feeling when one recognizes that things are changing. Today Kim and I identified it as "Springtime"! We have our windows wide open and bought some pansies to add to the planter box.

Today we wandered to the big Saturday market where the roving vendors' wares range from plants and flowers to clothes, shoes, and household goods. If one is seeking a bargain, this is your place. We have made some fine scores here over the months.

The market is held in Garibaldi Square which was built in the early 19th century. It's one of the largest arcade style squares in the Piedmont Region. At this corner, during WWI, it housed a Red Cross Hospital.

These little fellows look down upon us as we walk by.

Across the street....

Another of the many beautiful doors that help make up Alessandria. Above this door is a plaque which I've enlarged below.

Tomorrow is International Women's Day and we've seen a few signs which announce a demonstration march to bring more awareness regarding violence against women. There are also a couple of artistic exhibits that will also commemorate the day. There are several of these little kiosks which just appeared "overnight" where men can be seen buying flowers to take home.

Il Messicano, NOT!

Okay, okay. Kim wants me to report that the many months ago when we first walked by this restaurant, she'd warned me. And today, as I write, she keeps saying, "We are in Italy! Why would you have thought they'd have good Mexican food? Well, so, she was right. I give them a grade of "D" and no star...That's okay, at least I can laugh about it and say we had the experience...

The inside decorations really weren't so bad; it was just the food. Kim kept me from walking back to the kitchen and offering my consultation services....

I won't be forgetting where we ate for my birthday in Italy...

Some Locals....

While walking back home the other day, Kim and I spied these two walking down the street. Rita came by today and we were showing her pictures of Alessandria's Carnevale. She saw this picture and laughed, telling us that they are two sisters. They're retired school teachers and during Catholic mass they always talk during the service. People will "shush" them but they pay no mind and keep on talking....

Today is my birthday, and how, you may wonder, did I spend it? Well, I spent my 56th birthday in Alessandria, Italy!! The day began with coffee and cookies--a game of Cribbage and Hollywood. For those of you keeping track, I lead in Cribbage, 135 to Kim's 75. In Hollywood, Kim leads 325 to my 225...
Then, we were off to the gym and did a water aerobics class. The afternoon has been spent reading and doing a bit of laundry. Tonight we are going to dinner--our first time out in quite some time. We're going to a restaurant that we've passed a number of times as we go back and forth to the train station. It's listed as, "Il Messicano, Tex Mex" and you should be able to figure that out. It seems to have a strong Argentinian meat menu and lots of other hopeful offerings. I will try to blog on it later; I hope I remember the camera...I can't wait until 8PM when it opens!!

Final Carnevale...

Alessandria's celebration of Carnevale was Sunday, March 1. Kim kept commenting that the weather has been sky blue for several weeks now and it's too bad that Alessandria was greeted with rain on our Carnevale day. My comment back is that Lent has begun. What's this celebrating during Lent about? Alessandria (and Milan) have wrought the rain upon themselves.

The celebration began at 3PM and consisted of a parade and the throwing of confetti. The parade was rather "folksy" in its presentation but nonetheless a happy celebration. Many of the floats had themes of social services and various community agency resources. All were pulled by big tractors. For those of you in Seattle, think Fremont Fair....

Here was the theme of Isis and Romans celebrating their decadence.

AirItalia with helpful oars...

We have no idea what this means--"news flash", "news strip", "strip the news"?

Football!!, not soccer....

It actually had a them of nonviolence and finding better ways to express oneself....

More bad mysticism.....

Advice....

They think I'm one of them....

That's it. It's over.