Mandarino
Laura, please, please don't say I told you so, but I already broke the car. I'll blame it on the guy who parked on top of me last night at the restaurant, but the car now has a good size ding on the rear bumper. I am sure I will be thrown in prison when I try and turn the car in. I'm thinking of taking to the hills of Sicilia where I understand many people have disappeared for years.
I spent the morning with Gaspare looking at a couple more properties. We then went to his friend, Giorgio's, who deals in all products needed to rehab properties, such as windows, marble, tiling, etc. He also had a model of a place Gaspare and I checked out that with the total rehab including a pool, could probably be had for 600,000 euro. But, I could hold off on the pool till later, and maybe get this for only 500,000.
We went again to look at the place next to sheepherder. It does have great potential and can probably be had for more like 350,000 euro. We also went to Gaspare's shop where he and several other architects practice. He showed me many before and after shots of projects he's worked on. They seem to do good work. But, Nick, you are absolutely right, the place with the columns seems to have the most potential. I called Gaspare and he is trying to track down the owner to put in an offer before I leave. And, I think we can squeeze in a balcony somewhere. It does have a great view of the sea. This temple of Hera is truly amazing having been here for at least 2600 years, and I think it may last through my lifetime. This site deserves a few pictures.
I was about to explain doric, ionic and corinthian columns, but decided to spare you. (I'm actually amazed I remembered these.)
Anyway, Laura, I did take your advice, especially after having broke the car, and went back into the sea. This time it was easier as there was a beach. I didn't do the total bathing, and it was late for Pasquetta, so I think I may have only bought myself out of a couple more sins. I'll try and make them good ones.
For dinner, I tried my friend across the street again, and he said he didn't take his boat out again today, and thus, no pesce. So, went down the road again for fettucini ricci (pasta with sea urchins) Since the half litre of vino rosso didn't seem to be enough, I asked the waiter after dinner if he had Limoncello or un altro tipo di vini dolci. He recommended a Mandorino, similar to limoncello, and very good. When I asked if it was made in the area, he said, yes, he made it. I tried to think of a proper way to express my appreciation, and decided it was best just to order a second. At that point, he for some reason felt compelled to point out to me that it was about 50% alcohol. Following the second one, it was the strangest feeling, but I could just hear all of you shouting out to me to have one more. I did, and the third time was a charm as the waiter decided if I liked it that much, the third one was on the house. (Laura, I did leave the car home, so just had to find my way home on foot. Oh, and by the way, not all Europeans drive on the wrong side of the road, except the crazy English just in case you were wondering. Although, I'm sure you're right about them all speaking the same language.)
Hey, now seems as good a time as any to mention the news (since Martha already made it public) but Martha e' incinta! Meaning Martha is pregnant and due to deliver another grandkid in October. I know, I know, you are all saying how can he be that young, and have grandkids.
Tomorrow, seems to have the makings of a very long day. I will drive back to Palermo, if I ever find it, and return the car, and try to talk my way out of a prison sentence. Then cab it to the airport to fly to Roma. I will hop a train to i Termini, and connect with Maria Grazia for one last dinner. Then back to airport. My flight leaves at 7:00 a.m. Friday, so should be there about 5:00. Seems foolish to get a room for a few hours, so will just hang out at the airport singing Hare Krishna. (What ever happened to all those guys?)
I'm trying not to take it personally, but it seems that many of you would prefer that I stay here. I'm sure you mean for reasons to make me happy, and not just so you are rid of me. So, I think I understand, maybe, sort of. Sorry for the long boring post, it's the Mandorino talking. Ciao
I spent the morning with Gaspare looking at a couple more properties. We then went to his friend, Giorgio's, who deals in all products needed to rehab properties, such as windows, marble, tiling, etc. He also had a model of a place Gaspare and I checked out that with the total rehab including a pool, could probably be had for 600,000 euro. But, I could hold off on the pool till later, and maybe get this for only 500,000.
Anyway, Laura, I did take your advice, especially after having broke the car, and went back into the sea. This time it was easier as there was a beach. I didn't do the total bathing, and it was late for Pasquetta, so I think I may have only bought myself out of a couple more sins. I'll try and make them good ones.
For dinner, I tried my friend across the street again, and he said he didn't take his boat out again today, and thus, no pesce. So, went down the road again for fettucini ricci (pasta with sea urchins) Since the half litre of vino rosso didn't seem to be enough, I asked the waiter after dinner if he had Limoncello or un altro tipo di vini dolci. He recommended a Mandorino, similar to limoncello, and very good. When I asked if it was made in the area, he said, yes, he made it. I tried to think of a proper way to express my appreciation, and decided it was best just to order a second. At that point, he for some reason felt compelled to point out to me that it was about 50% alcohol. Following the second one, it was the strangest feeling, but I could just hear all of you shouting out to me to have one more. I did, and the third time was a charm as the waiter decided if I liked it that much, the third one was on the house. (Laura, I did leave the car home, so just had to find my way home on foot. Oh, and by the way, not all Europeans drive on the wrong side of the road, except the crazy English just in case you were wondering. Although, I'm sure you're right about them all speaking the same language.)
Hey, now seems as good a time as any to mention the news (since Martha already made it public) but Martha e' incinta! Meaning Martha is pregnant and due to deliver another grandkid in October. I know, I know, you are all saying how can he be that young, and have grandkids.
Tomorrow, seems to have the makings of a very long day. I will drive back to Palermo, if I ever find it, and return the car, and try to talk my way out of a prison sentence. Then cab it to the airport to fly to Roma. I will hop a train to i Termini, and connect with Maria Grazia for one last dinner. Then back to airport. My flight leaves at 7:00 a.m. Friday, so should be there about 5:00. Seems foolish to get a room for a few hours, so will just hang out at the airport singing Hare Krishna. (What ever happened to all those guys?)
I'm trying not to take it personally, but it seems that many of you would prefer that I stay here. I'm sure you mean for reasons to make me happy, and not just so you are rid of me. So, I think I understand, maybe, sort of. Sorry for the long boring post, it's the Mandorino talking. Ciao
First of all, congrats to Martha on two counts... baby and house! (saw that on facebook)
ReplyDeleteAnd secondly, this Nico person is very wise. The place with the columns has real staying power. A little breezy, but it looks as if there is room for a fire pit.
Last of all, if you get the property procured before you have to go to prison, please leave names of your general contractors and gardener on the title, so we won't run into any legal trouble ourselves. But, perhaps the last dip in the sea absolves any worry of such.
Hai un viaggio sicuro e ci vediamo presto. Tvb assaje!
. . . fettucini ricci, Mandorino, limoncello, un altro tipo di vini dolci, dang Giuseppe, sounds like some kinda foreign language. Seriously, everything sounds wonderful, I’ve been trying to follow your meals and what they are . . . I appreciate the occasional interpretations (fettucini ricci/sea urchins).
ReplyDeleteWe’re all jealous and want you to stay so you can invite us over. But if you get homesick for Italy after you’re back, come visit me and we’ll go to Glorioso Brothers, Balistreri’s & Zaffiro’s. Also coming July 21 there’s Festa Italiana, Frankie Valli this year. You can practice your Italian. Let me know.
By the way, the pics of those 1st two houses look like they’re a little too small.
Cya, Nico