Wander-Land

July 26
Tuesday, July 21st: I had a lovely lunch with Zelo today after class near il duomo. We sat outside at a little ristorante - I ordered a delicious and filling salad, while Zello-tron ordered spaghetti (with chicken, which they apparently didn’t charge her extra for).  My salad consisted of mixed greens, corn, shrimp, avocado, and mushrooms. The portion was fairly large - I was so excited! However, the salad didn’t come with any dressing.  I wonder why? But of course, I utilized my Italian culinary skills and mixed in some olive oil and balsamic vinegar which definitely satisfied my taste buds and tummy.  So what else have I been eating lately… Mostly pizza from Mundial or al 115, fresh pasta (usually tortellini or ravioli) from Esselunga that I make with crushed roma tomatoes, garlic, oregano and olive oil, salad from the Esselunga, and of course, the ramen noodles that my dearest mommy stuffed in my suitcase. Those are going to be for my last penny-pinching week out here =)  The best thing STILL is the gelato, which I’m dubbing my friends and I connoisseurs at this point, and nothing really has been terrible…minus the issue of the repetitiveness of paninis, foccacias, etc. Anyway, the salad was a nice, healthy alternative to the starchy menu I’ve noticed that has taken a slight toll on my waistline. I would definitely recommend it…but I didn’t get the name of the place. =( I guess I’m just being a little elusive to just flat out and say that I MISS MY MOMMA’S COOKING.  I sent out a family e-mail the other today to simply put in a request for a “welcome home feast.”  I guess the food is what’s making a lot of people on this trip homesick…it’s amazing what food does to a person not only physically but emotionally.  Amazing…the restaurant industries in this economy will always be here…everyone needs to eat. I know i’m rambling at this point but I guess I’m just trying to get my mind off the fact that a good home-cooked meal is in order.  For Jake here, it’s steak; for Erin, it’s mashed potatoes; for EVERYone, it’s Chipotle…and for me, it’s Vietnamese foooood. 

Tuesday, July 21st: I had a lovely lunch with Zelo today after class near il duomo. We sat outside at a little ristorante - I ordered a delicious and filling salad, while Zello-tron ordered spaghetti (with chicken, which they apparently didn’t charge her extra for).  My salad consisted of mixed greens, corn, shrimp, avocado, and mushrooms. The portion was fairly large - I was so excited! However, the salad didn’t come with any dressing.  I wonder why? But of course, I utilized my Italian culinary skills and mixed in some olive oil and balsamic vinegar which definitely satisfied my taste buds and tummy.  So what else have I been eating lately…

Mostly pizza from Mundial or al 115, fresh pasta (usually tortellini or ravioli) from Esselunga that I make with crushed roma tomatoes, garlic, oregano and olive oil, salad from the Esselunga, and of course, the ramen noodles that my dearest mommy stuffed in my suitcase. Those are going to be for my last penny-pinching week out here =)  The best thing STILL is the gelato, which I’m dubbing my friends and I connoisseurs at this point, and nothing really has been terrible…minus the issue of the repetitiveness of paninis, foccacias, etc.

Anyway, the salad was a nice, healthy alternative to the starchy menu I’ve noticed that has taken a slight toll on my waistline. I would definitely recommend it…but I didn’t get the name of the place. =( I guess I’m just being a little elusive to just flat out and say that I MISS MY MOMMA’S COOKING.  I sent out a family e-mail the other today to simply put in a request for a “welcome home feast.”  I guess the food is what’s making a lot of people on this trip homesick…it’s amazing what food does to a person not only physically but emotionally.  Amazing…the restaurant industries in this economy will always be here…everyone needs to eat. I know i’m rambling at this point but I guess I’m just trying to get my mind off the fact that a good home-cooked meal is in order.  For Jake here, it’s steak; for Erin, it’s mashed potatoes; for EVERYone, it’s Chipotle…and for me, it’s Vietnamese foooood.