OR
Our Last Night in Guardia
The day had finally come, my last one in Guardia Sanframondi. Over the the last two weeks, so many expats left; Mike Simon went home today, Michael left two days ago, Sharon from Chicago left last week, Linda and Mike from Nova Scotia left, Dan went back to England, Judith returned to Northern California, Marsha and Chris went home to NJ, Glen went back to Canada, Kelly headed to Rome, I guess It was time for me to leave too. Many of those mentioned above will return in the fall for the harvest of the grapes and the olives, I wish I could too!
I sorted out the food, some to Anna, some I could take to Pineto with me. I had bought a lot of things while I was at Nonna’s House, things you need if you are going to live there because it is not a hotel and the kitchen really didn’t have a lot of everyday items you need if you are going to cook. I kept telling Peter I would ask Pasquale for the money although I kinda knew I wouldn’t. As I did discuss with him that I had made many purchases, he suggested he would put them all in a box with my name on it – a Lori box, it will be here for you when you return. I thought that was so sweet as well as good salesmanship
Pasquale suggested we all go out for dinner that night to celebrate out last night. He would take us to a restaurant in Telese that served Florentine steak. I was up for that and hoping they really knew how to cook it and not over cook it like the veal I had that has to come from the cow not the calf. I cut it up and threw it to the dogs next door!
We are on our way…. First hugs and kisses with Anna, Pasquale’s mother just in case I don’t see her in the morning.
Anna and me in the BAR.
Dawn is driving me and Joel is on the back of Pasquale’s new motorcycle. I told Dawn to be prepared, I was pretty sure we were in for a real “ride”. Sure enough just as we head out of town Pasquale makes a sharp left down a steep hill, and the road twists and turns. This is a really old road, one that goes from the town all the way down the mountain to the river! Pasquale and Joel were zipping along, you would have thought they were racing for gold. We tried to stay with them but common sense prevailed.
They hardly enjoyed themselves as you can tell.
Prepping for the ride back
The restaurant was great looking, not like any we had come across so far. The decor was a fusion of country farmhouse and Italian rustica. Pasquale picked out four cuts of steak for us and we added insalata, chips, escarole and wine. What a feast! Heartily enjoyed by all right down to gnawing on the bone to get that tender rare meat. If you are not in Firenze, and you want a great Steak Florentine, you must go to IL FIASCO DI VINO a Telese Terme.
What a fun date!
The whole evening was wonderful and of course there is always room for gelato. AND Pasquale bought dessert, he took us to a special gelato place. I love ice cream as any reader of my blog knows. He remarked that all the Americans who come only want gelato for desert, why? Perchce mangiare il gelato e come fare sesso!
To Be Continued….
.
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
Pbenjay's Blog 
Luigi And The Lights
Posted in From My Point of View - Personal commentary on Movies and Books, Travel-Where in the World are Peterlori?, tagged cherries, fig tree, Heineken, Luigi, Orso’s, Orso’s Garden, Pasquale, Perroni on May 28, 2018| 3 Comments »
One late morning, Joel and I were sitting outside at Orso’s enjoying the sunshine, some coffee and wi fi. It was a beautiful day, the cherries had turned from green to red in the past few days, the roses were in full bloom; shades of pink and red. The fig tree was laden with burgeoning little green globes which unfortunately would not ripen till the end of summer.
Pasquale came out and asked Joel if he would go with his father, Luigi, to pick up a heavy box. Since I was working on my iPad and he was getting a little bored, he jumped at the chance of a change of scenery. Luigi came out and gave me the two finger sign indicating they’d be back in two minutes.
It was more like 30 minutes, before they returned in the truck and started to unload what looked like a few large coiled wreathes. At least that’s what it looked from across the street.
Soon it was apparent what was happening;
Up A Tree
Hidden From View
Taking Direction
Luigi had enlisted Joel to help him string lights in the trees in Orso’s Garden. That’s the official name of this small oasis across the street from the B&B. I’ve spent hours there sitting in that glorious Southern Italy sunshine, drawing zentangles, talking to Peter, looking at the panorama and trying most of all to be present.
That day watching Joel and Luigi up in the trees stringing the lights was so heartwarming. Joel had told me that Luigi reminded him of his own great-grandfather, Luciano, a few days before. Luigi only speaks Italian and dialect for sure, Joel knows grazie. So how the directions were being given and followed must have been a lot of gestures and pointing!
The afternoon was getting warmer, so I ordered a Perroni, hey that’s what you do in Italy and especially in Guardia. Are you ready for this? A bottle of beer costs 1€! Now if you want Heineken then it’s 1.50€. Oh what a great place!
The guys had to take a break, Joel had a rash on his arms but was not going to complain because Luigi had cut his hand in a few places with the knife and shrugged it off when Joel pointed out the bleeding. God, that reminded me of my own father! By the way, I didn’t take his picture but should have, because Luigi was also up in the trees securing lights, he is very spry.
A Well Deserved Break
Here are a few garden photos;
All in all this was a very pleasant day. We went home and it wasn’t until a day or two later we found out the lights were turned on in the garden that night and everyone was eating chicken!
Rate this:
Read Full Post »