Anyone who knows me knows that I do not drink coffee, it has always been tea for me. However I do enjoy coffee flavoured sweets. This summer I had my first Ice Capp from Timmies and found it to be delicious, although I am quite certain they contain enough calories to replace an entire day’s food.
This morning I went up the hill to the hotel for breakfast and to use their internet connection. This is beginning to be a ritual for me. Yesterday I enjoyed a chocolate croissant and a cappuccino and today a cafe latte and a cream filled croissant. It’s not like I have much choice, Italians seem to eat pastry for breakfast and that is all that is available at the hotel.
If I want to live like an Italian, coffee is a must. Surprisingly, I did not find the coffees to be bitter, mind you, that could be due to the two packages of sugar I added to each one. By the time I leave Italy I may well be a convert to the caffeine rush coffee provides. Tea also has caffeine but it is a slower release and certainly does not provide the energy boost coffee does. My sweet tooth does seem to be getting the better of me; I could eat a more sensible breakfast at home before going to the hotel, but the idea of something sweet for breakfast appeals to me.
My plan while being here was to be careful what I eat in order to lose some weight, or at the very least not gain any more. I know, it’s foolish of me to set myself up like that. Perhaps I could skip lunch to compensate? I have been doing a lot of walking with much more up and down hills than on the flat. I may not lose weight but I am sure I will be in better shape than I was before arriving in Tuscany.
Today I contacted Isabella who manages the property next to mine. She speaks 5 languages and has offered to be a translator for me. I asked if she could direct me to someone so that I could arrange to help with picking grapes and olives when the time comes. I also asked her about an English speaking real estate agent as I am curious about the properties that are for sale here in the village. Do I dare to dream of one day having a little place of my own here? It would certainly never happen if it was not a dream of mine. After all, I am here, and this trip was once nothing more than a dream.
I met a couple who have just arrived in town who are from Ottawa and are staying in one of Isabella’s properties in town. It was good to speak English to someone. They have travelled a lot in Europe and told me that the landscapes in Spain and Greece are nothing like Tuscany. The views are not spectacular as they are here. It was good to have that confirmed as it was always my suspicion. There is not a place on earth comparable to the beauty of Tuscany.
I need to purchase a good English/Italian dictionary the next time I go into Pienza. I should have purchased a hand held electronic translator before leaving Canada as it would have been so useful already. Languages are not my strong suit so it is a struggle for me especially since my memory is just about as bad as my language skills! To anyone who plans on visiting Italy, particularly if it’s going to be off the beaten track, make sure you come with a good dictionary and/or a translator.
Some of my friends arrive today from Canada and I am looking forward to the company. I have made reservations at the hotel restaurant for dinner at 8:00 PM. I am looking forward to exploring the area with them over the next 2 weeks. I know we will all have a great time.
Ciao
Diane
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