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Published: March 12th 2012
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I'm now just over two months into my life in Italy as au pair, and time is beginning to pass way too fast. I can't believe it's been three weeks since I broke my wrist, sentencing me to a month without driving. Two months ago I would have begged for this sentence, as (if you remember) i dreaded every day I had to drive standard alongside these crazy Italian drivers. However, these past three weeks have made me appreciate the freedom I had when I could drive. Surprisingly though, I still managed to get out and about thanks to some lovely friends who offered a lift as well as the (slightly unreliable) public transportation.
My weekends as of late have been jam packed with friends and food. Shortly after coming back from Switzerland I met a group of Italians through couchsurfing. Some are native Biellese, and others come from other regions of Italy. We met for coffee in the city centre and then spent about 3 hours walking around the beautiful cobelstoned streets of Biella sharing stories of our travels. It was a gorgeous day so we got gelato, my first time having it in Italy! I'm now addicted. After,
sunshine :)
This photo taken in the end of february in 22 degree weather! two of the girls joined myself and two of my German friends for dinner at what is meant to be Biella's best Pizzeria. After eating an entire prociutto pizza to myself, I indulged in a large slice of torta di mela (apple cake). To compliment the meal, we had some delicious white wine from the region. I have never felt SO satisfied. The 5 of us ended the night at a nice pub!
The next weekend, the couchsurfers invited me to Novara (a town similar to Biella, about 45 minutes away) to attend the first ever couchsurfing Novara meeting. It's very common in the couchsurfing community to hold a meeting at a pub or bar where people can come and meet fellow travelers, as well as locals living in the same area. Although there were only 10 confirmed guests, about 30 people came! The girl who organized the event reserved the entire top floor of a cute sheeshah bar called Fashion Cafe. I met some great people who I hope I'll cross paths with again in my travels. It made me so happy to be in a room full of like minded individuals of all ages and from so
many different walks of life.
The next day, I joined my English friends at the market in Biella. First, we ate a giant pasta lunch outside in the sunshine to prepare ourselves for an afternoon full of shopping. After lunch, we rummagged through giant piles of vintage clothing and awed at the gorgeous jewlery. I just LOVE markets! We continued the shopping extravaganza at the mall and finished the afternoon at a friend's appartment for tea and biscuits.
I arrived home that night to what seemed like a party, but in Italian terms is just "a few friends over for dinner". Just your typical three hour long, 5 course meal! First course: homemade Foccaccia with various types of salami. Second course: Rotini with pomodoro sauce, eggplant and black olives. Third course: Spinnach salad with pears, goats cheese and balsamic dressing. Fourth course: breaded pork cutlets. Fifth course: Torta di mela (again) and pistachio gelato. The ULTIMATE meal.
This past weekend was no exception to the food and friends trend. Saturday, myself and two friends went to Vicolungo, an outlet mall on the way to Milan. Yes, more shopping! The prices were discounted and it was quite affordable,
everywhere except places like Armani, where most of the crowd seemed to be! A scarf there costs 40 euro, and that's with a 50% discount! On our way there, we spotted some prostitutes. An intersesting fact: prostitutes here wait for their clients in empty fields, during the day. I'm SO oblivious to these things, and thought that these girls we just lost and hitchhiking!
Soon after I got home, I left again for dinner with the couchsurfers in Biella. We went to an adorable restaurant where a menu with 1st course, 2nd course, side dish, water and wine cost only 12 euro! I had saffron and asparagus risotto, butter and rosmary chicken, and mixed greens salad. YUM!
Yesterday just topped off the wonderfulness of the past 3 weekends. The couchsurfers and I went to lago di viverone for an afternoon stroll. The town of viverone itself isn't that spectacular as it's extremely touristy and not very authentic. However what makes this lake special is the atmosphere around it. So many people were out and about having picnics, reading books, eating gelato and loving life. It had a very meditteranian feel to it, even though it's a lake rather
throw away the key
And old Italian tradition (most famous in Rome) where couples lock the padlock and throw the key into the water, symbolizing their eternal love :) than a sea and in the north rather than the south of Italy. We got hot chocolate and gelato and watched the sun set over the lake. The perfect end to the weekend!
Until next time, folks!
xo
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Wow!
Hey Platypuss, Wow, this entry made me think of Eat, Pray, Love, when she's in Italy meeting incredible people and eating even more incredible food. I loved the picture of the padlocks, things like that get to me, the eternal romantic! I am so happy for you. Keep the entries coming!