As I write this, it seems so long ago that we arrived in Italy and that we have done so much. We continue to explore Lucca and study our Italian. I can now say proudly that I now have the competency of a one-year-old and the looks some merchants give me confirm that my ‘Italian’ must sound like baby talk to them!  We have found our favorite spots, [at least for now] to shop for vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, pastries & bread. This time of year mandarin oranges are in season shipped from Sicily, and we can’t get enough of these sweet delights. They are like candy! Another sensory pleasure is the smell of the bread shops every time I enter. So many types to choose from – all so good and every Forno [bakery] has their speciality. My caro marito [dear hubby] has made it a habit of stopping by Cioccolateria Caniparoli a wonderful small chocolate shop. The owner/chocolatier/clerk is an always classically dressed attractive older woman who you can tell by her demeanor is proud of her chocolate creations and rightfully so.

Our friend Amanda left this week to head back to the states. She was sad to say goodbye to Lucca, and we were sad to see her go. We enjoyed her company and had some good times together. We enjoyed an excellent meal with her the night before her departure at Osteria Baralla.

The shops are now starting to show signs of spring with the after holiday sale signs being replaced by “Nuova Collezione” (new collection) signs in the windows. And there are indeed signs of spring as flower boxes are being planted with pansies and primroses, roses have buds, and new growth is sprouting from the trees. Lucca has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and a mild short winter period, and as a result, there are lots of palm trees throughout the region as well as the iconic cypress.

 

Cioccolata calda – Italian hot chocolate, can sometimes be almost impossible to drink without the aid of a spoon it is so rich and thick….Hot chocolate in Italy often has an almost pudding-like texture – lightweight espresso spooons sometimes even stand upright in the cup. Instead of water and powder, it’s made with real pieces of chocolate, sugar, and milk. It’s melted in special machines that mix the chocolate constantly to avoid burning and lumps.

 

What a novel idea to actually put down your phone and have a REAL conversation!

 

No matter what time of day or type of weather there are people walking or biking on the wall. What a peaceful way to spend some time!