On a Bed of Ravioli

Day trip to Giogalto - fabulous.   We took a comfy air-conditioned Mercedes Benz bus at 8:30AM on a 1.5 hour drive to a tiny village (7 houses approx 600 yrs old) where the director of the school grew up.  Her parents are American and her father started the school (in the 70s?).  She lives in Florence though.  The road was fairly insane and I thought of Mike a lot as the motorcycles whizzed by us.  

We had coffee and breakfasty food when we arrived.  Toured the 'village', took photos and picked a bit of lavender.  Next we had cooking lessons.  A French woman showed us how to make this incredible dessert with yogurt, mascarpone,  vanilla wafers & peaches.  Then spinach and ricotta ravioli. Some helped make the dough for the ravioli and fill them.  The little squares get transported to a bed to dry out before they get cooked!  She made sure to tell me that it was a clean sheet! 

 We all took turns helping with the menu:  Three salads, including caprese of course (mozza, tomatoes and basil), bread toasted on the open fire then coated with olive oil and garlic,  pecorino cheese & pears drizzled with honey, grilled chicken, rabbit, pheasant and sausage!  Holy smokes.   Wine (goes without saying really).

It was a great day.  We were going to walk to the nearest village but time ran out and we had to get on our bus waiting at the end of the drive around 5:15PM.   I think everyone fell asleep on the drive back (despite the winding road).  

Walked back to our apt, stopping at the little mercato (market) across the street to get a few things.  Corn Flakes (Kelloggs even), yoghurt, bananas, a Coke, juice, 6 eggs, mozza & chips for 12 Euros.  Then the climbing of the Evil Stairs.  Some of the girls are getting ready to go out to party.  I was invited but.. um well no thanks.  Gonna just relax.