Month: October 2022

Europe 2022 day #4 “I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing”  Bologna, Italy 10/9/2022

by reissmd, posted in Bologna, Italy

Yesterday we arrived at the home of Italian pasta, Bologna.  We have eaten at a restaurant in Los Angeles that boasts that their pasta is flown in daily from Bologna.  So last night we were very anxious to sample the pasta in the world’s capital for the signature Italian food.  Yes, we had dinner at a restaurant just steps from the hotel and ate ……….. pizza.   Our waiter seemed overworked and not so thrilled to see us but he warmed up very quickly when we started to speak Spanish instead of English.

I didn’t eat the whole thing. I had some help from Patrice.

Today we had a three-hour walking tour with our guide, Giulia (aka Julia).  Like all our guides she was fantastic.  We got to see the cathedral (What is a town in Europe without a huge, ostentatious cathedral surrounded by people struggling to make a living?) and a variety of religious artifacts dating back over 800 years.  Imagine seeing places built in the 12th century and still standing.  Structures that had to endure two world wars and numerous natural disasters and remain erect.  Why is it, that in Los Angeles something 50 years old is considered a “tear down”?

Yes, they have some extremely old buildings here but I still need to ask if anyone has studied structural engineering in this country?  We all know about the leaning tower of Pisa, well this place has two buildings that lean.  See the photo below and I swear to you I was holding the camera straight. 

Two leaning towers in Bologna. Simply known as Le Due Torri (The Two Towers).

The staff at this hotel (Hotel Touring; Via dè Mattuiani, 1/2, 40124 Bologna BO) is fantastic.  Everyone has been very cheerful and gracious as you would expect at any high-end hotel.  Their hearts have been huge even if the room (especially the bathroom and shower) have not.  We wanted to make reservations for dinner the next few nights and Patrice thought it best if we go to the front desk to ask for help.  I told her I would go in case the lovely Elena was working.  I mean I wanted to go so the lovely Patrice didn’t need to be bothered.  Patrice wanted to go in case “the handsome Marco” was there so we both went.  When we arrived Elena wasn’t there but the also very lovely Giulia (not our guide, Giulia) was on duty.  She was very helpful and while we were waiting, Marco arrived.  I said “Buon giorno, Marco”.  He then said hello and asked me my name which I told him and then he looked at my wife and he said, “Buon giorno, Patrice”.   Hmmmmmm.  By the way, my laptop wants to change giorno to groin!  Hmmmm again.

The beautiful Giulia and handsome Marco (Giulia is on the left).

One thing of interest I have noted during our short time in Italy is the numerous people I see wearing clothes emblazoned with either LA or Los Angeles.  If so many Italians think Los Angeles is a great place. I think I will plan a trip there very soon. 

Ciao

Europe 2022 Day #3 “How About Some Bologna and Cheese?”  Parma and Bologna, Italy 10/8/2022

by reissmd, posted in Bologna, Italy, Parma

We arose early this morning to meet our driver (ironically named Roberto) for our 90-minute drive to Parma.  There we were taken to a cheese factory to learn how to make cheese. This was very timely because Patrice and I are thinking of buying some farmland in Wisconsin and producing cheese during our twilight years.  It took me a while to catch on but we went to Parma for cheese making because of Parmesan cheese.  Apparently, the city is also known for its ham.  Hmmm ham and cheese, I wonder if anyone has ever tried to combine them?  Maybe a sandwich?

The tour of the cheese factory was amazing.  We got to see the large vats in which all the ingredients (milk and the enzyme rennet is all there is).  Watch this video and observe the cheese makers touching the cheese with their hands.  These people apparently never ever touch any of their body parts and wash their hands at least once a week.  Remember this video the next time you decide to eat any cheese.  https://youtube.com/shorts/FJKDdt_KgBE

After the cheese balls are made the master cheese cutter “cuts the cheese”.  When I was 12 years old that sentence would have cracked me up.  Patrice can attest that when I just wrote this section I couldn’t stop laughing.  I guess I still am a 12-year-old at heart.  Speaking of saying funny things on my blog, my friend, Mike, might be getting blocked from the blog site.  He has once again broken the blog rule prohibiting anyone from being funnier than me. Please see his comment about The Last Supper, it made me laugh out loud. 

Back to the guy cutting the cheese (I am embarrassed to admit it but I am still giggling).  After that, they put the cheese in molds and bathed it in salt water to help preserve the product.  The cheese needs to be flipped on a regular basis in order to make sure that the salt is distributed evenly.  Watch this video where our spectacular guide Elizabeth demonstrates how the cheese is flipped. https://youtube.com/shorts/LEvhZVHkTfI

The cheese is stored for a minimum of 12 months prior to being sold.  We were told that the cheese can remain like this forever without the need for refrigeration.   This is what they look like prior to being further sliced for distribution. 

Big cheese.
Lots of cheese

Prior to entering the cheese factory, they try to prevent you from taking photos by making you dress up like total geeks in front of the cheese.  Obviously, they didn’t know how dedicated I am to my blog followers, see below.

Who looks more like a geek? I think I win easily.

After the cheese factory, we went to a place where they make balsamic vinegar.  This was informative but since we didn’t see any of the actual work it was not as interesting.   We then went to a prosciutto-making factory.  It too was closed but we did get to see the hams in their various stages of aging.  

After the final tour, we were treated to a lunch of (you guessed it) prosciutto and cheese.  Very yummy indeed.  Everyone had a great time at lunch except for the pigs.

After lunch, we were driven to Bologna.  We are going to chill for a while. See you tomorrow.

Ciao

Europe 2022 day #2 “You Did What?”  Milán 10/7/2022

by reissmd, posted in Italy, Milan, Uncategorized

Today was supposed to be a leisurely day but thanks to my friend, Michael, it wasn’t.  When I told him we were going to Milan he said you’ll love Lake Como.  When I told him we weren’t going there he was horrified.  So Lake Como was added and we are glad it was. Due to oversleeping this morning, our exit was a bit harried but mission accomplished.  We made it to the lake, had a lovely lunch and a brief tour that was long enough to convince us we have to come back.  If it’s good enough for George Clooney, it’s good enough for me. Then it was back to the city. 

The view of Lake Como from our table at Gatto Nero.
Patrice’s pasta from Gatto Nero and her phone.
My veal from Gatto Nero without my phone.

After the lake we returned to Milan for the main reason I wanted to come to this city, Leonardo DaVinci’s “The Last Supper”.   I’ve been told that Milan is a city of people who live to work as opposed to Rome where people work to live.  So other than the masterpiece, what I had been told about the city didn’t have much appeal to me.  But the Last Supper was always something I have wanted to see. Since it’s a mural I had to go to it because it wasn’t coming to me.  It too didn’t disappoint.  I’m not a religious person but seeing the painting that I’ve seen numerous times in books, television, and even recreated on stage (at the Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters) was a surreal moment. Painted from 1495-1498 it is 181 x 346 inches of awe-inspiring beauty.  Simply put, I’m so glad we came.  

The Last Supper by Leonardo DaVinci. Need I say more?

Patrice had to drag me away from the painting because her highlight of the trip was on the agenda for the night (actually you are only allowed to stay for 15 minutes in the viewing room).  After leaving the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie (home of “The Last Supper”) we headed to the historic theater, La Scala. Teatro alla Scala (its real name) was completed in 1778 taking 2 years to construct. The inside is incredibly impressive with an orchestral seating area surrounded by numerous booths.

La Scala.

If you would like to see a video of the seating area check out this short video: https://youtube.com/shorts/0QmJwkTvBuE

At this incredible venue, we heard pieces by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.  The theater was magnificent and the acoustics were beyond description.  I’d like to tell you about the conductor’s witty comments but he said NOTHING. Not that I would have understood anything since I don’t speak Italian but as I said, he didn’t say a word.  

I need to call it quits for now because we are scheduled to leave at 7 am tomorrow morning (What sadist planned this trip?). Breakfast starts at 7 am so I talked to the front desk about getting something to eat before we leave. He looked at me and said, “We will take care of you, this is Italy”. He left me with a smile.  I hope I did the same for you.  

Ciao

Europe 2022 Day #1 What did I forget? 10/6/2022 Milan, Italy

by reissmd, posted in Italy, Milan

Today we headed to LAX to begin one of our Covid makeup trips.  Yes, Covid has canceled the travel plans for many people including us.  I’m just glad we are still above ground and able to travel.  

This morning we each got a great workout trying to close our overstuffed suitcases.  Of course, as soon as we did that we each started asking, “What did I forget?”   Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to buy into the recommendation, “Don’t worry, if you forgot something you can buy it at your destination”.  Very good advice but as people who know and love me will attest, I much prefer to obsess. 

The flight from LA to London was great.  I got to watch a few movies.  I saw “Elvis” (Good, not great), “The Last Bus” (A real tear-jerker), and “The Duke” (Blah tale, based on a true story of the theft of a museum art treasure in London).  Much more impressive than the movies, was the bathroom on board the plane.  It was huge unlike what I’m used to seeing on airplanes.  Typically it’s difficult to take a deep breath in most airline bathrooms. This one was roomy enough to accommodate two people which gave me an idea.  I went back to our seats and asked Patrice if she wanted to join the “Mile High Club”.  She immediately took a quick look behind as if she thought I might be talking to someone else.  She then replied “First of all, we are about 5 miles up, and if you wanted to join the Mile High club you should have thought about that in Denver where you seemed more interested in baseball and visiting breweries!”    Hmmm. 

Our first stop on our current journey was Milan,  Just prior to arrival we got a view of the Alps from the plane. 

Nice but seeing Mt. Denali (the former Mt. Whitney) was much more impressive.

After arriving at the hotel we were greeted by our wonderful guide, Valentina for a 3-hour WALKING tour.  We had hardly slept at all so why did I plan on a walking tour shortly after arrival?  It was fun and informative and we are looking forward to some sleep tonight and more fun tomorrow. 

I am exhausted and need to go to bed but I can’t disappoint my followers who are always asking about food.  We had a wonderful meal at Bice Milano which is very close to our hotel (Via Borgospesso, 12, 20121 Milano MI).  Patrice had the branzino (aka European bass) and I had the veal (aka baby cows).  Both were excellent.  Even better than the meal was the delightful conversation we had with the two women sitting next to us.  Francisca and Michele are from Switzerland and I convinced them to subscribe to my blog. That means that I just need 999,698 more followers to make this a money-making enterprise

The Branzino was excellent.
My baby cows tasted much better than this picture looked.
From left to right, Patrice, Michele, Me, Fransisca.

Ciao