Occhiobella

March 8, 2009
I hate these days of transition. I realize now that Brett’s plan actual plan has been to “wing it.”
When we were in Florence, one of the taxi drivers solicited us for a tour. Brett refused, but then talked with him another 10 minutes. I’m still amazed by my husband’s ability with languages. It is a gift I don’t have. I wander into stores trying to remember the difference between this and that. Several natives have complemented Brett on his Italian. I’m very jealous. Anyway, Brett asked him what he would recommend going toward Venice. They discuss several towns and Brett settles on Ferrara. So, here we go.
We have a reservation in Venice for tomorrow. But tonight, the taxi driver has steered us to Ferrara. Except that we can not find a hotel in Ferrara , so we are in Occhiobella…sounds like Pinocchio’s sister to me. I’m just grateful for an internet connection.
The hotel clerk warns us that the local restaurant is “chic” and maybe not for the children. The local pizzeria might be a better choice. Yes- pizza please.
We arrive. Most other diners are better dressed than I was at my wedding. White tablecloths, waiters in tuxedos and 2 piano men! Oooh la la. This is a pizzeria? Women are coming in with corsages and long gowns. The menu is 5 courses either fish or meat. I want to get back to email. DS8 orders pizza, DD6 penne & butter, DS11 spaghetti carbonada. I venture for crustaceans, but they arrive shell intact. After biting, poking and pulling, they are pushed to the side and I eat the surrounding pasta.
The 2 man band welcomes us for La Festa de la Donna…the Italian equivalent of mother’s day. Where’s my corsage? They sing- some in Italian and some in English. “I am loving you just the way you are…” (?Billy Joel).
The wine helps. Brett and I average about half a liter a day now. That’s quite an improvement for a couple of puritanical teetotalers. Soon we’ll join the ranks of unrepentant smokers.