Last weekend I took a trip to Cinque Terre and spent a few hours on the way in Pisa (quite underwhelming). Cinque Terre is right up there with Big Sur for favorite places ever and because of its accessibility and the presence of cheap eats and fresh seafood, I might even like it better than good ole’ California. It is one of the most romantic and wonderful relaxing places I’ve ever been.

I went with two roomates who ditched me after half a day but I met an English girl and spent a whole day with her–she was very interesting and a great relief from my boring, bordering unbearable roomates.

I ate Pecorino (three ages) with honey (2 kinds), foccacia with tomato sauce and mozarella bufala, Prociutto with melon, tiramisu, linguini with Bahi Bahi (a local crustatian similar to a lobster) in a light tomato sauce, ravioli veal with ragu, and drank a local white wine varietal, cappucino, Barbera, and more.

Some moments since I’ve been here, all within Florence as I’ve written seperate entries about trips.

I’ve had two weeks of classes at Apicius now and will leave you with some pictures of what I’ve cooked.

This is overdue. Two weekends ago I visited Siena. I found it to be small and the food to be overpriced and under-quality, but the shoe and pastry shopping was good and the historical architecture was quite interesting and refreshing after the bustle and endless streets in Florence.

There is a Piazza literally 10 steps accross from my front door that I like to go to because there is a good restaurant with nice value there. I went to it the first time and had mini lobsters (I really need to find out what they are called) and shrimp all whole with head and shell on and it was fantastic. Today I had a loose tube pasta with a red sauce and aubergines (eggplants, small), salted ricotta, etc, that was fantastic for only 7 euro, and a great glass of wine for 3. I’m keeping a journal of all the great food (though some of it is not that memorable) and stores I come accross that I might soon turn this into more of a travel-food journal or article, at least to reference if I write something larger for print publication. We’ll chat more later–internet time is expensive and I can get it free at happy hour at Moyo, a brazillian themed bar near Santa Croche in Firenze, which is near my apartment. Today I also lit candles in Santa Croche for J and for family friend Cleda. I’ll post pictures from the last week soon.