A Lovely Shopping Day in Torino

 Buon Giorno,

I'm leaving early tomorrow morning.  My taxi to the airport is booked, and my airline just sent me an email wanting me to check in on line.

But first let me enjoy the last licks of then wonderful hazelnut gelato I got.  I don't think any ice cream compares to real Italian gelato.

I had a bright warm day as I headed out, and the air was fresh and clean after yesterday's rain.  I walked past the Castello to the fancy arcades. Whoa. The arcades and buildings are truly beautiful.  I strolled about just enjoying them for a while, but then I backtracked to an elegant chocolate shop I spotted.  Entering, I found a fine selection of great looking stuff, some of which I was forced to buy.  I tell shop assistants that I'm a tourist and I don't speak Italian.  Most of the time it does no good because they assume I'm going to understand the Italian anyway.  But I do get taken care of.

I walked back and headed down Via Roma and entered the department store Rinascente, which is more or less Italy's answer to Galleries LaFayette.  I was reliably informed that I could find some fancy artisan pasta there.  The cookware and food section is in the basement. Folks, this is high end, but the shop assistant spoke good English, helped me find what I wanted, and even signed me up for a Rinascente loyalty card and discount.  I figured why not?  I plan to visit Italy a lot as long as I can travel.  It's on my phone now.  I also bought a fancy bottle of wine and learned where to come if I ever lost my mind and wanted to spend hundreds of dollars on booze.

Then I had a leisurely walk back appreciating the beautiful city I had the privilege of visiting.  Some tidbits.  I have noticed this in every Italian city--north of Naples--that I have visited.  The Italians wrap themselves up.  I will be walking around in my shirt sleeves (and as a Southern Californian I am hardly impervious to cold) and the people of my host country will be wearing padded jackets securely zipped up.  Crossing the street is interesting.  Cars may or may not stop at crosswalks.  For crossing with lights pedestrians follow what I call Paris Rules.  If there's traffic one waits for the lights to change.  No traffic? Cross against the light with impunity.

Dinner will be some Piedmontese treats of Agnolotti and red wine Dolcetto d' Alba DOC.  I also learned that the "Italian Green Sauce" I like to make and put on fish is a Piedmontese specialty.  It's easy to make in a food processor:  A bunch of parsley, a couple of anchovy fillets, garlic, capers, extra V olive oil and a hard boiled egg.  You can find more exact recipes on line.  I don't care for anchovies straight, but I like them as an ingredient.

It's been a good trip.  I saw what I wanted to see and ate what I wanted to eat.  Multi grazie to those who have followed along with me.

Ciao