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Friday, February 20, 2015

Palermo, Sicily Italy

We headed to Palermo and the scenic view to Palermo was spectacular. No photos due to drive. We did not stop during the 3 hr ride. We arrived at our destination, the B&B(http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/casa-orioles.it.html). I was in culture shock from the surroundings. The neighborhood the b& b was located is the Ballaro section of the old city of Palermo. The inside of the B&B was fantastic, worlds apart from the exterior. with that said, take a peek at the photo's!!!!!!!!

A street next to the B & B

Looking right off balcony

Front door of  B & B

A tobacco shop across the street

Looking left off the balcony

The building next door

Chillen in the front lobby(crappy posing)

Now to show you the inside of the B & B......
Check out the old stone floor


Marco and the lobby


This art is made from the wood of an old ox cart.



Living room/kitchen area


Not bad for 31.00 Euros a night!




Allora, for the next post!!!!
I adventured out to the oldest known market in Palermo which was located in the Ballaro section of Palermo. I have great pictures of this.
That night I found a club called the Morrison s which featured live music and is having its one year anniversary next week.


Till the next thought........................ ciao ciao
Malcolm

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Ganzirri, Italy

I forgot to post some pictures of this town. I do not have that many from Ganzirri but some of my favorite pictures.






32.00 euros a night. Remember, its not the hilton!
Beach in Ganzirri looking across to Calabria
Ansel Adam version by M.O'B. Photography!
 
Lago Ganzirri

My next stop: Palermo.................
Ciao Ciao
Mal

Sicily, first night in the town of Ganzirri. An old fishing village, famous for there cultured clams. Spaghetti with Clam, garlic and olive oil. Mmmmmmmm

We had a long wait at the airport but it was in Rome. So as the saying goes"when in Rome do as the Romans do". Well what did they do anyway? Eat prosciutto and drink coffee? They do have some of the junk food that all airports have but I walked pass a kiosk, I took a picture then I was asked not to take any(crabby employees!!!) but I was able to get a shot of some of the wonderful food that was offered!!! Now why can't airports in the USA offer such a variety of gastronomical delight??? Good food at a airport? Hmmmmm.........that's a concept!
The fight was short but the plane was if I'm correct a airbus 320. Boy was it cramped even for a 1+hour  flight. I would not reccomend this plane for any flight. But in total the r/t fare will total around 100.00 Euros(120.00 usd). I was able to get a glimpse of Mt. Etna puffing some fumes like an old smoke stack.
The drive to the small fishing village called Ganzirri(famous for their cultured clams) was uneventful due the the early light fall, night fall(however you say it!!). Correct me in the comments.
We settled in to this strange but clean hotel called Hotel Donato, here's the plug www.hoteldonato.com priced at 31.00 Euros for the night. We headed out for dinner to Trattiria La Sirena (no web site!!!) right down the street from where we were staying. I met the owner, Nicola Mancuso (reminded me of my friend Stefanie). This restaurant is located across from the sea lake where they culture the small clams that this area is known for. So what do you think we ordered? You guessed it, chicken! Only kidding, I did order the clams with pasta with garlic and olive oil from the gods. At least that's what it tasted like. My host Marco told Nicola that I was writing a blog of my trip so we were offered a plate of Mussels on the house!!!!!!!! They were out of this world!! Then came the triple play of stuffed fish, swordfish, marlin, beltfish with olive oil and herb drizzled on the grilled morsels. The picture tells all. And of course I had a insalata with fennel and greens. Man I was stuffed after this meal. I did forget to mention the bread here. It tastes just like the Addio bread and Bastone bread from the Bronx, I mean exactly. When I tasted the bread I felt like I was sitting in a NY Italian restaurant for dinner. I felt at home right away.
After dinner we both wobbled home and hit the sack.
Enjoy the pictures........till the next thought..........
Ciao Ciao
Mal
1.5 hrs to flight time. Catching some ZZZZZZ.........'s
Cappuccino at the airport in Rome
Airport food? This is not photoshopped !!!!! This is airport food!!!



Marco(Film Producer) and I

EEEEXXXTTTRRAAAAA Virgin Olive oil, Garlic, Ganzirri culture clams, parsley, spaghetti.
This was sooooo good. I never thought clams and pasta would taste so good!

Ganzirri Lake(where the clams come from).
Just like I make at home!!!!!!!!! Sicilian style!!!! This was on the house.
Before


After






Triple play on stuffed fish drizzled with herbs and olive oil.




































I will recommend That you go visit this restaurant if you are in the area. He does not have a website but here,s some info in Italian:
http://le-monadi.blogspot.it/2012/07/la-sirena-di-mancuso-via-lagogrande-96.html

Till the next thought...............................................ciao ciao

Malcolm

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Yogurt Pasta with Corriander seeds and a spice picked wild called Finocchiella - Myrrhis odorata. Also a insalata with blood orange/endives!!!!!!

 I had the pleasure of eating at a good friends house(Katrien) for a quick lunch.We had a mixed insalata which included Sea salt, Black pepper, blood orange, endives and a lemon(from the tree) and olive oil dressing.
I was able to impress with this salad!!!!

1. We started with yogurt, coriander seeds, fresh cilantro, olive oil and a spice called Finocchiella-myrrhis odorata. A spice that she picks from the forest here in Trevignano. She will take me to the woods to find this spice and take some seeds home to grow. Mix the ingredients together.


2. Stir in some Pecorino Romano cheese.
Use any pasta you like, we used spaghetti.
Mix the pasta and yogurt together(make sure you let the pasta sit for a minute before mixing with the pasta).

We added some dried home grown chili pepper.

The secret chef !!!!!!!!(Katrien)
Here is something I never tried. This recipe comes from Belgium. Saute endives in butter and olive oil. Once the endives have reduced add 1 teaspoon of sugar, stir for another minute and serve.

 It is was a real treat to eat in local families homes! Please comment and thank Katrien for inviting us in. Show her that we are polite in the US!!!!!!!!!

More recipes to come!!!!!!!!
Ciao Ciao  for now.......... Till the next thought.........

Malcolm

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Rainy day in acient village Viterbo!!!!!! Cut this trip short!

I cut this trip short. 
See below!!!!!! This was the scene on the train ride to Viterbo, YUCK!!!



What a bummer because I was hoping to see the indoor and outdoor thermo baths. I was still able to walk for a while within the wall. This village is north of Trevignano. I have to take a bus to the neighboring town Bracciano to catch a train north for about six stops. Total cost of the transit is around 10.00 USD. During the short train ride I saw sheep, bulls, farms, horses, rolling hills with mountains in the distance! 
Everything outside the cities I have found many medieval villages, some still being discovered!!!!!!!
I love the artistic door knockers!!!!


Fontana Della Rocca

Love the mail
boxes!!!!!


Which version of this picture do you like????????

Next trip here I will be sure to try the thermal baths. I don't know if they allow cameras there but I will try :)

Till the next thought and adventure.............
CIAO CIAO
Mal