After an early walk to the bank (remembering our B and B not only didn't have wifi...it didn't take credit cards either), and after walking with 2 bikes to return them to my thankfully fully T-shirted friend...it was time for breakfast. An automower was going over their lawn, and was an amazement to everyone who saw it. According to Luca, it cost only 250 euros and that included complete installation of the exterior wires (the boundary) and the interior wire (that which it followed to recharge once it figured out it was running low). I had to have one...
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The Husqvarnha web site took a while to find..but when I found some pricing the auto mowers ranged from 2400 to 2900 euros. I think Luca forgot a zero...oh well....not in the cards!!!although still cool...back to our morning...after breakfast and checkout, we have about an hour to find a post office (to mail the Scrabble game back to Fabrizio and Marla...thank you sooooo much!), and then find the tiny salumeria our frineds invited us to in a town just 15 km from Zibello...known for Spalla Cruda.
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The post office scene was pretty humorous...we were ushered to the front of the line when folks realized we were American and didn't speak "much" Italian. The lady was trying to tell me in her best sign language to put the scrabble box on the floor and step back. I finally figured that strategy out, so she could open her door without the risk of me attacking her and taking the post office captive if they didn't mail my Scrabble Game correctly? Bottom line...20 minutes, 3 euros for shipping and 11 euros for the huge yellow box to mail it in...
We found our friends ( and I say friends because we had an instant bond from yesterday, but we didn't know their names...and they didn't know ours)...When we arrived, finding the place instantly since the town was so small and there was only 1 salumeria...they sat us down and ordered, and paid, for everything...from Prosecco, to plates of meat.
Spalla Cruda, pancetta, prosciutto, salami....and then a second plate of Culatello, just so we can taste the difference side by side:
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I have to say...after 20 slices of different types of meat, that the winner was....no idea, They all tasted about the same by the time we were finishing our taste test. They each were delicious, a tiny bit salty and incredibly flavorful. The friends revealed their histories of being cousins, one widowed, one separated, both grandparents, both proud of their Parma region of Italy...one a teacher for 35 years, the other a successful businessman who then bought a 60 foot sailboat and became a man of the sea....now living together to reduce costs and enjoy some family companionship...since they are both excellent chefs and grow much of their own herbs, vegetables, and make their own culatello, spalla cruda, prosciutto, marmalades, wines etc...They said we had to come to their house to see it all....I can't say we were nervous, they weren't serial killers after all, but we were curious why these men would take such a liking to us that they paid for everything and invited us to their house. It was an amazingly hospitable gesture, and we went fully into the friendship with them. Oh yeah, and they had a mule named Stella:)
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A tour of their house, gifts from their cave a final parting photo and we were on the road....everything happened so fast that we didn't leave them our names or address or any contact info, and all we have is one name of Luigi and how to find their house the next time we arrive in the Parma Region. We prayed for them and believe that we had a heavenly encounter...
On through Florence, to the Poggibonsi exit, and then a narrow winding, beautiful, Tuscan road leading to Castellini in Chianti for a night in a Palazzio right in the center of the old part of town
From our bedroom, we had a view of the Torre (tower)...albeit a small view:)
...the "palace" was also equipped with an underground spa that was renovated from the 400 year old caves....a beautiful and relaxing experience...
They had a sauna, various types of showers and relaxing lounge chairs...all included in the price
They even had an emotional shower that changed colors to enhance the mood...
We walked across the cobbled street to a wonderful dinner, which had to start with Caprese salad...Tuscan style...
our pasta selection...when in Tuscany....had to include the feared Cianghale....shredded and over a nice tagliatelle...
that subdued, we may have discovered an amazing treat for Jim and Christine tomorrow...but that will have to wait until then....ciao bella and may God richly bless our new friends with knowledge of Himself and great remaining years...may we see them again!
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