Ordinary Life

So Syd and I have been living in Torino for 3 weeks now. We have a routine... well, at least for June. We get up at 8am on weekdays and study in a language school from 9:30am - 1:00pm. Most times we go home for lunch: cheese, sausage/ salami/ prosciutto , tomatoes, and bread. We cannot get enough of them because there are so many choices of cheeses and meats! In the afternoons, Syd works while I do house chores, study Italian, surf internet, type up Chinese writings, or/ and take a nap. Once a week, we'd join a walking tour organized by the school to show and teach us the history of Torino. Sometimes when weather permitting, we'd also go out for a yummy gelato. OMG, we have 2 popular gelaterias (Gatsby's and GROM) just around the corner from our apartment! In addition, we have started cooking at home... as a matter of fact, we have prepared dinner Four times last week! Every Saturday morning, we go to Porta Palazzo (the biggest farmer's market in Europe) to get fresh ingredients for the entire week. We also try to run or exercise in Parco di Valentino (huge park) which is about 10 minutes walking from our apartment.

For the past 2 Saturday nights, Trevor, Beth, Syd, and I have been cooking and eating together. We'd get the ingredients at Porta Palazzo in the morning and then prepare dinner at Trevor and Beth's. The Saturday before yesterday, we made a beef stew with carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, mushrooms, and a whole bottle of red wine! And of course, we had to have another bottle of red with the meal! Last night we made pizzas with mozzarella cheese, spicy sausages, an 'unknown' cheese, basil, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and guess what? Yes, fresh pizza dough! We had 'technical difficulties' but Trevor, the pizza genie/ oven engineer, was able to save us (details are on Beth's blog). While we were waiting for dinner to be ready, we played 'Caylus' and 'Settlers' (card/ board games). Thus another week has passed in Torino. :)