The good news is that I have had a chance to visit the farmacia a few times. The bad news is that I am visiting because I have not been feeling well. I'm not sure of the reason - maybe a virus because another student I have been around has also been sick. Anyway, their faramacias are much different than ours. Just about anything you need, you have to ask the pharmacist for.
On the counters there are baby food and baby items, lotions and creams and some vitamins. In the first farmacia I had to ask the pharmacist for aspirin. It cost almost 6 euro for 20 aspirin there. When I went to the second farmacia, they had the same aspirin on a shelf on "sale" for 3.90 euro. So, after going in for headaches, I then had a problem with my eye, so I went back for eyedrops. The day before yesterday I started getting flu-like symptoms; headache, upset stomach and achy. I went back to the faramacia and the pharmacist said they sell medicine for headache/aches OR upset stomach - not together. So, I decided to only get the headache/achy medicine and I got the stuff you put in hot liquid. I also bought a packet of chicken noodle soup. That was not easy to find. They have very few prepared meals on the shelves and no cans of soup.
When I came home, I fumbled around trying to ask Fiorella for a cup of hot water - not tea. She finally boiled some water and then threw it out because she had boiled it! I told her that boiled water was fine, so she had to boil another pot. Then I asked if I could make the soup (zuppa) and she said she would make it. It was obvious that she doesn't make any pre-mixed foods because she had to read the directions thoroughly to see how to make it - 4 cups of water in a pan with the soup mix :)
I had a bit of a breakdown with frustration over not being able to communicate with her. It just makes me crazy that I can't say much. And when I want to talk I realize that we didn't learn the words I want to say, like "I'm starting to feel better", or "The dogs are getting along very well". I can ask her her name, how she is doing and tell her I am taking Seymour for a walk or to school, but that takes me down a dead end street.
On top of that, my new room mate speaks fluent Italian and she and Fiorella have great conversations, unfortunately I don't know about what. I am happy for both of them but wish I could join in.
OK, I am back to complaining a bit, but I am still thrilled to be here and am diligently trying to understand what is said in class and do my homework. I only have 1 1/2 more weeks here before Seymour and I are off on our own so I know I'll get a little better with the language.
Speaking of class, we are now in a new, smaller classroom since our class is smaller. It has large shuttered windows that open to a barred balcony. We are considered to be on the first floor, but it the USA it would be the second. During class Seymour wandered over to the window (which starts at floor level) and stuck his head through the bars like he was ready to leave. I almost fell out of my chair running for him. He is becoming quite the independent guy. When he's done with class, he's done!
Showing posts with label eating in Montepulciano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eating in Montepulciano. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Over-indulging in Montepulciano
I am feeling a little under the weather today - mostly due to too much food and wine last night! I found that you cannot buy "aspirini" in the supermarket here. You need to go to the "farmaci", so I will be heading there soon.
Yesterday was Fiorella's son's birthday so she make a great feast for everyone. Her son is (I think) 37. He and his girlfriend came over and Paulina and I were also there. So much food!! We started off with something that tasted like rice casserole, then went on to a rolled pork in onion dish, and cubed potatoes. I must say that their potatoes don't look like ours. They are more yellow, but maybe they aren't potatoes - I don't know how to ask!
The next course was a pear and cheese dish that I think we poured honey over. Then she made a custard that she said was a Spanish dish. On top of that, we had to have the local wine and I did have a few glasses. The wine here is called Nobile and there are MANY places that sell it and that you can taste it. My wine loving friends ( and I'm not calling you winos) would love it here. I am actually getting a bit tired of wine. I bought a beer at the supermarket that I have chilling in Fiorella's refrigerator - but my stomach is not quite ready for it yet.
This morning my head and stomach hurt and I only had coffee for breakfast. Luckily, she made me a grande coffee this time. It is now after class - about 1:30 and I still can't think of eating. I did purchase a ready made salad at the supermarket that I might eat later tonight. And I always have cookies in my bedroom . . . so I will not starve.
Staple food here is pasta, of course, cheese, prosciotto, bread and pizza. One of the students from Israel said they don't like the bread because it tastes like it is day old. I actually love it. I can buy a large piece of crusty bread for about 36 cents (which is about 50 cents in dollars) and about 4 pieces of some kind of cheese for about 1.9 euros and that makes most of a meal. Fiorella does make some kind of salad for dinner also, but I don't eat with them very often since I didn't pay for 2 meals a day.
There are little bars/cafes all over the city. Within one block, there are probably 6 or more. Most have outside seating but some only have tables inside so I probably have missed counting those. I have gotten friendly with staff at 2 restaurants at the piazza grande, so it is nice that they remember me - or at least remember Seymour.
Now that I am writing about food, I am starting to get hungry :) I have to say that I have not had better pasta than the dishes Fiorella makes. No restaurant has compared as yet. Maybe I should have paid for 2 meals a day!
Seymour is eating more than usual. He likes the Caesar brand dog food and has been eating about 1 1/2 cans a day. There is very little choice of food for him, though. And forget trying to find his favorite chicken chewies. I don't know if it is the exercise or boredom (he does have to sleep in class for 5 hours), but he is a hungry boy. I usually get 3 cans of his food at a time from the supermarket but may have to up it to 5 cans to keep up with him - and to save me from walking up the hills so often!
Yesterday was Fiorella's son's birthday so she make a great feast for everyone. Her son is (I think) 37. He and his girlfriend came over and Paulina and I were also there. So much food!! We started off with something that tasted like rice casserole, then went on to a rolled pork in onion dish, and cubed potatoes. I must say that their potatoes don't look like ours. They are more yellow, but maybe they aren't potatoes - I don't know how to ask!
The next course was a pear and cheese dish that I think we poured honey over. Then she made a custard that she said was a Spanish dish. On top of that, we had to have the local wine and I did have a few glasses. The wine here is called Nobile and there are MANY places that sell it and that you can taste it. My wine loving friends ( and I'm not calling you winos) would love it here. I am actually getting a bit tired of wine. I bought a beer at the supermarket that I have chilling in Fiorella's refrigerator - but my stomach is not quite ready for it yet.
This morning my head and stomach hurt and I only had coffee for breakfast. Luckily, she made me a grande coffee this time. It is now after class - about 1:30 and I still can't think of eating. I did purchase a ready made salad at the supermarket that I might eat later tonight. And I always have cookies in my bedroom . . . so I will not starve.
Staple food here is pasta, of course, cheese, prosciotto, bread and pizza. One of the students from Israel said they don't like the bread because it tastes like it is day old. I actually love it. I can buy a large piece of crusty bread for about 36 cents (which is about 50 cents in dollars) and about 4 pieces of some kind of cheese for about 1.9 euros and that makes most of a meal. Fiorella does make some kind of salad for dinner also, but I don't eat with them very often since I didn't pay for 2 meals a day.
There are little bars/cafes all over the city. Within one block, there are probably 6 or more. Most have outside seating but some only have tables inside so I probably have missed counting those. I have gotten friendly with staff at 2 restaurants at the piazza grande, so it is nice that they remember me - or at least remember Seymour.
Now that I am writing about food, I am starting to get hungry :) I have to say that I have not had better pasta than the dishes Fiorella makes. No restaurant has compared as yet. Maybe I should have paid for 2 meals a day!
Seymour is eating more than usual. He likes the Caesar brand dog food and has been eating about 1 1/2 cans a day. There is very little choice of food for him, though. And forget trying to find his favorite chicken chewies. I don't know if it is the exercise or boredom (he does have to sleep in class for 5 hours), but he is a hungry boy. I usually get 3 cans of his food at a time from the supermarket but may have to up it to 5 cans to keep up with him - and to save me from walking up the hills so often!
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