Light the sky

The sun was out in force for the last day of 2019, and it was so nice to be out walking in it with no agenda other than to enjoy the day. I had a tip from the staff at my hotel that the best views across Florence are from the Bardini gardens and museum, on the other side of the Arno river. It is closer than the Piazzale Michelangelo, from the museum terrace you are not fighting with tourists for a great spot, and there are no towers to climb 🙂 Everyone was out enjoying the day, or looking for something sparkly to wear that night. 2020 had already arrived in New Zealand and I had connected with Jen and others to wish for a happy new year. The experience I booked for new years eve through Eatwith.com started at 9pm – and billed as a Secret Supper and House Concert it did not disappoint. Hosts Valeria and Andrea had prepared a wonderful Italian celebration feast with wines for the 30 people who came to their small apartment, the food coming out slowly to be tasted a little bit at a time before the next dish arrived. Half of the guests were their friends, and such lovely people. As usual I was the person who had traveled the farthest; other travelers were from other parts of Italy, Germany, and the USA. Everyone spoke in English (or tried to), and I had the best time. It is a shame that pretty much all of my photos are blurry from the night, but sometimes you have to put your camera down and just enjoy the experience, and be in the moment. So I did. And when I looked at the time and saw it was 3am I was so surprised ha 🙂 The food was delicious. I find it hard to pace myself with Italian meals and am usually full after the primi piatti (first course), and this night was no different. For starters there was cheese with honey and cured meats, olives, shrimps fried with zucchini, lamb skewers with yogurt sauce, breads, and my favourite fried cheese balls with tomato sauce. I asked Valeria how she makes these because they are so delicious and I will try to recreate them at home. If you Google bread and cheese balls from Abruzzo Italy you will see a few different recipes, but Valeria uses a family recipe that has been passed down (but not written!), using some pecorino (salty sheep cheese), parmegiano, and ricotta, mixed with stale bread that is crumbled and some egg, then fried in olive oil, and cooked again in a tomato ragu. Wow. Following this was a lasagne, then pappardelle with mussels and shrimp, a Bolognese meat sauce, a cheesy tagliatelle, sliced grilled pork, and orange slices with salt/pepper/chilli and sliced fennel salad. Just as everyone was groaning and loosening their belts, several of the guests headed for the area set up with instruments and started to play some jazz and blues. Another guest stood and surprised everyone as a singer with an incredible voice. Another emerged from the kitchen with a guitar and joined in. Another stood and with the host Valeria belted out some professional dance moves. All while the wine flowed and people were relaxed and having the best time. I bloody loved it. A young guy from Texas (we’ll call him H because I cannot remember his name 🙂 ), was also traveling solo and he was very curious about how I have been traveling alone for a few months. ‘How do you like plan everything when it’s just you?’ he asked. Ummmm….I decide what I’d like to do and do that. ‘But what if you miss something out?’ Ummmm then I guess I miss it. ‘But what if you get lonely?’ Ummm well I haven’t been lonely so far, but there are always people around if you want company you go find it, like tonight you’re here and with people. ‘I really want to travel more but this is my first time overseas and it’s just me and I don’t know if I’m doing it right’, he said. Does it feel right, I ask him. ‘I guess yes it does’. Well then, you’re sweet. Then he asked if I would dance with him because he really loved the music and wanted to dance, so I said if he danced by himself for 10 minutes and still wanted me to, I would do it. After 4 minutes he smiled at me and said ‘I’m good’ 🙂 🙂 🙂 Then he called his mum in Texas while he was dancing and made me say hello to her and tell her he was ok 🙂 🙂 As it came close to midnight the band stopped and everyone ran to open bottles of prosecco and fill glasses, then the countdown started, and then it was hugging and kissing and clinking of glasses, and laughing, and the sound of fireworks outside. And then dessert. Chocolate hazelnut torte, jam torte, pistachio cake with chocolate mint icing and raspberries, nougat (three kinds), clementines, grapes….oh my word. I wish I could have tried it all. But the point of the meal is to taste a little and have a choice, so it was enough to see it and enjoy what I did eat. The band drifted back to their instruments and played their way through the next few hours, and probably longer as I left just after 3, yawning and ready for bed, and farewelling new friends. H was jamming with the band as I left (so funny) and I gave him a thumbs up 🙂 As I walked home the city was still full of people enjoying their night, and some who had enjoyed it a little too much. Today the shops are closed, and only a few restaurants open, so when I finally got up and out, I headed to one recommended by friends (San Michele All’Arco) that has a farm to table menu. I didn’t think I was hungry, but after reading about their Cinta pigs which have a happy life roaming the farm I really wanted to try the pork 🙂 So I did. And it was so delicious. The waiter came to top up my water and I was like wow this is amazing, I love it, it is so so good; to which he shrugged (conveying the typical Italian yes of course I know it is amazing) and walked off 🙂 🙂 This region is also famous for the florentine steak, which comes from a cow that is as big as a horse! Literally. If you’re a big lover of meat I suggest you come to Florence and go to this restaurant and try it. No new year resolutions from me, I don’t believe in setting goals just once a year. I will continue to live in and appreciate the moment I’m in. Happy new year everyone xxxx