Settling in now to the homely life of a post-Renaissance spinster, I spent the morning doing what solitary, middle-aged females do. As Martha says, I "homekept." You know, a little laundry, a bit of straightening up, some bed-making and bathroom swishing. That done, and cutting ever the bella figura, (okay, I put on a scarf...) I embarked on my daily shopping adventure. For fortification, I stopped at my favorite cafe (now positively illin' with UP! free wifi from Volkswagen -- but more about that later --) for a nice cappuccino. Overrun by silly American college students, now into their second week of Firenze semester, all giddy with take out coffee (not a thing...) I quickly took my leave and made for the shops.
It's amazing how quickly one can burn up a 50 € note. So, not counting the 4€ advanced for caffeine, I acquired the following:
2 etti prociutto (snacks later... maybe a salad topping?)
1 etto salami (see prociutto above)
1 etto pecorino (on general principle)
1 etto olives grecque (see salad above or, perhaps sauce fortifier)
1/2 large chicken breast (protein building block of single girl dinner.)
2 fresh fennel sausage (I'm sure it's good for me in some way.)
1 piccolo head of Roman lettuce (roughage is never wrong.)
2 pomodori (important source of dietary Italian-ness.)
1 limone (prevents scurvy and improves flavor of local tap water.)
1 head alio (universal solvent of tastiness.)
1 basket (itty bitty) frangole (from Espagna, tsk.)
Change back? About 13 € So, at today's (rather generous) exchange rate, that's about $45 for two days worth of groceries. Heavens, makes Whole Paycheck feel like Save-a-Lot.
Ok, now I'm starving.
Posted by: Rob Gould | 01/22/2012 at 03:54 PM