Buon viaggio pranzo e Fontanarossa


Last minute everything -- stripping the bed, gathering up bath towels, accappatoi, rugs, dish towels; final wipe down of bathrooms, kitchen, etc. I labeled and left the spazzatura on the balcony and corralled ingredients that others might use, in a box on the counter.

We took a walk to get cigars from the tabaccheria, and I want some Balsamo di San Luigi for the callous I earned on my toe from walking cambered streets in new-ish shoes.

Joe reminded me to take a number at the pharmacy. There was a long line. But, you guessed it; my favorite pharmacist came out from behind the counter and ushered me to another register with no line. We wished each other Buon Natale, and I told her we're leaving but will be back soon.

Now back home, I grabbed the Etna white wine from the fridge, and got ready to eat our last Mariella lunch (for a while)!

The elevator down to her kitchen was already perfumed with the treats that would await us.

Mariella's "classic" presepe. I'm worried Matteo might destroy it!



Giuseppe, Elena, and the boys joined us, as Mariella set out a platter of one of my favorites; sarde beccafico. If only we could get fresh sardines and anchovies in Minnesota! Delicate and crunchy, with just a hint of orange zest, these flaky bits of deliciousness went down quickly.

Since linguine e vongole is Joe and Vincenzo's favorite dish (I love it too), Vincenzo declared on Sunday that this would be our Wednesday lunch, even though we just had it on Friday. The clams right now are just soooooo good. As usual, she had a mixed seafood topping con mollica for each plate.

Whenever Vincenzo goes back for a healthy second helping, Mariella fusses.

"Noooo, Vincenzo, noooo. Piano, piano! Basta!!" Every time. And every time, he keeps ladling it onto his plate, and eats it. This time, he smiled and replied, "a casa, a casa," which lost something in translation.

Elena has a 5:00 pm meeting scheduled, so we had to leave either right after lunch, or at 6:00. I opted for right after lunch, since we had little we could do here, and besides;  I want a nap. Mariella will come along for the ride.

After the morphing feat of getting all of our luggage into the Cleo, the three of us waited in the car for Elena, despite Mariella's occasional shout of "EL-EN-A!!! EL-EN-A!!!" up the echoing marble stairwell.

We got on our way, with Elena at the wheel. Etna wore her bridal outfit for our farewell vista. Shrouded in white, I love that Christmastime gives vistas of snow, without actually having to be in it. Unless you opt to ski, of course.




As we neared the Catania International Airport Hotel, we passed the biggest "Chinese store" any of us had seen. Mariella oohed and ahhed over it. Getting to our hotel, she also commented on that; "Che bello!"

We did another round of hugs and kisses and goodbyes, Elena being the last one, as she wrapped me in her arms, squeezed a hug, and said into my ear, "Kah-ren... I love you," (and then, because she's a tough Sicilian woman, added, "...sometimes"). Likewise, dear friend; likewise. 

We checked in, and the hotel is nice. For some reason, we got a huge room with three beds. I dove into the big one for a cat nap.

Reception, bar, local art and jewelry shopping



Chinese store 


Nice original art in hotel




My alarm went off, and though I was still groggy, I forced myself awake. Joe and I took a walk along the road clearly intended for airport traffic and not pedestrians. We turned back after a while, and decided to stop into the Chinese store to take some photos for Mariella. I ended up replacing my phone-holder on a strap that broke in Tuscany.

A quick coat drop off and lipstick touch-up, and I was ready to check out the restaurant that Joe saw earlier.

They had swordfish involtini on the menu, one of my favorites, but the menu indicated it was previously frozen. I told the waiter I saw fresh swordfish in the case, can't someone make the involtini fresh for me? Short answer; no. But I can have the swordfish grilled (not on the menu). Perfect. That, a salad afterward, and a calice of white wine for me. Joe started with a Negroni, then ordered a tonno crudo appetizer for his main meal. I didn't try his, but my swordfish was excellent. As Nikos and I have concurred, you have to work pretty hard to get bad food in Italy.

Ending with a glass of bollicine for me, and a ficodindia amaro for Joe, we were just sated enough without being overstuffed. 

With less than five and a half hours before our taxi arrives, I showered and all but got dressed for the morning. It will be here in no time.

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