Early on during our time in Torre Orsina before we get into the flow of the days we understand that we will have dinner with Elda, Luigina and Virgilio. The night before we were told tonight will be a night of dolce (sweets or desserts). Vic is looking forward to a grand buffet of local treats so he doesn’t want to stuff himself for dinner.
We’re in the Piazza Umberto (the little piazza with the bar); Eugenio arrives frantically trying to get us to follow him. He takes us to his house where dinner is almost on the table. Now Vic and I know we have a problem, we believe we are expected at both houses for dinner and we do not want to insult anyone. I excuse myself for a moment to run back to Elda’s to try to tell her of our dilemma. After some pantomime and some discussion she was stressing the word addetto. She was addetto (assigned) lunches and Eugenio and Maria Giulia were assigned dinner throughout our stay. Whew, thank goodness for my handy Italian/English dictionary!
We’re in the Piazza Umberto (the little piazza with the bar); Eugenio arrives frantically trying to get us to follow him. He takes us to his house where dinner is almost on the table. Now Vic and I know we have a problem, we believe we are expected at both houses for dinner and we do not want to insult anyone. I excuse myself for a moment to run back to Elda’s to try to tell her of our dilemma. After some pantomime and some discussion she was stressing the word addetto. She was addetto (assigned) lunches and Eugenio and Maria Giulia were assigned dinner throughout our stay. Whew, thank goodness for my handy Italian/English dictionary!
Dinner was a rapid succession of capacola (dried cured meat) and cheese bread, roasted chicken, zucchini, fried potatoes with garlic and rosemary, salad, white wine from Perugia and fruit for dessert. Vic is still anticipating the banquet of desserts that is to come soon. There was talk of sweets and judging – which is right up Vic’s ally.
After dinner (around 9pm) music begins in the piazza in front of the church. There is one guy singing and playing a guitar. Still no sweets, Vic is getting worried – have we misunderstood? The music is much softer and quieter than the night before, is it “the night” or “the music” that would be sweet and not desserts?
Then karaokando begins (a.k.a. Italian karaoke). This went on for about 2 hours. By now we know the night had been “Lost in Translation”. But at about 11pm they bring out two long tables and explain that the judging has been done (apparently somewhere else in town) and they would now announce the winners of the dolce. Although there were quite a few entries, about 17, there didn’t look like enough for the 150 people that were out tonight.
Prizes for most original, 1st, 2nd and 3rd were given out. Then quickly a large swarm of people began to surround the tables. I see Elda making her way through the crowd with three plates. I go to help her and we eventually get about 6 or 7 different dessert of a spoonful apiece. Vic and I share one plate; there is a plate for Elda and one for Luigina and Virgilio. In a matter of minutes there was nothing but crumbs left. Vic was happy he got a little something in the end.
After dinner (around 9pm) music begins in the piazza in front of the church. There is one guy singing and playing a guitar. Still no sweets, Vic is getting worried – have we misunderstood? The music is much softer and quieter than the night before, is it “the night” or “the music” that would be sweet and not desserts?
Then karaokando begins (a.k.a. Italian karaoke). This went on for about 2 hours. By now we know the night had been “Lost in Translation”. But at about 11pm they bring out two long tables and explain that the judging has been done (apparently somewhere else in town) and they would now announce the winners of the dolce. Although there were quite a few entries, about 17, there didn’t look like enough for the 150 people that were out tonight.
Prizes for most original, 1st, 2nd and 3rd were given out. Then quickly a large swarm of people began to surround the tables. I see Elda making her way through the crowd with three plates. I go to help her and we eventually get about 6 or 7 different dessert of a spoonful apiece. Vic and I share one plate; there is a plate for Elda and one for Luigina and Virgilio. In a matter of minutes there was nothing but crumbs left. Vic was happy he got a little something in the end.