Thursday September 22
We sailed over night to Ortona, Abruzzo. In the morning we took the bus to the city for a walking tour there.
There used to be a zoo there where we walked a long but no longer. Artists now using the trail to display things. I thought the crochet things on the trees and railing were quite funny.
It was market day in the big square.
Our trip is called "undiscovered..." and not for nothing because all the places we went to are not so much visited by tourists. The locals are looking at us in surprise and inquisitiveness. Me and my big mouth ... when we pass the three ladies talking to the right I say a loud "Bongiorno" and they liked that. Vanessa immediately was alerted (what was going on?) and then she had fun talking to the ladies because one of them was married to somebody from her hometown. Yes, Italians like to talk, even to strangers. I was happy that I had started this.
The church was very interesting. I saw two decorations which might be possibilities to translate into Chrismon. Always on the lookout for something new.
OAT prides itself that it will give travelers the experience of the real life of the local people. On the drive there we had to sneak for a while behind a tractor with just harvested grapes before our driver could overtake.
First we were welcomed with a late breakfast. Poundcake and goat yoghurt with very special wild honey (which was more like a drink).
Then we were told to help milk the goats.
I sneaked into the barn to have a look. There were younger ones. So cute.
And nosey.
James wasn't shy to give it a try. He hooked several of the milking things up.
Had to give it a try too.
They were milked on the right and fed on the left ... I guess to be occupied.
Then some of us were asked to help in the kitchen with the pasta. James, Pam and I got aprons given.
Flour and semolina (4:1 parts), eggs and a little bit of water was all that was needed. It took a lot of kneeding, rolling out (in a special way) and "flapping" (ha-ha) to get the dough right. Here is the VIDEO (59 seconds) which Pam took and shared. Thank you, Pam.
These kind of noodles were called guitar pasta because of the cutter which was obvious. It has strong strings mounted on which you lay some dough and with the rolling pin you press the perfect cuts through. Pretty genius.
Then we were all sitting at the long table outside. The weather was perfect. One course after the other arrived.
Claudia, the daughter, went around to add snippets from the red pepper to the pasta if you liked spicy. I took one snip to try it. Yes, it was very spicy. Unfortunately because I had handled it with my fingers and must have touched my eyes I had to run to the bathroom to wash my eyes out. Yeah!
Of course the parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top was homemade too.
Then came a big bowl of pasta with balls of cheese in it. Gosh, were they good. Did I mention that the tomato sauce is homemade too? And the bread?!
Of course they also grilled some skewers with goat and mutton. Vanessa was proud to tell us later that she ate 18, her personal record. Well, she said, nobody else wanted any more.
And then out came the birthday cake for Larry. He turned 80 this day. Congratulations!
A photo with all the host family.
We also got shown one of the puppies which had been born that day just hours earlier. Lillie, one of their three dogs, had just given birth.
Oh, yes, we were not done. We were shown how they make the cheese (or, one of the cheeses they make).
And then each of us received a little container to take with us. Since we have refrigerators in our rooms that was no problem because it is not pasteurized it doesn't last too long. I ate mine a few days later (because I kept forgetting) for breakfast with honey.
Yes, back at our ship, the Artemis.
An Ortona local man came to talk to us about WW2 and the big battle of Ortona. It was a bit too much for me.
Entertainment after dinner was really great. The crew gave a "concert". Hardi, our steward, is really quite a musician with the guitar and voice. And so are the others. It was fun.
VIDEO: (51 seconds)
Another day packed full with adventure. Time to sleep because there is more to come tomorrow. You know now why it is difficult to write the blogs. And if too many days have passed it is even more difficult because the days are blending together. Sigh.
I really welcome your comments. Thank you!
