Dance Aerobics have Replaced Wine Aerobics, My First Seafood Purchase, Risotto ai Frutti di Mare

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I had another wonderful weekend full of food, art and yes there was wine. After Language class on Friday, I took myself for pizza lunch. I was early enough to get a table but the outdoor seating soon filled up. I ordered some wine as I do and went with my usual strategy to eat the inside of the pizza where the crust is super thin and one can take full advantage of all of the delicious gooey cheese and toppings… As I prepared for my descent with knife and fork, I thought, “Surely the inside portion of the pizza would be equivalent to 2 slices of thin crust pizza.”

I sat facing the Santa Maria Della Pace church. My ears were moving cat like with the conversation going on next to me between 2 priests… It’s really hard not to hear conversation when the seating is so close. I looked up at the Miró! Poesia e luce sign outside the part of the church called Chiostro del Bramante. I decided after lunch that I would check it out.

Before entering the exhibit I chose to rent the audio guide because I did not have a clue as to what the art was about. I went because I was curious and in some way I always seem to find inspiration. I was very glad that I had rented the audio guide because not only did I learn about Miro I could better understand the art that was standing before me. I knew what the objects were in the paintings and also why they were created. It was a good visit and I discovered a bistro inside that I want to check out at another time.

After the exhibit I decided to pop home and then go out again to see if I could buy ingredients to make Risotto ai Frutti di Mare. I took a chance going to my usual grocery store and it turned out that they had all of the fresh seafood ingredients required. This was my first experience buying seafood in Italy. I took my recipe with me. I knew exactly what I wanted and how much but I think they thought that I needed more help and the woman from the fish market duo took over. I let her and watched as she explained in Italian… she told me how to make the fish stock. The man that was part of the fish market duo cleaned the large calamari and the scampi. The heads of the scampi were used with some fish pieces for the fish soup stock base. While I was standing there, one of the clams had sprayed a stream of water towards me… it was flirting with me… After they packaged up all of my ingredients, the gentleman told me in Italian to come back and tell them how the Risotto turned out.

Before commencing Risotto preparations, I had to decide which apron to wear… it wasn’t hard…I went straight for the Gladiator. The Risotto ai Frutti di Mare was a success. I ate about half of the steamed clams while waiting for my risotto to cook… So delicious with a glass of prosecco. After my feast, I sat back with a glass of Chardonnay with the sound of the Swallows in the background, a hint of piano music coming from somewhere … I was purring like a content cat.

I had to be up early the next morning for school. Saturday was a clear hot day… After class, I made my way to the gym in the Campo De’ Fiori area. I had success and will be starting Boogie Woogie dance fitness tomorrow… I think they also do a bit of Zumba. Wine/Prosecco aerobics have now been replaced… with dance fitness!

After a morning of intensive language class and a successful stop at the gym, I decided I was going to kick back and relax in Campo de’ Fiori.  I sat back sipping my spritz and watched the market slowly dis-assembling. Then for some crazy reason I decided to do my homework so that it wouldn’t be looming over my head on Sunday.  I heard some commotion and looked up to see a Clown running around… yes a real Clown. He was running after a woman and wacked her in the bottom with a plastic bat…then proceeded to chase another woman with a spray bottle…

Alas it is now Sunday and my Internet keys have been incredibly slow as I waited for what seemed like ages for my photos to upload. I had great plans to clean the apartment today and it still hasn’t happened… will just have to use the magic word “domani”… from Bella Roma… ciao for now!