What fun, you brought back memories of our trip to Puglia with Oldways in the late 90s. I can't remember if I ever told you about another experience in Bari that will make you laugh. My husband and I were driving back to Greece after having been visiting friends in Liguria and Tuscany. It was lunch time and we had a wait before the ferry so we parked somewhere on the port and were about to head for a trattoria, when a guy from the port police came rushing out, waving his arms and shouting, No park here, no park here, Much klefti in Bari (He had seen our Greek license plates and used the Greek word for thieves!). And of course, Bari does have a reputation; after all they stole the mummified remains of their patron saint, Nicholas, from Myrrha in Turkey many centuries ago. :-)
I should have added that he told us to wait and follow him and his boss to a nice trattoria where they often had lunch and where we could see our car! Viva l'Italia
Of course - love the story! And the water from the annual washing of St Nick's bones cures everything (external application, I think, but maybe a quick swallow).
I seldom read so accurate and unbiased stories regarding Italy, its people and kitchen, thank you. And my congratulations for your wonderful images and descriptions!
This takes me right back to a lovely holiday in a trullo in the 90s. I love your paintings, and they are such a beautiful – and effective – way of showing how to prepare something.
I wish! But plenty of memories to relive in notes and sketchbooks (I easily forget I'm not still there!). I was a botanical and bird painter before I wrote about food - you spend a lot of time looking, thinking and listening. Thanks so much for yr comment about soul - I think we're going to need the old knowledge pretty soon.
Lovely introduction to that lovely region, Elisabeth, and thank you for the mention of my book Flavors of Puglia which I so enjoyed compiling all through one very long year of handsome produce and elegant seafood. I hope you'll mention the sea urchins in your next installment--consuming them al crudo on a beachside terrace along the Adriatic just north of some Mycenaean ruins remains one of my happiest memories--but there are so many more!
What fun, you brought back memories of our trip to Puglia with Oldways in the late 90s. I can't remember if I ever told you about another experience in Bari that will make you laugh. My husband and I were driving back to Greece after having been visiting friends in Liguria and Tuscany. It was lunch time and we had a wait before the ferry so we parked somewhere on the port and were about to head for a trattoria, when a guy from the port police came rushing out, waving his arms and shouting, No park here, no park here, Much klefti in Bari (He had seen our Greek license plates and used the Greek word for thieves!). And of course, Bari does have a reputation; after all they stole the mummified remains of their patron saint, Nicholas, from Myrrha in Turkey many centuries ago. :-)
I should have added that he told us to wait and follow him and his boss to a nice trattoria where they often had lunch and where we could see our car! Viva l'Italia
Of course - love the story! And the water from the annual washing of St Nick's bones cures everything (external application, I think, but maybe a quick swallow).
You have taken me right back to this very place that captured our hearts pre covid years, beautifully captured in words and picture form!
So happy to hear that, Suzanne!
I seldom read so accurate and unbiased stories regarding Italy, its people and kitchen, thank you. And my congratulations for your wonderful images and descriptions!
Wonderful to read, posto speciale, thanks so much!
This takes me right back to a lovely holiday in a trullo in the 90s. I love your paintings, and they are such a beautiful – and effective – way of showing how to prepare something.
Wow are u still in Puglia now?I have a lot of places to suggest u if u want but I love this post u catch very well their soul.
I wish! But plenty of memories to relive in notes and sketchbooks (I easily forget I'm not still there!). I was a botanical and bird painter before I wrote about food - you spend a lot of time looking, thinking and listening. Thanks so much for yr comment about soul - I think we're going to need the old knowledge pretty soon.
Marvellous glimpses of food, place, and feel. You are amazing.
Thanks so much, Naomi!
Lovely introduction to that lovely region, Elisabeth, and thank you for the mention of my book Flavors of Puglia which I so enjoyed compiling all through one very long year of handsome produce and elegant seafood. I hope you'll mention the sea urchins in your next installment--consuming them al crudo on a beachside terrace along the Adriatic just north of some Mycenaean ruins remains one of my happiest memories--but there are so many more!