In the mid 90's, DH's job required some travel to Europe. I was fortunate to accompany him on these trips. Although it was work for him, we got to have some wonderful experiences that we never would otherwise.
Our first trip to Europe was to Berlin. I have to preface this by saying that I am afraid of flying, but I have not let that stop me from traveling. However, this would be the longest flight I had ever been on and the first time out of the country for both of us. I had the typical places on the top of my list that I wanted to visit in Europe, Paris being one. Berlin was not on the list. Berlin turned out to be a fabulous place with wide, tree-lined streets, parks, good restaurants. The Wall was down and one day I walked from our hotel to museums with stunning collections on the other side. (I'm sorry my memory is so bad. I'm terrible with details and names. Ironically, I was never one to keep a journal or even a travel diary so I must paint these trips with broad strokes. Also, I wish I knew where our photos from this time are. Of course, we've moved several times since then and we have many boxes that remain unpacked.)
This first trip to Europe was business for both of us in two different cities in Germany. We went to Berlin first followed by a trip to Heidelberg, where I had some business. Quite a contrast, but both wonderful. I'm not a big beer drinker, but I do have to say that I had some of the best beer and pork I've ever tasted in Germany. On this same trip, we did go to Paris, if only for a day and a half. Certainly not enough time, but I did get to take my boat trip on the Seine and walk around the Eiffel Tower under a full moon!
The organization for which DH worked at the time provided continuing education for a bunch of well-heeled docs so we got to travel first class. They would have dinners and receptions in wonderful places. One time we had dinner in an old English castle, complete with a moat. After dinner we walked around the grounds (I believe the moon was full on this night, as well!) with glasses of port and cigars for those who wanted them.
On one of our trips I did try to keep a travel diary, which, remarkably, is in a notebook that I always keep in my nightstand drawer, so I have it right here! I only wrote a few pages and mostly wrote about the food. On this particular trip, in June of '96, we went to Nice, Geneva, Florence and Venice. It was only an 8-day trip so we did not spend much time in any of the cities, which is probably why the meals were the highlights. The only time I describe anything other than food is at our first stop in Nice. I have to relate this story from my notes where I describe an encounter on the beach between "two middle-aged women": One in "peddle-pushers" and tee shirt with frizzy blond hair, backpack and dog, and one lying topless on a towel on the rocks with little goggles protecting her eyes. The dog goes to do a dump a few yards from the sunbather. The dog-owner takes a plastic bag from her backpack to clean up. Meanwhile, the sunbather sits up exposing, in a totally nonchalant way, her rather boney body with sagging breasts, to say something that looked like scolding to the dog walker. They exchange some words, finger-pointing, and then the dog & walker go on their way.
We had one of the most incredible dining experiences I've ever had while in Florence. There were about 16 of us at a restaurant called Enotecha Pinciori (spelling?). It was a 10 course meal--3 of them dessert courses--with 4 different wines. I actually went back to the hotel room and tried to describe all of the food. Here goes:
1. lightly smoked herring on a bed of bread crumbs, tomato, olive oil
2. cold tomato puree drizzled with olive oil with cold, lightly breaded fried turbo with julliened vegetable garnish
3. tortelinni stuffed with quail on a round slice of spinach pasta with dabs of cream sauce and olive oil garnished with a thin slice of friend tomato
4. sea bass, scallops, and red mullet with pureed eggplant with poppyseed wafers and fried parsley
5. narrow fettucine with baby peas, asparagus, carrots, and mushrooms in a butter sauce
6. lamb medallions with baked garlic cloves, peeled baby potatoes, and thyme
7. mixed salad greens with baked filo purse stuffed with melted cheese and sweet vinaigrette
8. cheese course
9. chocolate mousse "patty" with lemon ice and mango sorbet in cones
10. strawberry tart and biscotti and other assorted tiny cookies
Dinner lasted from 8:00 pm until midnight. I noted the wines as: Asti Spumanti, pino gregio, merlot blend, and a dessert white. Assortment of breads throughout. Espresso and latte at the end.
And, with that I think I'll end this post. I could go on; maybe more some other time.
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3 comments:
Well, this is one of your random facts that I share with you--we have done a lot of European traveling, including Paris & the ride on the Seine.
I am not a diary person, but I always keep a travel diary, going over each day & what we saw.
In fact, my first blogs were from our trip last year to Spain, Portugal & Morocco.
I've never been to other side of the pond. Maybe someday, maybe not.
Gee, I've never been out of the states. What a wonderful time you must have had.
Now I'm at my desk and drooling over the menus and wishing it were lunch time already.
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