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  Vicenza, Italy
Sunday, October 21, 2007

As Jim has attested, I am having the typical computer glitches! I lost what I'm certain was a brillantly written update of my first official "maccina" outing accompanied by shouts and horn honking! I did make it to one of the local gourmet wine stores where I joined an all male wine tasting. After they decided I was a true afficianado and not just a WinO they stopped being so concerned about not understanding my English and accepted me with open arms. I think it didn't hurt that I also bought several bottles of wine.
Then is was on to the Super Mercato - the Disneyland of shopping. I had to wait for a parking space like Somerset at Christmas. I also have to say that I am so impressed with the European cart system. You have to put 50 cents in a slot to release a cart and then when you return it to a proper drop site and rehook it, you get your money back. Sure takes care of shopping carts all over the parking area. Very civilized.
Well, at least I wasn't the only person spending my Saturday evening in the grocery store. I didn't know whether to look at the food or the people. It sure seems like Italian couples - very attractive Italian couples - go shopping together. I, of course, was everywhere! The two hour trip culminated in my return to my kitchenette for a repast of the most succulent greenery I have injested since Paris (and my introduction to the "lettuce lady"). I actually bought a crate of rocket (rucola), gentillina, and mache (valeriana) which I sprinkled with olive oil and some great balsamic - from Modena, of course. Add a little antipasti of Italian meats - of which I bought one of everything - and olives AND a bottle of Sicilian wine. Prego. I also bought a MOKA and had my first solo experience making coffee this morning.
Although I can't really say a lot about my work here I would like you to know al little about Caserma Ederle. The post is the headquarters of the Southern European Task Force and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Historically the soldiers here did not get deployed to Iraq but instead went to Afganistan. Recently, as battle sites have changed, there have been many casualities which means that the families left behind have been living under a lot of stress. It is exacerbated by the fact that this year, as many of you might already know, the deployment time has been increased from 12 to 15 months. This means many of the men and women are absent from their families for two Christmases.

I'm getting a little wordy but I'm not certain when you'll get the next update. If the weather cooperates I might rent a bike and peddle the waterway past all of the incredible villas located here. It's a little like Oakland County. Vienza is the oppulent suburb of Venice. I'm sure I can find the Bottega Veneta outlet while I'm peddling:) If I can keep my computer working - it's a crap shoot - I can down load some pictures as well.
Ciao

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