Driving in Italy is really a lot simpler than in the United States. There is one rule of the road: Don’t get in an accident. Beyond that all else is in play. Speed limits are generally ignored. The rule is to drive as fast as you can to stay on the road and not fly off curves or hit anyone or anything. Lanes are marked only to show that there are two halves to the road. There is absolutely no requirement to be on one side or another. If following the lowest form of driver in Italy (the tourist) your distance from the rear bumper of the tourist car must be less than seventeen centimeters or you immediately lose you masculinity. The same also applies to women and losing their masculinity. When speeding up to pass, and this is key, you must be facing a blind curve or cresting a hill. This is safe in Italy since all other cars will do anything to avoid a collision and slow down, speed up, or swerve off the road. When this maneuver is completed successfully it is apparently appreciated by all involved since there is much hand waving and yelling going on from all of the cars.

Parking follows the same general philosophy. The No Parking signs are only for the tourist. Any spot that does not completely block a road (Defined as: the smallest Fiat automobile can just get past) is a “legal” parking place. Handicap parking is for handicapped people but since there are none around (by Italian definition) that is a valid parking space also.

I bring this up because Ann has given me the most sincere form of adulation. She told me I drive like an Italian. I have graduated out of the Tourist Class. Wait a minute, maybe that was NOT such a compliment.

We are off to dinner at the Hotel Corys again and a visit with Giuseppe spending our last Saturday in Italy with him at his restaurant. The weather like last time is rainy and cold. We have had such wonderful weather we can hardly complain about a little moisture. Well, we do complain but really shouldn’t.

Giuseppe outdid himself this evening. When we arrived he greeted us with hugs and kisses. For our dinner tonight we were allowed to select the entree of our desire but HE would be serving all of the rest at his discretion. These dishes were not on the menu and he wished us to try it them and see if we approved.

My surprise first course was a fresh porcini mushroom soup with a hearty stock. Such rich earthy flavors; I was delighted. Since Giuseppe remembered that we liked porcini and we preferred different dishes, Ann’s plate was polenta with porcini and cinte sausage. This sausage animal is a cross between a domestic pig and a wild boar local to the area. It is a slightly more gamy taste but softened by the tomato puree it was cooked in. Ann was in heaven.

Our second courses were a Filet on arugula and wrapped in pancetta with grilled whole onion halves for me and marinated grilled lamb chops with a side of eggplant and red peppers grilled for Dear Ann. For dessert Ann had semifreddo with carmel sauce. I won’t even begin to describe it except to say it cannot be in any way healthy. Since I had to drive home I complained that I wished a grappa. Giuseppe solved the problem by giving me a half glass on the house.

As we were leaving with a teary arrivedercci, Giuseppe gave Ann a bottle of the Corona’s local EVOO, as Rachael would say (Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I am embarrassed to say I know that Rachel Ray says that on the Food Channel).

We drove home safely because I was driving like a tourist.

Lesson for Day 33: Ann and Giuseppe got along a little TOO well and I am happy they live 8000 miles apart.