The Company You Keep

Travel is about people. Not only the people you meet but the people with whom you are traveling. The company that surrounds you can vastly change the experience you have while traveling. That is not to say that you have to always travel with the same people. I certainly know that is not true as in my job I have the distinct pleasure of traveling with a vast array of different people from all walks of life. Each time I run a trip, the experience is unique and interesting in its own way. I have been to the Spanish Steps in Rome more times than I can count but each time that experience is determined by my traveling companions. I recall my stepdaughter’s observations about the Italian people and her decision to buy a scarf just like was the fashion at that time. I remember clinging to my husband (then my boyfriend) for dear life as we made our way down the steps on the way to dinner. I had decided to get really dressed up for our last dinner in Rome, complete with stiletto heels. I quickly regretted this decision as we looked down from the top of the Spanish Steps. For clients who are interested in literature I point out the Keats/Shelley house, for those who seem less interested in anything cultural I point out the first McDonalds in Italy that is found right near the Spanish Steps. Every reaction and interaction that I have with my clients brings new perspective to my impressions of Italy and I appreciate that there is never only one way to see things. I relish the experiences I have while traveling in Italy because it is through that personal exchange that the true essence is reached. Next time you travel make sure that you not only take time to see the things you went to see but also to listen to those who are traveling with you and hear about the experience from their perspective. You won’t be disappointed.

L'Insalatone (The Big Salad)

I try not to make all of my entries about food and wine while I am traveling through Italy (though it would be easy to do so) but today I had to write about my lunch. For a long time I thought the American restaurant scene finally had something over the Italians: the salad. I don’t mean a little salad that you order with your meal, I mean the BIG SALAD (cue the Seinfeld music). Italian salad always lacked something. Yes, the lettuce was good, the carrots had more flavor than any I had ever tasted in the US and the tomatoes never tasted like cardboard. But in the past Italians would never accept a salad as an entrée and therefore the possibility to have just that rather than a pasta course, a meat course and THEN salad was inconceivable. And certainly, after all the food preceding it, one was never hoping for a big salad. But Italians have finally jumped on the big salad bandwagon and I must say, nobody does it better. Yesterday I had a divine salad with grilled chicken, parmesan shavings, cherry tomatoes and olives. There was no inquiry about whether or not I wanted creamy garlic salsa ranch peppercorn dressing. The dark green local olive oil bottle was plopped on my table along with a bottle of balsamic vinegar and salt. No pepper, that is by special request only. A glass of prosecco, my big salad and a hunk of fresh bread – che buono! Life is good!