My last sunset over Parma.
22.49 - Friday, April 15
Starting with "Say It Aint So" by Weezer, I sit and write. Parma, more specifically Vedole, was a wonderful experience. My time here at Al Vedel was life changing. Without a doubt I have noticed and realized so much more about the world - even by only making salumi, I learned how generations preserved meat using the simplest ingredients. Sure, that was only the knowledge at the front, what you would expect to learn after spending three months at a salumeria, but it goes much further than that.
The Bergonzi family, especially Enrico, Marco, Eddy and Monica and Anna will be greatly missed. The kitchen crew as well, Teo, the Sous Chef, Monia, Conca, Sara, Taku and Maki, Laura, Christian, Carlo and Julia - and everyone else I missed - you will be missed.
A special spot is left for my "Terrone" Alex. He and I spent almost everyday together playing Norcini and making some killer salame and salumi. Alex, a good kid, really hit it off with the 19-17...bu!!
"We Are The Champions" just ended - The Streets is now playing...
The 'Macella' was a great time. Waking up during the Culatello season, early, outside, still dark, waiting for the truck to deliver the hot, steaming prosciutti so we can transform the legs into love. Culatello, Fiocchetto, Salame Gentile, Salame Sfilzetta, Salame Strolghino, Cotecchino, Ciccioli, Cicciolata - then Pancetta, Pancetta Rotolata, Gola, Spalla Crudo, Spalla Cotto - thats a nice list...and I forget the easiest of all, Lardo!!
Days like this above, having a great time making meat - what a time. Now listening to Gipsey King's remix of "Hotel California" - slowly cheering up. I am going back to LALA, I ask myslef why often, but it feels like the time is right, so I am ready to ride this wave out.
As for the trip - I start tomorrow morning. Train from Parma to Padova, lunch at Le Calandre. I think I am the only backpacker to eat at Le Calandre, but I hope I am wrong. I wonder where they will keep my stuff while I enjoy my Michellin 3 Star meal!?! From Padova I found a bus with Russell's help that should drop me nearby the restaurant - I hope we are right!
Then I am off to my friend in Bassano del Grappa. Gianluca spent a year in Los Angeles learning English during our senior year in high school - we remained in contact ever since. He now works with Diesel, pretty cool!
Sunday night I am off to Puglia to visit a friend there, Monday night to Napoli, I arrive in Naples at 5.45 am - bus to Avellino for lunch at Maschera with my friends Lino and Carmen, then dinner at La Locanda di Bu in Nusco with Tonino.
Wednesday my flight to Paris is from Napoli, so it's a big moving journey for now. How fun!!
Ending with "Deer Dance" by System of a Down, it is 23.14 - T minus 10 hours...
O r e
