calise

this morning we are going to go Calise for breakfast. Calise is a gorgeous pastry shop/gelateria/bar (for you non-europeans, a “bar” is a place you get a sandwich whereas a “pub” is a place you get a beer) in town. It’s surrouned by a lush garden with outdoor seating and a stage for entertainment. inside it’s beautifully decorated with wood and brass and venetian glass... the cakes, candies, pastries and ice cream are themselves the colorful accents that complete the decor. week-end nights (and in the summer, every night) Calise’s sidewalk and and surrounding area is packed with young italians sitting on their vespas meeting up with their friends for ice cream. sunday mornings you young couples, families, older folks, come in for breakfast and coffee... my favorite time to go is in the late afternoon, around 5, for a an aperitivo (usually for italians an alcoholic drink, but for me, a juice or a coke and something salty at the bar). this time of day people are out on their passeggiatas (late afternoon walks), stopping in for a drink, picking up sweets to take to a dinner... there’s such a nice sense of community ... people running into friends, neighbors.
i've yet to experience one single visit to Calise where victor doesn't run into someone he knows. usually before going in, i tell victor my guess of how many people he'll see... today, since it's the week-end before christmas, and it's morning, i'm guessing three....
we'll see what happens...
pictures on the way....