A little old man time

Brett found out there are food markets that are on every day except Sundays so we went out to check them out. We even left our hotel by 9am which is unheard of for us. Why is it that when you don't have an apartment you find great food markets. They were great and wish we had somewhere to cook or even reheat some of this great food.











Now we have noticed an interesting phenomena happening all over Italy but you notice it more in the small towns. This was taken at mid morning today as we sat in the Piazza Grande watching the world go by. Notice there are a couple of groups of older men standing around. There were a few other groups around the piazza (not in this photo). We think they come there everyday to talk about the soccer and politics and well not sure what else. It is interesting watching them. Do they plan to meet everyday or does it just happen? Why are they in their separate groups and what creates these groups? What are their wives doing while they are here, I dare say getting lunch ready, looking after the house, the grandchildren etc.

It is nice to see them all hang out together and just chat, just wish I could hear what they are talking about.



Lunch was at Ristorante Omar which is a place Brett found recommended on lonely Planet. We turned up to early and they were only just making the pasta so we headed out and came back half an hour later. I can honestly say this is the BEST pasta we have had in our lives. This includes Locatelli. It was light and cooked to perfection, the sauces that went with them were perfect. They have this interesting concept were they bring you a bottle of wine and you only pay for what you have drunk (never a good thing for us). Two plates of pasta and a couple of glasses of wine later it was 25 euro. So cheap especially considering the quality. The woman in the photo is one of the owners and was still making pasta when we left and I asked if we could take a photo. She learnt from her mother who learnt from her mother etc. It was interesting cause she was saying she didn't want to learn but her mother made her.



Back to the hotel for an afternoon nap but we were delayed getting home by the enoteca that was open near us, so we thought we would drop in and have a look and another glass of red wine later we left. This place is great and has a wide variety of wines to choose from. I think we may have to go back, if we get time.

Dinner was pizza and wine in our room checking out where we are going next. We are thinking Milan, Lake Como and Verona then on to Venice to stay with our friends Fiona, Francesco and William.


Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Modena