Mangia, mangia!

I'm pretty sure that this is what heaven looks like:

The food is glorious. I imagine that many people feel deeply moved by religious and spiritual significance when they come to Italy. Well, that's the way I feel about the food here. I can't even describe how much I am enjoying every taste and smell. So far, almost every day I've had at least one glass of chianti, one espresso, and one gelato. I've also been enjoying every morsel of the classic pastas, pizzas, calzones, panini's, and risotto. Ahhhhh, I heart carbs. I wasn't kidding when I said that they would have to roll me out of Italy after our trip has ended (maybe I will be buoyant enough to float across the ocean). 

Erich has really been the adventurous one, however; trying the regional specialties such as tripe and cow tongue. Ordering the cow tongue was kind of by accident, but he was fully aware of his choice for tripe. I was glad to try each, but even more happy not to have to eat the whole thing. 

On every corner there are shops with delectable cured meats hanging from the cieling, and cheeses below them in the cases. My favorite cheese thus far is Pecorino, made from goat milk and really dry but creamy (kinda like Manchego). We also found a gelateria in Florence that makes their gelato in house and claims to be the first gelaterias in Italy. Their Buontalenti al Marscapone flavor (named after the dude who claimed to have invented gelato) was maybe the best dessert I have ever tasted in my entire life. We were so close to the city of Chianti, we had to take advantage of the Chianti wine, and ended up buying a liter and a half from a local trattoria after one glass :).

Suffice it to say, we're really enjoying ourselves food-wise. So much of it reminds me so much of the food my Nonna used to make, but still missing all that love that she used to put in it. Before you get too envious of the food, I will say that I have had some stomach problems that hinder my enjoyment at times, but it's all worth it. Now, if only I could get a job as a food taste tester....