Exactly one year ago today I was in the midst of embarking on a rather empowering solo journey to Italy and beginning an amazing love affair...with Italian cuisine. Smashing Tomato is as close as I can get, the wood fire pizza and the slide show of Italian cities and landscapes one only dreams of visiting. Oh how the time has gone...what I wouldn't give to be back there right now.
My journey began in Rome, from where I travelled North by taxi to the “agritourismo” farm of I Due Laghi in Anguillara Sabazia. I would spend two and half days there, horseback riding 2-3 hours in the mornings with British trainer, Maria, and then venturing round the Roman countryside for a couple hours in the afternoons with Paola, a Swiss riding student, studying to be a trainer.
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| Jumping with Dominic in the Morning |
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| Viewing Lake Bracciano with Orsetta |
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| An old Roman tower |
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| Such funny animals.. |
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| Jumping with Enigma |
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| I Due Laghi |
It was hot, dry, and the horse flies came in unbelievable forces (I was told it had not rained at all in several months), BUT the scenery was amazing, and just knowing that I was riding on horseback as the Romans had thousands of years ago was really something. Lake Bracciano was to my North and the city of Rome was to my South...
Having studied Latin through high school and a bit in college, the Romans have always sparked an interest. Perhaps it would have been wise to learn some Italian before I went, considering Latin is a dead language :)
The love affair began with dinner my first night (5 Sept 2010):
white wine: 2009 Poggio Dei Gelsi Est! Est! Est! Di Montefiascone
first course: potato and ricotta dumpling with chives served with a pepper puree
main course: fried pike with tempura zucchini and eggplant
dessert: fresh fruit (pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, and peaches) with vanilla gelato
*mind you, there is nothing small about any of the "portions" in Italy
Breakfast the next morning (6 Sept 2010)consisted of the most amazing croissant with powdered sugar and fresh squeezed orange juice. Just enough energy for my morning ride.
Lunch: raw tuna with cucumber and pasta with shrimp. The sweet waiter (I didn't speak Italian, he didn't speak English) brought me a surprise dessert: chocolate cake and vanilla gelato :)
The afternoon ride consisted of riding the countryside, viewing an old Roman tower and the goat farm, where the goat cheese was processed for the restaurant.
Dinner began with a bottle of red wine - Zilath Casale Cento Corvi.
antipasto - ricotta and carrot wrapped in zucchini with a basil mousse.
first course - ricotta dumplings again (they were so good!)
main course - against my better ethical judgement, veal fillet over a vinegar zucchini cake
dessert - pistachio pudding with strawberry sauce
The next day (7 Sept 2010) began with the same delicious croissant (I added some nutella) and orange juice. That morning's lesson kicked by butt, literally. I think my ass was bruised... on both cheeks! Riding 2-3 hours twice a day will do that, but I was not complaining, it was all well worth it.
I spent the afternoon down at the pool, perfect weather, and I have to say I got a little laugh at the boys playing Bob Marley, but it was very enjoyable. I feel asleep and sadly missed lunch :( The afternoon ride was great. I decided not to take my Nikon, and was glad I didn't. We were galloping through the woods trying to escape the deer flies to no prevail! It was exhilarating!
My last night I decided to sit on the patio. A man at the next table was enjoying his solitude as well. He was from Luxembourg. It was nice to have someone to talk to, especially in English. I had the same red wine as the night before.
antipasto - vegetable soup
main course - bone-in sirloin
dessert - ricotta ice cream with chocolate sauce
A great way to end my last night in Anguillara - great food, wine, and conversation... AND it finally rained :)
Now I was on to my next stop...Tuscany.
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