Italian Cookery Course - Day Five, Wednesday 14th May 2014

Two words describe today very well – culture and craziness. The culture part came first. We left Portico di Romagna in a different mini bus today – Marissa came with us, and Franco was driving. We drove partly along the way we came in about six weeks(!) ago, and then turned off to go to Ravenna. It took around an hour and a half to get there, and we met Grace, our guide for the next couple of hours, when we were dropped off at the Railway Station.
We had a walking tour of the most delightful town of Ravenna. It is a famous town historically, but now it houses some of the most important mosaics left from Byzantine times. We walked past one of the oldest churches in the world, built in 430ad. Still looks as good today as it did then – not a Wimpey home then! We then went into another church that had mosaics all along the walls – they were absolutely beautiful. The guy that punched the tickets to get in bore a very close resemblance to Jesus – wonder if that was one of the reasons he got the job. Grace did as good as she could in her quiet voice to explain all above the noise of the million or so school children that were also in the church. She did OK!
We then went past Dante's tomb – I had forgotten to say that we were in Dante and Beatrice's garden yesterday in Portico. I have just read the latest Dan Brown book in which Dante features very heavily. Coincidence or what! We then went through a couple of beautiful squares, and down tiny cobbold streets with Romeo & Juliet balconies to get to the next church with mosaics that were on the floor. Most of them have gone, but there were still all over the walls. They really shine like new. The whole city is a bit like Venice and is sinking – apparently the main street used to be a river, so not sure if it is coming back to what it used to be or just sinking. There was a part in this church with the original floor that was under nearly a foot of water.
The most beautiful mosaics was in the mausoleum of St Lawrence out the back of the church. No idea who was responsible for any of the work – all anonymous. They could have made a fortune in this day and age. We then walked back through the main square to have lunch in a special restaurant that Marissa knows. Full of locals – no tourists except us. What a fantastic atmosphere in here – Ca de Vin which means house of wine. Oh dear!
The food was lovely – and the wine flowed. I think she is enjoying her day off of sorts. We had a typical Italian lunch of bread, cold meats, cheeses, pancake things full of cheese and spinach and roasted vegetables. All very healthy. Except for the bread. And the cheese. Italians seem to live long lives, so I'm sure it can't be that bad.
Shops opened at 3.30pm – so we were going to be let loose for an hour or so for anyone that wanted to partake in a little retail therapy in the very elegant shops along the streets of the very elegant Ravenna. On the way, we had to have a gelato in the best gelato shop in the town – or so Marissa said. Marissa, who couldn't eat another thing when we left the restaurant seemed to have little trouble with the ice cream. Neither did any of us to be fair. It was rather tasty.

We then split up – and I just had to go and buy a handbag that I had seen on the way through earlier in the day. Then some went and sat at one of those lovely pavement cafes whilst I went to have a closer inspection of Dante's tomb. Time for ten minutes sit down, before it was time to get back to the railway station, back on the bus for the afternoon siesta, and an hour and a half back to Portico.

It had been an absolutely glorious day weather wise – clear blue skies and around 25 degrees. Just had to have a quick campari before changing for dinner – which was a “party” at 8pm. We had it downstairs in the breakfast room, where half of the village seemed to have been invited as well. Marissa, Maximillian and Mateo served us with the food, and we sat at huge tables. It was really good food – and we actually had potatoes. Wasn't sure if they ever had them! Marissa sat and ate with us – he cackle seemed to get louder and louder as the evening went on. The wine, of course, flowed quite freely.
Then we had the beginnings of the craziness. The Italian table (we were all English except for two German ladies and Marissa) started singing and waving their wine glasses in the air. I think it was then our turn. No-one could remember the words to any English song – Ron did suggest singing some old war songs, but with having the German ladies on the end of table it didn't really seem appropriate. Don't mention the war! Then came out some karaoke song books. That should help. Not if they are all in Italian. Maximillian was on the accordion and his cousin was on the keyboard. The Italians didn't have any trouble whatever number song was called out. The only one we were any good at was the chorus of “Volare”.

Then the dancing started. We all started with civilised moves – so to speak. Even Gianni came and joined in. Marissa even took off her apron. We all danced with Italian's – then it started to get silly. Ron decided to start off a conga, Paul thought we were doing can can at the Moulin Rouge and the very quiet bus driver that couldn't speak much English taught us a very raunchy line dance. Sweat was pouring off off us. I was then told that this “wasn't on the itinerary”! Didn't expect to end the day partying like an Italian!!