The 2 scoop lunch
Perhaps it's because I live in a neighborhood that has three gelaterie, but since when did gelato qualify as lunch? As I walk around my neighborhood during lunch hours, every other person has a cone or a cup of the sweet yummy stuff in their hands. I've even seen people partaking of a late breakfast/early lunch around 11. And as I catch a glimpse of my reflection and of my protruding belly that has never fully gone back to its former not so flat, but still not so fat pre-three children condition, I can't help but think of the injustice of it all.
Gelateria dei Gracchi is the best of the bunch in my neighborhood. No preservatives, seasonal fruit, no artifical flavorings. Not a huge selection, but they don't need it. The owner used to build mandolins (not sure if he still does). This gelato doesn't leave that sticky mouth feeling afterwards like many others do - it's incredibly light, even knowing that it's chock-full of cream and sugar like any other gelato.
At dei Gracchi there is a new employee. Paloma and I were in there yesterday having a little after school treat since Giulia had gone on a play date with her best friend, Margherita. As I sat there talking to Paloma, the woman behind the counter mentioned to me that she used to know English, but has since forgotten it after moving to Italy. I asked her where she was from and she and her husband are from India. She works at the gelateria now and he is a truck driver. She mentioned that her daughter is learning English. I asked her if she went to a school nearby, but no, her daughter is in India with her grandmother. Her daughter has been with her grandmother now for 7 years and they only see each other 3 months out of the year - 2 months in Italy and 1 month in India. Looking at Paloma and thinking of Giulia and Viola, I expressed my sympathy. Unfortunately, this isn't the first nor I'm sure the last time I've had to hear the story of many immigrants to Italy who have to leave their children behind.
The condition of my belly seemed pretty insignificant after that.
Gelateria dei Gracchi is the best of the bunch in my neighborhood. No preservatives, seasonal fruit, no artifical flavorings. Not a huge selection, but they don't need it. The owner used to build mandolins (not sure if he still does). This gelato doesn't leave that sticky mouth feeling afterwards like many others do - it's incredibly light, even knowing that it's chock-full of cream and sugar like any other gelato.
At dei Gracchi there is a new employee. Paloma and I were in there yesterday having a little after school treat since Giulia had gone on a play date with her best friend, Margherita. As I sat there talking to Paloma, the woman behind the counter mentioned to me that she used to know English, but has since forgotten it after moving to Italy. I asked her where she was from and she and her husband are from India. She works at the gelateria now and he is a truck driver. She mentioned that her daughter is learning English. I asked her if she went to a school nearby, but no, her daughter is in India with her grandmother. Her daughter has been with her grandmother now for 7 years and they only see each other 3 months out of the year - 2 months in Italy and 1 month in India. Looking at Paloma and thinking of Giulia and Viola, I expressed my sympathy. Unfortunately, this isn't the first nor I'm sure the last time I've had to hear the story of many immigrants to Italy who have to leave their children behind.
The condition of my belly seemed pretty insignificant after that.
posted by lomalinda at
15:16
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