Going Back to Go Forward

Buongiorno from Tuscany

You are right! this is not Tuscany, but coffee was good at Caffé Trieste in San Francisco

As you read this, I will have just landed at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, returning after three and a half months away from Colle Val d’Elsa. During this time, Sipping Italy with Tino has leaned less on Italy itself and more on personal stories and musings from my writing desk.

But what really happened since I left? Here are a few entertaining highlights:

- Met my newest granddaughter for the first time. (Always smiling!)

- Ate a pizza from a Pizzeria in Montreal’s West Island on my first day back from Italy. It took me two days to digest. (definitely not the same impasto)

- Got a new Canadian passport after accidentally running mine through the washing machine—for the second time. (The authorities were not amused).

- Repairs on my Audi Q5 set me back $3,500. (Not good idea to leave a car parked for a long time)

- Prepared all my income tax papers. (Never pleasant.)

- Attended three Montreal Canadiens hockey games at the Bell Centre. (Thank you, Leo)!

- Cooked a 20 lb turkey for a party of eight—five of whom were vegan. (Had turkey sandwiches for three days afterward.)

- Trump got elected. (No comment.)

- Arrived in LA the day the wild fires broke out. (Terrifying)

- Took a ride in a driverless taxi in LA. (Scary at first, but I soon realized it drove better than I do.)

- Went wine tasting in Napa Valley while suffering from the flu—($200 worth of wine tasted like tap water).

- Best cappuccino while away: Café Trieste in San Francisco. (An Italian Icon)

- Had my yearly check-up with my doctor. Turns out all the pasta, pizza, prosciutto, and gelato in Italy didn’t raise my cholesterol. The doctor said I must have washed it down with wine. (Cheers to that)!

- My girlfriend, Emi, who despises temperatures below 20°C, left Italy and braved the cold to join me twice while I was away. (Got her real Canadian gloves)

- But the most beautiful thing? Spending time with my dear friends and family. Love you all.

Now, I’m ready to dive into another year of discoveries and adventures. I can’t wait to share stories, insights, recipes, anecdotes, and experiences with you—woven with personal reflections that may one day find their way into a memoir.

Next week, I’ll write to you from Colle Val d’Elsa, reflecting on an activity that perfectly captures the essence of Italian life and one that I hold dear: visiting the weekly mercato—wandering through the bancarelle (market stalls) and reconnecting with friends and familiar faces. It’s a ritual I’ve deeply missed.

Writing about and sharing these experiences with you has become a truly fulfilling hobby. Knowing you’re out there reading and enjoying my letters brings me much joy and inspiration. If you ever feel like saying hello or sharing your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you. A simple “Like” is more than enough to bring a smile to my face.

A presto,

Tino