Sunday the 26th of Apr – Brief Encounters

Umbria Weather Forecast: overcast, partially rainy with temperatures below 20 degrees. Chilly.
Rossini Mood Forecast: minor thunderbolts in the morning followed by clear blue skies. Warm and relaxed temperatures.

On the main square yesterday, we coincidentally ran into the gentleman who arranged the meeting for us with Professor Martelli. To refresh your memory, he’s the friend of the friend of the friend of my Dad’s. We’re in a hurry to catch the bus back home (they run on an hourly basis) so we can’t stay too long. Marcello and his wife Graziella suggest we meet again the next day for an aperitif. A lovely couple. Their concern is genuine, unconditional without any strings attached. To Marcello, we are truly very grateful. I don’t think it would have been as easy to secure a meeting with Professor Martelli on such short notice. It turns out he is well connected in many different social circles. Dad mentions where we plan to dine this evening and he immediately tells him to extend his greetings to the owner,Gian Carlo. This is sure to guarantee even friendlier service and perhaps “lighten” our restaurant bill. That’s how it works around here!

At lunch, we tried the Marcello Method and joked with Dad when the bill arrived: “tell the waiter Marcello says Hi”…. Who knows, his web may expand to the Netherlands. Next time you want preferential treatment, just tell’em Marcello says Hi! I wonder if it would’ve made a difference with Ryanair. Probably not... I doubt a happy : “Paddy says good morn to you” would’ve mattered either.

Restaurants here are rather old fashioned. This isn’t criticism on my part. More of a fact. We lunched at “La Rosetta”. The menu cover displays a photo of a pink rose. The kind you find on a cheesy eighties Hallmark Card. A little outdated. The service is excellent, very formal and professional. The waiters walk around in white jackets and black bowties. They address my father as Dottore (Doctor) which is the respectful way to speak to your patrons. The restaurant itself is very spacious with high arched ceilings. The lighting bright and artificial. On one side, a teenager sits with an older white haired lady. His grandmother I assume. They form an unusual couple. More so because this is the second time we lunch at this restaurant and it’s the second time I see them. Seated at exactly the same table. For a minute I wonder if they’re really there or if they’re a figment of my imagination. No. Mar sees them too. In front of us, two older women are eating and chatting away. They remind me of the “Two Fat Ladies” from the BBC cooking program The restaurant and its crowd are eerily reminiscent of scenes from “The Shining”. I won’t look at old photos on the walls for fear of catching a reflection of ourselves smiling back from a distant past…

We’ll definitely come back. The food is excellent.

From the bus, while admiring the Perugian architecture, one building stands out. It’s Barbie’s Mothership! A huge bright pink see through oval construction…Very funny, very out of place. Hege and Richard, you’ll both love it!

Back home, Dad and I head to the main building so I can update my blog. It’s becoming very addictive and I now obsessively take note of every minor insignificant detail. It relaxes me.

One last event worthy of mention before checking out for the night. As we leave the Internet space, another couple walks in. A father and son. In such a place, one automatically does away with formalities and conversation is easy. They look South American and I take a shot at speaking Spanish with them. Sure enough they turn out to be Venezuelan! For those of you that don’t know, Mar and I grew up in Venezuela. It will always be a very special place and dear to our hearts. Pedro senior and junior. Young Pedro is the one with Lymphatic Leukemia. He’s 20 years old, not so much timid as he is reserved and I think he really just wants to surf the web…He probably has a profile on facebook desperately needing to be updated and has little time for small talk. They arrived a few months ago and he is waiting for his transplant.

Monday morning at 9am, Mar’s expected for a bone marrow puncture. Dad and I will probably also be scheduled in for some exams. May it be another good day.