On Friday, I was 12 hours out in the city ... and for 10 of those hours I was carrying my 6kg+-heavy bag of camera gear. And still, it was sublime.
I set out with Shannon, an American living here, and we wandered and talked. She knows this city, 2 years living here after some time spent in New Zealand. That's how she found me and my blog. She searched New Zealand and Genova.
We said goodbye only when it was time for me to meet my traveling companion off the train. It was a brisk walk through the city to Brignole train station. Home for 10 minutes, refreshed and I was off to a confectionery laboratory that has been in the hands of the same family since 1780.
A tour that astounded me was followed by an interview with the loveliest gentleman. Hours later, Anna, from Beautiful Liguria, and I walked back through the city and I had just a few minutes to change, to finally drop off that camera gear, before heading out to dinner.
What a dinner! If you find yourself in Genoa, you must try Ristorante Il Genovese because there is nothing about the experience that can cause regret. And if you do, and if you love meat and pasta, then the Ravioli fatti in casa al 'tuccu'di carne is the one that I fell entirely in love with.
The sauce is 5 hours in preparation and you can taste the time and the care taken. But everything, from the gnocchi di patate fatti in casa al pesto, the cima genovese ricetta antica con patate al forno, the brandacujun di stocca fissoe, and the latte dolice fritto, even the canestrelli ... all exquisite. And that was only what we actually ordered.
I know I read like I'm exaggerating but I was there with a Flemish Belgian, famous for being a people of few words perhaps. He loved it too. I think the secret lies in the attention the Panizza brothers pay to the details. Quality products and a love of food. It's an absolute must when you're here but remember to book.
And just as I thought the day might ending I received an email from an art gallery in NYC. They would like to represent my photography in their gallery.
So sleeping was a bit of an issue that night but I had to ... I was exhausted by the week I had just experienced. The rings under my eyes were black and maybe a container ship could park inside of them.
This is Genova for me. I go high, I go low ... but oh how I live when I am here.
