Tourin' Turin

We slowed down a little when we arrived to Turin.  Our couch surfing hosts were a wonderful couple, and the proud parents of a feisty teenage cat named "Soot" (except it was translated into Italian - Fuliggine).
Our first nite with Fabio and Tullia introduced us to the neighborhood, including a tower with the Fibonacci number sequence displayed down the side of it, a quick bite to eat at a Kebab place, and our very first Chupito (free!) at a local pub where the bicycle club was meeting.  While Fabio and Tullia stayed out late, Hollywood and I headed back to the apartment to get a good nite's sleep. 

The next morning was a lazy one as Saturday mornings go.  Fabio and Tullia were both a bit groggy, and we were simply unmotivated.  We relaxed with a book and computer stuff, trying to plan out the next (and unknown) step in our adventure.  We finally got going in the early afternoon, and had a big day taking in the sights.  We hopped the bus to the train station, as that was our starting place, and headed into the old town via the main drag.  Winter was definatley in the air, even Hollywood felt it!  We found the beautiful Palazzo Madama and the Palazzo Reale.  Then we investigated the ruins uncovered by the renovation of Palazzo Reale, it really is amazing how old stuff is in Europe!  Then we went for a stroll through the nearby market and purchased 2 ear warmers!  I told you it was cold!
Strangely enough our noses led us to the fish market.  I was amazed by the seafood available:  long black eels, still squirming in shallow bins, little crayfish crawling all over each other, squid, octopus, clams, shrimp, mussels...and the list goes on and includes more fish than I could ever identify.

Our next stop was a little out of the way square, where we hoped to find the Shroud of Turin and a little coffee shop featuring a found-only-in-Turin specality.  We found a Church that held plenty of promise for the shroud, but in the end, our thorough investigation came up empty.  Besides that, the evening service was starting and we felt the need to sneak out.  We were much more successful at locating the coffee as it was just across the square.
There we found the delicious "Bicerin", a mixture of espresso and thick liquid chocolate topped with a layer of warm cream foam.  WOW!  For once, I had the 'coffee' and Hollywood had the cocoa, boy was he jealous!

After our warming beverages, we braved the cold once again to explore the festive Christmas market while waiting for Fabio and Tullia to meet up with us.  While wandering we sampled cheese and salami, and didn't spend all the money we could have...only a bit on a few coke bottle candies!  Once our hosts found us, we headed to a local bar to meet friends and to enjoy Aperitivo.  For the nominal price of an 8euro beverage, you could eat as much of the 'appetizer bar' as you could! Penne arrabbiata, anchovies, deviled eggs, shrimp, mushroom gnocchi, tomato and bufala cheese, warm bread, and apple struedel for dessert.  I know I'm forgetting some things, but those were our highlights. 

After stuffing ourselves, we headed up the street for a digestive.  I made the mistake of ordering a hot chocolate (my favorite) which was as thick and rich as mud - literally!  I didn't have room!  The bar was a small Moroccan place and in the lounge area all of the seats were 12 inches off the floor!  We were all squished together, which made for a wonderfully tight knit circle of conversation.

The night was still young so we squished into Fabio's car and headed to a club for a little 80's/90's music and dancing.  It was still quiet when we arrived so we sipped on beers and waited for the action to begin.  We spent an hour or so sweating on the dance floor, having flashbacks while "I'm Blue", Backstreet Boys, ABBA, Britney Spears, Fatboy Slim and many more motivated our tushes to wiggle!  When we ran out of space to move, we called it a night and headed home. 

Lazy day #2 was REALLY lazy.  Hollywood and I spent a couple (ahem...bunch) of hours reading and computing, then headed out to brave the elements for a short tour around the local area.  We walked toward the hills and discovered an indoor holiday fair.
The sounds of cotton candy intoxicated children filled the air, while blinking lights and stuffed animals tried to entice us to play games.   Grumbling stomachs led us past the Valentino Palace to a nearby kebab place, and though we had to wait a bit, it was worth it. Upon returning home, we met more friends and the lovely Cloe, only 9 months old.  After a bit of chit and chat, we all sat down to a light dinner of pizza and beer and Chianti. 

The highlight of Monday was meeting Flavia, Tullia's older sister.  We enjoyed lunch and a nice chat, then Hollywood and I headed into town to secure seats for the next day's train trip.  We also picked up a Cyclamen and grisini to enjoy with F&T.  That night Hollywood made two Spanish Tortillas for dinner, which Fabio very much enjoyed after a soccer match, but Tullia missed due to work.  We turned in knowing the morning would lead us on to the next adventure.