Dave and I love to cook so I think we are as excited to find new markets as we are with any other tourist sight.  The thing I like best about the market other than the abundance of fresh food is the people.  It is a place that even if you don't speak the language of the country you can get along because food is the same in any language.

We decided to go to Pozzuoli to seek out a large fish market that runs daily (except Sundays).  The only thing that we were sorry that we didn't plan for was that if you want to buy from the fish market you should probably have a cooler with ice to bring home your haul.  Because of our lack of forethought we were unable to see what else the town had to offer but we did acquire some yummy mixed clams (Misto vongole) and some prawns (gamberi) for our dinner and it guaranteed that we will return. 

In addition to the great selection of seafood there were vegetable stands and a couple of bread and cheese stands to tempt us.  We took advantage and purchased some beautiful artichokes, cabbage, strawberries and other small items.  We also made friends with one of the vendors, Genny.  He was a friendly gentleman around sixty years old.  I procured from him a lovely bottle of Tawny port for 10 Euro.  Not too bad of a bargain I thought and he was so entertaining that he made the whole experience more fun.

We were delighted and a little intimidated by the live octopus that were taken unceremoniously from their water bath and either flung to the ground and then manhandled into a sack or killed on the spot for the convenience of the purchaser.  The quote Dave and I often use is very true here, "food is murder, tasty, tasty murder. 

Fish vendor

Octopus (live in water)

Octopus getting ready for his ultimate fate

Octopus putting up a good fight not to enter the bag

Live snails mmmmm.

Monk fish, ugly but yummy

Fish vendor

A trip to Vietri

We took one trip with Dave and Karen ( the couple who have helped us so much after we first arrived) to Vietri.  Vietri is a small town on the coast known for the ceramics they produce.

The view from the parking area.  Fun ceramic planter

View from the top of Vietri

Street view

Ceramics shop

Tile on wall

Long tile wall decoration

Central chuch

Water view

Large ceramic manufacturer.  The outer walls are the bottom of pots

Another water view

A fortress above Vietri

Night view

Carpaccio

Pasta dinner

Our Gricignano Apartment

 We found an apartment with the help of a co-worker of Dave's within a few days for arrival.  We have two large bedrooms and a nice living space.  The two large balconies are a nice place to sit and have meals.while weather permits.

We have the most amazing landlords that are incredibly generous and kind to us.  They bring us wonderful bits of food including broccolini (broccoli raab), spinach, and escarole fresh from Andrea's garden.  We are looking forward to more treats from his garden later in the season!

Vesuvius with snow.  View from our back balcony

Evening view of Vesuvius from the balcony

View from front balcony

Bedroom

Our kitchen

One bathroom

Our courtyard

Dave enjoying his lunch on the balcony

How we got here

This first post I am afraid will be a bit on the boring side.  I hope that that will not be the case for the duration of this blog.  I think it is just a necessity to explain how we got here.

It does seem a bit on the unreal side even to me.  After many years of Dave working in the Middle East we had made the decision that we would finally get married after a very long engagement while Dave was on leave in September.  We had also discussed at length Dave's exit strategy so that we could actually begin a life together.  That meant him staying at his current job until June 2013. 

Dave arrived in Colorado and we were married as planned on September 3, 2012 in a quickly put together but beautiful ceremony.  From there we went on a honeymoon to Aruba.

Our wedding day

While enjoying our honeymoon of sun and sand David received messages regarding jobs.  To make a long story short, by the time he returned to work in Afghanistan he had a job offer in Naples, Italy! What an amazing twist in our lives!

So, after giving notice and sending items to Naples and Colorado, Dave traveled to Naples to begin work near, Capodichino airport Naples.  I joined David in October for three weeks to find housing and buy a car and just to spend time with my new husband.  

The view from the balcony off our bedroom

After three weeks, I went back to Colorado to take care of the business of moving overseas and making arrangements for our beloved pets.  This process took two months, including making trips to Oregon, Nebraska and finally to Chicago to obtain my visa.

So, that brings us up to date.  We now begin our adventure and our quest for our Dolce Vita!

Food

The best thing so far about being here so far has to be the food.  We enjoy not only going out some but mostly the fantastic ingredients for us to cook at home with. 

Nuisance enjoying a bite of proscuitto

Pasta fagole provided by our landlords

Ceasar salad

Bread

Caprese salad

Pasta with escarole and mushrooms

Pasta vongole (clams are straight from the market and spinach from the landlord's garden)

Dave happily preparing lasagna

Pork chops with gnocchi and zucchini

Dave enjoying dinner at home

Tiramisu

Brunch for Dave.  Polenta with poached egg and pancetta