8 Gennaio, 2012 - Soccer match!

Well, the highlight for today was the soccer match in the Serie A classification between Juventus (Torino) and Lecce (from Salento, here in the south).

It was a hard pick for me, as I lived up near Turin for quite a while....and they were my team to support....but we could only get tickets in the 'curva nord' which is the Lecce supporters area....so I was resigned to support Lecce vocally...and hope that Juve won!

After a semi-sleep in (we woke up about 8am), some people headed to breakfast, and I took a group of people to the Tabacchaio to see if there were any tickets left for the game. Apparently there weren't.

We then returned, had breakfast, and sorted things out in the room before all meeting at midday to head to the match.  There were bus routes in place, but as it was only a 3km walk, we decided that was the best way.  Quite a pleasant walk, but a little cold and windy.

The walk up to the arena was quite impressive, with lots of people selling scarves and food.  It was quite exciting!

Fra and I had a sausage sandwich - yum, and then we settled into out seats in the stands....right in the middle of all the supporters.  It could have been a lot louder and more 'adventurous' for us, but the Lecce Ultra (the very strong supporters) were boycotting the game because the prices for tickets had gone up...so they were outside yelling.  Odd way to support your team if you ask me...but each to their own.

We sat and chatted to some local boys and men (not many ladies at the game) and learnt some of the phrases they yelled.  not many clean ones...infact none at all, that can be repeated here.  Needless to say, the coach of Juventus was born in Lecce...so is seen as a traitor.  So there were quite a few aimed at him!!

In the first half, Juve scored a goal, a missed kick then headed into goal.  Shame that Lecce had quite a few opportunities but didn't manage to score.  At half time the rain began...as did the wind.  I can't remember ever being so cold!  We exited the supporters stand and went downstairs to snuggle with lots of locals.

The walk home in the rain wasn't as pleasant, but I am now sitting after a lovely hot shower, drinking some wine (negroamaro) and revisiting the videos and pictures from the day.

As it gets dark here at 4.30pm, the day seems to end a lot earlier.  It honestly feels like bed time and it's only 6.30pm.  Maybe an early night isn't a bad idea!

So we have school again tomorrow and I'm hoping I can make it to the doc to get some painkillers before school. Think that the cold wasn't the best solution to my sore back!

Ok, for my homework I was requested atypical dish and recipe...so here it is:

Spaghetti alla Pizzaiola


INGREDIENTS:

- 500 gr. of spaghetti
- 100ml oil
- 50 gr. of anchovy
- 200 gr. of tomato sauce (passata)
- 1 garlic clove
- one teaspoon of capers
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste

METHOD:

Put the olive oil, anchovies and garlic clove in a pan and let it heat so the garlic browns.


Then put in the tomatoes and when they have simmered a bit, add the capers and let the flavour set in.


In the mean time, cook the spaghetti, until they are al dente and strain them with a little oil and parmesan cheese.


Mix through the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste.

ENJOY!

Hope you have a go at this and enjoy it! 

Miss A

xx