Mama Mia! Pizzeria!!

So here I sit, about to describe the wonders of Italy and its fine food, while I munch on a pre-packaged muffin and an apple. Unfortunately, the one time I don’t use the train, my luggage seems to disappear and I sit in a hostel where the reception closes at 2pm (It is 6:30pm). On the other hand, they did leave out my key, and I have my computer.

Back on the other hand again, my room phone doesn’t work (to call the airport about my luggage), internet is not available as advertised, and I don’t have glasses.

BACK to the other side (still keeping track?), I found a little market still open, where I found a toothbrush (no toothpaste), 2 yellow apples, some muffins, and Heineken. I should be okay until reception opens. I guess it is about time I run into some trouble; I haven’t had any major problems at all so far! Sure mixes things up, and now I don’t have to carry my bag all the way here, they will bring it... if it is found.

Not a great photo, but it gives you an idea as to where Malta actually is, in relation to Italy etc.

All this being said, I am in good spirits. So far, Malta has done nothing but impress, starting with the busses. When I stepped into the old school yellow and orange striped bus, all I could do was smile. The music was baring, the driver was a chunky man with earrings and flowers hanging from the rearview mirror. How could you not smile? I haven’t seen much but the inside of the bus yet.

Ok- Italy, Food. Like I said in the last post, everyone must go to Italy and just eat. The options are endless! And that’s just the pizzas, wait until you get into the pastas, that’s a whole other book! I have eaten so well in Italy, even a quick grab-and-go meal is ‘knock your knees out incredible.

Let’s start with the pizza. I actually cannot count how many I have inhaled over the last couple weeks. Here are a few pictures of the ones I was patient enough to get a photo of before I shoved it in my mouth.

Capricciosa - A combo of ham, pepperoni, mushrooms and artichokes, all separated though. Delish.

Classic cheese, with sausage. Keepin' it simple. Again, delish.

Parmigiana - mozzarella, parmesan, and eggplant. Probably my favourite.

Boscaiola - Sausage, mushrooms and mozzarella. Second favourite.

The best part of every pizza I had, was that I was eating it outside, on a patio or terrace. Does it get any better than that? When it is chilly, there are these wonderful gas heaters, and some places even have blankets! There is nothing like eating outside, with a panoramic view of the city, or sea- in the beginning of February.  

Pizza, as I am sure most of you know, is a flat, oven-baked bread with a variety of toppings depending on the culture. Often with tomato sauce and cheese (mozzarella usually) are used, as the Neapolitans did many years ago, where pizza is said to have been invented! :) 

The pizza we know today originated in Naples, Italy. Where they used tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil as toppings because that is what was readily available. Around this same time, the Ancient Greeks were topping their flat bread with oils, herbs and various cheeses, and the Romans were using honey and bay leaves. So many possibilities. When you sit down at an Italian eatery today, there was often a separate menu, or chapter in the menu just for the list of possible pizzas. 

Pizza became famous because of this fine lady.

I find it so interesting how so many varieties of pizza are unique to the different places from which they originated. Like how Pizza Margarita, that set the standards for all pizzas, was named after Italy's Queen Margarita who visited Naples in 1889. The chef, or pizza maker on duty that day created a pizza for the Queen that represented Italy's flag, the red tomato sauce, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil. Of course the pizza was a hit and new combinations were flying up all over Italy! This is where it all started folks. 

 There is also Pizza Quattro Stagioni, that represents the four seasons (close to the same as the Cappricciosa I have up there). With artichokes, prosciutto or salami, mushrooms and tomatoes. 
Pizza Pugliese - uses local capers and olives
Pizza Marinara - a LOT of garlic, with anchovies and oregano
Pizza Quattro Formagi - four cheese. Mozzarella, gorgonzola, ricotta and parmigiano-reggiano
And so on and so forth. There are hundreds of possible combinations. And every single one of them seems to have a beautiful Italian name of some sort. 

I was giving this comparison to a friend the other day (and he will recognize this if he's reading), right after he was telling me how you cannot get pizza to-go where he is (Copenhagen). Where at home we could hop down the road to Pizza Pizza, grab a slice and eat it on the walk back. Here, you must sit down, order, wait and then you get an entire pizza to yourself. Well, that was in Copenhagen. 
In Italy, pizza has become more accessible than a cup of coffee.  At home, we can drop into a coffee shop, grab a cup of Joe and a muffin and hit the road. You know those little glass display cases of muffins and croissants in Tim Hortons and Williams? Well in Italy, those glass cases of sweets are replaced by slices of pizza. You pop in, grab a bottle of Fanta and a slice and hit the road. 
Oh, sidenote- I found grapefruit Fanta yesterday. Even better than the classic orange.
As for the coffee to-go, it is in the form of espresso, so one sip and you're done anyways. So, my fellow pizza lover in Copenhagen? Make your way down to Italy, the pizza is better than at home.


I will probably not look at pizza the same way again. And one day, when I am all grown up and possibly building a house of my own, I will definitely consider putting in a pizza oven. How cool would that be? 


Alright- back to Malta.
Luggage status: Non-existent. Last I called, the airport hadn't had any luck even tracing it. Oh, and did I mention that it is a public holiday today? (Thursday) Today is marking the Feast of St.Paul's Shipwreck.. :S. Therefore everything, EVERYTHING is closed. Tomorrow, I must find a change of clothing and some contact solution! My eyes are turning into raisins. 


Il-lejl it-tajjeb! (ill leyl it THAI-yeb)
(Goodnight in Maltese, another language I have yet to attempt... it's weird)
- I guess Maltese is a lot like Arabic except that it uses the Latin alphabet. Also, up to 20% of the words are actually English words. Whereas the rest is largely adapted from Italian and Sicilian. Such a strange language. 


Hugs! From the islands, shannon xx

St. Peters Square in Rome 

"History of Pizza | Italy." Italy | Italy Daily News, Weather, All You Need to Know about Italy. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. <http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/pizza-history.asp>.

New Orleans is sinkin' man, and I don't want to swim!

The Italian Job (2003) "Get in. Get out. Get even"

Does everyone remember The Italian Job? Fantastic move with Charlize Theron, Seth Green and one of the Wahlberg brothers? I became a part of that movie last week. Well, felt like it at least. 
(Did you know that 32 custom built Mini Coopers were used in filming for The Italian Job?)


Venice is hands-down the coolest, most ridiculous, confusing, Disneyland of a city I have seen yet. I was knocked of my feet when I first walked into this place, an island among many, where for some insane reason, somebody decided to build a city. 


So, from recent research and a 30min tourist video, I have learned that no, they didn't build a city on land and then it flooded (what I recently believed), Venice was actually built in the water. On some form of an island, or group of islands maybe, but still, overflowing I guess into the water. I really need to do some more research on this, because I still don't understand. It seems so insane! You are just asking for destruction if you think you are going to build a whole city in the water. 

Would you live there? 

I say all this, but I guess Venice has stood up against the water pretty good. So far anyways.. I cannot believe these buildings are still standing, and that people still live in them! Now I tried to get pictures to show the severity of this situation, but they just don't show how bad these buildings are slowly falling over. 

It doesn't show well, but check out how much that tower is leaning!

Braces? To hold each other up?

I would be scared to live here. Not only is it extremely expensive (which I assume is because of the constant maintenance), stinks in the summer from the water (thanks a. s), but it is also slowly filling up with water! I cannot even count how many houses had their front doors sitting below the water during high tide.

This city is just.. ridiculous. It doesn't feel real! Especially when you cross the bridge and you see a huge parking garage at the entrance. There are no cars here! Everything is by boat, motor or Gondola. I think of Venice as some sort of Disney park, like Epcot or Busch Gardens, where you need a pass to get in and its just one big museum. But then it hits you- people actually live this life. So strange. Ridiculous really is the only word for me to use in describing this city.

Even in all this ridiculousness, Venice is a must-see in my books. It is unique. There is nothing quite like it, and nothing that can compare. You just have to go!

Unfortunately I have to cut this post short- more tomorrow! I need more time to attack any sort of description for the no less than incredible food I have had lately. Everyone must, at least once in their life go to Italy and just eat. This is my opinion only, but realize that I have been in Italy for about 2 weeks and am quickly learning my way around their food. Italians know how to eat- take my word for it. 

A sneak peak into my belly... just kidding! but really..