In my post last week on the Festa della Madonna della Salute Salute, http://tinyurl.com/qg863a5, I promised to share the unexpected 'gift' I received on my last trip to Venice.
After 30 years of small travel (no epic round the world trips, no treks to isolated tribal villages, no backpacking for $5.00 a day) I am a traveler not a tourist. I search for people and places rather than museums and monuments. And of course ANY market I can find.
As a traveler NOT a tourist, I spend time trying to understand life in the town or city I visit. The treasures I find can be a hidden craftsman studios, a local personality, chatting with the baker or for me the biggest treasure is interacting with a local.
I have been VERY fortunate to meet several open, welcoming people during my trips: Yvonne in Sorrento a very talented jewelry maker, Tina in Naples who introduced me the home industry of gloves , the baker in Burano, an artist in Spello who did not speak English but still did an interview with me and many more. In Venice I met Monica.
Monica Cesarato is a powerful woman who runs cooking classes, home stay language lessons, tours of Venice that cover events not in a tour book. Her passion for Venice is infectious.
I had met Monica Cesato via her web site and http://www.monicacesarato.com/blog/cook-learn
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| Monica became an instant friend |
Through Monica I was able to interview Ada Cato, a well known local cook who had worked at the famous Venetian restaurant, Trattoria La Vedova, for 40 years. Ada had the original castradina recipe.
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| Irma & Monica |
As in Italian America families too, it is who you know! Monica's long time friend Irma is Ada's niece! So now I have two new friends as we walk from .Piazzale Roma.across to the other side of Venice. Three Italian women. Ok so one is Italian American but if I do not speak, no one will notice.
I had no idea what to expect. Would Signora Cato want to spend time with a stranger? Would she think my questions shallow or worse... Our chat started with some of the back ground of her career as a professional cook (chef), what went into the castradina, the festa I had come to watch and report on.
However, quickly our chat became much more. Monica translated since I understand half (on a good day) of what was said. But all three woman were kind, spoke slowly as it to a child so I understood them. But no translation was necessary for the laughter that came with our afternoon together.
Meeting Ada was my third gift. The entire afternoon was a memorable event. Even with a language barrier we were able to exchange ideas. Not only on cooking because I have no interest in cooking (much to the shock of most Italian woman) but we spoke about Sig. Cato's husband who was a gondolier. She sparked an interest in a story I shall write later this year when I return to Venice.
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| At the end of the day, three new friends: Irma, Ada, Monica |
How do you thank new friends for giving up their afternoon to meet and chat with a stranger?
We agreed on my next trip Ada would share her dolce recipes with me. I do not cook but I CAN bake!
I shall see you soon.
For the recipe for Castradina, go to Monica's web site: Cook Venice... or plan to sign up for a lesson on your next trip Home to Italy.
