Porta Palazzo (port-ah---pa-la-zo) – The Largest Open Air Market in Europe (in Torino)

            ….today was spectacular, we did so much that when we were walking back to my house today we were talking and there is only a couple more things to do with mom and dad before they have seen all that I know of that is big and touristy to go do!....the main thing mom wanted to do today was to go to the Porta Palazzo Market….yes, this is the market that I was pickpocketed (unsuccessfully, thank God) and yes, I kept my wallet today J….I know youre all so proud J….

            ….the market was so much fun today, more so than the last time I went, mainly because it wasn’t raining this time J….we took our time and probably spent a good two hours….that sounds like an exhorbant amount of time I know, but you have no idea the massiveness of this place until you see it….you can buy everything and anything you can imagine, at this place….I was able to get a lot of gifts for people back home today which was really nice….I have found in my travels, that if you pick things up as you find them, there is less pressure in the final days (or in my case, weeks)….so…Ryan, Joey, Angie, and Brent….you now have fantastic gifts coming home for you J….I also found the cool European phone case that I have been wanting, and some awesome Limoncello glasses!....Eduardo, Simone’s dad, gave me a bottle to have my parents take home for me of the limoncello that he made! (I have to have them take it home to get it into the country, since I wont be of drinking age until 6 months after I return, and I figure that will be the perfect drink for my 21^st!)….amongst other purchases by myself and mom and dad of food, and lots of food market pictures for wine labels haha…it was a highly successful day at the market for all of us J….

            …after the market we set off to find a cup of Bicern…..we were actually looking for the Bicern Café, which is the oldest café in the city, but when I walked in a café to ask for directions the man behind the bar excitedly told me that he made it and so we decided to stick with him….he was soo lovely, and exhilarated to show me the typical Torino things that were in his shop, and to take pictures of our drinks, the whole get up…..he was so sweet……Bicern, by the way, is a coffee drink that is espresso, whole milk, and chocolate (basically Nutella)….ours I think also had a chocolate liquor in them as well, but they were soooo good…..he was happy and waved at us the whole way out….needless to say, mom was delighted J…

            ….then it was on to lunch….i set dad on Via Girabaldi (one of the largest tourist streets) and followed him as he wandered and worked his magic to find us a great place to eat…..and of course he did great….it was so awesome…..mom had a pizza….i had chicken, which I was thrilled about because I think it may be the first time ive had it since I left the states….and dad had sausage with ragu and linguine and mussels….he said it was the best meal he has had here…so we were very happy campers….

           ….then it was off to a VERY touristy attraction, but one I wanted to do so badly, the Mole…..if you google Torino photos, the building you see so many pictures of is the Mole….its the building that houses the National Cinema Museum (which looks so cool, I cant wait to go) and a lift to the very top with a panoramic view of the city from above…..it was so much fun and the view was spectacular! I loved it! This city is soooo pretty…

            ….when we were done, we ran some errands (to mom and dads to drop off some things, Eataly to buy more wine bottle boxes for transporting, and my house for some drop offs) and then off to Apertivo at the same place we went for wine last night….at Daniele and Gabriele’s ….right on the corner of mom and dads block and oh my god it was so much fun….we got our wine and Gabri made us up some plates, and of course put carpaccio on it (the raw hamburger, mom finally told him that we don’t eat that so much in the states haha) and we just sat and enjoyed…..

after a bit, Danny came over and told dad he was going to go make us spaghetti like he said that he would yesterday….oh my goodness that was some good spaghetti too!....we spent the rest of the time just talking….come to find out, he wants to improve his English and even offered to pay me to teach him….i simply told him to teach me Italian and we have a deal….so it looks like I have a language partner and I am so excited!!....it was another amazing night, my parents are amazing travelers…..they make great friends with locals and always find the best and most perfect places….

L to R: Gabriele, Daniele, Mom & Dad

            ….tomorrow it is church, watching the Juventus game at a pub, then pizza at the restaurant in my neighborhood….should be another great day…..i cant believe that mom and dad leave on Monday, totally sad, but this has been such a busy, but relaxed visit…..i have absolutely loved it…..nothing like a good Study Abroad Parents Weekend haha…..I am so blessed that they were able to come at all J….its been the most fun J….buona notte for now….