“Piano, piano,” - to relax into life and take your time.
For a moment, forget everything you associate with the idea of Italy - the cobblestone streets, the immense cathedrals, the whizzing Vespas - here, you don't have to wade through crowds of tourists snapping photos or getting lost in the countless souvenir shops. One has to look beyond its rustic beauty to discover just how eventful life can be here. Activity vibrates in different corners of the city: the women knitting and chatting sitting outside their homes, the men who gather in the square to chat and, finally, the pub where young people enjoy the good weather while sipping a drink .
What can be defined as "Grottolese traffic" is between 8 and 10 when two cars try to share the road that leads to the exit of the historic centre. But the hustle stops at noon, when everyone closes the shops for a siesta. Most people are indoors, having lunch or a nap. In the streets all sorts of activity disappears, except for the echoes of loud televisions or radios coming from the houses.
Perhaps they are just moments in which you detach yourself from reality or perhaps, simply immersions in the sense of familiarity. Everyone knows each other in a small town like Grottole. A brisk walk is inconceivable as there is always the possibility of bumping into someone, starting a conversation whose duration one cannot predict.An enthusiastic greeting, bright smile and light kisses on the cheeks always welcome us whenever we visit our friend Enza. The vibrant turquoise eyeshadow that matches her blue eyes and her joyful personality. Mahogany bookshelves, piles of cookbooks, and a couple of quirky knick-knacks welcome you as you enter the home.
A gust of aroma of homemade food reaches your nostrils immediately. Entering an Italian home is definitely a game that involves all the senses. Enza's house is located on the outskirts of the historic center. Here we learned the secrets of homemade pasta from Enza and her mother. Fast and precise, they are able to produce different types of pasta in just a few minutes. From funnel-shaped cavatelli to ear-shaped orecchiette, nothing is impossible for them. I guess pasta is part of the Italian genetics. The best part? You will never leave an Italian home on an empty stomach.