Mmm... nougat!

Dario and I went on a tour to the San Marco dei Cavoti festival -- and the Serio croccantini factory! Mmm, nougat and croccantini straight from the source -- doesn't get much better than that!

Along the way we managed to snatch some lovely photos (small camera only!) of the Benevento scenery. There was even a dusting of snow along the tops of the Apennines. It had been rainy and cold all week, and started again on Sunday, but for Saturday it was clear. Dario says it is all his doing, just like the clear day on Vesuvius. I asked for a bit extra this time, since it was really foggy as we got closer to San Marco dei Cavoti. He says he usually just handles the sun/rain issues, but put forth a little extra effort and managed to clear the fog, too. ;)

After the factory, we went to the town of San Marco dei Cavoti, where they were having a festival, all about the nougat and the croccantini: Festa del Torrone! ...Well, and some seemingly anachronistic pop music, a bubble machine, and a guy on stilts.

We got a mini tour up "Paradise Road," the road that leads from the town square up to the church. Then we peeked at some local goods at a small bazaar. There was some AWESOME cheese with porcini mushrooms. Later we went back and bought half a kilo, which was half of a small wheel of cheese! (I still don't know from kilos, btw. Metric = confusion.)

Then it was off to Il Leone d'Oro (The Golden Lion) restaurant for lunch. I have become a bit of a wine snob, apparently, as the table wine that was included just wasn't doing it for me. Dario and I got our own bottle and shared it with the folks near us. Ahh, much better!

Erol and his adorable son, Filippo, sat next to us. Erol is a wonderfully indulgent father and happily put on a mask and dueled his son with a balloon sword when called upon. We saw them several hours later at the main piazza, continuing the duel. I am not sure who finally won, though I suspect it was Filippo. ;)

Almost any time someone from the tour had the opportunity to speak with Dario, they did. ("Omg, real live Eye-talian!") They were anxious to try out their Italian-speaking skills on him and ask him questions about Naples and Italy. It was very cute. Everyone was so nice!

After the meal, the tour continued to a clock museum. Dario and I opted to shop instead. This is when we went back and bought the cheese, mmm! (Sadly, Dario is fasting this week. I guess that means I will be eating the cheese by myself. Oh, well. I will find a way to endure!)

At night the piazza came alive in a way that was much friendlier and more welcoming than the day time. If I had not been so tremendously stuffed, I would have bought some roasted chestnuts and perhaps indulged in caffé. As it was, I indulged in silly photos of me and Dario. His picture ultimately won the place on Photoblog, however, as his arms are longer. ;)