More stories to help you go to sleep...  ::)

Back in the early 70's flying the 707 into Rome we laid over in a Hilton hotel just above the Vatican with a wonderful view.  About a block down the road from the hotel was a small restaurant located under a nice cover of vines that let the summer breeze waft on by.  We sat down to have lunch and a lovely older lady came to our table with fresh Mozzarella balls in a bowl filled with ice - it was just made!  OMG it was sooooo good! I love tasting all kinds of food, but the fresh cheese was over the top!

Later in the mid-80's I was flying co-pilot on the 767 with a captain who was a food expert.  We used to say John loves food and food loves John!  One evening on a Rome lay-over he asked if I wanted to go out to dinner with him.  Oh yes!  He knew all the good places.  We took a good walk down the hill to a restaurant called "Da Meo Patacca."  This place was not far from the Tiber river and was outside seating at long tables.  We were seated with another group of Japanese tourist.  The place was pretty full and the wine and conversations were wonderful as was the food.  Toward the end of the meal, the Japanese gentleman seated across from us stood up on his bench and in a loud voice started singing Italian Opera - in Italian of course.  All talking stopped and the waiters stood dead still.  In don't remember the piece he sang but the waiters were all crying. :'( 

It was something I will never forget!

Stay well! 8-)