For whatever reason, I got absolutely zero sleep last night. Got some rest, but simply couldn't fall asleep. Up at 9 am and Dave and I planned to walk to Piazza Della Republica for the largest open air market in Europe. Porta Palazzo Market is the official title and we began walking just before 10 am. We arrived about 20 minutes later by travelling north. Very hot today and typical clear blue sky sunny day. It is Monday so more people around and the shops are open again. Paid 12.50 Euro for the Sunday NY Times (my favourite newspaper) and later discovered it was 8 days old and I had read it!
We arrived at Porta Palazzo Market and stunned by the scale of the place. Not only is it located in the large piazza, but down a number of side streets and three indoor markets. Local fresh fruit and produce. The sellers were from all over the world judging by their skin colours and racial backgrounds. Not many of the sellers spoke english, but I don't presume that should occur in a foreign country. Italian is the rule of course. Dave is pretty fluent in Spanish so he got by speaking Spanish/Italian. The fruit that we bought was unbelievably fresh and cheap. Pay by weight of course. We spent about two hours wandering down each aisle. Diversity of products is amazing. Flowers, clothes, fish, vegetables, watches, baby stuff, shoes - you name it....
Fish seller
Cash only deals and some bargaining. Sellers not too pushy. Couldn't find anything that had ITALIA on it for my granddaughter Georgia. Many locals do their daily shopping here.
Taking my NoJetLag homeopathic pills to keep myself reasonably alert with the sleep deprivation last night. So many fantastic deals here especially in bathroom products. Time to eat lunch as it is now around 12:15 pm. Looking for a casual place where we can eat outside. Found a public toilet, but don't have 20 cents change. Came across a small restaurant that was very casual and filled with locals and great prices. All outdoor seats taken so we have to eat inside. Very busy here. Family run business with the son and daughter serving while the father and mom work behind the counter and cook. I have a spinach fritatta with a mixed salad and a small glass of beer. Our soccer team mantra is "HYDRATE." Lunch and service were excellent. Everyone pretty much knows everyone else. I didn't know Dave before the tournament although I played against him a few years ago. He is getting excited as his wife Nadia is joining him Tuesday and her birthday is on the 8th. Being a thoughtful husband, he had one of the florists create a special bouquet for Nadia that was beautiful and cheap at 10 Euros. He was the envy of many woman's glances as he carried it around.
We took our time to soak up the ambience in the restaurant. Their bathroom toilet had a plaque that stated our "porcelain thrones". No guarantee in Turin that you get an actual toilet. Off we walk in the heat covering new streets and sights on the way back to our apartments. One of the hottest parts of the day. Dave is wanting to nap and I need to spend time updating the blog. I retrieve my Macbook and walk the short distance on the cobbled street to EXKi caffe with internet/wifi. Purchase a peach juice and water and grab a table to spend three hours updating the blog to Day 5. Regrettably, this place is not air conditioned so man it was hot in there. As well, I reviewed emails, downloaded pics etc. Lots of work, but good to catch up. Not many people in this place. I need to get something light to eat at least two hours before game time. Also, need some more cheap bottled water.
At local caffe they have some vegetarian focaccia with some weird toppings and they heat it up for me. Back to my apartment to eat by 6:10 pm. Our game two is at 8:15 pm. Our small group wants to meet at 7 pm and find a taxi to the game. Less stressful than taking public transit. Get my soccer stuff organized so ready to go. Need to take both soccer strips in case we are similar to our opposition colours. The four of us meet and locate a nearby taxi stand. Again, three of us squeezed into the back seat and the deal is the guy in the front passenger seat pays. We arrive about 7:20 pm so plenty of time before kickoff. Get keys to our dressing room. Put on the white jerseys, red shorts and white/red socks. F'ind a nearby grass pitch to warmup. Before the game, we need to show our accredited photo IDs to the referee, but Dave has forgotten his ID and can't play as a result. One of our guys, Alan, is injured so will be our temporary coach and leaving us with only two guys as spares.
Given the later starting time, the temperature is reasonably tolerable but still damn hot. Our opposition the Hasbeens are from Australia and are 1 win 1 loss. Again, not as mobile, quick or skillful as our team, but much bigger physically. We win 3-0 with Chris Honey scoring two goals. Our goalie David did not have to make a save. Our defence played well and our midfield relentlessly pursued the opposition shutting them down. After game some guys shower in the heat and most of us hydrate by drinking gatorade, water and/or beer. I was hungry so had some Italian cold cuts and bread sticks. Already past 10 pm and darkness falling. Good team spirit after our first two games and two wins. By the time everyone was ready it was 11 pm. Some of the wives were with us as we walked a way and caught a bus to arrive near our Subway Metro station. The subway train appeared eventually and was pretty empty. In talking with an agent as we departed the station he told us that was the last train! We could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere. Number of the group are hungry and it is now near midnight.
I head to my apartment as I am pretty tired from soccer and no sleep. Called Lana before I retired to bed. 3 pm her time in Vancouver. To bed around 12:30 am and hoping to get a good sleep.
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