Monday, October 27, 2014

SUNDAY SUPPER/STUDENT TOUR MTG/ TERRA MADRE OPENING CEREMONIES

IT. Journal
Oct. 22-23, 2014


SUNDAY SUPPERS RULE!

There are more pictures of this Sunday Supper with actual participants that will come later. For now, just know we had a wonderful time reuniting with great friends as if we just saw them yesterday! What a delightful time! Sunday Suppers RULE!!!

STUDENT TOUR MEETING

Peter and I are helping to conduct a tour for 9 Italian students at his University of Gastronomic Sciences in Bra and their adult leader Francesco, a dear friend of ours. We had our first meeting with some of the group, and it was simply delightful. They are very excited about the itinerary and asked fantastic questions, indicating they were looking forward to an in depth visit into the Southeast USA in November!

WELCOME TO OPENING CEREMONIES OF TERRA MADRE/SALONE DEL GUSTO

Finally! We have arrived in Turin, and Terra Madre/Salone del Gusto are in full swing. What a party!!!

As usual, the most impressive thing about the opening ceremonies was the Parade of Slow Food Nations! It’s hard to see in these pictures, but there was a constant parade of international representatives who proudly carried their national flags to be displayed at the front of the theater. The announcer introduced a country name about every 5 seconds, and the parade lasted more than 20 minutes. It was so heart-warming to see so many nations come together for the central purpose of  addressing the need for “good, clean and fair food for all!”

The next day, the 5 buildings (each football field size or more) began their march through the festival with beautiful displays and indescribably delicious tasting experiences. It’s hard to remember in that environment that suitcases that are over the allowed weight limit are very expensive to get back home. We regularly see Terra Madre participants with large pockets on their clothing, loaded with wonderful wares. Care must be given that food coming back into the States should be packed correctly, though.

The crowds will continue to grow until Saturday, when we will spend most of our time trying to get from one place to another.
Ciao! Colleen

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