One year ago today I was anxiously gobbling down a slice of pizza while unwisely over-stuffing a large backpack with clothes, shoes and electric adapters.
Frantically checking and re-checking to make sure I had packed all the essentials – passport, money, plane tickets and travel guides – for the epic journey my husband and I were about to embark on.
Our i’s were dotted and our t’s were crossed – we were going to ITALY BAY-BEE!!!!
The vacation I had dreamed about taking for as long as I could remember!!!
Little did I know…
36 hours later the aforementioned large, over-stuffed backpack would cause me to fall flat on my face in the middle a busy intersection in Rome. D’oh!
37 hours later I’d be drowning my sorrows in what was the first of dozens of scoops of luscious, Italian gelato.
Three days later I’d be touring the ruins of the Colosseum, where men and beast fought to the bitter end almost 2,000 years ago,
then flipping shiny Euros into one of the most well known fountains in the world.
Four days later I’d find myself not ready to leave the intriguing, unique city that I’d fallen in love with,
yet eager to make my way towards the picturesque Amalfi coastline that I’d patiently waited to lay eyes on for years.
Five days later I’d be dining al fresco, sipping wine and eating seafood caught the same day from the crashing ocean less than 50 yards in front of me.
Six days later I’d be climbing up and down ancient stone steps while exploring every nook and cranny of the tiny, impossibly charming town of Praiano, Italy.
Seven days later I’d have nothing better to do than sip cappuccinos all afternoon while getting lost in a good book, then cap my night off with a big glass of local, red wine.
Eight days later Ben would have to pry my clenched fingers from the wrought-iron fence overlooking the glittering Mediterranean Sea on our hotel’s balcony, as I refused to wake up from the dream our life had become the last two weeks and go back home to Iowa.
Nine days later I’d be sprinting barefoot through the Paris airport only to see the gate to my Iowa-bound plane shutting…
You know what – lets not relive that memory!
365 days later Ben and I would still be as smitten with Italy as the day we left. That we’d still share our remember when? stories as often as we do. That we’d regularly see things that would awaken memories of our trip, glance at each other and ask, what does that remind you of? – knowing exactly what the other is thinking about.
That we could not WAIT to return someday!
Today, on the one-year anniversary of the best trip we’ve ever taken, Ben and I decided that if we couldn’t get back, we’d reminisce with what we’ve got: the most mouthwatering Italian food in town!
There are at least half a dozen local Italian restaurants that I have been dying to try over the past several months – Tumea & Sons being one of them.
Located on the south-east side of Des Moines, T&S was started in 1998 by Italian immigrants, Joe & Lucretia Tumea, and their American-born sons.
The minute you walk in the door, you’re smiling. You’re home.
First you notice the family pictures and painted scenes of Italy lining the walls, then you pick up on the sound of Frank Sinatra crooning in the background as you sink into one of the deep, maroon booths.
The waitresses are chatting with the regulars, who show up at 5:30pm on the nose, but we’re new, of course, so we’re asked what we’ll have. One God-awful Peroni for Ben and a water for me, thank you very much!
We tore into the warm & doughy rolls that accompany our meal, before cracking open the menu.
It was an easy choice. Cavatelli with sausage and red sauce for her, Canneloni stuffed with cheese, topped with red & white sauce for him.
Before a sip is supped, fresh salads were brought to the table.
Drizzled with the most incredible house dressing we’ve EVER had! (Locals: this beats Bisignano’s dressing!)
A short time later – the main event.
Dun-dun-duuunnnhhhh!!!!!!!
The cheese!
The sauce!
The cavatelli!
The Best!
I nearly slumped down in the booth after tasting Ben’s canneloni though. STUFFED with ricotta cheese, this was one of the best things I’ve ever had.
We knew we needed to call it a night when I started stealing spoonfuls of white sauce from his dish to eat…by itself. NO REGRETS!
Check please!
Stretchy pants, too…OMG!
While we may not be able to make it back to Italy for a few years (there’s so much of the world to see, after all!) being able to devour home-cooked Italian food definitely softens the blow.
Off to find those stretchy pants and question myself as to why I turned down homemade Cannoli for dessert…what was I thinking?!
Goodnight!
~~~~~
Have you ever been on a trip that changed your life?
What were you doing one year ago? Is your life different then it was back then?
I wanna go to Italy so bad!
what a fun trip! i would love to be able to travel there someday. I just had a bunch of friends move to Italy/Spain and I am living vicariously through all their pictures!
1 year ago today I was gearing up for another weekend of work … just like I am this year! I also just found my perfect wedding dress! So crazy it was already a year ago!
One year ago I was 17 days away from getting married!
I want to go to Italy and Greece so bad, I am hoping we can do it aas our 5 year anniversary trip :)
A year ago I was teaching 3rd graders full-time. I have since resigned and am subbing, so that I can have a more flexible schedule for my two daughters and since my husband travels a lot for his job. I am loving my “new life” so far!
My favorite travel experience so far was to Alaska with my husband and some very fun friends. We stayed in a cozy cabin in the middle of a bunch of raspberry bushes with a beautiful glacier view every morning. We also went halibut and salmon fishing which was so much fun, even though my husband and I were VERY seasick! Long story! Alaska is beautiful and I only saw a tiny part of it. I hope to go back someday.
One year ago my husband and I were smack dab in the middle of a 3 month NICU ordeal after our daughter was born 16 weeks premature. 2011 has been a much more joyous year :-)
I remember reading about your Italy trip (with jealousy) on my laptop in the hospital cafeteria. Hard to believe it was a year ago!
Your pictures are beautiful! Europe, but especially Italy, is on my list of places to visit. Your trip looks so memorable and that Italian restaurant…delicious!
What a lovely post! Living in Europe for 4 years changed everything about me as a person. I miss it every single day. You can’t seem to describe the sights or smells that Europe has. You can’t explain the feeling you had the first time you saw the Eiffel Tower. Europe just DOES that somehow. Excluding Times Square…I have yet to experience that here is the US.
A year ago I had JUST moved to a new city – so yes it’s definitely different! I love Baratta’s in DSM for Italian. I miss Trattoria, though – so sad they didn’t reopen after flooding!
P.S. They have awesome cavatelli at Centro!
One year ago I was anxiously awaiting September 2nd. That was my very last chemotherapy for radon-induced lung cancer. When the nurse removed the PICC-line that delivered the chemo, I cried like a baby. I had made it to” the other side!” So now I’m still here – ready and willing for all kinds of trips. As I write this, I’m actually visiting my sister in Vancouver, WA (across the Columbia River from Portland). The weather is gorgeous and we’re having a terrific time.
Don’t be afraid to test your home for radon; you may be saving your life or that of someone you dearly love.
Agreed! I am so happy for you! For everyone else – here is my post on radon – GET TESTED!! https://iowagirleats.com/2011/03/04/if-you-live-in-the-midwest-you-need-to-read-this-post/
With the build up of this post through all the pictures and re-living everything, I was expecting an “We booked a vacation!” But alas, that is the best Italian place in DSM and I’m just a little bit jealous. What was your favorite Italian place in Iowa City?
No one makes lasagna like the Brown Bottle. I live in Des Moine,s and with all of the Italian restaurants available, I can’t find anything as good.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been to an Italian restaurant in Iowa City! (I went to UNI)
I want to go to Italy SOOOO bad! Thanks for making me want to go even more! :-) Hawaii was truly a life changing experience for us. We went there on our honeymoon, and the laid back way of life was something I could get used to! I’m not a person who can easily relax, but I could in Hawaii. If we didn’t own a house in Des Moines already, my husband and I probably would have moved there after that trip!
Beautiful pictures!! Thank you for sharing!
My hubby & I are heading to Italy in just over a month and today I got so giddy about it, I nearly cried. And now I read your post and I actually DID cry! Can’t wait!!!!!!! ;)
A trip that changed me?? Geeze…many! Either a trip to hurricane-devestated Grenada to find people who were smiling and surviving…or Paris! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so enchanted:)