Something's missing from my book

If you are coming to Italy I would highly recommend Rick Steves' book on Italian phrases and important words. It is compact, inexpensive, and has just about anything you would need to ask........what more could you need?..................An interpretation for the answers you'll get.

When you ask "Quanto costa?" (how much does it cost?) you'd better have your finger on the money or counting page because you won't understand "Cinque novanta." (5.90) pronounced "cheenkway novahntah". It gets even worse when you ask the Rick Steves phrase "Is there a good restaurant nearby?" You'll never understand the answer.

It doesn't really matter, though. If you're trying, the folks here are very gracious and most things can be communicated through a combination of choppy Italian and gestures. We are very thankful for those gracious Italians.

By the way, here's a picture of the "giardino" (garden) of one of the possible places to live where Bob looked today. Those fruits are pomegranates (sp) and the owner picked one (actually, the one at the top of the three in front)and gave it to Bob. We're eating fresh pome....., fresh fish, and bakery fresh bread for dinner tonight. Each bought from a local shop. I love Italy.