I planned to return after one year, but it became two… then two years turned into a third… I’ve completely fallen for Italy! I started with a two-month chef training course. Using the re-enrollment system, I took a one-year long-term course and extended my stay locally, making it my third year. 「1年で帰るつもりが2年…2年で帰るつもりが3年目と…すっかりイタリアにハマってしまいました！」 最初は2ヶ月シェフ養成コースで参加。 再留学制度で長期留学1年コースを受講、そのまま現地で延長して3年目となりました。 During my first year, I took both the “Chef Training Course” and the “Home Cooking Course.” I learned a wide range of dishes, from authentic restaurant-style cuisine to traditional Tuscan regional fare. The idea of cooking with “whatever you have on hand” before gathering ingredients is quintessentially Italian. I developed the ability to cook by trusting […]
October 1 (Mon) Found persimmons at the neighborhood greengrocer. Surprised to see they’re also called “Kaki” in Italy. Finding common ground makes me feel a little closer. 10月1日（月）近所の八百屋で柿を発見。イタリアでも“Kaki”と呼ばれていて驚いた。共通点を見つけると少し親近感がわく。 October 2 (Tue) Woke up early and baked bread from scratch. Using almond milk gave it a lovely aroma and made it light and fluffy. Rediscovered the joy of making things myself. 10月2日（火）早起きして朝からパンを焼いた。アーモンドミルクで作ると香りが良く、ふわふわに仕上がった。自分で作ることの楽しさを再発見。 October 3 (Wed) Rain since morning. The whole town had a quiet, damp atmosphere. While waiting for the bus, I chatted with a signora I didn’t know. Even small encounters warm the heart. 10月3日（水）朝から雨。街全体がしっとり静かな雰囲気。バスを待つ間に知らないシニョーラと会話。小さな出会いも心を温かくしてくれる。 October 4 (Thu) The rolled R is still difficult, but my colleague at the gelateria […]
After ending my corporate career, I decided to study Italian cuisine abroad, driven by the desire to “challenge myself with Italian cooking.” At age 62, I embarked on a two-month Italian culinary study program. The application process began a full year before departure. Through thorough preparation, I was able to arrive at departure day with peace of mind. 会社員生活を終え、「イタリア料理に挑戦したい」とイタリア料理留学を決意しました。 62歳で2ヶ月間のイタリア料理留学に挑戦です。 手続きは出発の1年前からスタート。しっかりと準備を重ね、安心して出発の日を迎えることができました。 The classroom was filled with fellow students from around the world, all gathered to learn cooking! In addition to lessons conducted in Italian, you could choose Japanese or English interpretation, so even if you were unsure about the language, you could relax. The instructors taught while weaving in the […]
September 16 (Tue) Bought vegetables at the morning market. Casual chats with the shopkeeper are great practice for Italian. I felt warmth in the culture of “enjoying conversation” over haggling over prices. 9月16日（火）朝の市場で野菜を購入。店員さんとの何気ない会話がイタリア語の勉強になる。値段交渉より「会話を楽しむ」文化に温かさを感じた。 September 17 (Wed) Shopping at COOP. Vegetables and fruit are mostly sold by weight. Though initially confused by the self-checkout, I’m finally getting used to it. I notice differences compared to Japanese vegetables. 9月17日（水）COOPで買い物。野菜も果物も量り売りが基本。 セルフレジに戸惑いながらも、ようやく慣れてきた。日本の野菜との違いを感じる。 September 18 (Thu) Ordered a cappuccino at the bar before work. It’s become a daily ritual. The reassuring sense of familiarity and comfortable distance when they call out my order before I speak is pleasant. Found my favorite bar. Even a short […]
week4 Monday.. Today I learned home cooking at my teacher’s house. Her home is filled with things she loves, and she cherishes her daily cooking and life. It was a very enjoyable, relaxed hands-on session. In the afternoon, I visited a small church in Fiesole recommended by my teacher and enjoyed the panoramic view of Florence in the silence. 月曜日。 今日は先生の自宅で家庭料理を習う。家は彼女の好きなもので埋め尽くされていて、日々の料理と生活を大切に慈しんでいる。自然体でとても楽しい実習だった。 午後は先生に勧められたFiesoleの小さな教会を訪れて、静寂の中フィレンツェのパノラマ風景を楽しんだ。 Tuesday. Breakfast was an uva tart recommended by the local grocer: “I eat this every day myself.” It was delicious. Let’s go with energy today too. 火曜日。 近所の食料品屋さんで「私も毎日食べてるわよ」と勧められたウーヴァのタルトで朝食。 とてもおいしい。今日も元気に行こう。 Wednesday. Visited a winery in Montalcino. The idyllic Tuscan landscape stretched on. At the winery spread across the hillside, the […]
September 1 (Mon) Had gelato with a colleague on the way home from work. That after-work treat is soothing. It’s nice to have sweet moments in daily life. 9月1日（月）同僚と一緒に帰宅途中でジェラートを食べた。仕事帰りの一杯が癒しになる。生活の中に甘い時間があるのは嬉しい。 September 2 (Tue) Bought vegetables at the market today. In Italy, there are many BIO labels, showing a real commitment to ingredient selection. When I asked the shopkeeper about cooking methods, they explained it carefully. It really hit home how deeply rooted knowledge of ingredients is in daily life here. 9月2日（火）今日は市場で野菜を購入。イタリアではBIOの表示が多く、素材選びのこだわりを感じた。店員さんに調理方法を尋ねると丁寧に教えてくれた。食材の知識が暮らしに深く根付いていることを実感。 September 3 (Wed) Visited the library to look for Italian books. Locals read newspapers and chatted in a calm atmosphere. It’s not just a place for books but for people […]
September 15 (Mon) – September 19 (Sat) Visiting Italian homes to learn warm, home-cooked meals. The teacher’s gentle personality made me feel warm and cozy inside. The dishes we made: ・Farfalle Tonno e Pomodorini: (Farfalle with Tuna and Cherry Tomatoes) ・Arista Alla Birra: (Beer-Roasted Pork) ・Pizzette del Pan (Cane Small pizzas) ・Patate Arrosto Morto (Pan-roasted potatoes) ・Torta Al Mele (Apple cake) 9月15日（月）〜9月19日（土） イタリア家庭にお伺いして、暖かい家庭料理を学ぶ。 先生の優しい人柄に触れ、なんだかホッと気持ちがほんわか。 作った料理は、 ・Farfalle Tonno e Pomodorini（ツナとトマトのファルファッレ） ・Arista Alla Birra（豚肉のロースト） ・Pizzette dl Pan Cane（小さなピザ） ・Patate Arrosto Morto（ジャガイモのフライパン焼き） ・Torta Al Mele（りんごのケーキ） All simple dishes you can make at home. The teacher learned them from her mother. This is how the taste of Italian mammas is passed down. I was […]
Monday, July 28th: Italian class starting at 10:00 AM. We began with conversation: “What happened this week?” This week, I asked Marco about questions I had while shopping. It was a two-hour session focused mainly on listening practice for everyday conversations. 7月28日（月）10時からイタリア語授業。今週は何があったの？と、会話から始まる。今週は、買い物した時の疑問をマルコに聞きました。日常で良く使う会話のヒヤリング練習メインの2時間です。 Tuesday, July 29th: On my commute, the old man at the market I pass every morning started saying “Ciao!” to me. I feel like I’m slowly finding my place here. 7月29日（火）通勤途中、毎朝通るメルカートのおじさんが「Ciao!」と声をかけてくれるようになった。少しずつ自分の居場所ができてきた気がする。 July 30 (Wed) Had gelato in the square on my way home. Got into a lively conversation about the weather with the nonna sitting next to me. It’s wonderful how Italians are so friendly and conversation just […]
