MARKT & PROOTS

ARIGATOu GOZAIMASUissimo to all the kind clients and friends that yesterday came to our tables ('Europa Vintage Okinawa' + 'Tibitoko') at the annual edition of Markt, the German-style Christmas market this time held inside Cargoes Mall (outside, especially in the morning, the weather was horrible; I feel sorry for the food sellers, not authorized to keep their stalls inside...).

A VERY special THANK YOU to two friends that saved our lives: the always-wonderful Gino Goya Sensei: without his car to transport a couple of pyramids from our studio to the mall under the rain yesterday's market would have been Mission Impossible #9 for us; without his arms to pack the leftover of the pyramids at the end of the market we won't have been able to leave the mall by 9 o'clock p.m., as scheduled; and a special THANK YOU to the super-nice Chiyo-san who saved two starving souls bringing us wonderful coffees and cakes: at luch time we were so busy we couldn't go hunting for any kind of food.

Also special THANKS to Tom McKinney and to his lovely wife for coming to Naha from Uruma just to buy one of Satoko's unique Santa Claus(es), unfortunately sold out a couple of hours after starting the market... Satoko promised that she'll make another one for them as soon as possible (which means: hopefully before August), so for the moment, guys, please be happy just with a photo of Sato's Santas... Last but not least, a special ARIGATOu to Sudou-san, the Super-Organizer of this fantastic event that we were lucky to join, finally, after many years we wanted so. Excellent job! Yesterday, between the many interesting goods - handicrafts, vintage, exotic stuff -, we especially enjoyed the stall of a Tokyo's shop selling wonderful Scandinavian items - mostly pottery, but not only.

Markt continues today (Sunday), with our friend Yu-san of Proots (local goods store in Minatogawa, Urasoe) taking our place, this time outside, along Kokusai-dori, where now shines a beautiful sun. 'Europa Vintage Okinawa' exhibition-sale continues at Proots, starting from Tuesday 10th until Tuesday 24 included (closed on Wednesday 11th and 18th). See you there, ciao!

A BRITISH AFTERNOON AT LA PASSIONE

Bloody THANKS - how they'd say in the almost Brexited country - to everybody who came today to the 'British afternoon' at La Passione! It has been a great food+community moment, when we met new friends, spoke a collection of languages and enjoyed the yummy calories prepared by cheffriend Jon Barnard.

Oswaldo and Maria made a fantastic job, working as machines during the panic moment (a moment that lasted the whole afternoon, with a constant wave of hungry souls from 12 o'clok noon/Mezzogiorno di Fuoco until tea time). Also superthanks to Ben-san, owner of La Passione, and to the girl of the staff who washed a billion dishes/glasses. My perception is that around 100 people came, I'm sorry if somebody had to wait but La Passione is not exactly the Wembley Stadium and we believe in slow food and in slow life (by the way: we do not believe in the Brexit). Special thanks to John Davis 'The Cheese Guy in Okinawa" for coming, even if for a moment: he was super-busy at a food fair but, as a good citizen of the Crown, he couldn't resist the call of the Union Jack on the roof of La Passione and brought some of his amazing creatures to us.

Today it has been successful much over our better expectations. We'll go for the 3rd round of the European afternoons at La Passione the last Sunday of January (26th). That time it will be my shift, Italy will be represented with dignity on my dishes, I swear on Giuseppe Garibaldi's head. Get ready for more fun, onegaiitariashimasu!

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A SPANISH AFTERNOON AT LA PASSIONE

MUCHISSIMAS GRACIAS to all the nice friends that yesterday came at our little Spanish event, a great success for La Passione! Finally some European atmosphere in Okinawa, mixing a collection of languages between a paella, a sangria and a lot of genuine laughter. Even if at lunch time we collected all the tables and chairs of the small boutique hotel we couldn't sit everybody, gomen!

Special THANKS to my friends Oswaldo Castro of La Passione for hosting the event, to Maria Soledad Nerome for the priceless help, to Maestro Carlos Gómez who today gave us a show of Spanish cuisine, as well as to Shuta Okuhira. Last but not least, to all the old and new friends that came and brought their happiness!

Second round: Sunday 24 November for the British afternoon at

La Passione, don't miss it!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1337231699776192/