Pam & Chris

On my first bus trip into Greve, I searched for a restaurant at the piazza with wifi so I could check bus times for my trip back to Panzano. I found a table, ordered a margarita pizza and acqua naturale (no bubbles) and tried to connect to wifi. The signal was weak so I gave up when my pizza arrived. 

I casually watched other diners arrive while I ate. One couple held my interest. She spoke in Italian, in a familiar way,  with the server. They struck me as regulars at the spot. When they were seated two tables away, I could hear their conversation- in English! I said hi and asked if they were American. She asked if the pizza was any good. Before I knew it we were having a conversation over lunch.

That’s how I met Pam and Chris who have become my “friends in Greve”. They moved here a few years ago from the states and have a beautiful one bedroom apartment overlooking the piazza that includes a studio for Pam who is an accomplished oil painter (www.pamelajarrett.com) and a fine art copyist who is now learning fresco. Chris is a retired Wall Street guy who writes- he publishes a blog (Notes From The Room of Wonder) and hosts a monthly writing group which I recently joined. 

They have been welcoming and helpful with all sorts of insider tips on living in Italy, like the best bread at The Coop and where to find a notebook!  We often meet up on Market Day where they have a standing lunch date at the Casa del Popolo (the People’s House) for the best caprese panini. But that’s a blog for another day!