One of the dishes that I had to get when I was in Genova, was the pesto trofie pasta. For that region, this dish is key. I honestly went most of the trip without trying it, then one day for lunch my boss decided we should sit down with another photographer and my friend who was working for her. Turns out both of our bosses were friends, because Genova is a little town and everyone knows everyone else apparently. So, the four of us went on a little adventure through Genova to this tiny restaurant on the middle of the sketchiest ally lined with the nicest transvestite prostitutes we've ever met (not that I've actually met any before this but that's besides the point). This place had the best food I've had in Genova and this lunch was so fun. It was interesting to try to follow a conversation with two tiny twenty year old american girls and two grown up Italian wedding photographers, especially since I barely spoke any Italian, and both of our bosses spoke little, to no english. It was the best meal I had in Italy and was by far one of the best experiences ever. Our bosses covered the lunch (two courses and coffee... they insisted). And I got to try trofie for the first time. It's hard to wrap your head around the texture but, once you do, its pretty awesome pasta. Lesson of the day? My boss is perfect. I totally lucked out. (Grazie Sandro!)

I also bought some dried trofie and made it once I got back to America. I tried my own homemade pesto for the first time too and it brought me back to Genova. Not as good, but close enough for the memories!