PIZZERIA

Because Wednesday is the day off for all the resort staff we will not be catered for in the hotel for dinner. This meant that we needed to find a place to eat (and one place which could cater for all of us – 16 people). ..

Originally the hotel staff suggested quite expensive places in 1850 then we finally convinced them that the majority of us were not able to afford such extravagance (let alone wanted to spend the same as it cost us for a week in the hotel for a meal).

Eventually, we (I should say Wendy) booked a place in 1650; a pizzeria. This would also allow us to go to a less expensive area which apparently would cater for the trendy youngies (25’s or under).

Prior to going out it was a mad rush for the girls (and single boys) to pluck, preen and pump themselves to perfection. Hairdryers were dueling, make up was being applied and perfumes sprayed whilst I sat in awe at the 10 (of the group of 16) participants. Every now and then a door would slam or a screech from a peacock/hen asking for x item to be borrowed/returned so that they could continue to the pampering process.
Eventually, we all headed down the mountain via the gondolas to 1650. Only a 300m vertical drop however this is several miles of twisty road way. Whilst we were on the gondolas we saw the hordes which had hired sleds swishing down the hill. In some cases they beat us down.
We were told that the pizzeria had two sittings (7 and 9 pm) so we’d booked for the earlier one. Despite the preening and faffing by everyone at each junction we arrived 30 mins early. We were told by the restaurant that we couldn’t come in till 7pm (typical French).

We noticed that there were 2 bars in the area so we wondered into the first one which was called ‘The Bar’. This was easier said than done as it was tiny and crammed packed. This meant that only ½ of us could get in and no one could buy a drink.

Then we noticed a bar as part of the hotel which was almost empty yet nice enough to be enjoyable. Furthermore it would accommodate our large group.

The staff there told us we weren’t welcome and it was only for hotel guests. I’m surprised in one sense as we would only be in there for 20 mins (1 drink per person) before our dinner. In another sense I was completely understanding what they were politely not saying – you are a big group of English and we don’t want our place trashed by yobs.

Finally we found a trendy yet empty pub where we got our drink. We barely finished this before we went (a good 20 mins late).

The Wayward Child's partner agreed to share a calzone pizza (with runny raw egg inside) and carbanara spaghetti (again with runny raw egg). We didn't realise about the runny egg until we carved up the pizza (calzone is effectively a pizza folded over and sealed like a pasty) and the calzone had 1/2 an egg shell with the raw egg on top of the spaghetti.

.

I must say that I couldn't eat the pizza with the runny raw egg ozzing out of the cooked pastry. It was a blessing that my partner conceded that I could have the spaghetti (much to my relief).

We also asked for a glass of port at the end of the meal and were presented with this in a lovely glass (but it had an ice cube in it). All in all, it was a good meal but not what we were expecting.

.

After paying the bill we all decided to return to pub to watch the local band play. This was a BIG mistake. The band was woeful. They'd obviously had too much to drink before starting and continued during their set making it hard to understand their music (which was all covers - in English).
.

Four of us decided to leave early as we couldn't afford the exorbitant prices. We walked up to the bus stop at the top of little hill. We tried to read the timetable (which was in French) and concluded the last one had gone.

.

Given this news we wondered back to the bar and tried to order a taxi. Luckily a staff member told us that we'd miss read the timetable and another one would be going past in 10 mins. We began walking back up to the bus stop where there were lots of people standing (we'd obviously just missed a bus). Half way up the bus went past us.

.

We ran.

.

FAST (ish) up the street.

.

Luck was with us as the bus driver waited. We were so puffed from the short sprint in the freezing air and high altitude.