My Favorite Ape

   As mentioned in an earlier post, the Ape (ah-pay) is the ubiquitous utility vehicle in Italy.  Every farmer/worker/old man has one.  The name ape means bee in Italian, and true to the name they sound like a bumble-bee.  The Ape is no more than a motor-scooter with a cab and some kind of open or closed body on the back.  We've seen them piled high with artichokes, cauliflower, orange crates, bricks, etc.  But this one, this fantastic Ape, is for bread delivery. 

   The translation is roughly...  House made Bread, Baked Goods, Fresh Pasta, and Forno a Legno means "Wood Oven".  (You see that a lot on pizza places).  Can you just imagine the possibilities for this cool little truck with Joe's homemade bread??  It would be the food truck of all food trucks.  And here's the most amazing thing... our apartment in Castellammare is above the bakery/market where this truck parks!  This photo is from our balcony...

   I spoke with the owner last night and offered to buy it.  He laughed and said... ah, no.  One can only dream...

   Note... touch any photo to enlarge.