M. and I happened upon this shop in the sleepy town of Barolo, exactly the kind that tickles my fancy, but not that of M.’s.

On the inside it was a veritable Aladdin’s cave.

(©MRandin)

The shop owner floated around in a Zen like state; no doubt the various essential oils burning in the room were of assistance. The image of Sai Baba (the highly revered, world renowned spiritual leader with an afro that would have put all members of the Jackson 5 to shame) completed the picture.

Hearing M.’s accent she started conversing in French – a handy skill she picked up after 15 years in France.

Her cappuccino and cake are “to die for” apparently as all the ingredients are 100% bio. M., bless his cotton socks, wasn’t too convinced but decided to humour his wife anyway.

After paying a princely sum of Euros 20 for two cups of coffee accompanied by small slices of  mediocre tasting sponge cake, M. made me promise that the rest of the weekend would be spent tasting wine.

I agreed without a problem.