We were at the Spanish Steps in Rome. A prime tourist area admittedly - but it was hot and we were tired. I felt like an ice cream. Besides, Italian ice cream is reputed to be the best in the world and it's not as though I go to Rome every day.
Inside the little shop the man behind the counter held up two cones. Which one did I want?
"I just want an ordinary ice cream," I stated firmly.He showed no signs of comprehension and again indicated that I should choose. Now, I have a weakness for sugar cones so that's the one I chose. And no, I didn't ask the price.
I selected the coffee-flavoured ice-cream and watched the man put in two scoops. It was when he turned his back to me that I started to feel nervous.
"Just an ordinary ice cream," I muttered without much conviction.
He finally turned around and handed me a magnificent concoction. It was decorated with coffee beans and a variety of tiny wafers and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.I decided to wait outside while my husband paid.
He emerged with a face like thunder.
"You'd better enjoy every lick," he said. "That ice cream cost £7. Almost R100, in case you can't do the maths."
Suitably chastised, I ate in silence as we started following the signs to Trevi Fountain. After I had crunched a couple of coffee beans (anticipating chocolate replicas) I decided they were a bit hard for my teeth and surreptitiously removed them.
But it was too late.
Running my tongue along my teeth I located a rough patch - one side of my tooth had broken off and the filling was exposed. I resigned myself to chewing pasta and pizza on the left side only.The dentist back in Johannesburg announced that the tooth could not be re-filled - I would need a crown.All in all, my Italian ice-cream cost R3,600. Surely the most expensive ice cream in the world - but it was delicious! 
DID YOU KNOW?
While most people think gelato is Italian for ice cream, they are actually different products. Ice cream has a higher butterfat content, while gelato uses more milk and less cream than ice cream and generally doesn't use egg yolks, a common ingredient in ice cream. Gelato is therefore creamier, smoother and silkier.
• 'The Notebook' is about chance meetings and unforgettable encounters people have had on their travels. Send us your story - no more than 400 words - and, if published, you'll receive R500. Mail travelmag@sundaytimes.co.za with the word Notebook in the subject line...