One of the favorite local places is called Regina's. It is just a small local place that is frequented by Americans who live on or near the base. I'm guilty of eating 3-4 meals a week there. Yesterday a co-worker and I decided to go there for lunch and were disappointed to find it closed. Fortunately it's only temporary. There was a sign posted on the door that read: We are closed for holiday. Until we return we suggest you try eating at home. I just can't imagine ever seeing that on the door to a resturant in New York...
It has been a beautiful week in the Venito. Sunny, breezy and around 80 degree all week! I woke before the sun on Saturday, which btw comes really early here :-( and made my way to the bus that was to take us to the Italy-Swiss border. The trip through the Dolomites was very nice as there is still snow on the mountain tops and the rising sun turns it a beautiful pink and purple, like cotton candy on the tops of the mountains.
We arrived at a small village around 10am and wandered around a bit. We were advised to pick up some lunch to eat on the 4 hour train ride so I found a place that had a cold Risotto, Pea and Mushroom salad and I topped it off with a big hunk of fresh bread. On the way back to the station I spied a Gelato shop and figured that two scoops of Pistachio would make a good appetizer. We walked across the border and boarded the Glacier Express for a 11:00am departure - Swiss time. At 10:59 the wheels were in motion.
No matter how I might try or what language I do it in, there are no words to express the beauty of the Swiss Alps in late spring. If not the most beautiful place on earth, it is the most beautiful that I've ever seen and I've seen some pretty phenomenal places. I will link to a couple of videos but I've seen video before and it didn't even come close to the rapture of seeing it in person. If Switzerland is not on your list of places to visit, I highly recommend you add it. http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/travel/getting_around/traveling-by-train/bernina-express.html
St. Moritz is very nice (ok, that's an understatement) but I was way out of my league there. I can hardly afford to breath in the free -but thin- air. Having spent a decent amount of time in Vail, Colorado I felt that I was truly in Vail's motherland. Americans have worked hard to create a place in the Rockies that is similar but it really pales in comparison to St. Moritz. http://www.stmoritz.ch/
Back on earth now... this week I did a lot of paperwork required to move in to the house and get utilities set up. The painting should be done and it will be ready next week. I pick up the keys on Tuesday and my personal items and rental furniture arrive on Friday. Next weekend I'll take some pictures to share. Next weekend I also hope to visit the Suave Castle. It sits on a hill just east of Vicenza and is only about a 20 minute drive. I passed by it one evening and looking up from the road below it was amazing. It was lit up and had walls coming down each side - I'm told it even has a draw bridge... as all Medival Castles should! http://www.castellodisoave.it/castellosoave_ing/castellosoave_home.html
This weekend I'm going to visit friends and spend a couple of days on the beach. It will be slow on excitement compared to the last few weeks but I'm due a relaxing couple of days before the chaos starts again. http://www.costadimaratea.com/hotelsandiego/listini_e.html
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Driving around
Well I finally passed my Drivers License test and got my car registered so that I am now legally allowed to drive in Italy. The problem is - it scares the shit out of me! When I had the rental car down in southern Italy I had no problem, in fact I enjoyed driving. Here it makes me so nervous! Partly because the scare the crap out of you in your drivers training class so you are acutely aware of the dammage you could do. Also, ignorance is not an excuse if you have just taken a class and passed the test.on
But before I could even get to the driving part, I had to go to the bank and get money and then go to the Italian bank and have it changed into Euros. We then went to the temporary insurance coverage. Next was the shoppette to get the required gear for passing the inspection. That included a flashlight, orange vest, first aid kit and reflective triangles. Then, off for Safety inspection. The registration office was packed so we waited. Once we had documentation saying we had passed we n then had to leave and go back to the registration office. They took the inspection paperwork and put it in a file and then gave us the plates for the car. Once that was done we had to go back to the insurance company with the plate numbers and call the agency to change from a temporary insurance document to a regular one. Wow, glad that's done!
I decided to go for a drive after work today. My hope was to be able to find my house. And I did with very little initial effort. The return trip had me lost and I was so dissapointed I could call 'Houston' for driving directions.
My other experience with my lovely little car was adding gasolene... or should I say learning to add gasolene. It took me three tries adn three cdomputers ti figure out how it all work. I left there so proud.
Sleepy time now!
Ciao,
LeAnn
.
But before I could even get to the driving part, I had to go to the bank and get money and then go to the Italian bank and have it changed into Euros. We then went to the temporary insurance coverage. Next was the shoppette to get the required gear for passing the inspection. That included a flashlight, orange vest, first aid kit and reflective triangles. Then, off for Safety inspection. The registration office was packed so we waited. Once we had documentation saying we had passed we n then had to leave and go back to the registration office. They took the inspection paperwork and put it in a file and then gave us the plates for the car. Once that was done we had to go back to the insurance company with the plate numbers and call the agency to change from a temporary insurance document to a regular one. Wow, glad that's done!
I decided to go for a drive after work today. My hope was to be able to find my house. And I did with very little initial effort. The return trip had me lost and I was so dissapointed I could call 'Houston' for driving directions.
My other experience with my lovely little car was adding gasolene... or should I say learning to add gasolene. It took me three tries adn three cdomputers ti figure out how it all work. I left there so proud.
Sleepy time now!
Ciao,
LeAnn
.
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