What We Take For Granted

There are many things that we take for granted living in America. We have our Internet at the touch of our fingers at all times, large bathrooms, free water and easy transportation everywhere. When we travel abroad we leave our data plans at home, say goodby to our kids and leave our pets in the care of our friends (thanks, Gina). We pack light, but never light enough. We always come away with more than we need, pick up things as we go and almost always buy an extra suitcase for the trip home. Such is the life of a traveler.
A few things that I find here in Europe that we would do well to adapt at home are friendly and engaged families. Families that are not plugged into their mobile devices while out to dinner but busy interacting with each other. We would be happier with markets that offer only the freshest bread from the oven, fruit from the garden, and wine from the next vineyard. And what about learning an extra language or two. Why do we feel, in America, that English is the only language that counts. Let's start teaching our kids to speak, I mean really speak, more than one language. French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, or German. It doesn't really matter which, just something.
Thank God for easy accessibility to travel. I pray I will always be able to jump on a plane and see the world. Ciao Baby!

To knit ...Lavorare a Maglia

My handy iPhone Italian translator ap says to knit is lavorare a maglia. A woman today told me it was ferri. No matter how you say it, knitting is one of my great pleasures. It occupies my hands and calms my spirit. Many thanks to Grandma May for teaching me when I was just a teenager. I know it was a ploy of my mothers to get me from underfoot and maybe challenge me a bit. It worked. I am rarely underfoot and it always presents challenges. On this trip overseas I have completed a extremely soft, golden wrap. I used the "Littles Shells" pattern (you can find this on Ravelry). I used Art Yarn's Ensemble light which is a decadent blend of cashmere and silk. I made it a bit larger and am very happy I did. Next, I have started a "Seaweed Scarf" (also available on Ravelry) using Shi Bui's linen in a brick red.
In my travels about, I have seen yarn in many stores. Often, it is available in establishments catering to women so you will find bra's, panties and other lady things. How funny.
So, there you have it, the knitting "issue". If you are in need of something new to do with your hands give knitting a try. It will be the best thing you ever did. Ciao Baby.

Truffles, Pasta and Chocolate

Ok, I admit it, when we travel we are foodies. It doesn't have to be fancy but it does have to be fresh and good. Europe began the idea of what we like to call "locally sourced" food. Our figs at La Caminetto were from Moreno's father's garden, so were the tomatoes. They either grow what they eat or visit the market each morning and buy what is good then decide what will be for dinner. There are stores dedicated just to cheeses, others for meats and of course the bakeries for pastries and breads. A foodies paradise.
This morning we left Varenna, Italy, bused back to Lugano, Switzerland, then drove to Ascona, Switzerland. It is another lakeside community where we discovered an amazing black truffle pizza. Truffles are just coming into season in northern Italy. Our dinner was not complete until we had our chocolate gelato. Belissima!

We Are the Same

No matter where you go if you just take the time to talk to people you will find that we have the same desires, the same concerns and many times the same solutions. Is my family happy, which is the greatest generation, who do we learn from, what do we learn, what is the answer to the world economy? It's endless really. What weighs on my soul weighs on the soul of my "sister" in Italy and my "brother" in the mountains of Switzerland. I spoke with Maria today whom I met yesterday. She lives in Siena and is visiting her sister in Bellagio. She worries of her children and their marriages, and complains of her sister's kitchen, "it is piccolo" too small. Does she make pasta? "No!" No more, io refiuto, I refuse! Too much work "we go out to dinner, I pay"! Ok, this sounds very familiar.
Earlier in the day we went to Il Caminetto. A restaurant high above Varenna where Moreno hosted a group of us and gave us cooking lessons. We learned much of the art of what the Italians call "slow food". It is where you choose to eat somewhere that takes the time and care to make it all from scratch. He also spoke of an afternoon off where we would choose to make pasta with our hands (no machines) roll it out with care and make a simple sauce to adorn. Slow food. The art of putting love into what we make. Taking the time to show those whom we love that they are worth the effort we take.
So Maria, take a break. Next time I am in Italy I will make pasta for you and we will talk of our families. Ciao!

PS first picture is Maria and I

A Day On the Water

What a lovely breakfast at Hotel Oliveda with our hostess Laura. She and her mother are what you think of when you try to conjure in your mind, Italian hospitality at it's best; quiet and personable yet proficient. Very old school in their approach to serving their guests. They are yet another example of "bringing back nice".
We hopped on our first ferry to motor across the lake to Bellagio. An upscale, lakeside resort town with beautiful shopping and fabulous food. We also ferried to Lenno, a much smaller more residential community. We ended our day back at Bellagio with vino rosa di casa and pizza diavola. Buena notte and arrivederchi. Gina

A Domani, George

Lugano, Switzerland, is situated on Lake Lugano just a few miles from Italy and Lake Como. I know George has heard we are on our way and is even now searching out his extensive wine cellar looking for my favorite Chianti Classico, Brunello, or better yet, yes you guessed it, Amarone. Please, George, make sure it breathes for at least 40 minutes, it must open up and be ready for my palate.
We made our way by bus. For some reason our private car seems to have missed us. After the bus we came across Lake Como on a ferry. Not exactly a fabulous motorboat but we feel closer to the locals this way. Jeez, George, you haven't forgotten us have you?
Varenna is beautiful and we enjoyed the most glorious sunset just across the lake and behind the mountains. Ok, so ... we are not surrounded by paparazzi (unless they are behind the flower planters) and George is letting us have a little time to ourselves. Thanks, buddy, we will meet for cappuccino a domani . That's "tomorrow" for you Italian challenged. Ciao!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Today was a day of travel. How do you get from point A, Murren in the mountains, to point B, Lugano, next to Italy? Let's see...we took 5 trains, one plane, one bus, two automobiles, and one cable car. Don't forget all the walking, climbing steps, and two "people movers". But we are here in Lugano and it is lovely, albeit raining ever so gently. The people all over Switzerland are lovely. Everyone wants to help in anyway possible, wether it is holding a door or giving you their seat. It just brings to mind my New Years resolution of bringing nice back. Let me digress a bit...I am so tired of mean people who have the "first after me" mentality. What can you give me or even better what you have should be mine. They could take some lessons from the Swiss who are gentile, intelligent, and generous.
Luganoians (is that a word?) speak Italian! I'm almost "home". So ....mio amici, buona notte. A domani..Gina