We got up early on Monday since we had to drive Nash and Andy into the train station in Milan and were not certain of the morning traffic going in. We got there easily an hour ahead of their departure time so it was a stress free start to the day. After hugs and well wishes we took a bit of time in Milan to visit a large triumphal arch which we had seen while driving in and out of the city http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Sempione We walked along some wide streets and took a few photos before eventually heading back to the north and Lake Como. It was well into the afternoon by the time we got home and decided to stay in, cook dinner, and just chill for the rest of the day.
Tuesday. Back at it and traveling before our time at the lake runs out. The Lenno morning market was in full swing by the time we arrived at 9 and had our coffee and brioche at our favorite little spot. We needed to buy a few things. Especially after I boiled the coffee pot dry, then picked it up with a hot pad that melted and stuck to the pot. Nice move! The markets are fantastic places to observe and listen to the locals going about their day to day life. There were lots of photo subjects all around as I wandered.
Once our chores were completed we decided to head back north along the shoreline and then to the west into a high valley to the upper end of Lake Lugano just a few miles west of Lake Como. The drive into the mountains felt like a national park road back home. It was typical twisting and narrow through the woods with lots of scenery and a few picturesque, small waterfalls. The towns were not very charming but as you can see the one local church we did find open in Carlazzo, which you drove through in less than 5 minutes, was quite oppulent.
Laura has been working hard planning the trip between here and Sicily. The weather is sounding rainy at the lake for the next couple days so we are probably going to hit the road in the morning and start the journey. There are a few accomodations we want to look at to see if they are possible places for us to spend some time after we leave southern Italy.
The Sempione Arch.
These colored elastic bands are found on lady’s bicycles to keep their hems from getting caught in the spokes. Funny that I have never seen them in Houston!?
Commuter bicycle with trolley car backdrop.
Parking Milan style. Perpendiclar to the curb. In the crosswalk. On the sidewalk. Not a problem!
Tuesday morning. On to the market in Lenno and then the mountains.
Market mums.
Cyclamen blooms.
Pick a color any color.
Cheese rounds that smell so good.
A little shoreline scenery on the edge of the market in Lenno.
“I want 20 slices of that one!” Or both??
The nectarines were going fast. It is interesting how the fruit and vegetable stands work. The proprietor stands in the back until you decide what you want to buy. You then tell them and they get a bag, walk around in front, bag up your order, then weigh it and total the amount. Even if what you wanted was right in front of you. You DO NOT touch anything until you have bought it. There is no squeezin’ the Charmin over here.
I loved watching these two ladies. They talked and talked and talked. All the time they held each other’s hand.
The taxi van pulled up and the driver hurried around to the door and put down this little step stool so the older folks could have any easier time entering.
The church in Carlazzo.
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Amazing scenery into the valley that holds Lake Lugano.
I wished I had some serious hiking boots and some clothing that could have gotten dirty. The steep and narrow little valley with this stream would have been nice to explore a bit more.
Thanks to you, Laura and Michael, our lives are now divided into two stages — B.C. (“Before Como”) and after. Nash and I got back to Houston late Saturday, and it took all of Sunday to wash the travel tar off our bodies and clothes. We hadn’t been home for even 24 hours before I caught myself whispering “Como, Como, Como” — trying to lure the gods of serenity and beauty into our lives on Colquitt Street.
What an amazing trip it was, and what amazing hosts you were.
(To followers of this blog, I’d like you to know that Laura and Michael mapped out an incredible “best of Como” itinerary for our stay. They thought of everything — from prosciutto to prosecco and morning strolls in the piazza. The four of us toured alpine valleys and Renaissance estates and still managed to squeeze in time to just gaze in wonderment at the majesty of it all. For us, it was the trip of a lifetime with lifelong friends.)
Now, on to your Sicilian adventure, L&M. Looking forward to your posts.
Love,
Andy
Andy and Nash,
What an amazing journey you two had with Laura and Michael. Treasured friends……..treasured memories. The beautiful photos, the interesting blog of all your fun adventures and (since we are a family of foodies) enjoying the yummy food & vino makes me yearn for Italia.
So happy that you all had this memorable trip with your great friends. I enjoyed all the albums and look forward to vicariously visiting Sicily next along with your travel buddies.
Love,
Cheri
Andy & Nash
Can we now describe you two as A.C./B.C. ????
Michael
Hi Andy,
We also could not have had a better time sharing Lak Como with you Nash. We are sitting in a street side cafe in Cefalu tonight. The weather is perfectly mild and serious exploration will start tomorrow. We have ten days before the “best of Sicilia” tour starts for my niece and boyfriend.
Glad you found the pasta and pâté. Sorry that it was not edible when you did.
Best wishes and love.
Michael
what wonderful places to be visiting
A.C./B.C.? Yes, that’s us, absolutely.
So what’s up with your blog, Michael? Do you think you can slack off simply because you’re in Sicily? Your fans await.
Andy,
We are not slacking. Just trying to establish Internet connectivity. We spent over an hour in Palermo today, just to have Vodafone deny all our charge and debit cards. We may be reduced to taking the computer into town and drinking our way through blog posts at a restaurant with WiFi connections. Hmmmm? Sounds pretty good. Michael
Michael, some people get around that credit-card denial thing by paying their bills on time. I’m told it really works, but who can you believe these days? I think the wine-drinking strategy makes good sense, and I know Nash would agree. Good luck.
A.
Dear Michael and Laura,
Just finished Nash and Andy’s vacation. For a time I, once again, walked thru the beauty of the towering mountains, enjoyed the sunlight’s reflection of the bordering trees on the tranquil lake and appreciated the rugged dwellings and majestic cathedrals.
Andy had so much to say, and so fast (as she was at work), that I gather the experience will upset their daily established routine. She may even climb the walls…Oh My!! The photos really picked up the rhythm of the story. Well told Michael. Seems like I was right there with you all. Am sure glad I read my history books in school.
Am looking forward also to my visit to France (that is if Nash will hurry up and get it together).
Continue to have a wonderful adventure.
Regards,
Lorraine