Buon giorno Gravedona

Friday, May 27
Knock!  Knock!  Knock!  Buon Giorno!  We've arrived in Milan.  As we wrestle to wake up and get our things together to deboard the train, we have luggage falling on our heads and other mishaps in our tiny compartment.  But we manage!
Although riding in a night train is an "experience", it's not the greatest for a restful sleep.  So we're all a bit groggy when we arrive in Milan at 5:50 a.m.  Since I had reserved the car for 10:00 a.m., (thinking when I was at home and feeling very energetic) that we could venture into Milan Central and see the famed duomo.  But right now...none of us much care about another church...so we eat a little breakfast and head to the car rental.  But where is this place that's supposed to be 200 meters from the station?  We have to ask several people...which there aren't many about at this hour...but we find it, and get our car at 8:00 a.m.
John is our travel guide for the next few days.  We are going to visit with some of his family in the town of Gravedona on Lake Como.  We go to our hotel, and much to our surprise no one was in our rooms the night before so they let us check in.  We freshen up and head to see the relatives.
The view from our hotel room is stunning.  We are right on Lake Como, with a view of the Alps, and small villages on the hillsides.  Can you beat that?

Meeting John's relatives was a treat!

Giana, John's cousin, greets us warmly and with lots of Italian.  I can't understand a word but smile a lot.  She is so sweet and if you concentrate and watch her eyes and gestures, you can sometimes figure out what she's trying to say.  We also meet up with Nicoletta (who speaks English!!), Angelo, Stephano (who also speaks English!) and his wife Betty and their three children, Elia, Nina, and Milo.  They are so cordial and friendly and offer us wine...and more wine...and more wine.  My tummy is still doing flips from the Beef Tartare, foie gras, and spicy mustard I had eaten the day before, so I can't handle much wine...or food for that matter.

The children were so excited about the gifts Jacque brought.

Giana, Nicoletta, Nina, Betty, Elia

Sweet Milo

I love Nicoletta!  We had met her at Janelle's wedding and developed a friendship.  I have communicated with her when planning this trip.  She is just a doll!  She notices that we're getting droopy and suggests we go back to the hotel to rest.  You don't have to tell me twice!!  We will meet again at 7:00 p.m. and go to dinner.

Nicoletta loves her nephews and niece. 

And they adore her!

Nicoletta and Elia

We go to dinner, which is a 3 1/2--4 hour experience...just a typical Italian dinner.  We share a risotto featuring a local perch from the lake.  Among us we enjoy Veal Milanese with a red onion jelly, gnoccho with rabbit sauce, octopus with cannellini beans, and fresh mozzarella with tomato purée.  And of course, we end the meal with gelato.

Our dinner with familia

Elia, Nicoletta, John, Jacque, me, Stephano, Milo, Giana