In the Mean-Time

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Hey there - Debi and I will be heading out on our 2011 August vacation in a few hours. Heading to Milano to catch a flight to Madrid. The trip will last for about 3 weeks and besides Madrid we will be visiting Barcelona, Marseille & Lyon France as well as various side day trips to other locals. So, you can expect a good report when we return at the end of August. I'm bringing the laptop so I may be inclined to write a bit while on the road but I won't promise 😊
Anyway, stuff has been moving along. We are still in love with Italy and haven't started to pine for the good ole USA just yet. However, the tourist mentality and newness of Torino has left almost entirely. It has been replaced by a feeling of "home away from home". We have explored most of the city and some of the surrounding area although to complete that will take much more time. Skype has been a real help in staying in touch with others and especially our parents who we miss a lot. Debi and I have found some small local places that we revisit regularly and folks are begining to recognize us as local residents which is sort of cool. Language skills are progressing slowly but we will be enrolling in a language school soon after we return from this vacation which we hope will accelerate our progress.
I am cooking at home a lot now and trying out recipies that use local food stuffs - I will try to remember to take a few pictures of the stuff I create. We are eating a lot of pasta but surprizingly enough since we have adpoted the eating schedule here we seem to be eating less and cravings are way down. I have been sampling much or the local wines. Found a fantastic white called Arneis (the grape) also called the Barolo Bianco. The best of this vine comes from the DOCG Roero. Also, for the red side, I love Montepulciano de Abbruzzi - It is fabulous with pasta and grilled meats - yes it is that versitile. The Barbera and Dolchetta are still very good although quality can vary a lot. Best of all most of these wines can be found for well under 5 euro ($7). However, most everything else is less than reasonable. Prices here are steep partially due to living in a city but also the Eurozone as well.
We are starting to look at cars. I wil report back on that but we have narrowed it down to a few possibilities (although we have not gone to look at any - we are definately buying used). Ford Focus, Peugeot 3008, VW Golf Plus, and Scoda Yeti (yes that is the name - Scoda is part of the VW group).
But looking will have to wait until we return from our trek. I am so looking forward to this and I hope we have lots to share with you along the way.
Cheers for now,
Gary

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Comments

[Ruth Green]

Your Trip
Gary, glad to hear all is well with you there in Italy, I enjoy reading about your life there. Keep blogging and I will keep reading, I wish I could find a job opportunity to take me to Europe for 3 years or so. That would be lovely. Take care and God's speed to you and your family.