A Busy Day

I had the opportunity to go to Rome for a meeting this week.

My coworker and I arrived Thursday night. Just in time for dinner.

Since we had health screenings* at work this week, we made responsible dietary choices.

Like these fruttini...which are tiny fruits and nuts stuffed with ice cream versions of themselves.

And an after-dinner cookie stop at a baker/butcher/cheesemonger/wineperson. The legs of ham were just a hair too big to fit under the seat on the ride home, otherwise...

The next morning we headed out early to catch a quick glimpse of the city before our meeting.

After knocking back a few espressos, we had just enough time to spend 5 minutes gaping at the magnificence of the Pantheon.

And then meetings, meetings, meetings,

Followed by a mad dash to the airport, a quick flight back over the mountains and home in time for dinner.

*"Apparently," there is a serving size for cheese??????...what witchcraft is this?????

Cars in Como

Forever ago, in May, we took a weekend trip to Lake Como.

The lake was lovely but we were on a mission and had to remain focused. 

We were not there to see the lake, you see.

Even though it was beautiful.

We were there to see cars.

Little cars that have traveled long distances.

Tiny bubble cars.

Cars with faces.

Cars with their own accessories.

And cars with wings.

And nice rear ends.

And senses of humor.

There were cars from home (the VD is a common issue)

And cars with awesome graphics.

They demanded appreciation.

From all ages.

I fell in love with this one.

The details were breathtaking.

My favorite photo of the trip. If this isn't a reason to learn to drive a manual transmission then I don't know what is (says the girl who had a total meltdown after stalling out three times in a row on a back road...)

On the way home: Palleroso

On our last morning, the sun made it's first real appearance of the trip (of course) so we decided to stop at the little hilltop town of Palleroso on our way out of the area.

We had taken the drive up the day before, but the heavy rain made it impossible (and zero fun) to walk around.

The astonishing thing about Palleroso was how new it looked (well, new in the context of something that is clearly very old). It seems that Tuscany is heavy with these little towns only most are in various states of melancholy, quietly waiting for their glory days to return. Memories linger. I think it filled both of us with a little happiness that someone is clearly tending to Palleroso and looking ahead.

We waved at another charmingly small little hill town from atop our charmingly small hill town.

Views from Palleroso

The church in the small center "square." 

And then we headed homeward. Something I learned about Italian rest stops, the bigger ones have great food! The above feast is our lunch, purchased from a chain called Autogrill. Granted, our rest stop meal on the way to Barga was much...humbler, but still, a small nugget of info worth filing away.

Thanks for re-living our trip with me. I hope your Friday lets you off easy into the weekend.