Glorenza, Italy

With a population of 800, it's the smallest town in Italy. The half-Italian, half-German spoken (and written) was an interesting mix, as border towns often are. We happened upon it after deciding to drive to Italy from Switzerland since it was nearby. A little town gem, highly recommended.

Driving OVER the alps

It got a lot worse after we took this video, but I think we were too scared to make more videos. Nevertheless, I know my mom and Molly would've needed an Ativan for this drive. I had to stop and I don't usually get scared. It was about 3 hours of this type of road up and down the mountain.

Stopping just before we reached the top, where I peed in a field. No trees. Above the tree line.

A nice Italian man walking. Who would dress like that in America? Especially on a cliff, where someone could accidentally knock you off... I will sort of miss their formal clothing here. But I'm glad I don't have to wear it.

Luckily we did not see any cows. I might have crapped my pants.

You can tell these are not German roads. Some parts were really crumbly, and large sections had no guardrail, only stubby cement blocks, of which some were leaning precariously over the edge, appearing to have been tipped by a car careening to its demise. Adding to the fun were the motorcyclists who were unafraid to pass on blind curves.

Winter at the top. And then we went down...

Riding through the maze of life (in Merano, Italy)

I've felt lately all of life is an obstacle course, and things which would normally be small feel big. The anxiety that occurs when I'm on the edge of a big transition. Or should I say in the middle. Everything is flying at me too fast, and even though I've done this before, I can't control my internal regulators which are saying, hold your breath, pay attention, watch out, run. It feels pretty accurate to say I feel like I am in eternal fight or flight mode. My sympathetic nervous system has taken over controls and will not yield.

But I know the peak is near and soon I will be on the slide down. In about 15 days, I'll have my household goods and car shipped, on the 25th work is finished, and the 27th I fly to Macedonia for the commencement of summer vacation 2011, ten years and eight days after I completed my optometry degree. It seems an apt time for summer vacation and change.

The photos I've attached are from our few hours in Merano, Italy. A town we ran into before driving over the Alps where they rented bikes for free. Joon was behind me on his bike having a gay old time with the camera (unbeknownst to me), so this explains the one-sidedness of the subject matter. I delight in bicycling, since the age of two. Hopefully this summer will bring more rides through unknown places, and meetings with yet-unmet friends. And I promise to write it all down.






So happy to be embarking soon on more travels...

Trieste afternoon

On the way to Croatia, we stopped in Trieste, Italy, which is a quiet seaside town.

Driving into town, Carrie and I were happy we packed our Depends. Cobblestone streets, parked cars, meeting cars on these mini roads, steep cliff grade, what else? Mirrors to get around corners.

A sweet resting Italian couple.

Big bad Italy.

I get the feeling they think Germans are tacky!

We accidentally wore matching outfits. Just like old times.

Free food which came with our drinks. No complaints here.