Ciao!
Last weekend, my friends and I embarked on our long-anticipated spring break trip. The elaborate logistics of our 11-day voyage across the Mediterranean (flights, lodging, etc.) were planned weeks ago, and now I get to reap the benefits of past-Grace’s tedious planning. Today is day three of our journey: a travel day.
This article feels a bit like a journal entry because I am writing it on my phone on a five-hour bus headed towards Nice, France. A few months ago, I sat in B-52 and threatened that I would one day turn the Ram into my own personal diary. I recall former Production Editor Michael Sluck saying that he would never let that happen. Try and stop me now, Sluck.
Our journey began on Friday afternoon with a flight from London. We flew into Milan and immediately hopped on a train to Lake Como, Italy. Como is a home-away-from-home for many Hollywood Stars like George and Amal Clooney.
When in Como, it is important to adopt the mindset: WWGD. If you are wondering, that acronym stands for “What Would George Do?” For three glorious days, I lived like a Clooney. On Friday night, I purchased an appetizer, a drink, an entrée and dessert at dinner. On Saturday, I toured Como from a (public) boat. Needless to say, I splurged the George and Amal way.
We stayed in Blevio, Italy, a town just 10 minutes from Como. Blevio definitely puts the “small” in small town. The people were overly nice, despite the language barrier. Locals helped us purchase bus tickets and gave endless recommendations for nearby restaurants and popular tourist attractions. Never before have I experienced people so welcoming. During Friday’s dinner, my friend Lauren befriended the charming waiter, and later in the evening, he introduced us to his adorable new puppy, Caesar.
Blevio is famous for its colorful streets decorated with glass mosaics. The town also boasts several parks filled with the elaborate designs. While Blevio is very beautiful, it is also very hilly because it sits atop the Comasche Prealps. Our Airbnb, which was a quaint two room cottage, was built into the side of the mountain and only accessible by a set of 200 steps. Let me repeat that, and offer some more description: 200 steep, uneven and slippery steps. The mile-long journey was not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for six girls carrying two weeks’ worth of luggage! Though, the breathtaking view from the cottage’s terrace was well worth the climb.
Despite my limited knowledge of the Italian language (and lousy record for learning foreign languages), I have perfected a simple “ciao” and “grazie.” By the end of the weekend, some may have even considered me fluent. Who’s to say? I challenge Editor-in-Chief Sofia Donohue to an Italian duel. Professor Parmeggiani can be the judge. For Donohue’s sake, I hope she does not play favorites.
It wouldn’t be a Galbreath column if I didn’t mention the cuisine, so here goes. Como’s food was great, amazing even. Who doesn’t love pasta and pizza? I definitely do. I spent the weekend searching for a Pugsley-inspired slice of penne alla vodka pizza — to no avail. I guess the Bronx style is not authentic, who would have thought?
The real star of the show, aside from the views, was Como’s extensive wine selection. On Saturday we embarked on a two-hour wine pairing class. We learned to pair luxurious wines with various aged cheeses and savory meats. It was wonderful, and I would absolutely recommend it.
Our time in Como came to an end much too quickly, but I am certain that I will be back. (Preferably staying in a cottage with fewer steps.) George and Amal, this is not a goodbye, it is a see you later!
I am spending the remainder of my spring break in Nice and Barcelona, Spain, where I have big plans to lie on the beach with a book. After that, one night in Madrid before jetting off to, you guessed it, Dublin for Saint Patrick’s Day! I guess all roads really do lead home (to Ireland).
