Flying Along the Autostrada to Pavia

Actually neither Mikki or Sonja will qualify as Formula 1 drivers - but they are enjoying the luxury of driving a non-standard shift car.

We staggered out of bed at 5:30AM - having not gone to bed until midnight; Mikki and I watching a movie with Kil - Truman. Kil sat enthralled for the dozenth time while Mikki & I kept asking one another "do you have any idea what is going on?" Giorgia, she was at a party. So we were a glum little group stopping to pick up Sonja.

2 hours later we stop for a capaccino &; briochet - think truck stop - throw in german, romanian, austrian,spanish, slovanian, etc...tourists all queuing for the same thing it's overwhelming & sooo interesting.

Now we're back on the road; hoping not to get lost - apparently Franco got lost every time & he commuted here for years.

Oooh, Mikki just put in Springsteen's The Seeger Years - we're going to sing. good!

14:20 There is nothing of Franco in Pavia - it was so obviously a place where he stayed only until he could go home. other than many pictures of his family; the apartment was impersonal. We were packed up & out of there within the hour. All in all, the blank canvas made it easier for each of us.

Afterwards, we walked to the palazzo. Pavia is celebrating the 650 anniversary of the university. The steets were packed with booths selling foods from all over Europe & all sort of "stuff." If it hadn't been pouring rain; I'd have ignored the "I have NO room in the suitcase." instead my thinking was "Mikki can keep this until Christmas." Alas!

We ate at a "Mexican" restaurant - a treat for everone; including me - I was enthralled; thousands of miles from home & I'm eating "Mexican!" Who could resist ordering Procutti Tacos??? Note to self; bring all the fixings for a large American Mex meal. Get Lizbeth's recipe for the Chile Reanos.

Leaving the restaurant; it was poring - thank goodness Sonja bought all of us umbrellas; as it was, we were soaked. All

In all; it's good day.

I'll post pictures this evening. Ciao!