ITALY AT LAST!

5:00AM, we are up and ready to again try to fly SwissAir to Venice. The snowfall turned to rain so the streets were mushy but not icy. Chris warmed the car and off we went down the hill to the train station. From there we took the train to Zurich (about 25 min); changed to a train going to the airport and about 10 mins later we were in at the airport.

 This time the plane was ready to go and left on time. 40 mins later we were landing in Venice. The views over the alps were fantastic. It took at least 40 mins to collect our luggage but finally we cleared the exit doors and there was Mikki, waving and greeting us. After a coffee and brioche we were on our way to Summaga.

There's no snow on the ground but it's icy cold. Mikki's house is decidedly cool; with 2 wood stove's going; the house temperature is between 61-65. I don't mind - I wear several layers and we're so busy, who has time to be cold?

Giorgia and Morgan are home from school about 1:30 - Kil is still at the university; taking his last exam. His declared major is Ecological Biology and Zoology. Big excitement - he's won a scholarship to study next summer in one of the Guyanas (you know one of those countries in Northern South America (are you following that?)

Mikki is teaching English to Adults tonight - tomorrow 2 year old and Friday night, teenagers. Can't you imagine being the teacher of teenagers on a Friday night just before the Christmas holiday!!!

Thursday - Kil arrived home from school today, he has a month's holiday...sort of. Like Gwen in Zurich; there are more tests when he returns. We met his train and headed for the Thursday Market to buy last minute Christmas gifts; people-watch and to have a cappuccino. Arrived home to find Morgan - her teacher joined with the public transportation workers to strike for 4 hours. Not so for Giorgia; she got home at the usual time.

Mikki and I had an interesting miscommunication - she wanted me to make a pumpkin pie from fresh pumpkin. Ok and I suggested that I make a dinner using Winter Squash and tortellini. Mikki said she's never heard of Winter Squash - never seen it in the stores. I couldn't imagine it! then on the way to market, I spot a butternut squash and drew Mikki's attention to it. She said "oh no Becky, that's a pumpkin!" Say what? "Then what do you use for pumpkin pie?"

Apparently pumpkin pie is made from squash - Mikki said pumpkin (as you and I know it) is just for jack-o'lanterns. Hmmmm

Tomorrow we begin making Christmas cookies and pies. Contrary to what Kevin told me - I'm not expected to eat Tongue. (I'd all ready decided not to eat anything Kilian refused to eat.) Instead Linda and Bruno will have tongue - we will have turkey.

Ok time to get in the laundry, it will have to finish drying indoors. Ciao!