Tschuss!-----Bellissimo!

Sally and George bid us farewell as we headed out on our way to Italy. "Tschuss!...I really had I great time here in Cudrefin. We must stay in touch. If you come to Hawaii call me please." "You are so welcome Charles...Shoot dah Moon!" Both simultaneously turned and indeed shot us the moon as we headed off. "They are so funny. Can't believe their doing it." "They loved it Charles...Something American", said Peter.
At midday we had arrived in Como, Italy. "Well we must have lunch and some wine." Kate smiled brightly as she said that. Here we were in another gorgeous place. Wonderful villas ringed the lake. The city streets were cobblestoned and the smell of Italian food drifted into the air. Voices were a bit louder here but joyous. I noticed more hand gesturing between people. We decided on a Pizzeria where we would have our luncheon. The owner had beckoned us to his restaurant by moving a chair out from under a table, bowing and pointing at the blackboard menu. Kate, Peter and I nodded to each other and sat at the table. It is such a wonderful thing to be seated outdoors. With the waiter approaching Kate asked if it was okay for her to do the ordering. We agreed that she would order and whatever it was would be fine. Besides, she spoke perfect Italian.
"E perdere cio che avete per il pranzo?"
"Condivi deremo dal menu. Facciaamoci antipasto. E pizza con prochutto e olive per favore. An che una insalata di casa...Posso vedere la lista del vini...Avremo la Amorone."
"Splendido, tornera presto."
"I ordered, of course a pizza, antipasto, salad and a very special wine of this region." The wine that she had ordered was a red wine called Amarone. She went on to explain how the grapes were left in the sun to dry somewhat before the fermentation process. "Charles you will love this wine!"
 
"Il vostro vino!"
"Il vino a proprio piacimento?"
"Grande! Grazie."
"Antipasto. pane e pesto. Buon divertimento!"
"Grazie."
"Prego!"
Kate was exactly right. The wine was fabulous. We ate, drank and enjoyed each other. "Bellissimo!" "I didn't know you spoke Italian Charles." "Not much Kate, only a few simple words. Here's to us!" "Oh there's more Charles", Peter said. "We have more driving to do. Our next stop is Lake Garda." 
As we headed east towards our next destination Peter explained that Lake Garda was the largest lake in Italy. "It is the best place we have in the Alps for windsurfing. It is not like Maui. No big waves there, but the wind is good and we will rent equipment there and you will see for yourself." "Sure...It should be fun. I am having such a great time." "We are so glad you came to visit Charles." Kate was napping in the back seat as we sped along the highway. We were driving at what seemed a rather good clip, but out of nowhere cars would just zoom past us so quickly you could'nt read the license plates. We recognized one Alfa Romeo, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini and a Maserati. In masculine response Peter floored the Volkswagen's accelerator and passed an older Fiat with not quite the same intensity as the other cars had done to us. It was comic relief. "Peter...Bist du verruckt verlangsamen!" Kate yelled had out pushing upon Peter's shoulder. "Okay! Okay, she told me to slow down and I'm crazy...Women!" We rounded a corner and there below was a panorama of Lake Garda.

We settled into a cozy little hotel a block away from the lake front. An intimate courtyard was the view below our little balcony.

After freshening up the three of us set out into the street for a leisurely stroll. We did some window shopping and then sat for awhile looking out upon the lake. "We should find a nice place to have dinner", I suggested. "This evenings meal is on me." "Fine, but I need to shower and change clothes". Kate had the right idea. Looking more refined we found a rather elegant establishment with a great view. The waiter presented the menus. I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of Barbaresco at his suggestion. I tasted and accepted the bottle. Our waiter poured each of us a glass. "Salute!" We sipped the wine and looked our menus.

 Our collective decision was to once again order a variety of dishes and sample the fare. For antipasti we decided on chopped raw beef with white truffles, Speck, which is smoked prosciutto and a buttery Fontina cheese. The main course included:      
Bagna caoda-garlicky ravioli in Barbera wine

Agnolotti-stuffed pasta seasoned with the drippings of a roast

Tortelli di zucca-squash filled pasta

Polenta e fasoi-polenta with beans
For the finale we orderd a rich custard dessert  with espresso. We toasted one another with Grappa. After another wonderful meal under our belts Peter and Kate decided to call it a dayand headed back to the hotel. I found a bar and chatted with a Parisian girl who had also come here to windsurf. We parted ways at her hotel entrance where she gave me a friendly good night kiss. The next day Kate watched as Peter and I windsurfed.

               

Bellissimo!