Road Trip to Monte Bianco

To properly break in the mini, Mark and I drove to Monte Bianco, or Mont Blanc as the french call it, this past weekend. It was hard to decide whether we should just keep on driving through the 12km tunnel to France, but the beauty of the mountains and the 40 euro toll kept us in the homeland. After parking the car safely on pavement, we hit the compact snow on foot and headed into the wilderness. The wilderness consisted of many cross-country skiiers, families out for a stroll, and at least one bar or ristorante every 1/2 mile. We stopped at one of these for some Vin Brule...vino, sugar, and cloves....and kicked back in the sun, admiring the mountains that surrounded us.

Via Roma

Luce a Torino

Given that italians don't have a Thanksgiving holiday, it is perfectly acceptable for them to start decorating the streets as soon as November comes around....especially to my liking. Every famous street in Torino has a different theme. Via Garibaldi has birds eating worms (spared you that one), Micca San Petro has constolations (too many wires), but i enjoy Via Roma and Piazza Vittorio Veneto...

Priorities....

While awaiting the arrival of my friend Laurie for lunch today, i wandered over to a nearby Fiorista (Florist) and notice that they were closed during business hours and read the white sign. "Torno subito, sono al bar." Which literally transaltes to, ' I'll be right back, I am at the bar. ' I found this delightful, especially because the florist also indicated the direction of the bar she was at with an arrow. It made me appreciate the work philosophy of the italians. Is work really more important than being well caffeinated, quenching ones thirst, or needing some quality social interaction? Clients/customers can wait, if not, just follow the arrow to the bar.

Via Torrazza 2

Numero 4....our place of residence for the time being. I chose the title "della ciliegia" or in english, 'of the cherry' for the obvious fact that the cherry tree is what our town of Pecetto is famous for. Also, I recently read the book 'Cradle to Cradle' which credits the cherry tree as being the perfect example of eco-efficiency. Read the book for more info.

Mark and I have now been married of over 3 months, and we are still enjoying each other's company immensely and learning new things about the other. One thing i have learned about Mark, is that he probably won't be writing much in this blog, but he does want to share our experience here with dear family and friends. So enjoy and for the record, here is our contact info in case you happen to be in the neighborhood some day:

Mark & Erin Coletti

Via Torrazza 2

#4

10020 Pecetto (To)

Italia

E cell +39-333-8058057

E email pompelmi@gmail.com

M cell +39-334-1478913

M email markcoletti@gmail.com

E&M skype name: markcoletti