Affittacamere La Cascina Del Lago Asti

... otherwise."
I'm happy to play along.

"Did you eat any good food in France?" I'm asked
My time in France was short, but to be honest, I didn't really eat anything spectacular. "No, not really" I say half joking.
"Of course you didn't. All the best food is in Italy and within Italy, the best food is here, in this home. I feel sorry for the rest of the world."

Our lunch was of the sort that I would hope to serve if I had visiting royalty; not dirt-bag, layabout ...

... going at ten for a Euro (compare that with the prices back home!). Oranges are in season and hard to resist; a Euro will get you three kilos of the best. Plump fennel, sits next to giant unusual pumpkins, and a huge variety of greens, most of which are foreign to me.

Inside the main building the butchers are doing things the way they should be done. Silky tripe sits next to glistening livers. Chickens, with heads, and sometimes feathers, still ...

... A group of 4 guys from Quebec, PEI, and Vancouver, have joined with a couple from Qualicum, not so far from my hometown.

The couple have just finished a 3 week stint of WWOOFing in France, where, using his professional experience as a carpenter, they built a yoga studio for their host. Can you imagine? A hosts dream, a volunteer carpenter! We swap stories about WWOOFing; while they did enjoy their time, they were a little disappointed that ...

... clutch. Kev couldn't raise a smile from Mr misery on his right, the lights changed and the Hearse driver left us for dead!!!!!!!!!!!
One more chance to ignore Doris, a quick u-turn across six lanes of traffic and two tram lines and we were back on course for the hotel.
Finally arriving at the front of the hotel doors after covering 1040 miles in the ever surprising pooper. We emerged with no aches and pains (caused by the pooper).
Bring on the return.............!

... little accident in Annecy during lunch, we enjoyed a thunder storm and the european fashion taste of white trousers!
A quick check of the Map and we were ready to go.
Rich back back at the helm, after managing to ease Kev out of the driving seat, Departing Annecy heading for Chamonix, dissapointed we didnt see the promised beaver, fighting our way through the local traffic - it was total gridlock (said with a Jamaican ...

... R and R. It was funny because when me and Ross returned the Germans were basically waiting for us in the boat and erupted in cheer when they saw us majestically and valiently stroll back into the Marianetta. We hung out with the Germans, and some Spaniards for awhile and off to bed we went.

OK well I obviously wrote I lot and have more to write about, I should have time tomorrow to finish Amsterdam, yes there us MUCH MUCH MORE to go. Followed by Lille, Lyon and Tori

... important, and this can lead to serious arguments

-the younger Italians embrace American traditions too much

-equal amounts of trash as in American cities (again, except for Naples, which was a metropolitan garbage can)

Final analysis:

The Italians have got it right. Warm, gracious, passionate people who are classy, worldly in knowledge, and respectful of foreigners. Americans can learn a lot from many aspects of their culture.

... It is a tunnel drive and we go through one that is 17 kms long and is a toll tunnel. We cross into Italy just at the end. Rather silly road signs here, as Len is looking at the green traffic light ahead and I am saying stop! There is 'halt' on the road and a small stop sign at the side on a barrier. Two guards come out and one looks in the back and the other asks for passports and to open the back, then the other ...

... I went to two bars at night. I met Ricca's friends who were a bunch of college students. They tried to talk to me in English. They were singing and I recorded that. I had fun. We went to the Red Lion but it was boring. The place was quite characteristic. At 12ish we returned home. Ricca was a little sick. We went straight to bed.

... 7
euros we had a buffet and included a drink. I ordered something with nut
and pineapple in it. It was nice but big that it took me a lot of efforts
to finish it. Lorenzo has a mojito which Sally likes a lot. Sally
ordered a virgin pina colada (a variation of that). We were all so full...











Turin, Piedmont, Italy astre