DAY FIVE – Pre Trip Day Three

The funny thing about doing this blog, is I take so much time to write it and then even longer to upload the photos…while I wait for the uploads, I facebook, return emails, watch TV…but I spend so much time in my room doing the same things I do back home…that when I finally go outside for something (food, cappuchio) I am shocked to find out…I’m NOT at home, but actually in Italy!  Sorry…seemed funny to me.

Today started out better, but still difficult to get started.  It was going to be a long day outing with much to do and see in the country side of Romania…we are currently in the Lombardia region here in Milan.  So much to do…better get cracking.

It’s Saturday, so we have new staff in the breakfast room…I guess here (and all places in and around town) you eat, and leave you plate on the table for the staff to collect.  Sorry…Chris don’t play that…so the staff at all my café shops and here at breakfast are really shocked when I bus my own plates back to the front counter and clear my table for the next guest.  They just aren’t used to polite people…they generally laugh and full heartedly say “Prego” after I say “Gratsie”…thanks Mom…you taught me well.

So being Saturday, all banks are closed, so I guess exchange will have to wait for another day.  Off to my “regular” café … BUT WAIT!  It isn’t there anymore!  They were demolishing the inside!  Drats…have to find a new place for café.

I went too my “second” hang out and learned something new…you pay one price for café if you intend to stand at the bar and drink it…you pay a higher price if you want to take your café and sit at the table outside!  So after all this time…NOW I know why the café bar guy always looked at me so strangely when I took my lower priced café and plopped myself down at a table outside.  I guess no one stopped me because I bussed my own cup and saucer…but not today…BUSTED.  So I stood and enjoyed my second café.

I took a quick walk through the Milan Centrale Stazione since today was really my last day here in Milan…forgot to get pictures of the interior.  Remember…I told you I LOVE train travel in Europe…it’s so “grand” and efficient.  May I suggest some itineraries with train travel for your next European vacation?

I was early to the bus so what did I do?  Yup…found yet ANOTHER café and enjoyed another standing cappuchio and bumped into Mauricio who was also headed in for his morning café.  We then loaded the bus with waters for the days journey and off to meet with the group.

Luisa is staying at the hotel with the group and is 6 months pregnant.  Why do I offer this information?  Well, the group was a bit startled when I met them because apparently during breakfast, Luisa slipped on a banana peel and fell to the ground pretty hard.  She was okay, but the group witnessed it and had great concern for her and the baby.  She laughed it off but was touched with everyone’s compassion.

The group was taking their time so I had to hurry them onto the bus…we had a long drive to MODENA to visit a privately owned Balsamic Vinegar distillery.  I know…you’re thinking…what an odd thing to do?  But this region is VERY FAMOUS for their Balsamic.  And it’s delicate and intricate work!

For starters…BALSAMIC derives its name from the fact that centuries ago, doctors would use this liquid for medicinal intestinal reasons or a BALM…henceforth….Balsamic.  It is typically made from grapes, but other fruits can be used.  Dark balsamic derives its color from the fruits being cooked for 48 hours straight.  White or “clear” balsamic is put through a centrifuge so it remains clear.  It is then stored in special wooden barrels for 6, 12 or 25 years before being bottled.  And the wooden barrels are kept OPEN during this entire time…something to do with the active bacteria that helps give it its taste.

I know…who knew there was so much to know about balsamic.  We were treating to a tasting of apple balsamic, a 6 year, 12 year and 25 year balsamic.  MAN … this stuff is yummy!  Balsamic is NOT just for salad!  They use it as a marinade for meats, use on tomatoes and mozzarella, cooking with vegetables…and even as an ICE CREAM TOPPING!

I have to say…I have a new appreciation for balsamic…the tastes are incredible!  Now the balsamic we have at home is “processed” with sugars and preservatives…but this stuff from MODENA is made by simply cooking the fruit for 48 hours and then an aging process for years.  And voila…Balsamic.  This excursion was both unique and enlightening.  There’s so much more to know about Balsamic, but I leave it at that.  If you want to know more…ask me in person and I’d love to share more.

Now onto lunch.  Lunch today was held at the Cavalarie Ristorante…basically the signature restaurant of the Ferrari factory!  Very high class, and incredible food!  I had the Rissoto delle parme, a steak and potatoes smothered in balsamic and a café crème brulle!  Let’s just say…I died and went to culinary heaven.

Now onto the Ferrari Factory!  This required an additional drive of 45 minutes to the city or MARENELLO.  Unfortunately, I’m not that impressed with cars or Ferrari or whomever else might be in the region…nonetheless…the visit was really special.  We saw cars that dated back to the 1920’s and learned much about the history of Ferrari and his cars.  Again…this blog will show only a few of them, the rest I’ll post on facebook.  Really cool stuff.  The entire time, I kept thinking…”Man, Brandon would LOVE this!”  Guess I’m coming back to Milano someday!

After the tour and all, one of our tour group leaders (my main client) decided to “test drive” a Ferrari right then and there.  Yup…they do that.  You pick what car you want to drive and how long you want to drive it, and away you go.  They also have a video camera installed in the back to record your entire test drive!  Very cool.  The only problem with this is that, it took so long, the rest of the group became bored and cranky…and we lost out on any additional shopping time in Milan…a few of the women of the group were basically pissed off.  Oh oh…here we go….

Now I will not get into specifics, but basically, here is a cryptic version of what happened next.  I’m sure many of you reading this blog are jealous or envious of the opportunity I have been given to be part of this travel experience.  However, I have been dreading this trip, ever since its inception.  For those of you who know me well…you know why.  So basically, on our 2.5 hour drive back to Milan and the hotel…I had my FIRST how shall we say…first full reason to explain my existence on this trip.  And man was it a doozie!  Let’s just put it this way…even our tour guide Luisa and drive Mauricio felt bad for me…basically…I had guests who were unhappy with the length of time spent on the bus and wants our entire remaining 10 day itinerary revised…BEFORE TOMORROW!  Well…that’s my job right?  So I am resigned to re-design the remainder of the trip on the fly…tonight.  After I blog of course!  Hmmm…tonight sounds like a good night to participate in Milan’s finest alcohols!

Anywho…we got back to the hotel and our guests said a fond farewell to Luisa and Mauricio.  I’m really going to miss these two.  It is kind of hard to explain…in three very short days, we became a team.  They graciously shared their “space” with me…you know…able to do things passengers and guests would never be part of…the “work force stuff”….the behind the scenes stuff…seriously…the three of us made a great team.  Mauricio was responsible for getting us there and back.  Luisa is incredibly knowledgeable, educated, articulate, speaks 5 languages, and an invaluable wealth of information…and I took care of each of our guests personal needs and desires, working in tandem with Luisa and Mauricio to accommodate and provide.  I’m going to miss those two.

Thankfully, our bound allowed me the benefit of having Mauricio drive me to my hotel to drop me off 18 feet from the entrance door, which was VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, because I had to carry 60 bottles of water up to my room!  We don’t just lose Mauricio…we lose the bus too!  Tomorrow we will have a NEW tour manager (Helga) a new bus driver (name unknown at this time) and a new bus!