Domenica

So we’re obviously not missing anything at either house. The weather in the mountains has been really mild. We woke to a slight dusting of snow, and then cloudy skies. We planned to take the cable car up to the plateau and go for a long walk and a toboggan ride part way down, but it was so cloudy we opted to walk the old rail trail instead.We stopped at huts, listened to the church bells, and followed the old route from Ortisei to Santa Christina. It was a truly leisurely walk of about 3 hours with the locals. Babies and dogs and not an English speaker among them. Have I mentioned that we haven’t met or heard one American since we landed? Confirmation of a trip well planned — we are truly away.

We walked through some neighborhoods on the way back and Brad got to ogle all the perfectly stacked wood at every house, the gorgeous carvings and the ancient wood cribs. Brad is dying to get his hands on some of the old maple and Swiss pine.

Cool sign, right?

If you could smell this place, you’d be in heaven! Cured meats, fresh baked strudel, puffy pizza….. sensory overload.

We headed back to our hotel and just decided to have a down afternoon. A little pasta carbonara, a little reading, and a steam and jacuzzi. Perfect lazy Sunday afternoon.

We headed out to our favorite outdoor bar for a little wine. They give you blankets and hot water bottles to keep you warm. I just ordered 4 of them for Amelia — we gotta try it at home! Our last walk around town at night, and we caught the evening service at St. Ulrich. Beautiful, and like time travel. Smoke from all the chimneys, choir singing, church bells ringing….. And then onto our final dinner. Exquisite as usual.

Every course brings more fresh silverware. We must use 8 sets a meal between cheese, fruit and dinner and dessert. What a way to live.

On to Milano in the morning. I’ve really enjoyed this Austrian/Italian village, and we felt very much at home here. I understand why people come back to the Grodnerhof every year — we might become one of them.