Uptown Funk!

So we are at half term already in school. Not really sure why since they have only been in school for 6 weeks. I think it is an excuse to go skiing before all of the snow is gone. We do not ski. Yet. Though there was that ONE memorable night 16 years ago when some really awesome friends tried to teach me to ski on a converted trash heap in Michigan. Face plant into ski pole and new tooth later, I am not sure I want to try again. Maybe next year.

So, since we were not with the rest of Switzerland going skiing, where'd we go? SALAMI CITY!!!! Huh? You know, Genoa. Genoa salami? Duh... Apparently, we are crazy because not even the Swiss drive through the mountains in the winter. Why? Well the Summer pass is closed to go over the mountains. Don't think I want to do that anyway. But the way through the mountains was open. The road consists 300 km, only 50 of which was straight-ish, peaking at 1900 meters (6,175 ft) with about 30 tunnels, give or take a handful. Three of the longest were 5,6, and 7 kilometers long. Oh and the tunnels were not the straight parts of the road. Here is a picture of why it was crazy.

Okay, well four. First is how the road turns (driving on the red to the blue line), second and third are the sheer drops on the side as well as the snow and almost white out conditions. Fourth is one of the open tunnels that allowed snow to blow through. Yey. Exciting. Thank you the headache and sore hand from grabbing onto the "oh shit" bar. I think this the is road in which whoever was driving and their passenger named the handle. There were even deer crossing signs along this road. Where would they be coming from, and where would they go? Are they suicidal deer? There is no place but down. I kept thinking of a deer prancing along and then like a cartoon there is no ground and they hang in the air for a minute, eyes bulging, saying "Uh-oh!" Then they would plummet to the ground squished. Nice thought huh? But I cannot blame anybody else because it was my idea. Next time? The train.

By now you are probably wondering, or not, why I titled this after a Bruno Mars song. Okay, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Well, the Italians love this song. We heard it 24 times within three days. 8 or 10 alone on this road above. We would have heard it more if we did not turn the radio off halfway through the drive home. That song was viral! Every restaurant, store, bathroom, you name it. It was like that Facebook video of the drama teacher at that Dallas high school. Annoying. And yes, you all think that video is annoying too. Don't lie. It's like it's the teacher's audition video for "Dancing With The Stars." Puleeze!

Anyway, where'd we go? Ah yes Salami city. Did I eat salami? Well that is not an appropriate question. We did eat a lot of Focaccia Bread and pizza. Very delicious. We got lost in the alleys of Genoa, very fun. We bought regional Chianti wines, very tasty. We saw creepy statues, amazing ceiling frescos, beautiful building facades, gorgeous coastline, and Paganini's violin! His concertos were even playing along the museum area streets. Totally cool! We could have stayed there all day and listened. But then it started hailing, so we left.

The boys had fun as well. At least they said so. Could have been humoring me, but I don't think so. Unfortunately, I could not get many family shots. They were being poppyhead teenagers.

Genoa is a very cool city. Birth place of Columbus and all that. Did we see him? No. Not even a statue. Even Barcelona has a statue. Whatevs. We did make it down the coast to Portofino one day though. Very beautiful. But the streets were so narrow that you had to honk around the bend in case another car was coming. Very scary! Especially with how crazy the Italians drive. About gave me a heart attack. I wasn't even driving! We stopped in Rapallo for lunch. That is a neat city as well. It had orange trees growing along the road. I wondered if anyone could pick them. I did not attempt it incase that was a no-no. I do not want to be in an Italian jail for picking oranges. We went at the best time because there were really no tourists, so no jostling. Just a quick "get out of Dodge" weekend for us. We stayed at the Hotel Bristol. If you are ever in Genoa you need to stay at this hotel. Only reason? The stairs. Totally cool. I know a stairway should not be a reason to stay anywhere, but look for yourself and tell me if I am wrong.

 
See! Reason enough! Or it was the huge room with high ceilings? Or the yummy breakfast? Or the fact that it was near the center of the old city? Any reason is a good reason.

We had a cold and rainy Saturday, a cold and windy but sunny Sunday and an utterly beautiful Monday. Really spectacular. In some places the water was the Med blue, in other this gorgeous aqua/teal. We tried to capture it, but not much success.

Piazza de Ferrari. sorry no Ferraris in sight though.

Boccadasse fishing village

Portofino









I have so many pictures of the weekend that I will put a link up. Hope you enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/whf089lvkzn7q63/AAAySuMJLQtvgBPd2bPkpcDva?dl=0

Let me know if it doesn't work!