Roommates Reunited in Stuttgart & Road Trip to Italia!

The summer before freshman year at U of M, I received a letter from the housing department with the name of a randomly selected dorm roommate...Mical Parker.  A unique name indeed which led me to assume this "Mical" was from a foreign land. 

Sophomore Year of College- Mical, Me, & Meg C. (circa 2000 Springbreak dance floor?)

She was actually a good ol' Michigander who became my best pal and recently joined me on her first adventure to the foreign land of Europa.  She stayed with us in Stuttgart so I brought her to work as "show and tell."  The German students were mesmerized by her Midwest accent as she enlightened them about "pop", Henry Ford, and Eminem.

Mical thrilled to learn that DNA was discovered in Tubingen

We took the local train to the historic town of Tubingen.  Mical got reprimanded by a stern German business woman for putting her feet on the seat (she is accustomed to filthy NYC subways and was shocked by the scolding). 

Hanging in Tubingen- Mic heard German ambulance sirens and proclaimed "it sounds like the gazpacho" 

We enjoyed a non-German style vegetarian lunch after seeing the historic sites.

Sampler platter of falafel, hummus, babaganoush, - decided against ordering "Obama" (ketchup mustard onion sauce)

While Mical loves many things German (sausage, beer, strange fashion...), we agreed she is too loud and "sassy" to live in Stuttgart.

Joyful Mical at the Markethalle with Gerhardt, my favorite meat man

On the weekend, Scott, Mic and I drove south to Italy.  (Actually, Mic drove our car while I navigated and Scoots worked on his computer).  The drive was spectacularly scenic as we headed towards the Alps. 

Mic clutching new camera and gazing out at Lake Lucerne 

 Stopping for a restroom, Mical was desperate for a "FDC" (fountain diet coke) but I warned her not to purchase anything in Switzerland.

Mical pointing to the most expensive Diet Coke of her life (equivalent to almost 9 US dollars)

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch on gorgeous Lake Como and wandered the gardens and shops.

Scoots has a strong passion for wide-brimmed hats and searched for one with room for his fro

Unfortunately, the hats were all too small although the salespeople claimed they were "unisex"

We spent the night in a teeny Italian town called Fidenza.  Lucky for us, focaccia, a delicious Ligurian specialty, happened to originate near Fidenza.

Mical looking up to heaven while eating a life-changing gorgonzola radicchio focaccia pizza

The next morning, Mical's disheveled hair (creepy bangs) prompted her to re-enact a scene from a classic movie, The Princess Bride.

"My name is Inigo Montoya; you killed my father prepare to die!"

After thoroughly disinfecting the steering wheel with Purel, Scott drove us to Cinque Terre.  (Mical's honey mustard pretzel fingers had left a nasty residue on our pristine Altima). 

View from front seat of the Altima (glad Scoots was driving)

Mical and I had always wanted to visit Cinque Terre known as the "Italian Riviera."  It consists of 5 hilltop towns connected by hiking trails running along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

View from our apartment in Riomaggiore

Boto with boats in Riomaggiore 

The 5 villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Local white wine- crisp and refreshing

Yum

Fresh fried anchovies, shrimp & calamari

Greasy Italian Stallions soaking up the sunshine (brings back memories of Leigh-Ann's oily uncle Nicky)

Scoots waiting for the ferry, eager to cliff jump

We took the ferry to the town of Vernazza because part of the hiking route was closed due to the floods of 2011.

Mic on ferry with lots of tourists

Ferries are fun

View of Corniglia from the ferry on our way to Vernazza

Hiking path from Vernazza to Corniglia 

While we went hiking, Scoots decided to swim and relax on the hot rocks.

Bathing beauty

The hike was steep but the vantage point was incredible.

The trail into Corniglia finishes with a climb of 368 steps

We worked up an appetite by the time we met Scoots for dinner.

Sunset

Sunset view from our dinner table at Trattoria del Capitano

Dinner was phenomenal, especially the fresh seafood "grigliata mista"!

Mussels & herbs, Salmon carpaccio w/ fennel, Balsamic grilled shrimp, Octopus salad, Sardines w/ pine nuts on toast

Pesto (a succulent basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nut and Parmesan blend) was also invented in the Liguria region so we devoured a lot of fresh pasta.

Italian tube shaped pasta is called "trofie"

Scoot's sharing fashion tips
(versatile garments around neck...)

Scoots looking at me adoringly?

Dinner conversation was exquisite thanks to vino rosso della casa and great company!

Pals forever (one sporting a "versatile garment" for warmth not style)

Italian waiter collects a smooch for shots of limoncello

Decadent chocolate cake

The next morning, we took the local train to the 5th northern most village of Monterosso al Mare.

The neighboring villages can be seen along the coastline in the distance

Monterosso is known for its beaches and lifeguards ("Lifegaurd" above in 6 languages)

 I observed the next great Italian fotografo. 

Adorable Michelangelo Jr

Say "Formaggio"

We hiked with Scoots to the nearby village of Vernazza.

Thanks for the "hiking" dress mom!


Sweet treats


Airy Panna Cotta

Pup we almost brought home

Italian Photo Highlights:

Best plums and apricots we have ever tasted!

This pattern on this sexy lady's purse (pictured left) was a world map that happened to match the world map pattern on her sneakers and bikini.

Dropping Mical at the train station was bittersweet since I would soon be meeting her in Paris.

                                                   Arrivederci!

Stay tuned for the next blog:  Tales of Love in 3 Cities - Paris, Pittsburgh & Palm Springs (featuring Mical's romantical night train rendezvous and 2 fabulous weddings)