Hello again!
I'm reporting from another delightful day on one of our amazing tours. On Tuesday we made our way into Valle di Non, the place where my Nonna originated from! The only reason why I was ok with going was because I was actually interested to see the area that my family came from.

Unfortunately the day started out miserable with big storm clouds and heavy rain. The strange thing here is that you can NEVER predict the weather! I though that because I was so hot last time I would wear shorts, which I severely regretted after realizing the state of the weather.
So we made our way into a historical centre that had items from way back when and showed what life was really like in Valle di Non in about the 1700s. They had cool rooms set up just like they would have been then with families of ten crammed into tiny rooms. It was the only room in the house that was heated and the babies would even have to sleep in draws under the bed or sets of draws!!! Insane

Upstairs was a museum of traditional folk costumes from hundreds of cultures all around the world. At this point out translator Jimmy got slightly too involved in the tour himself and just chose not to inform us about anything.. Lucky the tour was mostly visual anyway and we can really just guess about anything said!

When we got outside, to my luck, there was not a cloud in the sky and sun was shinning bright! Win for me, I had dressed perfectly for the occassion :) We headed on to our lunch location where we were served the tradition food of the region Polen..... Kidding!!! Thank god it was not polenta! But Torte Della patite (not sure if that is necessarily correct). Basically it is like a potato tart or pattie really. I was just glad it wasn't polenta and we were actually served some vegetables with it. We finished with an apple strudel in recognition of the huge apple production Valle di Non is famous for.

At this point, yet again Antonella came and told us that she was hoping to leave our next location at 5 to get us back in time. This resulted in the requirement of my teacher voice in order to get my point across. I explained to us that if it only took us an hour to get here and we are hoping to leave at 5, we shouldn't have any troubles catching the latest bus at 6.55. Something you wouldn't think you would have to explain to a forty year old ORGANISER!!! Luck for me it was not something I was having to worry about for this tour as my cousin was picking me up from the tour. But honestly, it's getting ridiculous!!!!!!!!

So we made our way to our final destination. On the way some of the other people were handing around this tea... It came in a weird green bowl/cup with weird herb looking leaves floating in the top. Little suss. Chiara asked to try some and we all guaranteed her that she was sure to start hallucinating in no time! I was not willing to try a strange Argentinian tea and passed up on the opportunity. Later we googled it and found that they tried to ban the substance for its addictive qualities. Explains a lot!

We finally arrived at Marvolo lake about half an hour away. We drove down into this gorgeous lake with an amazing view of the town and surroundings. We had an option between taking a tour of something... Or free time! So Breanna, Chiara, Danielle and I mulled over our tough decision and finally chose some free time haha

When we got to the water we saw that they had cool four seater paddle boats! Perfect for our hour and a half off at the lake. It was definitely the best part f the day paddling along the water and taking in our amazing surroundings with great company :) When our time was up we headed back in at 5.30. Even though we were supposed to leave Nanno at 5- of COURSE we were running late!

Luckily I got dropped off to Stephano waiting for me! Thank god! I felt super bad because we were an hour later than she had said she would meet him so kept him waiting a while. Antonella has no clue about time management or respecting people schedules what-so-ever!!! Something I just can't handle!!!

So after not seeing Stephano for 15 years now we had a lot to catch up on. Unfortunately the drive to Nanno was a lot shorter with his crazy mountain driving skills as we nipped through the streets like a pro.

When we reached the house I was greeted by Noami and Anna two super super cute daughters of Francesca! I went inside and the whole family came to say hello to me and attempt to speak a little bit of English. It was so nice being back and meeting everyone after so long! They showed me pictures from when I was last there. They brought out one of me looking unbelievably grumpy! And I remembered it like it was yesterday. Everyone was going to see the bears and mum said I had to have a sleep first. When I woke up, they had gone and I had missed out!!! It was the worst thing that had ever happened to a six year old haha and to this day I have never forgiven my mum! I'm hoping they photo isn't my families only memory of me. They were probably expecting some goth to rock up, based on that photo! Haha.

After the formalities Stephano, Luca and I when to have an Hugo in Cles before dinner. Stephano speaks amazing English while Luca might need a bit of practice to understand my constant rambling. But then again even people in Australia have a hard time understanding me!

We made our way up the hill in Cles to have PIZZA with the whole family. It was so nice being there with them and having them really make an effort with me. Can't wait to spend some more time with them on my trip!!!