Italy Part II: The Best Laid Plans

            So I guess I didn’t quite get this post up as promised later in the week. What can I say, I’m in Dublin and things come up. I have a ton of homework I need to get done now though, which makes it a perfect time to update my blog.

Emma’s Italian Adventure

            I met Emily at the train station in Genova, and then we took a train to Varazze where her cousin picked us up. It was pretty late by this point, so we ate dinner and then headed home to sleep. The plan was to wake up early the next morning (Saturday) and head to the mountains in time to go snowboarding the next day (white people love snowboarding), followed by an event/party that night. The next day we’d drive back to Varazze where I’d catch a train back to Milan to be ready for my flight early Monday morning. You’re probably admiring the brilliant plan at this point. What can I say, Emily and I are awesome planners. And, in our typical perfect fashion, we executed this plan flawlessly. Guess I’m done writing about Italy.

            Oh wait…

            That whole “early start” thing was the first little glitch. Get us up and dressed and fed, pack everything together, gather our other travel companions and it was close to noon by the time we got to the resort. No problem though, it would just be shorter day.

We arrived at the resort and were greeted by falling snow and minimal visibility. In short, it was close to a white out. After some debate, we decided to abandon our adventure plans and opt for lunch instead. Hey, at least we still had that night to look forward too.

            Emily and I were staying about a half an hour away from the resort, so we took a bus down the hill to take a quick nap and then change for that night. We had everything we needed for the party: our shuttle passes to get back up the hill, tickets into the event, and even a pass for our first drinks. Life was looking good.

            We were in the hotel lobby that night rested and ready to go. Some other people were there as well, also waiting for the shuttle. We were told it had just left, but would be back before too long. No big, it was early and we didn’t mind waiting. We even found a couple of Italians who spoke English pretty well, so I was set. We sat down with our new friends to wait for the shuttle.

            And then we waited.

            And then we waited some more.

            And then we called the shuttle driver to check when he would be back, and he hung up on us.

            Okay…

            I won’t bore you with the details, but no one from our hotel made it up to the party that night. The snowstorm kept us all grounded. So Emily and I went sulking back to our room where we remained angry and bitter all night for having our plans ruined. The end.

           

            That also would be false. Who cares if things didn’t go according to plans? I was with my best friend in Italy! We were in a gorgeous mountain town in the middle of a snowstorm with new friends! And we were going to enjoy that night!!!

We had dinner at a pizza place next door, and then hung around chatting with our new friends and sharing our vast knowledge of English idioms. I had no idea how fantastic a phrase “Keep an eye on it” is, but apparently it’s awesome.

The next day was similar conditions, but Emily and I decided to brave the weather and snowboard anyway. The shuttle once again wasn’t running, so we hitched a ride with a man and his 5-year-old son. We could barely see and were forced to stay on the same run, but we had a blast. Honestly, how could I not being in Italy, snowboarding in fresh powder with my best friend?

The moral of this story? When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

And when the going gets tough, the tough makes lemonade!

And for all of you who didn’t get that last reference, buy some jerkin orange clothes and go watch Josie and the Pussycats.