Fri. Nov. 21, 2008 - A Visit to Treviso

This morning is a religious holiday and most government offices are closed. We met a friend of Stefano and Germana today. Being that Mauny is a magician, it happened that this friend was a skillful magician himself. The two took turns demonstrating tricks with ropes, cards, money, and rubber bands to everyone's amazement. Later the two - despite a severe language barrier - shared private time together showing, and teaching each other, a few secrets. In early afternoon Elaine, and Mauny took the train to visit Treviso, a near by town known to be like a small Venice. We found it to be a small walled city with a river, and a few canals going through it. Although it didn't have any boat traffic, the small bridges, canals, and houses did indeed look like Venice. A visit to the local church revealed for the first time frescos painted on the support columns, rather then on the walls and ceilings. The temperature were near freezing, and we knew that we pushed the limits staying here this late, it was time to go home. Stefano was cooking traditional risotto tonight, so we bought a bottle of Tuscan wine. We had a delicious dinner which included risotto with pumpkin broth, sauted veggies with pork stakes. There was the usual Martini for a starter, then wine, and finally grappa. Grappa is made from the grape skins left after the wine making process. This was our final dinner. Tomorrow we say our final good bye...