Travelog for: Dean

Hi Mum,

Today we took advantage again of the good weather and visited another part of the Valley reaching a peak called Seceda, from where the view was great . We could see the Sassoloungo...



...Odle...



...and Sella groups.



We also decided to play a bit in the high grass .



At one point, of course, we needed to refuel so we stopped to get a lovely slice of Apfelstrudel .



On the way down we stopped to take another picture over this fence.



Back at the hotel we tried to sunbathe on the deck , but we had to keep moving the chair to chase down the few rays of sun ...



...so we went back to our favourite window sill to enjoy pre-dinner chatting .

Hi Mum,
Today we left a very rainy Selva and headed back to Trento.



On the side of the road we met a strange mouse , but we didn’t stop to investigate.



The good news is that when we were almost home it stopped raining, so we have hope for the next few days .

Hi Mum,

Today we visited the little town of Merano . It was a bit of a drive...



...but it seems we didn’t get lost ...



...and soon we were entering the town.



Being a TV celebrity has its perks , for instance today they put up a special sign to welcome us .



Then we explored a bit around the old town .





Until it was time to eat something, when we got a lovely Kaiserschmarrn .

Hi Mum,

Today we went for a short visit to Verona . First we had a look at Piazza Brà, with the Arena in the background.



Then we explored Via Mazzini, where we hoped to do some fancy shopping , but Sigfrido kept a tight grip on the credit card .



Moving on we reached Piazza delle Erbe...



...and saw the tower called Torre dei Lamberti



Our last stop was on the stairs at the entrance of what used to be the City Hall .

Hi Mum,

Today watching out of the window we saw that it was a nice day...



...so we went visiting one of our favourite spots here in Trento, the terrace of the church round the corner from the house, where we enjoyed the sun and the view over the valley .




And guess what, we came back just in time to see some typical canederli cooking in the pan .



Of course we wanted to appear helpful in preparing dinner , so we offered to grate the parmigiano cheese.



Having given our contribution to the meal, it was time to enjoy our well deserved dinner .



And we even got a lovely icecream for dessert .

Hi Mum,

Today it was time to leave Italy and head back to France , so first we drove to Verona to catch our flight.



The side of the road was littered with old castles and churches ...




...and just before coming out of the valley we also had to go through a very narrow gorge.



Once we eventually got on the plane we were a bit disappointed with the amount of free food offered to the passengers.



So we just filled the time reading a magazine and dreaming of new travels .

Hi Mum,

I am back in France for a short stop . As it was a nice day...



...we went for a short walk in town.




But we had to come home fairly quickly and start packing...apparently we’ll be on the move again very soon .

Hi Mum,

Guess what? I’m back in the States! After a few days resting at home, today we were allowed to explore a bit around . First we checked that the weather was good, and off we went.



Our first stop was at the Graduate College.





Later we passed by the Princeton Theological Seminary.



Walking on we reached the main University Campus...



...where Krystal and Sigfrido said they wanted to introduce us to a friend of theirs, a tiger ! Well, the tiger didn't seem to be very interested by our visit.



Once we reached downtown we found this thing celebrating 250 years of the University.



Then we passed by Nassau Hall, the main University building, that was also, for a short time, seat of the Congress .



We noticed that two tigers were guarding the door (it seems that there’s more tigers here than in the Bengali jungle ) and again Krystal and Sigfrido said that one of them was very friendly. And she was indeed: not only she allowed us to take a photo with her, but she wanted to hear our travelling stories .



On the way back we stopped by some more buildings in the campus.




Until eventually we reached home, sorted out our shopping...



...and enjoyed our well deserved takeaway lunch .

Hi Mum,

Today Sigfrido invited us to join him at work . On the way we met this friendly deer .



As we approached the institute Sigfrido said that it is a very important research center, so we should behave ourselves ...I wonder why would he make such a remark .




Once inside he showed us his work...



...and we decided to help.



Apparently our help wasn’t very welcome , as he said that before allowing us to make any more of a mess he wanted to check our mathematics knowledge. Of course, 3 well travelled TVs fear no test , but we were not really ready for such challenging questions .



Luckily, we were saved by the bell that called us to the coffee room. First we checked the view from the terrace...




Then we explored the room: apparently it was reserved for discussions...just perfect for us .



There was a funny clock...



...and we met some famous scientist .



Later, instead of going back to work and embarrass ourselves any further with Sigfrido's questions , we decided to play a chess tournament, a real battle of minds....and, of course, I was the best . It goes without saying that my favourite pieces were the horses .

Hi Mum,

Today the weather was a bit rubbish, so we kept ourselves busy doing the chores . First we had a lovely breakfast based on cherries and cookies .



Then we went to the laundry.



We prepared the drier...



...and passed the time reading a nice magazine .



Back home it was time to iron the clean clothes.



We even had to prepare our own lunch...



...which, of course , turned out to be delicious .



After all the work we decided to have some well earned rest and spent the afternoon chatting and watching the rain....the rain, the deluge .

Hi Mum,

I’m coming home !

Today I said goodbye to all my friends here before starting to travel home. They all wished me a safe trip , and Sigfrido was very emotional and gave me a big hug ...



...before letting me jump in my travelling quarters.



I’ll see you soon !

I had the best year of my life with Smaug!  I never wanted to leave and hope to go visit him again sometime!!! thank you Smaug!! you are the best!!!