The Day The OPAL Shook

Provided some interesting entertainment. Everyone woke up late, jet lag again being the culprit. My mom and I headed to the pool for a half mile swim and 2.5 mile swim. She is running the triathlon with me in July and she is definitely getting fast! After breakfast it was determined by consensus that we would drive to Como. In doing so, I think I lost a few years off my life.

I am sure many of you know, and much has been said in my past posts, that driving in this country takes a certain edge. Well the road from Belaggio to Como redefined that edge.The road is as strait as a snake, and barely wide enough to fit one car, let alone two. OH did I also forget to mention it travels 1000 feet about the lake, on a hillside that barely holds trees (funny though, the Italians still build houses here). Its only 21 km between the two towns, but it takes ages to get there.

Now that you have the where, let me set the stage for the "how". My father percieves himself as the next Mario Andretti, and his faithful 5-speed Opal Minivan the next formula one winner. Well, Mario he is not......After regaling his last trip down this road in which he whacked mirrors with an oncoming car and came out unscathed. He proceeded to do it again, only this time, we lost. Matt was sitting in the back behind my father. Now picture this, because his view was the best. We were turning towards the left, cliff on our right protected by a large stone wall (everyone in Italy builds walls), and the perpetrator was giving us a choice, him or the wall. My father choose the malleable and obviously life saving choice. We took his mirror head on, it shattered ours, pieces of glass went flying into the car, and Matt to a large piece of shrapnel to the shoulder.isn't it ironic, don't you think, a little too ironic, I really do think? And my father swears he will have a new mirror by the end of the trip. He has been scanning parking lots looking for a silver Opal mirror. In his defense, the other guy was "over the line".

We arrived in Cuomo beat up, but with spirits high. Peter Paul Rubens had an exhibit in but unfortunately we ran out of time to see it. I was upset, as I am sure my girlfriend would have been as well. I was able to see the Duomo and do some shopping. I was looking for awesome sneakers, but ended up with the best Yo Beach attire yet, shhhhhhhh its a surprise. Como is gorgeous, and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in this country. The streets are old Italy, and the shops are all boutique and adorable.

The return trip was performed safely, however we were not able to recover the mirror, I forgot to mention that there was no opportunity to turn around before, the road was too skinny. I am sure the other driver was happy we couldn't give chase, or it was the other was around. My family and I finished off the night with dinner at la punta "the point".It had spectacular views and great food. I would definitely return.