Finally! A VRBO that doesn’t disappoint! The view is just as spectacular as the photos, and the apartment is even nicer than I expected. We have a wraparound balcony and a terrace where we can eat—once the weather clears. We’re here for ten days. Getting in was a bit tricky, but there’s an enormous private parking area, which is a plus. Bonus: each unit has its own internet, so no fighting for bandwidth. We’re more than happy to settle in here for a while.

Our host recommended Martinelli’s for the best shopping—it’s about 15 km away. With no other plans, we head there. I’ve never seen such an enormous market in Italy! It’s a superstore, complete with combat shopping. While I appreciate the variety, it feels a little too American and oddly out of place here. We stocked up on groceries. We are shopping while famished, not wise!

We were hoping to be closer to a downtown area—somewhere to walk for morning coffee—but it’s a 20-minute trek along a busy highway with no footpath. So, we drive down and park. We find a nice bar, enjoy a pastry, and a “cappucco.” I’ve heard this word a few times now, so I ask our waitress (who speaks great English) about it. It’s slang for cappuccino, meaning “hat.”

We wander along the waterfront, then, once my walking limit is reached, settle in for a nice lunch before heading out for a scenic drive. Later, we laze the afternoon away on the balcony—soaking in the warmth, listening to chirping birds and the distant hum of traffic, and watching ferries and sailboats crisscross the lake. Now this is what we signed up for!

Tomorrow, I have to go to the ER again. At least I know what to expect—a minimum of eight hours. I’ll charge my Kindle and bring a good book!
paleremo presto