Europe 2010

We arrived in Rome on June 29. We took the train from the airport, not great not bad, and just as expensive. Franca was at home to greet us. She cooked two great meals, and left the next day for her vacation. The Koerners arrived that same day. We had a great time, and the kids all got along very well. We did all the touristy things. I love showing people around Rome it is so beautiful, though hot. On July 3 Rachel joined us, she had been at a dig near Pompeii. She left us the next day to go home.

We went to Orvieto. Unfortunately the Funicular was not working, we walked up a very long steep hill instead. While in Rome we also met up with Chiara’s friend, Gabriella, and her family. The Koerners left on the 6th, too soon. Hannah came on the 8th. We met up with Cristina and her family at her mom’s house and then joined my uncles for dinner. On the 9th we dropped Hannah off with her group and the next day went up to Umbria, to visit Cristina at Casa Greppo. We were there for 3 days. It was great, such a beautiful place and the pool was wonderful. The kids had a great time. Their fun was added by the presence of Cristina ‘s nephew, Francesco. Elvira and Chiara seemed to get to know each other a little bit better and Laura and Nick enjoyed Nicola’ s company.

After Umbria we went to Bologna. What a lovely city. We got to see many recent graduates; they are given a laurel wreath instead of a hat. Both Jo and Chiara decided they wanted to go to University in Bologna just to get it. We took a train to Zurich for a day, and then Geneva. Geneva was nice, though a bit cramped. We went swimming in the lake once, and for a long walk along the river another day. We had meant to go to the mountains but ran into transportation problems, and went for a hike along the Rhone instead. Chandran took the girls to CERN for an afternoon. We all went to see the castle of Chillion, near Montreux. Nick and Laura enjoyed the many playgrounds in Geneva. Chiara and Jo had fun watching the shows that were put on in the park every night. We all enjoyed eating fondue, except for Nick.

After Geneva we went back to Zurich for two days. We ate at our favorite restaurant, Zeughauskeller, twice. We had Sausage both times. Our trip home was an adventure. We arrived at the airport early as usual just to be told that our plane would be delayed by 5 hours. Apparently there had been a medical emergency on the flight from JFK to Zurich. Of all airports to be stuck in Zurich is one of the best. The plane did arrive. And after 9 hours plus we were in NYC. We met up with Ashwani, Susi, Junnu, and Eliza in our lobby. We said goodbye to Jo. She was a great sport and a wonderful traveling companion; it was fun to have her with us.

Pool at Casa Greppo

Rotecastello

Graduate in Bolgna

Geneva

Zurich

More photos on flickr.