2019 Italy – Part 8 Stresa

10 August 2019

Pirjo and I walked to downtown Stresa for some shopping where I revisited shops I’ve been to other years, and got some compliments on my improvement in understanding and speaking Italian. I make sure to learn the vocabulary about shopping, food and drink very well. It is always nice to see Francesca sewing personal names on gifts for me to take home.

We had lunch outdoors as always at a new place for me, Osteria Mercato. It quickly became another favorite spot for me, wishing we had time to come back for more items on the menu. We had Prosecco, 3 different antipasti and one shared secondo. Plus dessert and a wonderful conversation with a family at the next table with a well-behaved boy and girl.

More shopping at the Supermercato where I bought Amaretto cookies for 1.40 Euros (the next day I saw them in the duty free shops at Milan Airport for over 6 Euros).

We picked up some items for dinner on the terrace that evening. Tony, a close friend of Reijo and Pirjo’s, joined us for dinner and he brought a lovely pasta dish, served with grated fresh lemon. Delicious.

The weather was perfect for my final evening of this trip. After hugs with a few of my tears – a combination of joy for the visit and a little sad to leave Stresa – Pirjo and I shared on last serving of wine on the terrace. We talked until past midnight I think. Just lovely hours together.

Below are some assorted memories of good times during this visit. Special thanks to Reijo and Pirjo for their hospitality and all the adventures we have together.

A boat ride on Lago Maggiore with Captain Reijo. You can see Pirjo’s reflection in my sunglasses as she took the photos.

Reijo’s photos of us at the Arena in Verona.

A view of their home from out on the lake, and then from the train station down the hill. Theirs is near the top right, green plants showing, with the very best view from the entire building.