Sunday, November 21, 2010

People Watching in Saronno

Train Station in Saronno Italy

During our Stay in Saronno Italy, Kristan and Nery wanted to do some shopping. I don't like to shop so I went out on the street and watched the local people and took some pictures. I know nothing of this region of Italy I know very little of Italian culture but spending time watching these interesting people I have drawn some conclusions. I'm not sure if I am correct because I really have no way to verify my conclusions only what I observed during one of the most interesting hours of our trip.

Some observations I made are:

  • They Love to visit with friends, everywhere people were sitting on park benches or just standing on the street talking. 
  • There are a lot of small children and babies in this area, there were people pushing baby carriages and strollers, riding kids on their bikes. 
  • Many children are taken care of by their grandparents while their parents are working, I saw a lot of older people with babies and small children. 
  • Italians are very affectionate, I saw many touching displays of affection, boys and girls walking arm in arm, Older men and women walking arm in arm and as you will see, older ladies walking arm in arm.
  •  Italians love to walk and ride their bikes everywhere people were walking and riding bicycles, all the way from small children to senior citizens. 
My impression of these people is they are down to earth, they love their families, they love their friends and they love their way of life. Saronno was beautiful and charming, I hope I will be able to return there some day.





















  








Nery came out from shopping and my hour of watching the good people of Saronno was over

Friday, November 5, 2010

Weihern A Slice of Heaven

We spent 2 1/2 wonderful days with the Haider Family in Weihern, Gerhard's home town. We were treated to such a wonderful time, the entire family was so gracious and shared their home with us. Magda, Gerhard's mom prepared some delicious German meals that we will forever be craving and never be able to recreate. We spent time exploring their beautiful village and farm including the forest on their land. Following are pictures of our visit to Weihern 

Haider Family Back row Gerhard, Veronica, Andy
Front Row Gerhard Sr. and Magda

On a walk around some of the farm land

Haider Home
Wood stack and Cabbage garden

A walk through the village

Kristan and Gerhard Sr. at his fire station. Gerhard Sr. is a Fireman

All of the farms have these beautiful ponds

Kristan, Nery and Steve on our walk through their forest

Kristan and Andy taking pictures of mushrooms that were everywhere in the forest
Here are just a few of the mushrooms we saw






Did you ever feel like you just walked into a picture. That is what it felt like everywhere we went in Weihern

Some of the farms

The Village one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen

Just when we thought we had enough eye candy for the day - we turned around and saw this!


Our second big meal Magda made Spatzle (German pasta), Rotkol (red cabbage), Rouladen (Rolled beef stuffed with vegetables and bacon), with gravy.
Andy and Veronica

Kristan and Gerhard Sr.

What can I say it was a wonderful meal

And then Magda brought out this masterpiece a Chocolate Banana cake called Mikado Torte

This was Nery's favorite.... so yummy!!!
Haider's yard and garden


Kristan Magda and Nery

Haider Garden


Their barn now used as a garage, workshop and storage for lumber and firewood

The new tractor

The old tractor, it still runs

Fountain at the farm museum



 Gerhard's Oma's Home

Oma's garden

Magda, Oma and Gerhard
Thank You Haider Family for a Glorious Weekend