Samudra (and Brian!)

(Samudra, Brian and I at their wedding in Sri Lanka... maybe 4 years ago?)(Samudra and I at Tisa's in American Samoa, Christmas 2008)

How long does it take to make a friend? Certain people simply ought to be in your life; they may lead a path parallel to yours, or they may simply cross your life at a certain point but still leave an indelible sign.

Samudra, Paty and I were part of the same scholarship program that paid for our studies while in Oregon. We shared our knowledge about our home country (Sri Lanka, Peru’ and Italy), while learning about the funny habits of the North Americans (how wonder now if they also knew not to ask for “rubbers” around, but rather for “erasers”). Surely we had a lot of fun together! And more amazingly, even if our roads took such a different directions, we always find a way to see each other and support each other when in need.

Pure life! Samudra and her husband Brian arrived here the day after Paty and Jennifer left to continue their trip and enjoyed with me the mountains, lakes and tastes of Trentino. Here a selection of their pictures to give you a taste of the Alps from a outsider point of view. Maybe you will come and visit soon then! ;-)

So, Samudra, how is the grappa?

Going to the Dolomites!!!

Our enormous trucks! jajaja! Jokes apart, I did saw some real trucks around recently...

Got wings in the bel paese!

"the landing field is about there..."

Maybe there is not such a thing as the perfect place, but the Alps get very close to this description: health care is free, so as medicines; if you want to buy a bicycle, the government will give you back 30% of the price; food is indescribably tasty, the weather is awesome…
Paty and Jennifer left last week to continue their adventures in Florence, soon replaced by Samudra and Brian which visited me for a week.
My sister-in-law set me up on a blind date with a nice guy to go rock climbing, while my cousin Tommy sent me another nice guy to go paragliding. Pure life! So, I am back on the rock, I am back in the air, I am back! It has been 3 months since I left Neverland, surely I miss it a lot, but culturally is like being back there (only that this time I am 100% involved, with families ties, village stories…) (and only that people here do not laugh using all their bodies here, shaking arms around life it was down there).
I moved in with my cousin Tommy, which is… surely the most loved man I have ever met (by all women), also spoiling me a lot. Moreover, having a bed and closet after 3 months of traveling too is wonderful!

Last Saturday somebody knocked at the door, and a smiling guy jumped in saying “Hi, I am your cousin friend, do you want to go flying?”. Everything was so immediate that soon enough I was flying way too high for my first flight, with my heart pounding loud, a guy just meet flying behind me shouting me the way (I bought radios yesterday!), some nasty electric cables underneath me… Once landed, I was totally reborn! Here a video of the area I flew.

(Andrea following me and screaming me directions... too bad I was sinking!)

At the landing field. I was reborn (Andrea and I)!

Yesterday Andrea gave an hard try to my wing with stronger wind conditions. It did not brake! yeah!

the 3 beauties pics

from the most recent to the older one... Saturday, canyoning in Val di Sole!
This is soon after I "went for a swim"... I slipped on a waterfall and felt on the pool beneath it, and had to figure out the way out in bubbling water... quite hard indeed! Eventually Paty reached out for me (I felt as I was not moving much as the current was pulling me backward toward the waterfall base) and helped me to get out of it. Cold cold cold water!!!
Swing!
and cable walking, like in the circus! don't fall!
Shopping for meats and cheeses on friday...
Touristic tour: Piramidi of SegonzanoDowntown Trento on Friday

the 3 beauties

Pictures to come soon... I have very limited internet access these days....

Ahhhh! Feels good. I haven’t seen Paty in 3 (4?) years, but it feels like it has been only a week. The came with a friend from the US, Jenny, and they are going to stay in Italy for a week before moving on to Austria.
The day she arrived (Thursday) I bought a car, that, surely it is not as sexy has my trucktosaurous and it does not fit 8 kids on the back, but it still has its presence. Yesterday a man at the gas station, after seeing my wonderful new car with Paty, Jenny and myself inside, came to congratulate me for my car interiors. Everytime (so far) we asked for directions we got guys offering to come with us wherever we want. I love it, it makes me feel home. (my old trucktosaurous)
Trentino is THE perfect playground for anyone that loves outdoor activities. There is anything you want, from hiking to paragliding, from rock climbing to rafting… we decided to try canyoning (lowering yourself along a stream in a canyon with ropes, down waterfall, across tibetian bridges…).
A part the fact that whole experience and view were breathtaking, the company could not have been better: we had 2 sexy guides and we were also lucky enough to be paired with a group of 5 guys on their bachelor party. They were so much fun (very hilarious!), cheering and always ready if help was needed. I also experienced some bubbling water as I felt down a small waterfall (it can be very slippery!) and had to understand how to make my way to the edge of the poll, with water pulling me backward, other bubbling in front of me… can’t wait to learn more about it in June, kayaking!

Paty!!!!

I am not writing much because... well, let's say my liquit input winto to water has been 3 to 1. I have been hiding to drink water. The other day I said I was cold. The reply was "here, have some wine, it will warm me up". Then somebody else said "don't be silly.... give her some grappa!".Today I bought a car! A sexy silver golf! And Paty Abon arrived today with her friend Jennifer... I am going to take care of her... jijijijijijijiji.... ;-) (diabolic laugh)

Pics from the Alps

My grandma feeding the side to cook the soup and heating the water for the tea. Notice the orange peel!
My brother and I do not have much in common, a part from green eyes and lots of love for the moutains! I love hiking with him!

Pergine's castle from my aunty house Sunset from my aunt Flora's house

Family picture! Zaza', Shake and me!

The colors of the flowers

There was a little cove on the side\inside the stream

The white of the streams

the painted village of Guardia

The church of Guardia

Shaky is taking a nap in the car after a day hiking...