Como, Christmas, and Clooney

A view from my patio!
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So, Como is said to be an industrial town, but historically it was set up as a defense area against attacks from the Alps.  I think it is beautiful and peaceful.  It is built into the mountains surrounding a very deep lake, and the villas surround every inch of the shoreline.

I feel that this is my Christmas.  Not only because it is decorated accordingly, and the weather feels like Wisconsin in December, but because of my approach to my week here.  I am relaxing!  I am staying at a B and B run by an Austrian woman who speaks wonderful English.  I have a whole apartment to myself with a patio overlooking the lake!  It is so plush and nice compared to most of the places I have been staying, it is my Christmas present to myself.  While the price is a little more than my normal accomodations, it is not bad because it is low season here.  I have been lounging on my couch, sleeping under my down comforter, and sipping my hand delivered coffee every morning looking out at the lake and the mountains in the background.  This is definately the life.

Another view from my patio!
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The one adventure here is the bus!  I have to catch the bus on a windy road outside my B and B.  It is always packed full of locals, and no one seems to know a word of English.  I have to describe my stop to the bus driver in my broken Italian, and pray he understands me!  I also have to close my eyes most of the ride.  Imagine, a giant stone wall on one side, a cliff leading to the lake on the other, and cars speeding directly at you on a narrow road.  Who will stop, who will veer?  Will we crash or plummet to our deaths?  This is the joy of riding in an Italian bus in the mountains!  Ha, ha!  These drivers do this day in and day out, but I could never drive here!

I am staying directly across the lake from George Clooneys villa.  For all you celebrity watchers, he is not here!  Oh, well.  He is actually in Egypt discussing Dafur with the president there.  Good for him.  Anyway, I am loving this relaxing week.