Italian Friends in the Haus

A Year without Travel Plans
It's true, there are no travel plans set in stone for the year. That gives me anxiety on two levels: pleasurable thrill of a trip developing with no notice, or nervous worry that a decent trip won't happen. We knew the last half of 2010 were pretty hosed since I started a new job, moving from a staff of ~40 to a staff of 0 and a new client services process to build - and Ryan moved into his own private studio salon. Both were the best decisions we have made in quite some time. Both are turning out perfect! But I think the Globe Gods took pity on us and sent us a true gift: our italian friend Silvia and her boyfriend Paolo.


Third Country
Silvia has been a part of two major adventures for us. And other than Ryan and my best friend Rob, I haven't been with the same person in more than three countries. Yes, a random factoid, but the context is pretty neat. In 2006, Silvia randomly sat next to us at the Hofbrauhaus in München (I love how some Italians call it Monaco - which confuses me because I think of the Kingdom of Monoco) while on a stopover for work. Somehow we started talking, sharing, enjoying, laughing at the fact that she didn't drink beer - here, in the Establishment of Beer the HB - and instead had Apfelsaft/Apple Juice, and then she bought us a piece of Strudel. We shared it, exchanged numbers, and went on with our trip. A brief note about it from October 6, 2006. In 2008, our frequent-flyer miles had us drop into Milano and we wanted to go to Slovenia. With Venice in the middle, where Silvia and her family live, we asked for a hotel nearby and when we could see her. Instead, we stayed with the family, rode in the family boat down the canals, and bonded. Lots here about that trip in December, 2008.

Texas and the John Wayne Effect
Silvia's papa loves John Wayne. And everyone has this thought that Texas looks like the movies. Flat, lots of ranches, horses, happening cities, etc. They are entirely 100% accurate. Except, Texas is a huge state. It's almost twice the size of California, and that's a freakin' huge state. It is twice the size of Germany. There are lots of cool things, but it would take several weeks to really experience all of it. But, in Central Texas, there is a goldmine of other stuff "you didn't know about Texas." The Texas Germans. The Bats. The Missions. The Tex-Mex. The Hill Country. The LBJ Ranch and the Western White House. The Two-Step. The Rockabilly. I think we did a pretty good job showing that stuff off - we had a good, good time.

Silvia at the LBJ Ranch - I love this picture

Cute goats enjoying the LBJ Ranch grounds

Silvia cooing at a Cavallo (Horse) - she has them at home and missed them dearly 

Enjoying a mid-afternoon break at the Domain

Scott and Paolo - he's a pilot!

And a geek like me

Silvia making Carbonara

Simple, delicious

Seafood Carbonara
One night, Silvia and Paolo cooked at our house. We were at Whole Foods and the decision was made. While we don't eat a lot of seafood, anytime we do we are only buying it at Whole Foods - holy cow. Mussels, Whiteneck Clams, and gorgeous Gulf Shrimp. They did Rigatoni, since the type of pasta they really wanted wasn't there, but it held the white wine sauce perfectly...and then Paolo cracked several eggs right on top as they stirred the scrambling into the dish.

Soooo good

So, thank you Global Gods for throwing us a bone and bringing some international fun to Texas. Much appreciated. Send more. :)

Tschüß!