Duck and roll

Here’s how today went.   The railway system in Italy is poised to strike tomorrow, from 0900 - 1700 hr.  I’m going to take a guess and say that would directly impact about 20,000 people.  And I don’t want to be in their armpits tomorrow, wailing and weeping.  So, an executive meeting was held and a decision made to find emergency lodging in Sirmione, buy an early train ticket and arrive 24 hours ahead of schedule.   This was after weighing options 1,2 and 3 which included things like extending our stay in Milan (not possible) or selecting a town somewhere in between.   Anyway.   By the time we woke up, formulated our plans, made contact with our VRBO hosts and discounted their opinions and checked into (and rejected) hiring a car & driver (400 euro to drive approximately 35 km)… we, the intrepid Williams duo, set out on our own.   After a meticulous time analysis we realized we had enough for a fly-by of the exquisite Duomo, which defied description.  I lit a candle for someone I cherish very much, and said a prayer.

We then hurried back to our Milano apartment, packed up and retraced our steps, dragging our packs and chattering suitcases over the cobblestones to the Metro Centrale to await the train to Sirmione.   And as my brother commented quite dryly, interesting how it took almost 5 hours to go 35 km.   The trains skim along almost silently at nearly 100 mph and once out of Milan, the rolling hills soften the view.  But many stops along the way.   Luckily the miracle of the Duomo happened as the water bottles purchased in Milan were converted to wine.  Hallelujah! 

We learned a valuable lesson in Desenzano, albeit a nonsensical  one.  You cannot hail a taxi in Italy off the street.  You must phone their taxi number posted on a light post.  But, they won’t answer.  So, too bad for you.  You can stand and wait for an hour, looking really hopeful.  Or, you can engage someone with rudimentary English and ask them, and they will admit that they don’t know what they are talking about, with an endearing smile.

In the end, and after waiting more than an hour at a bus/taxi stop, we lucked into meeting a holidaying Cockney lass.     “No, luv, don’t bother with those dickey cabs!  Just take the bus, it’ll get you there eventually!”.  So, we did.  Appealed to the driver, who promised to throw us off at the right corner.   And, after about a ten minute walk, we found our temporary lodging in a boutique hotel for tonight.   Tomorrow we will walk approximately 200 meters to our VRBO for the next 4 nights.   

As the sun set over Lake Garda, I enjoyed a very late dinner and the most exquisite hand-crafted ravioli stuffed with salmon and served with a cream basil sauce.  And some Valipolicella, naturally.  It’s been such a day.  I am eternally grateful I had such fine company while I was well outside of my comfort zone.  

Tomorrow we will explore the Sirmione peninsula and all the riches it offers.   I cannot wait.  Castles and grottos dating back to well before Christ.   I am so pumped!