The Last Supper

We capped off our European roadtrip with a viewing of The Last Supper in Milan. Talk about going out with a bang! We were pretty stoked actually. I mean, it's The Last Supper. One of the most famous, if not most controversial, paintings in all the world. As our group waited patiently to be escorted through the air controlled-time released chambers my anticipation grew. There's something so genuine about viewing an original piece of artwork for the first time. I really consume myself. I entered the large dining hall and I was immediately awestruck by what I saw. I felt complete reverence. The original Last Supper was right before my eyes. Not embroidered into some tacky wall blanket that I've seen in so many dining rooms. No, this is the OG! And just as I was about to evoke my inner Robert Langdon, my investigation was halted by the sound of a dying cat somewhere off in the distance.

Sheesh. Someone might want to control their child, I thought. My investigation continued. Why yes, that person to the right of JC does look a lil' girly. Is it possible? Could it be? But before I could go on, I was interrupted by that damn sound again. Shaking my head back and forth and exchanging the same annoyed glances with fellow observers, I rolled my eyes back to the painting. I began curiously counting the feet under the table when that same irritable sound wafted through the room again. This time it seemed much closer though. Holy crappers! That yelp is coming from Mia! STRAPPED TO ME IN THE BJORN!!! COULD I BE A BIGGER IDIOT?!!!!



Mia, not embarassed at all, thought it was hilarious that she could hear herself echo in this large dining hall. And continued to yelp over and over and over again. Nobody else thought it was hilarious, except for that small 3 year old who happens to be her older sister. So hilarious, that she chimed in too. I looked to Eugene for some sort of divine intervention and was surprised to see his usually khaki skin a bright shade of red. The yelping continued and my gut reaction was to put my hand over her mouth to stop the shrieking. Which, btw, looks really, really bad. In a panic, I ran to the back of the room (trying my best to ignore all the stares) only to find that the air controlled-time released exit chambers only let people out at certain intervals. SHIAT! Finally, the exit doors opened and we ran like the wind!

Dusting off the embarassment, we spent the rest of the day walking around Milan, taking in all the sounds and sights for one last time.









We too had our last supper that night. Over some pasta and really great wine we shared our favorite moments and smiled as we relived our last two weeks. All the laughs, all the tantrums, all the driving, all the people, all the places, all the food, all the memories.

Two weeks to some is routine. Two weeks in Europe is unforgettable.

The List

If Eugene were to have a "life to-do" list it might look something like this:

-  See the Great Wall of China

-  Own a business

-  Take a cooking class in Italy

-  Live in another country

-  Own a motorcycle

Which is why when he discovered a cooking class in Bologna (the mecca of Italian cuisine) he didn't even think twice before signing up. Since the class was going to be 4 hours long, we had to make specific plans on where I was going to take the girls and where we'd meet up later. I have to admit while I was so happy that Eugene was able to fulfill one of his life goals, I was a little apprehensive about being alone with the girls in an unknown place. But I was quick to remind myself that this is also what I love most about traveling. The unknown.

With Mia strapped to me in the Bjorn and Bella strapped in the stroller we headed out in search of a four hour adventure. While we strolled I thought about my life to-do list. Or the lack of it, actually. What are my hopes and dreams for the future? I admire Eugene because he knows exactly what he wants. I on the other hand, find it difficult to dream past my husband and kids. This is what I wanted for so long and don't get me wrong, I love it. I really love my life. But what do I want for the future? I don't know if it's that my day to day life is so busy with kid stuff that I don't even have a moment to think about the future? Shit, I barely have time to shower most days. Or am I using that as an excuse? Is it okay that I don't have my answers yet? Thankfully, my self-analysis was interrupted by Bella screaming "mommmmmy......a paaarrrkkk!!!"

We spent the next thirty minutes exploring a random park in the center of Bologna. Mia discovered just how cool a slide can be.



Bella rode the duck. Over and over again...loving life.



On a park bench, I once again drifted back to thoughts about my future. Eugene and I always talked about moving to Italy one day. In my mind I always thought it would be after our children are grown--a post retirement rendezvous. However, this trip did something to me: I witnessed a better life there. I noticed Europeans enjoying life more than Americans do. They aren't obsessed with having the nicest car or the biggest paycheck. Instead, they respect their peers, their country, and their environment. I love it! They simply appreciate their history. They don't tear down to rebuild, they reinvent their past. Mocking my thoughts, Bella sat and depreciated this history as she toyed with a crumbling tile.



and kicked up her feet in the middle of the piazza.



Could I leave my family? My home? My comfort zone? Would I be happy here? Or is it a vacation illusion--where everything is always better?

While I questioned what lies ahead, across town Eugene squealed with glee as he learned how to make fresh tortellini's.



Eugene was in heaven, and we were wandering. We headed to the Sala Borsa library. The BEST library I have ever been to. Get this--the lobby floor is all plexiglass because they discovered Roman ruins below and allow the public to see these ruins. How cool is that??!!! ROMAN RUINS!!!! I'm lucky if our library has a basement, let alone ancient history.

I loved the contrast of the ancient architecture with ultra modern design. Bella loved all the colorful books while Mia looooved the squishy mats. It's a "remove your shoes and wear socks" kind of childrens section.



We were surrounded by books



we couldn't understand.



My girls were happy...innocently happy. At this moment I realized that I was in peace. Then I thought about my list and my definitions for future bliss and an overwhelming satisfaction filled me. I felt confident knowing that even though I may not have all the answers, today was perfect.  

-  Baby steps, Gina.

La Dolce Vita

Or as the Italians like to call it, "the sweet life." One particular way in which Italians revel in the sweet life is with their gelato. Back in the 13th century, Marco Polo learned of the Chinese method of creating ice and milk mixtures and like the copycat he was, brought it back to Europe and--poof--gelato was born. Unlike ice cream, gelato is whipped with hardly any air so the flavors are intensified. And intense it is. So intense that we had it daily. Okay, sometimes twice daily but that was only to test out a new flavor. Vacation calories don't count, right?

Of all the cones in all the cities, Siena was by far the best! They had us at ciao when we looked at how authentic their display was. Check out the real strawberries in there......just for show!



After we all ordered our favorite flavor we sat in the campo and devoured the gelato. One sticky, messy, lick at a time.



I remember looking up and noticing the sky was a perfect shade of blue.


We people watched as friends laughed with one another



and embraced each other



and stopped to catch a breath



and stopped for a drink of water



Unfortunately, my people watching was interrupted by two high octane sugar highs. And I don't mean Eugina's. I redirected my focus and watched again as friends laughed with one another



and embraced each other



and stopped to catch a breath



and stopped for a drink of water



I sat in that campo watching two inseperable sisters explore a new world together. I wondered if they will have this much curiosity in the future? I wondered if they will continue to depend on each other as much as they did today? I wondered if they will have the same passion to travel in the way that we do. Will they borrow each other's clothes? Will they wait for each other after school? Will they fight over boys? Will Bella learn to share the spotlight? Will Mia ever stop biting?

I can't wait to find out.



What could be sweeter than that?

The Heart of Italy

Bella Bellagio. Bellagio will always live in the depths of our hearts--a place of unconditional love. We still wonder how this tiny place could hold a lifetime of romance. It was here, back in July of 2003, that Eugene and I knew we would be together forever.



It's also where we decided to make our life-long promise on May 31, 2005, in front of our closest family and friends.


Four years later to the day, we are here in Bellagio showing our daughters where we said, "I do."


They loved the views as much as we did.


They loved the gelato as much as we did.


They got tired walking up hundreds of steps, just like we did.


In our past trips the beauty of Italy was found in the ancient buildings, the Renaissance artwork and the irresistable cuisine, this time we experienced a deeper type of beauty---the Italian people.

As I mentioned, we were so excited to show the girls where we got married and introduce them to the people that made our wedding so special.

These people showed us the true heart of Italy.

Barbara showered the girls with a thousand kisses and a few pairs of posh Italian shoes.


Bruno insisted that we taste his new batch of chilled Primitivo wine and local fish from Lake Como.


Gulia opened her heart and her kitchen so that Eugene could learn firsthand how to make the best Bolognese ragu.


Nicoletta told us that of all the weddings she's planned, she'll never forget how much love our families had for one another.




We spent our time really getting to know these people and rediscovered just how beautiful Bellagio is!


Here are a few of my favorite Bellagio pictures, courtesy of Eugene.

One Night Stand

Poor Venice. It seems every time Eugene and I get here, we only stay for one night--with this night being no different. I don't really know why we do this, but it seems to be our standing relationship with Venice.


Here's the good part: Venice is a passionate, romantic city-even for the few hours of a night. It's the kind of passion that makes you want to stay up all night and walk her lonely streets.



It's the kind of passion when you notice every detail of her texture.



It's the kind of passion that turns dirty water into a perfect reflection pond.



I remember it like it was yesterday our first night in Venice. Eugene and I walked the lonely streets all night long. I remember getting lost but not feeling lost. This time we were with our kids.





Again, we needed to have a one night stance with Venice. Nevertheless, I will never forget Bella and Mia running around in a small quad making such happy noise.

They had so much fun they fell asleep in our arms. This was a beautiful night.