Here we have CAs that are native to Italy, speak the language, and are here to help us with any questions or needs we may have. Anna is my CA, and she is only a year older than me, at 19 that makes her one of the youngest among us. It’s been great having someone closer to my age always around to talk to and to ask questions, since everyone else here is already about 20 and older, and they all know what they’re doing.
This last weekend, I decided to stay home and enjoy Milan. I went out for drinks with some friends, met some new people, and simply enjoyed sleeping in and catching up on OITNB (amirite, ladies?).
Now Anna had to go home to visit a doctor on Monday, but she wanted to invite some of us to go with her to meet her family and get a chance to experience a bit of her hometown. Sadly, I was one of the only ones who answered her, but Noor was home with nothing better to do so she tagged along as well. It was refreshing to have such a small, intimate group. We joked, talked about music, and enjoyed each others company without the stress of school or worrying about 15+ other people.
When we arrived, her younger sister and father were waiting outside the station, and they walked us over to their home – a mere 5 minute walk. Her parents were lovely, and despite not speaking any English, they were so warm and welcoming.
As her father poured us some wine, Anna’s mother began setting the table. Now, her mother made us all homemade recipes using ingredients fresh from Anna’s grandfather’s garden.
She made a pasta recipe with fish and zucchini and handmade pasta that Anna’s father and sister had made.
Then we had a zucchini and ricotta cheese “pie” with pan-seared eggplant (all of the vegetables were fresh from the garden).
Then they brought out a simple salad: just some lettuce and olive oil and vinegar; a nice reprieve after the delicious pasta and pie.
Lastly, they served us homemade melon and yogurt gelato with fresh berries picked from – you guessed it – the magical garden. It was hands down the best Italian food I’ve had this entire trip, and I think it was due to the fact that you could taste all of the love used to make it.
**Food pictures courtesy of Noor.
After lunch, we cleaned up and headed out to the second tallest statue in the world (only second to our Statue of Liberty back home), the San Carlone:
Her father bought us tickets to be able to climb atop the terrace part for a better view and some photos. (Side note: Anna is terrified of heights, so we didn’t want to go much further.) The view was spectacular, you could see Laggo Maggiore in full view even the castle across the water was clearly visible.
Once we got down, her father drove us down to the lake and dropped us off where we said our goodbyes. Anna stayed with us since we still had a few hours left; she took us down to the water then around the shops.
Inside one of the shops, they had an Alessi display. Moka machines, wine bottle openers, even the little knick knacks they had at the Alessi Factory, so I bought an Alessi Moka coffee maker for back home pictured below.
We didn’t spend very long there since our train left at 5:30, but it was such a wonderful time. Meeting Anna’s family and getting to spend quality time with her and Noor while seeing such a beautiful city was a nice, relaxing way to spend my last Sunday in Italy.
For now, Ciao bellas!