Crossing the Alps

We're getting closer to the end of our short six-country-trip, but I'm afraid for the last day I will need more than one post. Today, we're starting in Südtirol (South Tyrol) which is an autonomous province in the North of Italy. The majority of the population here speaks German followed by Italian (less than a quarter of the population) and Ladin (less than 5%). Südtirol is the wealthiest province in Italy and among the wealthiest in the European Union. I want to add it is also one of the most beautiful ones. As you can guess, the region has a tumultuous history like so many parts in Europe. With the new  right-wing government in Rome, many people in Südtirol are also afraid that their autonomy might be limited in the future.

After we left the Campanile di Curon, we eventually found a beautiful place to stay in the village of St. Martin in Passeier (San Martino In Passiria) - an entire flat with several rooms and a balcony, plus a delicious breakfast served the next morning, accompanied by good conversation with the hosts. This was the view from our appartment:

In the evening we went down into the village to a nice restaurant where we could sit on the terrace and eat while watching the mountains' Alpenglühen (alpenglow). The food was delicious! We had it with a bottle of the local white wine which was excellent (we would call that "süffig" in German for which there is no adequate translation to English). Of course this is for Elizabeth and Bleubeard's T stands for Tuesday where you need to post something drink related.

From left to right: Trio of dumplings (beets, cheese, spinach); homemade potato gnocchi with asparagus, prosciutto and ramsons pesto; filet of trout with veggie gnocchi

This was followed by dessert - dark and light tartufo (left) and panna cotta.

The next morning we started the last leg of our trip, the journey back to München. First, we need to cross a part of the Alps. Let's take the Jaufenpass (Passo di Monte Giovo) which is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2094 meters. It was a pleasant, mostly sunny day and we stopped many times to take in the views.

Of course, we took family pictures again - how could we not?

I enjoyed all the wildflowers in the area.

Almost at the top - let's take a look back from where we came.

Finally at the top - looking back and ahead:

This brought back so many memories of familiy vacations spent in the Alps in my childhood. I stood at this place more than 50 years ago and I was just in awe as I was as a child. The majesty of the mountains are second to none.

Like so often in the Alps, there was a tiny chapel at the pass.

Next week I will tell you about the next stop of our journey, but today I want to show you some happy mail that I got. The first one, from Elle, I received several weeks ago. She knows that I love cats (and so does she) and sent me a cat card - how cute is this? And look at the beautiful stamps!

The second one made its way from Australia. Over the years, Elephant's Child has sent me magnets of Floriade, an annual flower and entertainment festival in Canberra. They are on my fridge and always remind me of the time when we were both writing for Vision and Verb - that's actually how we "met". This year's magnet is particularly beautiful and I love the happy sunflower card.

If you're in the US, go out today and vote (if you haven't already done so). Our democracy is at stake.