How The French Saved An American

Buon Giorno from La Morra in the northwest region of Italy! Since you last left this little traveler, I drove up and over to Grenoble from Avignon in the Southern Rhone valley/Northern Provence (in 2 days covered the Rhone Valley north and south). Grenoble's a great town at the foot of the Alps. Turned in the rental car and spent one night before I made my move to Italy. Lightening the load I had to leave a few things behind and drink what I didn't want to carry. On the train to Turin, I was sitting comfortably looking out at the mountains, listening to Barry White, fantasizing about my book deal (as a spin-off from this blog) when I realized I FORGOT MY laptop on a bench at the train station in Grenoble! I was lucky to be sitting next to a cabin filled with 8 train officials equipped with 8 mobile phones. They understood right away through my broken French and sign language that I was in distress. Also a good thing that they knew what 'Macintosh' meant. I was escorted, 1st class, back to where my laptop was, waiting for me on the platform. France rocked. Besides the French wine and food, I learned a lot from these classy people. Looking forward to a last goodbye in Paris, 2 days at the end of the month. Big french kiss.

The train ride through the Alps to Turin was spectacular. Had a great conversation with a fellow traveler from Australia, and after arriving I spent a quick 45 minutes in the station before taking a couple small trains and a bus to Bra. Hope to see Turin before I leave. The Trenitalia people welcomed me warmly and personally escorted me to the land known for the king of wines and wine of kings. I was the queen (for a day) of eurorail. It was after 10pm when I arrived in the Langhe Hills of La Morra, one of the top communes of Borolo, so when I got up the next morning I was so happy to see I was in Italy's premier wine country. From my b&b, I have views of the castles of Alba, Diano, Castiglioni Falletto, Serra Lunga, Monforte, Borolo, La Morra and Verduno (and some of the Alps).

Pics are of the gentleman who helped recover my laptop.

l'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la sante, a consommer avec moderation