Sunday in Genova

We are arrived – at least six of us. John is our later arrival, our stateless cousin, if the Consulate doesn’t help him out with a new passport tomorrow when the office opens.

The beginning of our Italian journey chapter 2019, began in Venice this morning with the arrival of a van at the airport about 1:30. The driver was supposed to take several of us from the cancelled Barcelona flight to our respective destinations, probably in accordance with the European rules and regulations on interrupted travel. The airport personnel didn’t expect us, ( no one had told them we were coming ) and gave us a late night squinty-eyed look, and another expressive shrug. She told us to sit, and we sat. After an hour or so, we asked, and she offered that a van was coming, soon.

Meantime, there were people treated somewhat casually who really needed more. A young Chinese couple with a baby, was told “ sorry” I can’t help. They had no luggage or clothes, or transportation. The girl whose luggage went in one direction, while she found herself in Venice – sorry- we can’t help you, (opinion -not sufficient, or humane, or responsible.) She was going to miss her train connection, and couldn’t get to the center of Milan.

The ride from Venice to Milan is a 3 hour drive, and we were out of social skills by the time we arrived. The van driver had changed his mind, and dropped us all off at the airport, refusing to take anyone where they were supposed to be taken. I have another appointment,” he said, and waved us off – Buona Notte to you too!

We arrived at Brother Bill’s hotel at 4:30. Our rooms had been resold, but we bunked in Bill’s room, sharing his bed with two of us, and giving Elaine some space in the children’s bed. It was heaven! We love our little Milan 3 star place. They are always so welcoming to us.

But, we are now in a 17th century palazzo, which was famous for having the first Genova manual elevator, (1800s) or as we call it-a crank-a-vator. Also – Alora – as we know, this was quite a palace in its day, and we are on the upper floors with groin-vault ceilings in most rooms, Barrel-vaults in others.

We face a piazza- a line of red flags flying all around the perimeter. No idea why, though perhaps it is a territorial thing. Piazza Giustiniani claims to perhaps have a lineage from the emperor Justinian, and be an important family in the province. Maybe true even!

Modernized, we have those amazing Italian windows, good electrical service, and big rooms to spread out in. The atrium is in the middle of the building, and while we only have one apartment no doubt it is one out of many.

Historic, I am loving the sense of being in an ancient period-play, with rain coming down outside. We’ll sleep well tonight, after our first Genoese meal. It feels good to be back in our home province, Liguria.

As we awoke this morning -I remembered the essence of a stone town, the sound echoing from wall to wall, the voices carrying from one room, or the outside, to another place somewhat far away. There isn’t a blade of grass to be seen, and I wonder about the lack of oxygenation without it. It’s very durable, stone, and I enjoy all of those stone palaces, but it is noisy of a sort I don’t experience sound at home. Running in the background of my dreams were street sweepers, trash trucks, carts and early morning voices. Thrilling that one gets used to it.

And- the International Boat Show is in town! There is even a boat called the Lavezzi, although we can’t find out where the name came from. Can I claim it?

Lastly, Bill’s son Robert and his bride Elizabeth are with us, and it is great fun to spend some time with them, as we have seldom gotten the chance to connect with those two travelers, who live distant, and travel a lot. Nice memories, good family moments. Hooray for us not being deterred from a great trip by setbacks. Thanks for all the good thoughts – you are so appreciated. More even than gelato!

So