The Monk's Trail

We leave next week for Europe with a focus on the "Monk's Trail," a route that follows the journey of Albert, a 13th-century Abbot from Germany who documented his pilgrimage to Rome. The route is nearly 2,200 kilometers long, passing through the center of the Alps from Germany on the north, through Austria, and on to Italy in the south.

Initially, the plan is to thoroughly explore Munich, the home of the world-renowned "Octoberfest" before venturing to nearby attractions like the castles of "Mad" King Ludwig II -- Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein (below) and Linderhof -- and other nearby attractions like Der Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany, and Adolf Hitler's "Eagles Nest."

From Munich, we'll travel by train through the Alps over Brenner Pass into Italy's northern city of Bolzano in South Tyrol near the Dolomites. The plan is to visit the Messner Mountain Museum established by Reinhold Messner, one of the world's most renowned mountaineers known for his alpine-style techniques and minimalist approach to climbing.

Next, we'll hop another train bound for Genoa and the Italian Riviera. We'll explore Portofino and Portovenere, and visit family in Isolona. All along the way, from Munich to Genoa, I will interview willing participants interested in discussing the current state of affairs in the United States of America for my first podcast, tentatively titled Rooftop Ramblings.

Things My Nonna Used To Say

Growing up in a matriarchy with my Italian grandmother (above left, with her sister) and my mother while my father taught school in remote locations in Oregon, my brother Robert and I learned much about Nonna's expressions and witticisms, including colloquialisms and idioms unique to the Province of Liguria and the Province of Piedmont in northern Italy. Each and every expression had a parable with a specific point.

Nonna expression: "Il pesce puzza dalla testa." Literal translation: "An old fish smells from the head down." Subtext: "Certain groups smell from the top echelon." Gonzo perspective: "As much as today's Republican Party stinks to high heaven, it's much worse at the top of this dung heap."

Nonna expression: "Labito non fa il monaco." Literal translation: "The habit doesn't make the monk." Subtext: "Don't believe everything you see on the internet." Gonzo perspective: "Just because you believe some Asian beauty is hitting on you on social media doesn't mean she really isn't some big ugly dude with excessive nose hair who is trying to rip you off."

Nonna expression: "Chi nulla sa, presto parla." Literal translation: "The empty head speaks first." Subtext: "Those who know the least have the most to say." Gonzo perspective: "How will we know the difference between Herr Gropenfuhrer's technicolor yawn compared to actual onset of dementia?" 

Nonna expression: "Chi sta a casa, sta secco, e chi esce, s'ingrandisce." Literal translation: "Those who stay at home will shrink up like a prune. But those who go out will go into full bloom." Subtext: "Learning is experience. Everything else is just information." Gonzo perspective: "After being sidelined for the last few years, it's high time to get out and about."

Along those lines, a trip to The Motherland (below, Nonno and Nonna) and more is on tap this summer for the first time since before the pandemic, with stops in Munich, Bolzano, Torino, Genoa and the Italian Riviera on the agenda. After all, travel is one of life's great teachers, revealing a world of cultures and people to meet, including family. More to come.