Milano

Unfortunately, our weeefeeee stopped working the day after we bought it. We were able to return it, but I may not be able to update this very frequently. I will do my best!

Momi gave us a day off of work last week to travel to Milan. The forecast called for rain, but the day turned out beautiful! We ate lunch at an outdoor cafe, went to an old castle that I'd been to last year with the team, saw the Duomo, and window shopped along the main shopping street. Yes, I said window shopped - neither Kelly or I have any room in our suitcases, so we decided to play it safe and not buy anything. It was awesome to get out and see another part of Italy - definitely a successful day :)

In other news, we have finally moved into our flat! It is much nicer than we expected: a big bedroom, a living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen! Kelly and I are soo excited to be able to start cooking our own dinners here! Photos to come!

At the castle in Milan

The Duomo!

Life at la ristorante

So far, we've worked two days at Momi ristorante. The first Italian word we learned was stanka. One of the waiters: you stanka? Me: I stink?! Thanks... Later we figured out it actually means TIRED! Which we definitely are. We are on our feet all day - bussing dishes, making espressos and cappuccinos, running food, sweeping floors, the list goes on and on. Momi keeps us busy, that is for sure!

Kelly and I literally jump for joy whenever someone who speaks English comes to the restaurant. Our Italian is no molto bene to say the least.... and everyone we work with speaks soo fast! But, the Italian is rubbing off. Even if we are completely useless at speaking the language, Kelly and I are slowly becoming Italian... Today, a rare American group came in. After we had met them and chatted for a while, one of the guys asked - in clear English - "are you guys making pasta?" Kelly enthusiastically responds, siiii! Another time today, one of the customers asked me where in the states I was from and I responded, unconsciously using my best Italian accent, Meeeneeeesota! We bring a new meaning to the phrase dumb Americans...At least we make people laugh? 

Speaking of accents, no one can pronounce our names. When I introduced myself, one of the other workers says, "Oh, like the President Franklin?" Me: "No, not Delano, ALANA." Him: "Ohhhhhhhhhhh I see, Haaahlano!" Kelly is Carly or Kahhhhlie. But, no worries, Momi came up with a solution to no one knowing how to pronounce our names. He renamed us, obviously. Kelly is "Maria" and I am "Magdalena." Should we be offended? Welllll at least people know our names now... 

The biggest challenge of the trip so far has been finding weeeefeeee (Italian for wifi, of course). There is NONE in the whole town of Blevio! We asked Momi about three times, and he was no help. But then today, we saw him on the internet at work! Us: WHATTT, HOWWW?! Kahhlly and Delano did some quick investigating, and we found out we needed to go to the city and buy a modem and an internet plan. Which is exactly what we did! Maybe we aren't such dumb Americans after all...

Tonight we are enjoying our weeefeee in the hotel before a busy day at the ristorante tomorrow! Arrivederci til later!

Learning to make pasta from Christopher

Pizza dinner in Como!

Gelato in Como!

Day one

After sprinting to the gate and barely making our connecting flight in New York, Kelly and I knew this would be an eventful trip. We arrived early Thursday morning - 6:30 am Italian time! We hunted all over for the driver who was supposed to pick us up at Milan airport, and were getting a little nervous when all we could see were professional looking drivers holding signs for companies. But not to worry, we soon spotted a homemade cardboard sign that had "Ristorante Momi" painted on it in big white letters. Our driver was Khorom - he works at another of Momi's restaurants in the city of Como. The nicest guy, but I don't think he understood how exhausted we were/ how badly we wanted to shower after 12 hours of travel! What was supposed to be a 45 minute drive to Blevio ended up taking 2 1/2! We stopped at scenic overlooks, and then in the city of Como where he showed us the restaurant he works at. While we were there, Khorom offered us a slice of proscuitto off a big block of meat that was just....sitting out in the warm room. Him: "Try eet, eet's the weekly special!" Us: This stuff has been sitting out for a WEEK?! Kelly and I both took little bites, tried not to gag out loud, and promptly asked where is the bathroom please?  We finally made it to Blevio and got settled into our cozy little hotel, where we will be staying until Momi has our flat arranged! Then we went out and walked around all day and explored every inch of the town. Juuust kidddddingg... we took a short (8 hour) nap instead..oops! ;) Thank you jetlag.

We made it to Momi's for a late dinner, where he talked to us about what we will be doing this summer. Basically, we will be working a lot of hours and doing a lot of bussing type work. Not exactly what we had in mind originally, but hey, we're in a beautifullll place and are crossing our fingers for some time we'll be able to spend in the kitchen - this girl is not complaining :)

All ready to go at the airport!

Our first view of Como! Bellisimo!

Khorom, our driver

View from our hotel. Ehhh it's alright. 

Trying to be artsy..

Limoncello, courtesy of Momi

Benvenuto!

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog. I never really thought I would be a blogger, but when I told people I would be spending the summer cooking in Lake Como, Italy, it was usually one of the first things they suggested! Hopefully some people back home will read it, and at the very least, I know it will be a good way to keep track of my memories from my summer abroad. So, here goes... apologies for any rookie blogger mistakes I might make :)

About my trip

Last August, I traveled to Lake Como with my St. Olaf hockey team. We had the best time playing three games against teams in nearby bordering Switzerland. In our free time, we got to explore the surrounding towns and the coast - so cool! One of my favorite experiences, though, happened when most of the girls traveled to Venice on a free day. Instead of tagging along, my mom and I decided to take a cooking class in Blevio, a small town right on the lake. The restaurant was called Ristorante Momi, and Momi is the chef who taught us how to make bruschetta, a calamari dish, and flourless Italian cake. Yum! Anyways, long story short, Momi invited me to come back this summer to work in his restaurant. I grabbed my friend Kelly, who loves to cook too, and now here we are! I can't wait to see what this summer will bring!

Cooking with Momi in summer '12

Here is the restaurant - right on the lake!