📍 Destination: Pavia, Italy
🕒 Duration: 3 Days
🎯 Purpose: A reunion with an old friend—once my desk mate, always close at heart
Day 1: From Airport Chaos to Gelato Calm
My weekend adventure began the moment I landed. My friend came to pick me up—except not in her own car. Due to mechanical issues, she arrived in her sister’s vehicle, with her sister behind the wheel. We drove together to where her own car had been parked, hopeful the issue had magically resolved. It hadn’t.
Cue: blinking hazard lights, 60 km/h in an 80 zone, and a desperate phone call to a local mechanic. Her car sounded less like a vehicle and more like a helicopter on the verge of collapse. But by some miracle (and a lot of nervous laughter), we made it to the service center.
Later that day, things mellowed. We spent a few quiet hours chatting, joined by her sister who lives nearby. That evening, we headed into Pavia for artisanal gelato at Cono Verde—which may or may not have changed my life—and wandered through the city’s charming old center under the golden summer light.
Day 2: Water Parks and Wine in the Parking Lot
The next morning, we packed sunscreen, towels, snacks—and kids. Her son and her sister’s little boy joined us for a full day at Onda Splash, a water park in Bereguardo. Seven hours later, they had likely set a personal record for the longest day of splashing and sliding.
That evening, the vibe shifted from energetic to cozy. We gathered behind the apartment building—next to parked cars and garages—for an impromptu gathering: wine, chips, and laughter under the soft evening sky. That’s also when we met a lovely local family who didn’t just say hello—they invited us to lunch at their place the next day.
Fun fact: That night, I became a mosquito buffet. I’m still carrying the itchy souvenirs.
Day 3: Italian Hospitality and Bitter Goodbyes
On our last day, we joined our new Italian friends for lunch. Their warm welcome made it feel like we’d known them forever; well, she does, they were new to ME. He took over the grill; she prepared everything else. Their children added energy and joy to the afternoon.
Though my Italian is still in development, we managed beautifully—me understanding in Italian, answering in English, and letting smiles fill in the blanks. Food, it turns out, is the best translator.
Saying goodbye wasn’t easy. I hadn’t expected such a short trip to leave such a long imprint. But it did. It wasn’t just about old memories—it was about making new ones, together.
Final Thoughts?
What started as a spontaneous weekend turned into an emotional kaleidoscope: full of nostalgia, new connections, laughter, and a bit of car-related drama. As I left, a lump formed in my throat. Three days can hold a lot when shared with the right people.
Now, it’s her turn to visit me—in the land of Santa Claus.
A CUP OF NOVELTY 