The French Invasion

Okay, they are not really French, but they both live in France.  Laura (my friend from HS) and her bf Dan came out to visit.  It was the first time for us to meet the bf and I glad to say, he is a dream!  Not only is he a cute, but he is also sweet!  They are great together!

We went to Como for the day.  Unfortunately I got a late start and then the gps decided to take us the looooong scenic route to the lake.  D and L got an earful of Laurie Berkner and the Backyardigans-which is all we listened to on the drive.  Despite listening to kids music 'fin alla nausea' (until they wanted to barf/until they couldn't take it any more) - they were still awesome with the girls!  They went down to check out the swans and then

D taught S to skip rocks.

It was too cold to go on the boat, so we went up the funicular instead.  This is Sophia being a cog or wheel or whatever these things are called.  And you know most trips go with some sort of  crazy story, this is today's:  Sophia had asked for a postcard to send to Grandma and Grandpa (despite the fact that my mom will arrive in a week), I told her instead of getting one from the stand near the ticket station, she could get one at the shop on the top of the hill, as I remember they had a better selection and the lady was really nice to Sophia last time we came with Louisa, Ryan and Denise.  She didn't whine but waited patiently until we finished looking around on the top of the hill.  Right before we left, she reminded me that she wanted to get post cards, so I said okay. Plus Laura had to go to the bathroom (I finally found someone who actually has to pee more than me, I know you don't believe me, but it's true!!!) -since you shouldn't enter a bar/restaurant and just ask to pee, you're supposed to buy something. I said we would get the card and then ask if they had a bathroom.  Sophia chose one, there was no price so I gave her a 10 spot and had her go up to the counter to pay.  At first I thought it was just because she was short, they didn't acknowledge her, so I held her up. Despite that, it still took a while before someone helped us.  Finally, the old guy looked at her and asked what she wanted.  Sophia proudly held up the postcard and the money.  This asshole in a rude tone, barks at her 'It's 50 cents'. And we just stood there waiting for him to take the money, when we didn't move or react he continued like we were idiots he groused:  'It's 50 I don't have change, so take your card and put it back in the spot where you found it'  Sophia's face melted-I stood there in shock.  I was so surprised by his jackass response, I didn't know what to say.  The only thing I could think to do was say Don't worry, this guy is a totally rude and he didn't have to talk to you that way.  Laura kindly took the card and put it back, because even she was shocked, she speak italian and understood what he had just said).  Tears started to well up Sophia's eyes and Laura still had to pee!  It was awful.  I am wondering how the guy makes change for espresso, which costs about the same as a stupid post card and why the hell he has postcards laid out, if he doesn't actually want to sell them! Luckily we found a sign for bathrooms behind the funicular mechanical room (I had forgotten about those, I think we used them last time we came).  So if you ever find yourself in Como, don't frequent the bar on top of the hill-the guy is a COGLIONE!