Il favonio

Il favonio or Föhn is a wind in the alps that blows air from one side of the mountains down into the valley of the other side. Since we're on the Southern side and the wind originates almost always on the Northern side we get a lot of favonio.

So even in the midst of winter we can get a day that is as warm as in summer. For the last three days it has been extremely warm and windy. A lot of people do get a headache from the sudden warm weather but I usually don't. I am quite fascinated by this phenomenon.

When we get the favonio the wind blows also into the snow on top of the mountains which makes them appear as if there was white smoke.

Today the favonio has died down and we only got regular wind which is quite cool. I think I am fascinated by wind because I was born in October, the windy season in Germany. Here at Bellinzona it can get windy at all times and during all seasons. But I also like the wind of Bellinzona because it clears the air and allows for fantastic blue skies...

De Gustibus

My friend Danny is the same as always, always makes me smile. For the last two days she's been keeping to say "De Gustibus" because she liked the sound of it and she has read it here on the Migros building. She has also learned "mucca", "andiamo", "si", "va bene" and a few other words. She is very happy to be here and everythings so easy around her. She also is a lot like me. When she sees a sunny place she wants to stay and enjoy the sunshine.

However, there's one thing that makes me very afraid for her. If someone here found out how she likes her coffee they'd send the mafia and have her decapitated. I offered her a very good Italian espresso today and what did she do? Mixed some water with a bit of milk, put it in the microwave until it boiled and then added a little bit of espresso. Ma, che schifooooooooooooo!!!

I'm also glad I got to know her husband (how weird that sounds) a little better and I must say, he's fine!!! I think he will take good care of her and make her happy. If not, I will send the mafia. He was mostly fascinated with the cultural differences here, how relaxed everything is, how there is no hurry and no one gets upset over a bit of a mess. He is very impressed with the differences in quality of life here and there.

Tomorrow we will go to Milano again. It better not be ice cold... We have had il favonio for two days and it's been about 30 degrees Celsius in the sun.