| Gennaio Sciare |
| Ski Day at Madesimo with the Shawn Chad Family (not their real names - we are protecting their identities). We were planning on meeting up with them and got to the top of the 1st run, thinking we would text and find out where they were on the mountain and Zaven says, "Isn't that T?" Yes, there they were. It was amazing, because it was freakin' crowded and everyone looks the same in their ski gear, goggles and helmuts. Hawk Eye Zaven. |
| What handsome boys - Zaven had fun skiing with people other than us (the above picture makes me laugh - he looks "special")...and we were thrilled to ski with adults. It was really a perfect sunny day and we had a GREAT time! |
| The best ski day ever didn't start out that way...I forgot my "never been cuter parka" flung on the bench in our foyer while breaking my leg to get out of Lissone and to the vacation house on Friday night. BUT I do keep my old blue North Face "not so cute" ski parka there for playing in the snow. Joe said, "Well you just won't be SUPER cute." But then later on said, "I like you better in this coat, the color is better." Although I feel like a sausage vs the super fast Italian Pikabo Street to which I aspire. Plus, the entire valley was in a deep - 6 degree fog, so as we were driving to Prato Nevoso, we were thinking we might have to continue on to France for some sunshine. But I was checking the webcams on my phone and could see sun so we continued on. When we arrived we were well above the clouds, in total SUN and there were not oceans of people - WOOHOO! The resort was having some sort of ski stuff promo festival and of course we (Joe) are rarely afraid to look silly in public by participating in games, we are xpats and we look stupid almost everyday and we are competitive and not much effort needs to be put into the games so you can usually always win. We volunteered (were forced) to play, we thought we were going to get Jagermeister (which would have been fun in a gross, sweet, strong, boozy preski way), but only got some shitty powdered Ginsing Nescafe crap. They were tickled to have American contestants and relieved to know that we did speak Italian and could translate for the English contestants. It was a hurry mix, drink, run around obstacles relay race and Joe's team cheated and won, so he got a BOX of instant Ginsing Nescafe. Powdered coffee anything is an embarrassment. It was just the most perfect ski day - perfect ski conditions, not too busy and we could ski hard and fast - which I LOVE - but Joe crashed twice, when we saw Zaven on Sunday he said, "Your mom made me go down some really steep hills, fast." My response, "Honey we need to improve our technique, be consistent on every steepness." Joe: "I can go down the steep hills, just not well or in control." I am pretty sure I broke some personal bests - and made it past some ski development plateaus - or I was in a hallucinogenic sun and optimal ski conditions state I just thought I was skiing better and faster then the local ski team. At one point Joe leaned over and said, "I love you." And I said, "Is it because your wife is a super fast and excellent skier?" "Um no that's not the only reason." I was out of control. When we ski with Zaven we of course aren't skiing balls out, skiing sans Z has highlighted the need for helmets so we will purchase them before the next ski day (6 days away). Joe has been looking but because he has a super XXL head, it's been a tough and unfruitful search. |
| Above: Us & Dick (Riccardo - just a guess) walking in front of the camera |
| The Best Ski Day Ever - Prato Nevoso, Piemonte, 23 Gennaio 2010 |
| Look at how effortlessly GQ Joe is while prepping for his Nescafe challenge (screw George Clooney)- and he is rocking the best winter tan!! Even the kids at school ask, "MEESTER, why are you so tana?" |