Wednesday, October 30. My first day off. What better way to celebrate than to climb the mountain that overlooks us, with wonderful people: Mark, Fredrik, Liliana, Peter, Martine, Jess, Franzi. It was probably the 4^th time I’ve been up there, but we went a different way than usual, drove up a very winding narrow newly paved path to the front of the mountain instead of driving a lot further way around to the back. It’s a fairly strenuous trek with a lot of loose and today sometimes slippery rocks, ups and downs (from where we started this time), crawling through a cave, beautiful views—even though much of the time was spent in fog— and an exhilarating time taking in the fresh air on a mountain high above the sea, even though this time we couldn’t really see the sea. I only fell once, real close to the end. It’s pretty much an all-day, 6-hour trek. When we returned, a few of us went to get gelato. I walked in there after not being there for year and the owner says to me, “Stracciatella?” How can he possibly remember me and my favorite choice after an entire year? He did the same thing last year. I mean, I’ve certainly been there enough over my 13 times being in Albir—probably at least 3 times a visit, but still… After that, there was only one thing to do: jump into a soaking bath. We don’t have one at our house, so this is such a treat, and my poor old legs screaming at me loved it. I know I’m going to be stiff tomorrow. But it was so worth it. Then dinner and bed. Some people went off to eat at another restaurants, and to dance and party. But I’d rather chill out, at least right now.