March 30 Tuesday


Traveling from Northern Italy to Lucerne, Switzerland by way of Milan and the Italian Lakes, including Lake Como, where George C bought his villa a few years ago for 6 million. This must be where he picks up all those Italian babes he dates. Milan is the financial capital of Italy. Robert says if you want to make money you live and work in Milan. We passed by where Pavarotti had his villa in Modena and and where Ferraris are made. Enroute, we smelled a horrible gassy smell. The Aussies started laughing and that began a 1/2 hour wave of laughter on the bus. They are a fun bunch that is for sure. I may want to take a trip next year "down under."

Just left the last rest stop in Italy. The Italian rest stops are like Rulli’s. The selection is fabulous. Here are some pictures. Across the street is the Barilla pasta factory. I buy their pasta.

Near Milan there are many Factories and much industry –Reggio de Emilia. Robert compared it to the southern region of Reggio deCalabria, which is very poor. (This is where my grandparents came from) My grandmother used to make and carry bricks for my grandfather’s construction company. Later, he came to America and started his own company of Silvestri Iron and Metal and my father and his two brothers started Silvestri Bros. Construction Company which build roads and bridges in Y town and surrounding area. My grandfather could not write his name. He would sign a check with an “X”. It is also interesting how some of the Aussies ended up in Australia.


Robert just finished giving the history of the Mafia, but I didn’t have to listen. I already know everything from living in Y-town all my life.LOL

Joanne K: We are proud Italians!!!