Morcote, my new favorite place...

It's back to work here in Lugano.  With the school year started, we are getting into the swing of things.  We returned back from Luzern Sunday afternoon, drenched from the constant rain, and happy to be home.  Groups are finally set for math, which the kids switch around for each morning.  I am teaching the end of 4th grade level, but have students in grades 3 through 5.  The kids is my math class are great, very eager learners.  

Monday night, the yoga class for faculty started here.  A girl named Nura, whose husband is a dean, teaches the class twice a week for faculty members.  The facility is really nice also...in the Palestra (the big yellow building in the pictures on the slideshow).  It was nice to do something different, especially with all the running I've been doing.  

Last night (Tuesday) I was all set to go on another long run after dinner, until Stacey offered for me to come to dinner with her and another teacher at the high school, Lisette. We went to an area near the lake called Morcote.  It was absolutely beautiful there and of course really nice not to eat at the dining hall.  In Morcote, we ate at a restaurant called Ristorante Portici.  It was a beautiful night, crystal clear and the restaurant sat right along the lake.  I couldn't have asked for a better outing!  The house speciality there is risotto (Aron you would love it)!  When serving the risotto they place it in this huge wheel of parmesan cheese and when they place it on your plate (right at your table), they scrap a bunch of the cheese on top.  I  had risotto with porcini mushrooms, but they also have with veal, shrimp, coniglio (rabbit)..lots of choices.YUM YUM!  It's great going out to dinner and I wish I could do it every night, but it is on the expensive side...about 30 francs for just the entree.  On the ride home (in the school van, the high school teacher had checked out) we drove through an area called Paradiso.  It is another beautiful town along the lake that leads toward Lugano.  I've spent most of today preparing for Curriculum Night (or Back to School Night) next week.  My kids have specials today, so I have some time to plan.  Tonight, the big excitement at home is that we are supposed to have wireless... finally.  Also, I received 2 boxes from home today, with some clothes, food and my favorite... Runner's Magazine.  It's the little things that really make a difference.  Thanks Mom! BTW - Unfortunately, I didn't  have my camera last night, but another girl did and she is hopefully sending me a couple pictures...