TRIESTE

Highway bound to get to Trieste. It was fairly easy, the road was freshly paved and no problems, the Panda had air conditioning, yeah!
We arrived at Trieste from the ugly side, my heart sank when we arrived at the top, with the graffiti and the closed down shops. The shops here always look so bad when the grey shutters are down covered with some scribbling in spray paint as the skies turn dark. We drove down and down and all of a sudden things brightened up. (the last two photos above are Trieste)
The lights, the sea, the port, the action, the bars and cafes. Women on their teetering heels and summer dresses confidently strolling on the uneven cobbles. Yeah, I’m jealous! I can’t wear a heel higher than a half inch. 
The hotel was on a gorgeous square. Even in the dark it was clear, we had hit the jackpot. Our hotel room was my second least favorite color. The tiny bathroom was my ultimate least fav color, so decor was not the focus of this trip ;-}.
We were tired, dirty and hungry again. Adrian had left a note expecting us hours earlier, so I called so they would not worry.
We went to the first restaurant we saw. It was fabulous and not just because we were hungry. It was run by the kind of woman who had a regal stature and told you what you would be having. She was right. Delicious fish, great wine in a beautiful atmosphere. One other table was occupied by a voisterous group discussing food, Italian food, Spanish food, it was a delicious conversation, even though I could hardly understand the Italian.
The next day we went to a castle and a Miro exhibit, conveniently located on the castle grounds. It was hellishly hot so we just enjoyed the shade of the castle grounds.