After asking everyone's best friend, Google, we learned that Avignon is 6.5 hours drive from Milano, via Genova. And since I have a friend in Genova, Barr and I made plans to stop in Genova for lunch.
And since Barr lives north of Milano, and I live in south Milano, we made plans to rendezvous (huh huh, francais) at a suburban train station south of the city.
I had packed a carry on sized rolling suitcase with clothing, my work rolling bag with activities and electronics, and my backpack with food. And I headed out for the two looong block's walk to the train very early... thank goodness... because rolling bags at the same time on a busy work morning while wearing a backpack and carrying a purse... a little awkward and not really speedy... Then I had to carry it all down a double flight of concrete stairs in a single fell swoop. I was damned happy to climb into the warmth of the train.
We met at 10:15 on a beautifully sunny, but cold as a mofo, morning, and hit the autostrade for Genova. It took the expected two-ish hours to drive to our meeting place.
We had a great lunch with my friend D, who gave me a Genova guide in anticipation of my ditching Milano and moving to the beach, and then we headed out toward France.
