I wake up to a Kardashian look-alike staring at me in the mirror. Did I mention that the past 4 days have been sunny? and did I mentioned that in spite of having been born and raised in the middle-east and having fair skin, I did not stop to put on sun screen every few hours?
I don't typically get burned. I don't spend time in the sun, and when I do, I get a tan. But this time I got BURNED. The skin on my forearms was red and blistery, and my lips were swollen as if i've had a round of bad botox. Turns out that when your lips get sun-burned, they absorb water, hence my lower lip got swollen.
At breakfast I discover that out of 5 occupied tables, I recognize 4:, including he Irish gentlemen from my second day and a young Israeli couple I've met and hiked with on the third day.
After a mild panic I google to find out that there's no emergency doctor services in Courmayeur outside of the ski season. I decide to continue with my original plan of heading to the hot baths in Pre St. Didier. I actually hike there, as it's more of a gentle stroll and i'm in no hurry. The hot baths really are great, with lots of baths in different temperatures and minerals, but I wish I were on the trail. This sort of thing really is not for me.
As I head back into town my brother texts me that he's arrived (he flow into Geneva, like myself, took the shuttle into Chamonix and then the bus into Courmayeur. You need to pre-book it through SAVDA, the local bus company).
We meet just in time for coffee and desert - the place opposite the Happy Socks store on Via Roma does excellent Tiramisu. Via Roma is full of fancy shops and places to eat, and I see so many people I know from the trail I feel like a local.
Courmayeur is also the place to restock - there's a small but sufficient Carrefour Express supermarket, and next door there's a speciality cheese and meat store. If local food is your thing - don't miss it. It has great variety, friendly English-speaking staff and if you want to pay with cash - there's a machine that will take your coins!
Another stroll through town, catching up on my adventures so far over dinner and back to the hotel. In early September, right after the UTMB has ended, you can find great rates in the fancy hotels in Courmayeur. We stayed in Cresta et Duc, just at the edge of Via Roma, and it was great. They even agree to get breakfast ready for us half an hour early, so we can leave by 07:30.
Tip: Thing to do in Courmayeur
1. Eat Pasta, Pizza and icecream in Via Roma.
2. Take the Monte Bianco Skyway up the mountain.
3. Go to the Terme baths in Pre St. Didier. Hike there in a gentle stroll, or take the bus leaving from Piazzale Monte Bianco.
4. Take a day hike in on of the endless trails in the Aosta Valley. A map of these trails is available at the local Tourist Information Center in Piazzale Monte Bianco.
5. Take a guided tour up Mont Chetif, or any other of the Via Ferratas in the area. Check with the Tourism Information Center or the Alpine club for more details.
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