June 21
I think this is the solstice. We spent the longest day in two countries. The border's a spit away from here, but we still managed to take a wrong turn on our way to Switzerland. Righted ourselves quickly enough, and headed over.
There's a drive-through on the border where they barely bother to glance at your passport. It's easier than getting from the US to Canada. We headed toward a lake town, Lugano, in Switzerland, getting there mostly on the now dreaded Autostrad, and during a wicked thunderstorm.
Parking required francs, of which we had none. Got out, tried a pharmacy, which wouldn't deal in francs. But we bought much needed dental floss for about 10 bucks. Jeez.
We must've looked lost and helpless, because a nice woman with a Brit accent asked if she could help up. She sold us the necessary two francs for two thousand lire--a bit of a bargain for us. And so nice of her.
The lake is lovely, but we wandered away from it first to check out the shopping district where I bought a Swiss watch. I felt obliged. Lovely watch, which I will enjoy for a long time. Wandered some more, and there were Swiss Army knives. How would we resist this, plus BW had lost his recently. So we bought Swiss Army knives along with a Swiss watch in Switzerland.
Then had lunch at a pizzeria.
The town, about 12 kilometers from the border, seemed more Italian than Swiss. Most of the signs are in Italian, and the goods--other than the heavily touted watches, run to Italian shoes and clothes. And then souvenirs such as Swiss bells.
While the pharmacia took only lire, the post office took only francs. Most shops and restaurants take either, and thank you very much.
The hills here, mountains, I suppose, of deep green hit by cloud shadows, are gorgeous, and rise up from the lake, then dip down deeply whenever they like into valleys. Houses are clumped and tucked into the rises.
Languages you hear are Italian and I suppose Swiss--if Swiss sounds considerably like Dutch. Some French.
After lunch, we walked along the lakefront and watched the boats. Lots of paddle boats shaped like little cars. A group of young teenage girls in bikinis didn't seem to mind the chill and fell off their boat regularly to squeal and swim, then haul themselves back in.
On the drive back we somehow avoided the Autostrad and found ourselves on a terrifically scenic, winding little road cut out of the mountain. So much more pleasant. If we'd found it heading north, we'd likely have gone on. Lots of vineyards cut into hills and spreading onto fields. Pretty little towns with no real traffic and stucco houses all but butting onto the street. Before we knew it, we were back at the border where absolutely no one looked at our passport or customs certificate. Just waved us through, with bored, almost distracted gestures.
When we got back, I got a bottle of champagne out of the friggo bar, opened it. Seconds later, it spumed out all over my hands, wrist and new watch. Eek. Rinsed off the watch and studied it. The dunking didn't appear to bother it a bit. Those canny Swiss watchmakers know what they're doing--and about this time, I realized the dial glows in the dark.
Cool.
We had a drink on our terrace, watched a windsurfer, and contemplated a good sized little boat full of balloon, and on closer inspection with the binoks, a guy in some sort of costume. Before too long the caribinarbi--which I've no doubt spelled incorrectly, but which seem to be the water police--cruised by, had a short conversation, and must have told the balloon boat to move on. Which they did.
BW then discovered two young woman on the pool deck (again with the binoks) wearing little but dental floss bottoms--probably even more expensive than what we bought in Switzerland, and not nearly as practical. But he certainly enjoyed it more.
Dinner at the main dining room tonight. I see by my new Swiss watch, we have two hours before food.
Nora
ADWOFF > NORA'S TRAVELOGUES > ITALY > PHOTO ALBUM > Como, day 4