More Switzerland, or is it Italy?

[selenak]

Today: We drove from snowy mountains to the Lago Maggiore where palm trees stand, oranges bloom (had to get a Goethe quote in there somehow) and it's Italy in all but in name. You even cross a bit of Italy to get here. But it's Switzerland - the Centovalli, dramatic rivers with incredible sone formations and old bridges, with twofold arches - the Valle Verzasca - and Ascona, where we spend the right, has a promenade and yellow and red houses to compete with any Italian city. Our hotel is made to look a bit like an old castle.

Now we had planned to cross another pass to get here, but no, it was blocked, so what you do instead is take the train - the Simplon tunnel, to be precise. Endless (only 20 minutes in fact, but it's a really dark tunnel straight through a mountain on a fast train when you can't get out of your car and you think if that train ever crashes, you'll never see daylight again - so imagine: leaving the snowy mountains with their firtrees and grass, and the wood houses with stone columns and stone roofs (really, many roofs are made of granite stones from the mountains) behind, and arrive in Italian mountains, with leafy treas, and the clear air exchanged for some mist rising from the river below. Later from the lake itself. So it's really like crossng worlds.

The island on the lake we visited today via boat had a lot of rare plants on it, some rich woman's whim who then abandoned the island because her husband for whom she had created it died - among other things, an American agave which supposedly blooms only once in 15 years, and is blooming now. It looks like a gigantic candelier crossed with a lantern pole. Something very elegant and artificial. But it's real.

And again, I have to rave about the river. With its very clear, very cold blueish water - people were warned via signs not to bathe there, because of the dangerous undercurrents, but they did so nonetheless. Lots of people draped on dangerous rocks and dipping into that very cool water. The Aged Parent and self were seriously tempted, I have to admit. But we went for the hotel swimming pool instead.

Due to the wireless here, I could check some stuff. karabair, why doesn't Todd talk to Kara? penknife and artaxastra, congrats! Rob, ditto!

And: a decent Vader and Palpatine ficlet.

Now back to being offline, and admiring nature.

Comments

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

glad you're enjoying the trip.

RL keeping me busy; will be back on TM late tonight or tomorrow and will touch base with Kar and her mun :).

[selenak.livejournal.com]

RL can be a bitch. I'm using fifteen minutes away from the internet police right now, but am otherwise on my feet all day long, so I know what you mean.

[j-bluestocking.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying your travel report a lot -- this area is high on the list of places I've wanted to go. Is there any chance there might be pictures later?

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely post pictures. The digital camera has been busy!

[buffyannotater.livejournal.com]

Hee, thanks, Selena! :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

You make me so nostalgic for when I lived in Germany and used to go to Switzerland and Italy.

Thanks for the link; that was an excellent story. I was also intrigued by the similarities between Anakin and Luke; I believe a cleft chin is inherited and it's a nice touch that they both have them.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

That was excellent casting, yes.

When did you live in Germany, and where?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

About 10 years ago, when I was in my early 20s. I was in Frankfurt am Main for almost three years, working for an actuarial company writing bilingual software that calculated probabilities for pension plans and life insurance. I left when I'd finished the software as my work permit went with the job and I doubted I'd find another easily with all the trouble I had getting the permit: it took three months while I lived in a hotel and was paid via England. The trials of coming from what is regarded as a third world country... :-( It was one of the best times in my life.