Lugano – Swiss or Italian?

July 4,5,6

As our train crept deeper into Southern Switzerland, we noticed a change. Alpine beauty was still prevalent all around, but the distinct “Swiss-German” look of the houses and rooftops gradually started to shift into more “box” style, flat-roof homes, as well as more palm trees and lush vegetation ….. palm trees in Switzerland?

Our train guide explained that we were transitioning from the “Swiss-German” section into the “Swiss-Italian” section of the country. Switzerland is unique – a small country with 26 distinct “cantons”, and four national languages (German, Italian, French, and Romansh). Even though English is not an “official” language, it seems that most everyone understands it, and thankfully, English is often printed on menus, directions, etc……we learned that Swiss schools made English mandatory as a second language to all students in 1974.

From the moment we stepped off the train into Lugano, it truly felt as if we were stepping into Italy, not another Swiss town. Italian cars, Italian architecture, Italian voices, as well as pizzerias and gelato stands everywhere! Lake Lugano offers a Mediterranean, beach town vibe, with plenty of upscale shopping boutiques and jewelry stores.

When planning our itinerary, we decided to spend a few days in Lugano for several reasons. First, it is a convenient stop on the way from central Switzerland into Italy. Second, our research led us to discover that an annual jazz music festival , ‘Estival, would be taking place during the weekend. Our first evening, as we strolled to the main square, Piazza della Riforma, we found all types of food trucks and vendors surrounding the streets, with activity and restaurants crowded and busy well into the night. (Sunset does not occur until 9:30, and it seems very common for people to start dining around then.)

Each evening in Lugano, after a busy day of walking and touring, it was so nice to stroll toward the piazza and hear the soothing sound of live jazz music. At our hotel, International du Lac, we noticed some of the jazz musicians sitting nearby at breakfast one morning!

Speaking of the hotel, it is a very old, historic hotel in the heart of Lugano. It feels like stepping back in time, with the decor and furnishings, with many reminders of past history through framed pictures and mementos on the walls. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful (and thankfully able to communicate with us language-challenged Americans). The pool area and surrounding gardens are so picturesque. We feel very fortunate to experience this special place. Saving all those travel miles were worth it! (I keep pinching myself!)

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Through the Swiss Alps

July 4, 2019

Booking the Gotthard Panorama Express for our travel from Lucerne into southern Switzerland was one of the BEST travel decisions we made! The journey started with a ferry in Lucerne and traveled south along the lake, passing by many picturesque villages and towering mountains. In Fleulin, we changed to a Panoramic Express train for an unforgettable, winding path into southern Switzerland. The scenery was stunning in every direction, as the train passed by valleys, waterfalls, and towering snow capped mountains. It was challenging to see the full expansive views in every direction, much less capture it all by cellphone camera! Many pictures were taken, but they do not even capture the full magnificence of the landscape. The journey ended in the Swiss-Italian region of Ticino, and we disembarked at the city of Lugano. I would highly recommend the Gotthard Panorama Express to anyone traveling through southern Switzerland!

July 4, 2019

Majestic Mount Pilatus

July 2, 2019

Mount Pilatus towers majestically over Lucerne, providing a stunning backdrop to this picturesque town. We were lucky enough to have a fantastic view of the mountain from the balcony of our room at Hotel des Alpes.

On our first full day in Lucerne, we decided to take a round trip tour to the mountain and back, through Best of Switzerland Tours. The trip began with a bus ride to the gondola station, then a gondola ride up to the summit. We rode in the gondola with a nice older couple from Spain.

An intersting side story about the mountain’s name: Our tour guide explained that Mt. Pilatus was actually named after Pontius Pilate from the Bible. According to Swiss legend, after Pontius Pilate betrayed Jesus, he was so distraught that he committed suicide. His body surfaced in a lake near Rome, but they did not want his body nearby…so his body was brought north, where it was buried near this mountain. Legend claims that the top of the mountain ridges even form into the shape of his face.

Once at the Summit, we marveled at all the amazing scenery before enjoying a quick bite to eat from the cafe (roasted potatoes, mixed salad, and apple strudel). Then we made our way to the “dragon’s loop”, a loop around part of the mountain, through tunnels dug through the mountain. In ancient times, there were stories of dragons living in the tunnels and crevices of the mountain, so the dragon became the “symbol” of Pilatus. There were also many steep steps and overlook points, offering amazing panoramic views of mountains and Lake Lucerne.

After glancing in the hotel which sits on top of the Summit, we made our way to the Cogwheel train, steepest in the world and dating back to the late 1800’s, for a descent down the other side of Mount Pilatus to Lake Lucerne and town of Kierns. On the Cogwheel, we chatted with a nice young family from Florida, with two exhausted children falling asleep from the mountain activity and jet lag.

In Kierns, we boarded a steamboat for a ride along the lake, back to Lucerne. We passed many quaint lakeside communities along the way, and met another couple from California. Glenn starts conversations with everyone! We both believe that connecting with others, learning about others, is one of the joys of travel.

Tomato Vines and Blue Hydrangeas

Hot, humid, sticky days of summer,

bring flashes of memory, taking me way back,

to youthful, carefree days, spent on Willson Street,

zipping down the grassy hill to the garden,

sweaty palms pushing into the red clay dirt,

finding relief under the shade of a big fig tree.

Me-ma, gathering up ripe tomatoes from plentiful vines,

watering her lush, deep blue hydrangea bushes,

rolling out dough for fluffy biscuits, frying chicken,

canning vegetables, offering ice-cold RC Cola,

laughing at Papa’s jokes.

Today, reminiscing in the hot summer sun,

I gaze at one small scraggly tomato vine,

and one single, deep blue hydrangea bush.

My adult mind rewinds the childhood memories,

with new clarity…..how did she do it all?

I am truly amazed,

as I manage my household and raise three boys,

as I barely find time to make a meal,

as I run around, and forget to water my plants.

Me-ma would surely giggle, shake her head,

tell me to slow down.

Probably offer a soft smile

for my feeble gardening attempts,

and a wink of understanding,

to the highs and lows of life,

to the challenges of motherhood,

to finding joy in small, everyday moments

to tomato vines and blue hydrangeas.

To be published in “Old Times not Forgotten”, an anthology by Old Mountain Press, Summer 2019.

Hydrangeas from yard (2019) / Me-ma at my college graduation (1987)

Higher Elevation

A goodbye, a smile, a quick hug

one more glance around the tiny, organized room

knowing it will not stay neat for long.

Driving away slowly, I peek in the rear view mirror

sunlight is fading behind the beautiful mountains,

creating a soft glow around the campus buildings.

Leaving this idyllic scene behind

tears will not be shed,

but a heaviness weighs in my chest,

then a moment of panic: “WAIT! He is NOT ready!”

Mother’s instinct clicks into overdrive,

a premonition of challenges ahead.

Knowing my son’s new world of higher education

comes with wonderful opportunities,

yet many potential pitfalls.

Continuing down the winding road,

my brain a mix of worry and anxiety, yet, hope.

There is no other choice……always, always hope.

A silence and stillness surround me,

then eventually, a glimmer of clarity.

His path will unfold, it may be rough and rocky,

but it will be HIS path

he may stumble, he may even fall hard,

but he will learn to rise, in the mountains

forging ahead, growing into adulthood,

at a higher elevation.

Published in Mountain Places, a Poetry and Prose Anthology by Old Mountain Press, March 2019

Folly Beach and “Chip”

4/15/19

10am

Finally, spring break week has arrived….and we are trying to find our beach “rhythm” here at Folly, with crisp salty air, toes in the sand, crashing waves, stunning sunsets…..but every little sensation seems to sting a bit. The loss is still so fresh. Sitting on the screened back porch, with the calm beauty of the marsh beyond, my mind can clearly visualize our sweet buddy, “Chip”, sniffing around the fenced yard and settling into a sunny spot to lounge. No doubt he would also love the golf cart rides with Adam, and socializing with the multitude of dogs and families in this pet-friendly beach town. I can picture him, and “feel” him, loyally curled up at my feet, as I sip my morning coffee in the rocking chair, listening to the birds chirp along with the distant roll of the waves.

But sadly, we had to say a final goodbye to Chip just days ago, as he crossed over the “rainbow bridge”. A sad and swift decline. Funny how the absence of his loyal, quiet presence is felt so sharply, especially by myself and Adam. While all of us loved Chip deeply and fiercely, it was myself and Adam who spent the most hours with him recently. It was the two of us who managed through his swift decline, it was the two of us who made the quick, painful decisions, it was the two of us who held Chip lovingly as he took his last breath. Neither of us will ever, ever forget the heartbreaking details of his last night with us…..we keep talking about it and re-playing it, re-analyzing it. Although we did our very best for him, somehow I think it helps us in the grieving process to discuss it. While the entire ordeal was excruciatingly painful, in the very end, it was ….. peaceful. I am so glad that Adam and I could be there for Chip and provide him comfort in his last moments….he could feel our touch, hear our voices. The feeling is hard to describe, but it almost felt…..natural, spiritual.

So now…here we are at Folly, missing our sweet buddy, but trying hard to unwind, and discover our new beach rhythm for the week ahead. We know Chip would want us to enjoy every moment. As my friend keenly stated, “he is still there with you”…… and maybe he is. His sweet, loyal spirit will always live in our hearts.

“All that we love deeply becomes a part of us” – Helen Keller

We were so blessed and fortunate to experience life with Chip. We brought him to this beautiful beach on two other occasions. We will hold those memories close and dear. We will move foreword, enjoying this unique, special place, savoring our slice of beach life for a week.

4pm:

After the brief rainstorm finally moved along, we were anxious to stick our toes in the sand and surf. Walking down the wooden steps to join Glenn on the beach, I heard two little boys calling for their mother. “Look, mom, look! A rainbow!” They wanted to be sure she saw it before it disappeared. I am so glad they yelled to her….or else I might have missed it also. But there it was, not big or bold…..but a sweet, soft, beautiful rainbow. Who knows, I’m not sure if I believe in “signs”…..but, there it was.