il Lago di Como

Auguri! I decided to celebrate the arrival of spring in Italia by heading north towards the Switzerland border. Lake Como. I used good judgment. It was one of the best weekends I have spent here. I traveled with two girlfriends. Another good decision. It seems George Clooney isn’t the only “giovanotto” (young man, usually handsome) that calls this place home. It’s hard not to appreciate this brand of attention. Upon arrival, we checked in to our lovely bed and breakfast and headed toward “Il Funicolare” a rickety tram totting people up to higher elevations to capture a better lay of the land. And my, how the land lays. The lake, comprised of Swiss Alp-snowmelt, glistened even from altitude, accentuating the city’s turquoise cathedrals and crimson rooftops. The height revealed the existence of “pochi” (a few) villages, or rather tiny collections of houses, hidden in the swiss-italian hilltops. In town, lovers lounge abundantly. Children scream delightfully and play soccer. Elderly couples fish and watch the swans. We took a paddleboat and "una bottiglia di vino" out on the lake to join such relaxation. I can truly comprehend why this is a place commonly used for fairytale settings. And speaking of fairytale settings, it seems even George Lucas jumped on this bandwagon. He chose the charming Villa Balbianello, located in Lenno, a tiny village (with only one bank!!) on the lake, as Padmè’s palace in Naboo for his Star Wars Episode II. Given the spirit of the lake-life we witnessed, it isn’t hard to understand how even Darth Vader was able seduce her here. A highlight, indeed. We summed up our trip with a long lunch and trolley-ride in Bellaggio, before heading back to reality. It’s not the harsh kind. The sun also shines bright in Firenze these days and “i fiori stanno fiorando” (the flowers are blooming). I love “studying” abroad. “Senz’altro” (without other). Alla prossima! -k