April 11-12 - Thick skies again, but a sunny walk also! In Comano and Paradiso

Fog and low clouds have returned again. On Thursday Rick and I went back to Comano, which was the town we lived in back in 2004-2005. We enjoyed walking around the old center, seeing the remodeling that has taken place with some of the very, very old buildings. Here and there, as we passed someone else on the sidewalk, we received very warm "Buon Giorno's" and wondered "Do they recognized us?" Usually everyone will say Buon Giorno, but their greetings were more geniune!

We stopped in the little local grocery store "Da Gina" where we often shopped and chatted with Gina, our adopted Swiss grandma. She is always so happy to see us when we are in town. She had always been our greatest source of what was happening in town during our year here, so we always make sure to shop at her store.

Below you'll see a picture of one of the very, narrow streets. I'm always amazed how trucks get through there. Expert drivers! I remember once I tried to get through with a SMART car - yes, a Smart car, which is very small, and I STILL couldn't do manage my way through! Getting on the bus to head home, we see one of the usual bus drivers who was driving the route 8 years ago. It's so nice to see familiar faces!

This past Wednesday evening Rick had football practice. Here is a cultural difference: They were on a fenced in field and the football happened to go over the fence. They asked a young man on the other side to throw the ball back over. He tried several times but couldn't do it. Then someone said "Calcio!" meaning to kick it. BAM! Rick said the ball flew back over the fence! An American would throw it better than kick it!

Today, Friday, Rick and I went downtown and then took a walk to Paradiso, the next town along the lake. The sun came back out - yeah! Spring is just starting here. From what I hear from the locals, Spring is late this year. We had lunch at Manora - a restaurant that is associated with the Manor department stores. They have great food and lots of choices. My favorite lunch stop in Lugano. :-)

Now, look how close this guy is to each wall! How do they ever drive through these narrow streets!

A part of Santo Lorenzo Church in Lugano - the rest is under renovation.

Not a castle, but an old villa on the side of Mt San Salvatore in Paradiso.