March 25, 2017 Sunny day in Ponte Tresa

We saw the sun today! As it was Saturday, we took the "trenino" (little train) from Lugano to Ponte Tresa - the last town on the border with Italy. They have a market every Saturday. There are a few things I find there which I find nowhere else, like:
my favorite light scarf in another color
a leather purse (that I like)
favorite non-slip slipper socks
delicious sausage sandwich with veggies cooked to order
olives
cheese - well, olives and cheese can be found elsewhere, but these are super delicious!

There are also food trucks and one was selling already cooked roasted chickens, ribs, and other roasts. We chose one that was a turkey roast wrapped in bacon - only about 8 euros. We had it for dinner. It was like turkey wrapped around probably a ground turkey interior with spices, and then of course the bacon on the outside. It was heavenly! We will definitely have to pick up a few more on another Saturday. Yum Yum!

Watching the sandwiches being made at the market in Ponte Tresa, while we were eating ours! 

After the market we walked down to this tip of Lake Lugano where there is a nice bar and gelateria (ice cream shop). It's one of our favorites for ice cream, and it's called Johnny's. We enjoyed a gelato before walking back across the border to the trenino train station for the ride back to Lugano.

panoramic of Swiss ship leaving Ponte Tresa port on left. It will have to go around to the narrow straight on the right to return to Lugano. 

As you can see, there are lines of buoy markers in the water - I think from a rowing event. The ship goes in between the markers, but on the last row the boat gets snagged. We watched the drama as they tried to free the boat, eventually cutting the rope!
That very highest peak in the middle of the photo - we live right near the base of that mountain - Monte Boglia. 

In Ponte Tresa. Everything in the background is Switzerland, but I am standing in Italy. 

March 24, 2017 Still raining. Couple of funny Swiss things

I'm sorry I have no pictures yet. It has been raining and foggy since we arrived on Monday, so we have used this time to get our groceries stocked up and plan future trips in Switzerland.

A couple of funny things I'd like to share: The best baguette I have found in Switzerland (closest to a true, authentic French baguette) is from a totally Swiss company called Migros. They have department stores (with grocery store included) in all the big cities, plus stand alone food stores everywhere. They have the best baguettes!
      The dilemma: Our apartment is right above a bakery. Every morning at 4am the bread is in the ovens and the aroma wafts up through our open window. Wakes me up almost every time. Now this bakery sells baguettes too, but don't compare to those of Migros. My dilemma is that I feel like I have to sneak my Migros baguette into the house when I get off the bus - which is right outside the door to the bakery! I don't want the baker to feel bad!

The next little quirky thing about a small country like Switzerland: I love to watch the Ticino TV game shows. Here, because there just isn't a population large enough to continually bring in new contestants, the contestants instead play for the entire week - even if they keep losing!

Tomorrow morning - it's off to the Italian market in Ponte Tresa, Italy. :-)

March 21, 2017 Back in Lugano!!!

We have made is safely to Lugano! We arrived yesterday, and instead of the usual connection flight from Zurich to Lugano, we decided to take the train connection. This is very convenient in Switzerland, since there is a train station right at the airport.

Everything went smooth... after picking up our luggage, we first went to the shopping mall at the airport (an all public area and just a few steps from check-in, baggage, etc.) At the Sunrise store (cell phone service), we each got new sim cards for our iPhones. I was lucky enough to get the same Swiss phone number I've had for years (I let is lapse last year and almost lost it) and Rick got almost his same number except for one digit. I really wish it were this easy in the US. For $20 each we get a Swiss phone number with $20 worth of data or calling. It's very inexpensive and worth changing to a new number while here.

After the Sunrise store we went to the train station where we renewed our one year 1/2 price subscriptions. For the time we are staying, it's worth it to buy the entire year subscription. Then, just a few steps to the next departing train for Zurich. This trip takes only 10 minutes, where we had to change to a direct to Lugano train. This was the only negative about taking the train with heavy luggage for our 2-3 month stay, but all worked out well. Oh, and as we left the ticket counter, the agent handed us a chocolate bar. Do we LOVE Switzerland or what???!!

Our Swiss train chocolate bar!

We have taken this trip between Zurich and Lugano many times, but this was our first time through the new San Gottardo Base Tunnel, a tunnel that runs much deeper under the Alps and cuts off 30 minutes of the trip. Timewise this is nice, but unfortunately the most beautiful view of Switzerland is turned into pitch blackness. It was a very eery feeling, knowing we were so, so far deep under the earth! Everything was very smooth with no ear pressure or weird sensation.

Today, our first full day after a good night's rest, we walked down to Lugano. It was a very foggy day. I know how beautiful the area is, but I feel sorry for the tour buses that stop for just one day and those tourists miss just how spectacular this magical place on earth is.

We noticed some changes after our 2 year absence. A smaller Manor grocery store that wasn't too far from us has closed. Luckily the main store downtown is open and thriving. A few other stores have changed also - I look forward to seeing the new ones! Also, one thing I always struggle with is trying to be right with the fashion styles here. I'm always "off".  Sometimes it's hard to tell if the fashion begins in Europe and moves to the USA or vice versa. I've seen it both ways. A few years ago I wanted to buy short tan boots in the US. I had to search like crazy for what I wanted. Then we came to Lugano and they were everywhere. Later I saw them everywhere in the US. Two and three years ago, I was wearing leggings with longer tops here. No one else was. :-(  Now, I'm seeing that everywhere here. Unfortunately I left all of mine but one home this time! At least I only brought tight, straight-leg jeans, which will work also. Phew!

Rick and I feel so fortunate to be back at our "second home".

Can't wait to get back up in the mountains!!!

 

June 18, 2015 - Short trip to Osogna, Ticino, grotto, church and waterfall

Today I took a little side trip by myself, since Rick was helping with a school "porta aperta" where the kids can learn about American football. 

I decided to take the train to Bellinzona and from there the bus to Osogna, which is just before Biasca. Our friends from the north of Switzerland had told us that there was a nice grotto - an old, traditional Ticinese simple restaurant, near the waterfall. I decided to go and explore! 

The old church of Santa Maria del Castello, which is built on the ruins of an old castle, next to the waterfall. I'll take a short hike up to visit.

The old path which probably led to the castle. It's typical to find a gate here and there while hiking, as paths often lead through areas where animals graze. Please close the gate!

In the distance, on the other side of the valley, is a granite quarry. 

Inside the little church of Santa Maria del Castello.

View over Osogna and down the valley, from up at the church. 

Santa Maria del Castello

I then walked down to the bottom of the falls (the white under the tree on the left) where it forms a nice little pool - even with a little stone beach! 

The restaurant "Grotto al Pozzon" is on the other side of the pool. 

The waterfall in Osogna. I hear that back in this waterfall people do canyoning. 

Osogna waterfall

The waterfall with the church above

Grotto al Pozzon along the river

Most Grotti don't have an extensive menu. I was able to choose from roast beef (as shown), a plate of cheese and sausages, or onion soup. 

I walked a little around the town and spotted this beautiful old villa, with painted walls. 

Another old house on the piazza. I don't think I've ever seen such a tall house with the traditional stone roof. You can see the first floor wall extend out for support. The base was thicker the taller the building went. 

Looking back along the river to the church 

Ok, here's the quarry again and a funny story!  I was sitting on the bench at the bus stop when there was a huge dynamite blast.   It shook the ground and the bus stop so hard that it actually POPPED ME OFF MY SEAT! 

KABOOM!!!!!!
Now also, I'm wondering what will happen to the few homes and the church that are located just above the quarry? (I'm sure they are full of cracks!) Will they eventually fall into the quarry?

Here I am, waiting for the bus. As I look at this wall of mountain side, I'm always amazed to see a house perched where you think there could NEVER be one. Look closely towards the upper left of the picture in the green woods. You see a white dot. If you enlarge the picture, you'll see it's a house! There were steep cliffs below - how do they get there?

June 17, 2015 - A senior citizen hike 1/2 way to Monte Boglia

Rick and I just stayed in the Lugano area for a hike today, deciding to take the bus up to the town of Brè, on Monte Brè, and then start hiking uphill towards the MUCH high Monte Boglia. 

In 11 years I have never made it all the way to the top, and I did not break that record! So that is why I call this a senior citizen hike, because a younger person would have no trouble.

We are above the town of Brè, which you see down below. Across lake Lugano on the left is Mt. Sighignola, (Italy) on the far right is Monte Brè, and the pointy one a bit further back is Mont San Salvatore. 

After one hour of hiking UP hill on a very nice path (which is also a mountain bike path), we come to a fork in the path. Go left and it leads you around the mountain to the Alpe Bolla (restaurant, inn on top of the mountain). Go right and it takes you up and around to the right to the very top of Monte Boglia. The sign says another 2 hours uphill to reach the top! We decided to turn around (not enough time in our day to push it), and we hike over to this big mountain meadow full of high grass and wild flowers. 

We spread out our picnic sheet and enjoy lunch with a view! 

There were many of these VERY bright pink flowers. This one with a butterfly on it. 

We could have gone even higher in this meadow, but the photo is very deceiving. The grass is high and thick and the ground a bit uneven. It's not easy to walk! 

Me in the meadow! 

More of those beautiful, bright pink flowers.

Purple flowers! At first I thought this might be Monkshood, which is found wild in the Alps, and is about the most poisonous plant there is! But I'm pretty sure this is not it, after checking on the internet. Phew! 

We hiked over to the other meadow hill. We are looking east. All those mountains in the distance are in Italy. We had our picnic in the meadow on the left, just below the single tree. 

Coming back into town, a view of Brè.

Brè is full of cute, old streets and has an extensive nucleo (old center). Definitely worth a visit! 

June 14, 2105 - Back in Nante to visit our friends at their newly renovated mountain house!

Our dear friends, Marina and Luca have invited us today for lunch at their newly renovated "cascina" (stone mountain house) in Nante, which is at the end of the Levantina Valley, just before the San Gottardo pass. 

For those of you who have followed my blog, Rick and I had taken a ride out to Nante last May 15, 2014. When we saw the area last year, the record snowfall was still melting and many trees were broken from the weight of the snow. This year, unfortunately, it was raining and the ground was soaked! 

 Marina had picked us up at the Airolo train station and we are driving to the cascina. It's raining, it's muddy, and there is a drop off to our right - and I'm scared to death! 

 When Rick and I saw the cascina last year, we didn't think this road was drivable. Maybe not for us, but for the Swiss, no! Up ahead is a little, narrow wooden bridge. Marina, you are NOT going to drive on that little bridge!!!?

This is the same view from the picture before. I had taken this one last spring - it gives you a better idea of what we were driving on and why I was scared! 

 So not only did Marina drive over the bridge, but she turned the car around in this little space in front of the house. Can't believe we didn't slide down the mountain! 

The San Gottardo pass is behind the house on the left end of the mountain across the valley.

 Another view of where we had just driven. 

 Last year there was nothing inside the house - it was stone inside and out. Luca is very handy, and first he added supports to the underside of the house. Outside, on the side of the house facing the downward slope, there is a door, like to a basement. That was originally the stall where the cows were kept. Do we know anyone who keeps cows in their basement? It is now used for storage. 

This is the main room in the house. There is also a small bedroom, bathroom, and little living room. The spiral steps above their daughter lead up to an additional loft sleeping area. 

 Another view of the kitchen and eating area. They use a few electric heaters and also a wood burning stove to heat the house. It is possible to live here year around, but it is used as their summer/weekend home. 

Notice the original stone that was left in view on the wall. Luca has also insulated the house very well and has put a new roof on too! 

As we are sitting at the kitchen table, Luca brings out from the cabinet 5 little pitchers, called something like quints in dialect, which means 1/5, as it's 1/5 of a liter. He tells me to pick one out as a gift! This is not just any gift, it is VERY special! When they were renovating this mountain house, under one of the floors in the house they found these 5 quints buried in the dirt. They knew they were very old and had been hand painted. These are very traditional in Ticino. The wine in this quint would be poured into small, white ceramic bowls which usually have a red and blue stripe around them, (the colors of Ticino). 

At first, since these quints in the ground looked so old and dirty, they were ready to throw them away, but Luca cleaned each one up and they were like new! 

I am very honored to have one of these very, very special quints!!!!!

Thank you Luca and Marina!

 Later in the afternoon we drive over into the town of Nante to have a drink. As it continued to rain hard, Luca brought around his jeep, which would have better handling on the muddy, mountain road. See, I KNEW it was a little dangerous! 

While we're having our drinks, I notice the cows coming home to the barn to be milked. Yep, just a parade of cows through town!

Marina and Luca told us that sometimes a dog will herd the cows back in, and sometimes it's the farmer. This woman is leading in the last cow. It was really a fun sight to see. 

Thank you Marina and Luca for a wonderful afternoon! Sorry there was so much rain we couldn't hike the area, but the rain gave us a fun adventure too!