Locarno, Switzerland: The Hike

We spent part of Sunday morning trying to figure out how to spend our time.  We wanted to visit a nearby island, but, due to the multiple stops, the boat would take two hours to get there.  We decided to stay on the mainland, but were still slightly lost about what to do.  I felt a compulsive need to climb, but my travel buddy did not.  So we decided to split up, which is rather rare for us.  I decided to climb to this church while she spent time near the lake.  Here are the photos of my gradual progress up the hill.  


    

 

After some pain, a little internal motivation, and a few photo stops I made it to the top.  Much to my surprise there was actually a service going on in the church.  I should have considered this, since it was Easter Sunday.  However, I had just figured that the church was no longer in use.  I did peek inside, and spent a little bit of time in the back of the service.  I couldn't stay long though, because, unlike everyone else who took the tram up, I was overheating and visibly red.  After some photos at the top, I made my way back down, which was almost as equally painful due to the awkward stairs.  I am very glad I did it, even just for the view.  The overall trip took about 90 minutes.

  

   

   

   

 

Locarno, Switzerland: Day I

After many trips to the train station reservation center we finally found a train that wasn't booked solid for Easter vacation.  So after much research, and a bit of luck, we boarded a train for Locarno, Switzerland.  The town was beautiful, right on Lake Maggiore, and one of the last towns before crossing into Italy.  

Nearly all of my trips have been with the same person and we have developed a tradition of sorts.  We also go to the 24-hour store in the train station and buy snacks.  We like to try something different each time.  This time she bought what she thought was a banana smoothie. 

Language Barrier #1: Banana smoothie turned out to be banana flavored buttermilk, which is just as gross as it sounds.

The view from our balcony.  Day or night this place was beautiful.

We arrived Saturday mid-day after a long, but scenic eight hour train ride.  After some wandering around town, and slightly up a mountain, we found our hotel.  After dropping most of our stuff we headed out for the day.  The weather was gorgeous and everything was in bloom.  My travel partner is from Florida, and not impressed by palm trees, but I love them.  

After some purchases (homemade pasta for me), we found a cute pizzeria on the main drag.  Through some very creative sign language we were able to get a table.  We decided on a pizza, with ham (or so we thought).  I was, unfortunately, without my language book, because it was borrowed (aka stolen) by my Geneva roommate.

Language Barrier #2: Ham turned out to be the saltiest sardines known to man.

In an attempt to recover form this sodium attack we scoured the town for gelato.  We were eventually successful and I enjoyed a mango and cherry cone while we walked along the lake towards our hotel during sunset.  All and all the day went well and was rather relaxing.