Goodbye, Lago di Como

Today, we're leaving Lake Como and heading toward Milan (well, Malpensa, actually) and the airport.

Lake Como is beautiful. It reminds me quite a bit of Lake Tahoe in Utah, a still and glistening water ringed by gorgeous mountains. In Italy, the lake goes briskly up into lush foothills spotted with pastel buildings and, generally, a clock tower or church steeple in every village.

We got into our hostel in Menaggio, one of the lovely lake towns, two days ago. It's perfectly situated above the ferry, at a vantage point to overlook the town and across the lake to its sibiling village Varenna. Bunk beds, bread and jam for breakfast, wifi at 2 euros an hour. It is totally fine.

Despite my mental ambitions to kayak or mountain bike or hike, I have slipped into winddown mode. There are only a few days left in this 40-day trip, and I am content to let them be soaked in relaxing and exquisite views.

Shiloh and I spent the first night exploring the village square. We found a gelateria with homemade treats and ate at a nice ristorante.

Yesterday, we took a ferry (I love the ferries) across the lake to Bellagio, the village of which the fancy Vegas casino is named after. I am not exactly clear on why, having now seen the actual Bellagio. It is charming, but just as charming as every other little Italian village on a picturesque lake. The casino complex might as well be called Menaggio, in my book.

Bellago did have a cluster of boutiques selling Italian silk (scarves and ties and the like), lace and linens, all kinds of expensive baby clothes, elegant silver, jewlery. Not my kind of shopping, unfortunately. I'm holding out for a pair of vivid London sneakers.

We ate lunch at a modern restaurant called Far Out. I will dig up some photos in a bit. Homemade pasta was on my list, and I finally got some. Delicious. It makes me want to pull out my pasta maker (yes, I have one, thanks to one of my dear sisters) at home and learn how to properly work the crank.

Today, we are taking the ferry down the lake, snaking almost two hours from stop to stop, to reach Como. From there, a train to Malpensa. Flights await us in the morning.

Wednesday night, I arrive back in the States. And I am very ready. A hot bath, a comfortable bed, unlimited Internet, and many missed friends and family.