SwissMissMeg

Ciao a tutti! Much has happened since my last post. I moved apartments, met my students, and started the school year. The days fly by but I’m settling in quite well, exploring the neighborhood and enjoying life here in Switzerland.

This past weekend, I also struck out on my first international train adventure. Eager to cross borders via an easy train ride, I made my way to Lugano Stazione. Tickets for fast trains should be booked in advance but I was in no rush. The regional train is half the price and just as nice.

Only in Switzerland would they sell watches and clocks in the station.

In just over a half hour, we were gliding into Como San Giovanni, the first station stop in Italy. Transferring at Milano Centrale, I took a very affordable train to Bergamo.

Perched northeast of Milan, in Italy’s Lombardy region, lies Bergamo. Dating back to 550 BC, the city was destroyed by Attila the Hun in the 5th century. But it’s probably best known as the hometown of stracciatella, a soft creamy cheese and everyone’s favorite gelato flavor.

I walked nearly 10 miles around the cobblestoned Old Town, enjoying focaccia and stationary stores as I made my way up to the Romanesque churches of the Città Alta.

Today the city is renowned for it’s twin funicolares, delivering visitors to Città Alta – the medieval old town – and above the 16th century Venetian walls to the San Vigilio hill. The views over the city are beautiful and, on a good day, you can see as far as Milan.

I really enjoyed a great contemporary art exhibition against the backdrop of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. A man played violin under the vaulted arches as passerby stopped to rest in the afternoon heat.

Intending to stay the night, I had booked a charming Airbnb room with a lovely host named Athena. However, once I arrived in Italy, I discovered that the Italian rail workers had planned an all-day strike beginning in the early hours of Sunday morning. Having experienced Italian rail strikes before, I decided to head back to Lugano and avoid the headache.

A sleepy Sunday proved perfect for the rainy forecast and I made the most of it – continuing to set up my new apartment and enjoying catching up with family and friends. Never one to stay grey for too long, the rain gave way to beautiful blue skies on Monday and a great start to the week. Cheers, everyone! On tap for next weekend… the traditional alpine cattle drive!