Lugano
August 1 – 9, 2012
Arrive Wednesday, August 1, stay at Carolyn’s, dinner
Thursday, August 2 - apartment in Castagnola, big shop at Migros, Evelyn arrives, spaghetti al limone with Evelyn, myself, Carolyn and Margot in huge dining room apartment.
Friday, August 3 – during the day Evelyn and I took the bus into town and explored, went inside the newly restored Chiesa degli Angioli and had lunch in a little restaurant on the lake. We were guests at dinner at Hotel International au Lac hosted by Carolyn for those of us who had arrived: the Pozzis, Margo, me, Evelyn, Kay and Yves Roudaut and Swedish couple. It was held outside in the hotel’s inner courtyard, one long table for ten. Very attentive and great food. Evelyn and I steered by our noses home.
Saturday – the big day. We met at the same hotel and a bus waited to transport us up the mountain to the Castello Morcote. Stunning views of the lake below and drinks were set up in a grass covered courtyard at the top of the castle. There I reunited with Kay and Yves and Evelyn already knew a lot of the guests but we noticed a wind brewing and pretty soon it got so windy that one was holding on for dear life. Carolyn and Bruno (the manager of the castle) gave a talk on its illustrious history.
Finally we moved to the three peaked tent that would house our sit down dinner for 63 guests. The tent was very elegant and beautiful and the wind kept up its relentless row. I sat with Kay and Yves and we had known each other from before. I particularly liked them. Also at our table were Luke and Sabrina, Ticinese couple who had lived many years in Chicago. Also another very nice Italian couple that due to the howling wind it was difficult to talk to anyone other than your next door neighbor.
Probably around mid-dinner lightening could be seen through the clear plastic of the tent roof. Then lots of lightening and loud, loud thunder as well as fierce winds. The waiters (there were only three) could not keep up with the demands of the guests for water and wine and when they stopped by only served half a glass of wine which was gone in two sips but soon that would all be irrelevant. Finally the storm had gather so much impact that the tent was shuddering. We were assured that it was chained to the ground but it did feel like being in the Wizard of Oz. Suddenly there was a loud ripping noise: a water duct ripped from the central roof of the tent by the wind let go of gallons of water into the tent which luckily receded through the slatted wooden floor and did not land on anyone but needless to say it was quite a scary moment.
Our host from Viale Castagnola appeared with a car to take Evelyn and I away, we made it home for an early night. Next day our hostess, Christine Henderson left for their cottage in the mountains. Leaving her partner Philippo who was to leave later in the day. Evelyn and I went off to Gandria to find a ceramic store (Christine collects frogs so we bought her three) and we had a lovely lunch overlooking the lake from Gandria.
Evelyn left late that afternoon to visit with her 91 year old aunt in a village about an hour north of Lugano. Carolyn came to collect me and we had dinner with various people on her balcony. When I got home our host was still there watching the Olympics because traffic was horrendous and he would leave the next morning. Which he did leaving me alone to pack and tidy and distribute gifts etc.
Next day Monday the Museo D’Arte was closed and on Tuesday it was closed for restoration even though I went on their website to get all the hours and directions, it was not till I got there that I found this out. So what to do for the rest of the day? I was to meet Carolyn and Margot at 4:30 at Au Porto, Lugano’s famous tea room. So I took the grand luxe boat tour of Lake Lugano. It went all the way to Gandria and circled around and down and back up past Morcote and there along the village street were Margot, Carolyn and friend with two poodles ambling along like they had all the time in the world. While I on the boat knew we would be docking in 15 minutes. Anyway get to tearoom and wait and finally they turned up.
Margot leaves early the next day. Carolyn comes to get me as I will spend my last night with her. We go to some warehouse and pickup tables for her balcony that would be put together later in the day by Nicole’s husband, Claudio. I go for a nap and we meet again at 7PM. Lovely buratta and melon and prosciutto and champagne and cake. August 8 is Carolyn’s real birthday and my last night. Thursday off at the crack of dawn for Lufthansa flight Frankfurt and thankfully 747/400 to Boston. Uneventful. Arrive in Boston Thursday afternoon and the next morning at 7AM arrive Tobias, Christine and Desi to take over my apartment while we attend to his Dad’s 80th birthday. I have not stopped to take air since. Till now. Finally I can memorialize my lovely Lugano holiday. This is just a draft – I will flesh it out more later.