Getting to Baveno
Entering the Italian side you also meet the Italians - and I say this with a smile especially coming from the Swiss side where everything works. Here it is something different, nobody really care if it works - it is not the most important. Relax and take it easy.
I just love the way that you often are victim of a car in front of you that just stops and the guy or the girl just looks at you with a smile and tell you that they will be back soon, without that has any real definition. They just leaves the car with the emergency light on and leaves. Depending on how long I have been on holiday it has different effect on me. In the beginning I just cant believe what I am seeing but after a week or so I don't care. The road to Baveno takes you by the village of Verbania where the traffic almost always is chaotic seen with Nordic eye.
By coincidence I found a hotel here a couple a years ago, nothing special but I nice one that have friendly service - and one that is open in the of season. I remember the first night I came there I was just looking for a bed - and they had one. Nothing special but one I could sleep in. Next morning I opened the drapes and entered the balcony and here I was almost stunned.
The view I had was breathtaking. I had the sun right in my face overlooking the lake with the two small islands of Isola Bella and Isola Superiore in front of me. The mountains surrounding the lake looked like a grey mist on the horizon. The lake was totally blank like it was made of ice, the only movement came from a small boat heading towards the smallest island of the two, Isola Bella. I just sat in a chair and looked - looked until my eyes frooze. This was life - I just missed a coffee and this morning was perfect.
