Written by: Rutli
Category: Travel
Date: 9/26/2007
Are there any swimmers reading this? if so, then you know the feeling you get anytime you're near a particularly magnificent body of water..it's as if you hear a constant whisper...come in...come in...
This April, having been away from Switzerland for 9 years, I was dazzled by the sight of Lake Lugano . I was finally realizing my dream, to show my sons their heritage. Since Zurich is still kind of chilly during Easter break, we temporarily moved the heritage a bit south to Ticino.
And, yes, it was fulfilling to finally see them romping on the trails of Monte Bre and Monte Salvatore, enjoying the same things as I. But a piece to the puzzle was still missing. I always swam in Switzerland. I wouldn't really , truly be "back"..... until I swam that lake.
Funny..the hotel beach was closed. Locked down. I asked Signor Concierge when I could swim. "Swim??", he spluttered, "never! err, next month! Maybe! it's too cold in there!!"
I tried to explain to Signor Conceirge that I've swam the Hudson in early spring, and in Canada in fall, and no, the pool would not be the same. My lack of Italian didn't help...I flexed my bicep and crowed "me campione!!", which might mean I am a competetive ('champion') swimmer, or it might mean I would like a sample of something. Either way,I wasn't gettin' it. The beach was closed to guests.
Instinct told me it might be better to scout my own alternate entry point than to ask any further advice. I layered running gear over my swimsuit and headed out , warming up past Villa Favorita and snaking my way towards the Parco Civico, where some gracefully arching trees obscured a small inlet. You know the kind.
I could still see my breath, and my heart was pounding when I stopped. Any hesitation on my part could mean intervention by a well meaning citizen. I yanked my goggles into position and dove.
AEIIEEEEEEEEEE. It was, umm, cold. Ripping, burning, paralyzing cold. I had wanted to swim 100m but I realized all at once what a ridiculous spectacle I would be. Plus, I was cold. Didn't I know better? I swam the fastest 25m of my life, close to shore, scrambling out of the water as park-goers were beginning to stare. I chuckled at my silliness but deep down, I enjoyed a warm contentment.
I smiled to myself as I jogged back to the hotel. "Buon giorno! "I chirped to Singor Concierge, who eyed my dripping wet hair. "I'm back!"
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