Bellinzona: We spent two nights in Davos, home of the famous economic conference. Our hotel was outstanding, called the Grischa Hotel, the decor was amazing, the food good too, and the wifi very fast, plus it is across the street from the train depot.
This is our second night in Bellinzona, in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. We've dipped into Italy but haven't overnighted there. This region isn't as manicured as the German-speaking regions - different cultures, different mores.
Yesterday we crossed the Bernina Pass, very high and barren. An interesting sighting at the top, a triple line of very large rocks that had obviously been placed across the "navigable" portion of the pass. Each the size of a small car, and staggered so a person could walk betwen them easily, I took them for a tank trap, too massive to climb over or push aside. There was a gap for the rail line, otherwise the pass was obstructed.
We were actually on a Swiss train that ran 10 whole minutes late today ... shock, shock. Mostly you could set your watch by them. Views in the mountains of northern Italy and southern Helvetia are more like the mountainous parts of California. We bussed past Lake Como and noted that it was completely ringed by houses and businesses, a couple of blocks deep - a sad business.
Tomorrow we're off to Lucerne, with a lake cruise along the way. It should be a relaxing day. The really hot weather has cooled a little, to the point where it is just shirt-sleeves comfortable, not at all cold. We both brought coats and have worn them hardly at all.
