Feeling Free on Liberation Day

Our first full day in Lake Como as it happens, turns out to be holiday in Italy. It was Liberation Day, the day the Allied Forces liberated Italy from Nazi fascist rule in WWII. We have read both historical fiction and non fiction books on this time and on the Italian resistance. It was so interesting to see it. Given the holiday, the bulk of our fellow cruisers were Italian families on a long weekend. Children were dipping their toes in the chilly lake, gelato stands were scooping furiously and outdoor cafes were filling. There was a real buzz in the air.

We settled into a table at a cafe and as we watched the people strolling along the docks and tree-lined street, a man and his dog arrived at the pier. The dog (a lab mix) was wearing a lifejacket vest, and the man carried a ball on a rope. They walked out to the end of the pier, ( approx 8-10 ft above the water level). The man gently swung the roped ball back and forth as the dog sat so very still in anticipation. Finally the man released the ball which sailed off into the water. Still the dog sat, waiting for the okay to go. With a signal, the dog lept of the dock into the water far below. He paddled out and got the ball. You’ve seen this before you think, but there is no shore to reach. We wondered how the dog would get out of the water.

The man seemed unconcerned. He turned and walked back off the first pier and down the sidewalk to reach a second pier where he whistled 2x for the dog who at this point had reached the edge of the dock.  A ladder with 10 or so rungs hung over the dock down to the water, for boaters and perhaps swimmers to climb out of the water. This makes sense with hands and feet, but how was the dog going to get out… well wonder of wonders! The dog somehow, got the paws of his hind legs on one rung, and reached up to another several higher with his front paws and in a few agile leaps, climbed the ladder to the lower dock.

As if that was not enough, he ran to the end where a stone wall of about 8 feet with an iron ladder embedded in the top few feet stood between him and the higher dock where his master awaited him. Once again, defying gravity, the dog lept up and scaled the rungs to the top prancing down the dock to deliver his prize, the roped ball to his master.  A crowd began to form as passersby noticed the show. The man-dog duo, repeated the feat again and again. As we enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the lake, the entertainment free, we had to pinch ourselves that we are here in this place. 

After exploring Lenno, ( for any Star Wars or James Bond) fans, the Villa Balbianello with its beautiful gardens was used as a film site for several movies. It is one of the big attractions in the quiet town of Lenno. We boarded the ferry to Belagio.

Belagio is called “The Pearl of Lake Como”. It has many boutique shops selling items made in Como, silk clothing, handcrafted glass and wood, handbags and crafts.

Cafes line the waterfront and small cobblestone alleyways wind up the hills giving way to small piazzas. It is a charming place. A wonderful way to spend a holiday.

A holiday to celebrate freedom and good over evil. Democracy over fascism. Feeling appreciative for the men who served in WWII ( like both our fathers), we jumped back on the boat full of hope as we head back to Varenna!