Visiting Italy's Lake District: Part XIa - Bellagio East Side

We continued our trek to the top of the hill where suddenly the narrow little streets broke away

and we found ourselves in a part of the city that was residential, far from the madding tourist hustle and bustle.  There were peaceful-looking churches,

although the parked cars tightly packed nearby hinted at the crowds that awaited if we headed back down the hill.

There were beautiful quiet alleys away from the commercial distractions.

There was even a well cared-for cat that came out to greet us.

There were mossy walls and countryside.

Best of all, there was a picturesque marina where sailboats bobbed at anchor

or quietly rested ashore

while the Rockefeller Foundation's Bellagio Center formed a backdrop in the distance.

Even local Guide P could sense the difference - it was as if life had slowed down for us all.

One of the houses looked as if it would gather us in to heal the various "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" that had bedevilled our lives -

a vine-wreathed, kind and friendly god.