Today I was fortunate enough to be able to hike part of the Dolomites. On the way to the trailhead, I made a quick stop at Lago di Carezza, a small alpine lake in the South Tyrol region. The emerald water of Carezza, a spring fed lake, sparkles with flecks of rainbow and is framed by the Dolomite Latemar Mountain range. Unfortunately, in October 2018, a destructive storm rocked this province, felling huge swaths of trees, and it is having a substantial environmental impact in the region. However, the lake is quite stunning and it is hard to leave it.
Some hours of travel later, I hiked Gardena Pass, in South Tyrol, one of Italy’s most spectacular landscapes. Richard, a local Ladino guide, led the hike through a commune of villages, connected by grass worn walking paths, lush meadows and fertile farmland. The view of the Dolomites from this area is fantastic. During the hike, Richard provided an honest picture of Ladino life in this region. Austrian culture and German speakers dominate, even more-so than in Bolzano (see my last post). While some Italian is spoken, Ladino speakers make up just a small minority, who enjoy far less opportunity and suffer disparate treatment. Apparently Ladino’s are last in the pecking order. I wonder of history merely repeats itself or does it never actually change.
I finally stopped at Cristla for lunch.
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