After a frugal lunch, during which the authentic taste of the fresh cheese purchased at the farm delights our palates, we feel reinvigorated and ready for the next adventure. We decide to head towards the lake, an oasis of tranquility waiting for us not too far from the city.
Upon arriving at the lake, the panorama before us is a picture of serenity; the water sparkles under the afternoon rays, and the fresh air seems to dance on the lake's surface. After briefly taking in the view, we head towards the pier, where several electric boats are docked, awaiting their moment to glide across the waters.
Not being seasoned sailors, we decide to hire a young helmsman for our boat excursion. The young man, with a welcoming smile, helps us board, and soon we find ourselves sailing on calm waters. The boat moves so smoothly it almost feels like sliding on the water, and the absence of a combustion engine's roar allows nature's voice to be heard: the rustling of the water, the birdsong from the shore, the whisper of the wind.
Curious, we take the opportunity to ask our young helmsman about his experience with electric boats. With eyes shining with enthusiasm, he tells us he's never known any other type of boats and for him, sailing has always been synonymous with this silent advancement, respect for the environment, and an unexpected intimacy with the surrounding nature.
He continues, explaining the advantages of electric boats: besides the obvious environmental benefit of zero emissions and preventing water contamination, there's a significant improvement in the quality of the sailing experience. Without a combustion engine's noise, guests on board can converse freely, enjoy the sounds of nature, and even spot wildlife that might be scared off by a traditional engine's noise. But there's more; he talks about simpler maintenance, savings on fuel costs, and above all, the priceless feeling of being in harmony with the environment, being part of positive change, and contributing to preserving natural beauty in places like this.
As we listen, we can't help but look all around, appreciating the quiet, the peace that comes from traveling on water without leaving behind anything but light waves. The young helmsman, with his fresh perspective, has ignited in us a deeper curiosity. As the boat nears the dock, its silent descent through the water gives us time to reflect on what we've just learned. However, a part of us also longs to explore memories of a not-so-distant past, when the waters weren't so calm, and sailing wasn't so responsible.
Once ashore, as we head to the cash desk to settle the bill for our pleasant trip, we notice an older gentleman. He has the wrinkles of time at the corners of his eyes, but the lively look of someone who has lived on these waters' surface long before they became a calm mirror for electric boats. With a certain shyness but driven by curiosity, we approach him, asking if he has experience with the traditional motorboats of the past. An understanding smile spreads across his face; evidently, this is not the first time he's been asked this question. With a gesture, he invites us curious folks to sit on a nearby bench, as if he's about to start telling a long and captivating story.
He begins by describing the lake when it wasn't rare to see an oily layer on the water, an iridescent reflection of substances that had nothing to do with the natural environment. He tells of how the noise of combustion engines was a constant, a nearly deafening background that disturbed the surroundings' peace. "The lake," he says with a melancholic tone, "was alive with a kind of chaos that doesn't suit a place like this." But most of all, he talks about the smell. A strong, unmistakable smell of diesel, mixing with the fresh air and creeping among the trees, disrupting the lake's delicate ecosystem balance. "It was everywhere," he explains, "and sometimes it was so strong that it left a taste in your mouth." He then reflects on the waves that the motorboats created, waves that disturbed not just other boaters but also the lake's fauna. "The animals," he continues, "were often scared. You could see birds taking flight in panic, and fish disappearing into the depths."
Concluding his tale, the gentleman emphasizes how significant the switch to electric boats has been, not just for the tranquility and cleanliness of the water but for the entire ecosystem. "Now," he says with a smile, "the lake can finally breathe."
As we walk away, we are struck by a profound sense of gratitude for the path that society has taken towards sustainability. Looking at the water, now a perfect mirror of the sky and the surrounding nature, we realize that the future is a picture we paint with the present's actions. And this scene before us is a living testament to a picture made infinitely more beautiful by responsible and respectful choices.
