Countries like Austria and Switzerland are without question top of my list in places to experience (or live, if I could!). There is something in me that just absolutely loves the beauty and culture of the people and land (oh, and the food of course!).
The train ride through northern Italy was amazing, but it wasn’t until we got into the Swiss mountains when I felt overwhelmed and awestruck. On the train we sat near an Aussie/New Zealand couple in their late 60s who shared with us the incredible views and their travel stories. These guys have been nearly everywhere and have done it all. They were inspiring folk, no doubt…I want to be like them when I grown up.
Once we arrived in Lausanne we decided to forgo the cab option and even though we didn’t know where we were or where our hotel was we just starting walking. Luckily it was the right direction and not too bad of a trek. First impression of Switzerland and Lausanne: clean and orderly! Compared to my little nook in Rockridge/Oakland and compared to Florence, Lausanne was the tidiest little spot on the planet. Even our hotel room was impeccable. We unloaded our stuff and set out for some food. Unfortunately, food in Switzerland was not cheap, at all. A salad started at $17 US, a hamburger was $20…and this stuff wasn’t over the top amazing foods…just ordinary grub you could find for $5-6 in the US. So, we learned our lesson: Switzerland was going to be pricey (which we knew, it was just a bit of a sticker shock at first). However, our shock and awe was helped by the bartender at the local pub giving us two for one beers. What a wonderful wonderful feeling that is (especially when you are in a crowded pub surrounded by tons of Europeans all speaking different languages while they watch a football game).The next day we over ate a complimentary breakfast (which was AMAZING!) then started out for a round of checkers…
Allison was a little slow with each game and could never quite beat Cooper-tron. I guess his massive head must have a large brain in it or something.
We then headed through Ouchy (to which Allison had to say “Ouchy, ouchy, ouchy” like a little girl with a paper cut…it is actually pronounced ooo-shay or some thing like that) and listened to accordion players #1 of 4 on the trip, walked past a sweet (as in cute) farmer’s market…took some photos of the two of us…
And then went up into the shopping district of Lausanne to find out that all of the stores close on Sunday. So….we went to McDonald’s (where they have fried shrimp on the menu!) to buy a $5 diet coke…
After we got our coke we came across an awesome looking cafeteria that had really attractive looking food (like Whole Foods style) but at really reasonable (i.e. normal US) prices. We knew that place would be on the menu at some point. While walking along there was an older woman on the sidewalk with blood streaming down her head…she must have just fallen and the medics were there to help…a sad sight. We went to a park with our $5 diet coke and sat and took the scene in. The park was impeccable like everything else we had seen…I could spend my life at the park, or at least search for dry land…
After our time at the park we went stopped by a design/art event where a guy was in a pink teacup hot tub then went to another park to pass the time until we could eat again (we skipped lunch). Our treat for the night: brots and sauerkraut, beer, and swiss style wood fired pizza. YUUUUMM!
The next day we ventured to Geneva where we did some shopping (just looked), walking, and of course eating. Geneva had much more of a city feel to it than Lausanne, but I kind of liked the home-ish feel to Lausanne. I took a nice nap next to the river in Geneva…that was awesome. No matter where you go though, folks are into their soccer:
From Geneva we had a few hours of day light left so we backtracked a bit and went to Montreux. I am glad we did because the sites by the lake were amazing! Look, even Cooper thinks so:
I’m still looking for dry land… (look at my pointy hand!)
After our days in Lausanne, Geneva, and Montreux, we headed to Interlocken which was a paraglider’s dream not to mention a bit of a tourist trap (but still beautiful). We decided to pick up a few things for a picnic lunch and head down towards the river. While in Italy Cooper purchased a log of dry salami as survival food upon the event that we would ever need it…perfect for our picnic So, we bought some fresh bread and some beers and headed towards the river. Cooper had the smart idea of finding a knife for the salami (although I put up a big fight because I wanted to gnaw at the log). Thank god we got a knife because look what was inside (!!):
Ever since I was a child I always had to pick chunks of fat out of meats…and I still do. My first reaction when I cut into the log was a bit of a gag but then I rallied and found it to be really really really fun to pick the chunks of fat out…a similar to popping a zit that keeps going and going and going. So I had a great time with my fat picking (although it took a long time before it was ready to eat). I kind of wish I could pick some fat out right now…
Instead, I think I need to take a break and eat some dinner. Until next time!