Third Country in Two Days


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Europe
July 4th 2007
Published: July 4th 2007
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This morning we woke up to see the skies clearing. After our rainy evening the night before, we were afraid that the excursion we had planned for this morning wouldn’t work out, but the weather turned in our favour, though it was still very cool. We started with a cruise around Lake Lucerne where Captain Stephan pointed out some of the highlights and historic buildings around the city, including one of Wagner’s residences where one of his sons was born. After the cruise we ascended Mount Stanserhorn, part way by old railway and part way by cable car. We did a half hour walk around the top of the mountain and to the summit (1898 meters). It started to snow near the end of our hike, so we took refuge in the café where we bought and mailed some post cards.

After our mountain trip we boarded the bus, yet again, for another 8 hour journey- this time to Florence, Rome. The seat rotation plan worked in our favour as Julia and I got the front seats. The view as we drove through the Alps and into Italy was magnificent. Recent heavy raining has caused tons of small waterfalls to pour down the sides of the Alps. We arrived in Florence in time for dinner this evening. I think 20 hours on a bus over 2 days combined with some very fine Italian wine may account for the renditions of “Dat’s Amore”, “Do a deer” (from Sound of Music) and the Star Spangled Banner, sung at top volume in that order throughout the meal by our tour group.

-Erica


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5th July 2007

Wagner, eh??
Do you realize how fortunate you are??? Wagner was the best opera composer out there! Crazy but brilliant....total coolness.
5th July 2007

viva italia!
Hey Roebbelens! We just got back from Italy - and in Florence many mistook Steve O for the statue of David - go figure.... so much history - enjoy! We actually saw the Pope at the Vatican - give him our regards! The O's
12th July 2007

Canton(ese)
Wow. That picture from on the lake with shaded mountain in the foreground and lighted in the background... it's so beautiful it breaks my heart. And the hamlets!

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