Advertisement
Published: August 7th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Coach
Grooving in the front seat I woke up this morning and sat at the window watching the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen (keep in mind I make a point never to watch the sunrise because I hate mornings, but things are always different on holiday). Anyway, I quickly did a re-pack of my suitcase and went down to breakfast. Cold cuts, cheese, bread and Nutella, and coffee. Not exactly the most impressive meal, but it got the job done. I'd forgotten how much I like Nutella. After breakfast I dragged my suitcase down the flight of stairs just outside of the dining hall and waited around for Damian to bring the coach around. He took my suitcase right away, which I was happy about because I wanted to score a front seat for the drive into the Alps. I parked myself right behind the driver's seat and settled in for the long drive to Switzerland. Pom Pom played the day song and I got totally pumped up...or maybe it was just the caffeine swirling through my veins. In any case, I was very much looking forward to the coming day. At one point Pom Pom informed us that we'd be having a "P-party" that night,
It's huge!
The Lion Monument, commemorating the Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution. ps:See the pig? so everyone should dress up as something that started with P. I ran through the very limited wardrobe selection I had with me, and tried to think of what I could do. A few minutes later, I had it, but would guard my secret until later that night.
We arrived in Lucerne and were dropped off by the Lion monument. I'd seen pictures of it before but I did NOT expect it to be that huge. It was really quite breathtaking. A few snapshots later, and we got back on the coach to be dropped off closer to some shops and Chapel Bridge, a very old, long wooden bridge. Pom Pom led us to a Swiss Army knife/watch store, and some people dropped a lot of money in that shop. I exchanged some Euro for Swiss Francs and bought a few keychains, but that was about it. There was also internet access on the upper floor of the shop, so I did a quick email check, and then Sara and I went out to explore the shops in town. I was tempted to buy some chocolate, but I didn't. Was tempted to buy some souvenirs, but didn't. We had
Pretty
Hanging out by the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne fun though, and Sara picked up some stuff for the P-party at a large department store.
After a while we met back up with the group and Pom Pom led us to our cruise boat. Many of us were taking the optional cruise to Stanstaad on Lake Lucerne, and I think those that didn't missed out. It was absolutely gorgeous and relaxing. The view of the lake and the Alps...just beautiful. We had the boat to ourselves, so it was nice and chilled. When we arrived in Stanstaad we got back on the coach. The ride to Engelberg was pretty funny. As we drove through the narrow, winding roads that led us up the mountain, props to Damian, we got stuck behind a truck full of cows. Pom Pom was cracking up, getting on the mic and telling us "Don't look them in the eye!!!", having just told us about the crazy Swiss cows. We finally got a chance to pass the bovines and pulled into Engelberg to our hotel. The town was SO pretty. We had a great room with an amazing view of the mountains from our balcony. There wasn't too much time to gush though -
Me, Matt and the Alps
On our cruise to Stanstaad on Lake Lucerne we had to get going to our supper at the hotel Europa just down the street. Salad, pork, and who could forget the "Ice Cake Black Forest"? Ha. Silly Swiss.
I hurried back to get ready for the P-party. I was so pleased with myself. I'd remembered my conversation with Damian in Edam and decided to be Pippi Longstocking! I braided my hair and stuck pens in the braids to make them stand out, wore a little dress and had one sock rolled up and one scrunched down. When I came down the stairs and made my entrance, I saw Pom Pom's eyes pop out of his head and people started laughing and clapping. I was pretty proud of my resourcefulness. Everyone looked good - Pom Pom was dressed like a priest, Sara was a pizza, there were "peow peow" boys, a pimp, prostitutes, preppy girls...it was hilarious. Love theme parties. We were introduced to Dom, the bartender from Spindle, and after a quick group shot outside the hotel, we made the quick trek to the bar.
Drinks weren't terribly expensive, the music was somewhat lame, but better than terrible, and the stripper pole looked like fun, though
Our TM and the Alps
Pom Pom, you're ruining my shot
;) most people stayed away from it at the beginning of the night. The company though, was great. The group was really bonding. I jumped around like a banshee and felt oddly patriotic when Bryan Adams came on. Ha. This is what beer will do to you, kids. As I went back to the bar for more, Dom the bartender was making eyes at me. So, taking a breather from the dance floor I leaned over the bar and struck up a conversation, about where we were from, hockey and the like. After a while I went back to dancing among my friends, and the next thing I knew, I had a certain cute Swiss bartender dancing behind me. He twirled me around and told me"You are very cute. You know, if you lived here, I would date you". Poor thing was trying very hard, but I just found it funny. He was cute though, so when he leaned in to kiss me, I didn't exactly stop him. I knew there were many eyes on me...how tacky was I? Haha. Whatever. After a few minutes, he went back to the bar and told me to hang out until his next break.
Don't look them in the eye...
Damian, you pass those crazy cows! I hung out for a bit, but I was getting tired and at one point, decided I had to sneak out and go back to the hotel.
I did my best quick-dash out of that place and had confidence that I could make my way back to the hotel on my own without directions or a map. We'd just made a few right and left turns...I passed the grocery store I recognized from the walk up, and then, within a minute or so, realized that I was LOST. I knew that most of the hotels were clumped together in one little corner of the town and that I couldn't be THAT far away, but the only sign I saw illuminated was the sign for the Edelweiss Hotel, which I didn't really remember seeing. I walked in circles, and though I knew I was close, I was starting to panic, because I really wanted to get to bed. The lights in the houses tucked away in the hills were disorienting me as well. In a way though, I found it funny. I started talking to myself out loud - the crazy in me was coming out. "Heheh...you're completely lost. In
On the balcony
The view from our hotel room a town in Switzerland. At night. This is awesome." I used my Spidey sense and had a pulling feeling that I should be on the next street over, but couldn't see an intersection that would take me there. I DID see a small field between two houses that would take me there, so I started trekking through the grass. I came to two bushes, and being the girly girl I am, I waved my arms frantically in front of me trying to knock away any bugs or spiders that were living in the bushes, and as I emerged on the other side of the bush, my leg fell out from under me and I found myself keeled over in a small ditch. I let out a small "oww", pulled myself OUT of the ditch, and stumbled on my scraped knee to the other side of the street. It was at this point that I heard voices. I followed the sound of the voices and saw Tracy and some other person, and followed them, thankfully, back to the hotel.
A phone call home ended the crazy night I'd just had, and my head hit the pillow hard as I let
What a pair.
Fearless leaders?
Pretty Damian, and Father Pom Pom the complete exhaustion take me over.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.152s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 10; qc: 54; dbt: 0.1118s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb