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Published: November 10th 2019
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Today the countryside is blanketed in fresh snow. At the train station there is a vending machine full of wooden animal figures and selling for 20-25 francs. The train glides past the Olympic bobsled, and numerous ski hills. Many homes have either horses, sheep or cows right in their backyards. Each bovine has a large brass bell suspended from their neck. Must be annoying for them, and the neighbours. Our ears have been popping constantly as we descend from 2,253 meters.
Four different train rides and into the Swiss town of Interlaken which means ‘between the lakes’ of Brienz and Thun. This charming village is like a fairytale setting with pastel coloured houses nestled in the Swiss Alps. Chris takes the Jungfraujoch cog train to the Top of Europe and I stay back to nurse my cold. He comes back very enthusiastic, wonderful scenery and ski resorts everywhere! Chris is in skiers heaven! He does say that there was not much of a view due to the cloudy conditions but it was worth the trip!
There are endless tandem hang gliders floating overhead like giant birds. Keep wondering if I have the nerve to participate in this sport. All
you have to do is step off a mountain being suspended by fabric. What could possibly go wrong? There are also base jumpers (bird suits) and parachuters that practice on the mountain.
While booking for accommodations in Interlaken, all the hotel rooms are unavailable, so for the first time we have stayed in a hostel. It is clean, compact, and has everything you need. Going for a traditional Swiss meal of roti (grated fried potatoes), once again we are informed after the meal that the payment must be in cash. Luckily, I have euro’s on hand, but not francs. However, the waitress is happy, as the euro’s are worth more.
Meeting a local senior Teresa at the train station, she enquires about our train route for the day. Once informed, she suggests we go the more scenic path. So, tickets are exchanged and it is onto the Golden Pass train where I have lost count of how many times I exclaim, “It is just so pretty.” Chris breaks open a package of Swiss chocolate. It begins to melt the second you touch it. Absolute pure dark chocolate. Barns are built high up in the hills. There are ski
hills all over, and outdoor skating rinks. Pulling in alongside Lake Geneva is the city of Montreux, right at the foot of the Alps, and on the border of France.
It is time for a major rest, so an apartment is secured for four nights, groceries bought, and at present, laundry being done. Ah, peace and tranquility. For two whole days we do nothing but sleep, drink coffee, watch the news, and hang out in our jammies.
Chris has been gifted two tickets to an art exhibition, so we go. Walking on the promenade, looking out at Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) makes us think of Chris’ Mom ‘Geneva’. Walking into the gallery, the show is huge and on two levels. One artist carves one-piece wooden sculptures, mostly of musical instruments. He says he has entered an ice sculpture contest in Europe, and if he wins, he will be able to participate in a Canadian competition. The last two years he has come in second.
Another lady works with rolling coloured papers, and creating 2D and 3D motifs. Of course, I am intrigued with the combination of oil portraits with fabric headpieces. The large textile moths are colourful
and detailed with feather antennae. A cup of coffee is needed on the walk home.
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Gwen Miller
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Wunderbar
So happy to see you and pics of your travels. Amazing journey. Dennis and Gwen applaud you! We are here in Cabo in 30 degree weather enjoying avocados and papaya. The cool winter of Switzerland sounds quite refreshing. .....so till next time....looking fwd to your ongoing travels.