Day 17 - Lucerne

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Woke up around 6:50, got ready, and headed for the subway. Took the subway to the train station and, after a few connections and about seven hours, I was in Lucerne (Luzern).

Lucerne looks very Swiss. I really like the architecture. It has a river running through it with very clear water and big swans that swim towards people in hope of getting some food.

The hostel was big, and the staff was very nice. About six people stayed in the room I was in. There was one overweight, older guy that breathed heavily and snored loudly... sleeping in the bunk below me, no less. His snoring woke me up a few time through the night.
http://www.hihostels.com/performOpenHostel.do?shop=55004

I went downtown and walke around, crossed the river, and ate a McDonald's (which was the most chic McDonald's I have ever been seen... it looked kind of like a modern cafe with these padded black benches, music playing, and various colored lights.

Next to the hostel was a moderately sized lake and I walked along it for a bit. I met three other Americans from L.A. that were living in Switzerland playing professional volleyball. Not sure who wants to watch professional volleyball, but I guess some of the Swiss do. There was a big slide in a little park along the way, and we all went down it. I was the only one that went down it full bore (lifted up my feet), and I almost tumbled over when I landed, but I finally caught myself about eight feet past the end of the slide.

Then, I went downtown to use an Internet cafe (right now, I'm at one in Engelberg, Switzerland). It is very beautiful at night, with the Swiss architecture and cafes along some (more) pedestrian walkways. Lucerne seems like it would be a great place to take a vacation to in the summer and hike in the mountains.

After that, I walked back to the hostel (about 2 km) to rest up for skiing in Engelberg.

Note: Can't post any pictures at this Internet cafe... will add later.

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Photos

The Slide
Yes, it is in a children's area. And, if you look closely, that is gravel at the bottom, not bark.

Cables for the Buses
This is a common site in many European cities where roads intersect.

Duckie and Paddington at the Lake
This is not Lake Lucerne, but a smaller lake near the hostel (not sure of the name off-hand).

Comments

[Augusta]

Pictures
I was about to say: Where's the pictures! Hope you got pictures of the slide.

[Linda]

The lake...
...is called 'Rotsee' (red lake) and it's where most of the row boat races take place.