Switzerland...where the days became ONE.

June 18, 2009 (yes we missed a day in there somewhere)

Sandra and steph left the curtains open, so they could have a sunrise awakening.  Well, the sun rises about 4:30a.m.  Nice plan guys.  After our European bread and OJ breakfast, we raced to be first on the bus (this makes us sound like children, but the front is the best).

Luzerne (Lucerne) Switzerland:  Our first official stop.  A mountainside carved lion monument (we loving nicknamed him Aslan(d). 

 In honor of the Swiss Guard that died protecting Louis XVI.  The artist captured the agony of the dying lion magnificently.  We stood in awe.  Then snapped as many pictures you can in your few seconds at the front of the large groups of people assembled around the pond, at the base of the sculpture. We also crossed the Chapel Bridge (built in 1333), which had been partially destroyed by a European cigarette, and is now a smoke free zone. 

We also visited a brightly decorated Jesuit Church

 

and the old Gare (train station).  The original Arch stands out front but the rest of the building is very modern.  The number of bicycles parked along the front and side fascinated steph. 

Lunch is important.  We searched for the perfect spot and finally decided on a sit down place (for tired feet) that felt clean and nice.  Too bad the menu only spoke German and our waitress too though she claimed to know a little French.  steph tried some French (why Amber didn’t step in here is a mystery) and learned that the first page was teas and the second, wines.  We were getting nowhere, so we politely said our French goodbyes and bought some shifty salads and sandwiches down the street, and ate them under a tree.  Whew, tempers and hunger pains could cause a mighty ruckus amongst friends.  

We later slept at the lion monument; Ali, Tanya, and steph on one bench and the others across the pond on another bench...with ants. Vera left us to explore the city, by ourselves.  

Faulty instructions led us away from our original destination, but we eventually found the wall that used to encircle the city.  We climbed its steps and enjoyed the view.  

Ali’s torn ACL kept her from making it to the top, but not from making friends wherever she waited.  As time dwindled, we bought fat pretzels off the street and found a gelateria.  Yes, it was time for a gelato or gelati (plural) because sometimes you need more than one.  We savored them and they saved us.  It was a great union, never to be broken.  Beautiful bus ride home, dinner at the hotel, then to Sandra and steph’s room for quotes and “by fars” (a “by far” is your favorite thing each day).   Finally, sleep. 

I almost forgot the Mexican Catsup for our "brown" friend, Tanya.