We just got back from a great trip to Lucerne, Switzerland. John visited Lucerne with his parents when he was 14 and never forget what a beautiful city it and was determined to go back there someday. The fact that it was a dream of mine to go and a secret promise made to himself to return, it was as if we were both seeing the city for the first time.
Our timing was perfect as it was the final weeks of Lucerne's international music festival. The first night (Thursday) we were there we went to see the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Simon Rattle. Neither one of us had been to the Symphony in a while so we didn't have very high expectations. It didn't help that we got a bit turned around walking to the concert and arrived 2 minutes after it was scheduled to start....only to find out our seats were in the very middle of the seating. (Ooops, pardon us. Um, sorry, oops, sigh.) But we were pleasantly surprised. When was the last time you were sitting in an orchestral concert and the conductor stopped to say "Does anyone know what the hell is happening here?" Ours did and it made the night very memorable. In fact, John thought that comment was so funny he had to stiffle back a laugh (after his first very one).
Friday we rented bikes and rode along the Lake to Kriens, the Beverly Hills of Lucerne. I huffed it up a few hills at John's very enthusiastic "Come on, Babe, you can do it!" and was rewarded with great views of beautiful house, clear blue water, and mountain ranges. It was hard not to fling open and my hands and belt out "The hills are alive..." Julie and I have never been so close. Bike rentals were relatively cheap and the ride afforded us both fatty Swiss dinners that night of Lamb (for me, fatty Kathy), Fish ( for Jack Sprat), and chocolate mousse. How do you spell heaven? S-W-I-S-S M-O-U-S-S-E.
On Saturday, we took a 2 hour ferry, and 30 minute railroad trip (steepest in Central Swiss) up to the highest point of Luzern--Mt. Pilatus. The trip was exhausting and unfortunately the view was disappointing. A balmy 6 degrees on the top of the mountain and you could barely see your hand in front of your face. You're SUPPOSED to be able to see all of Luzern, five lakes, and some of central Switz.....for us, not so much. To recover, we took a gondola half way down the mountain to ride Switzerland's longest Luge. It was alot of fun and satisfied the thrillseeker in us both. I have to admit it was tempting not to ram John from behind but I didn't want to get thrown out of another themepark for so-called "aggressive driving." Ha. Later that night, we went to a traditional Swiss restaurant with the locals for some more fat free food. Fish for John and creamy, delectable Beef Stroganof for me. Fat girl food, yes, but worth every artery clogging calorie. Man, if I had been born Swiss, I'd be dangerous.
Sunday, before catching our train back home, we walked in vein to continue John's never ending hunt for American food in Europe. It really frustrates him that Eurobreakfast consists of fruit, muesli, yogurt, cheese, bread, and deli meat. No matter how hard he tries he just can't seem to find American pancakes (not crepes) scrambled eggs and bacon. Oh well, I was happy anyway. The stranger and more varied the food, the happier I am. (Does anyone notice a theme, here?)
So, two big thumbs up for Luzern. This will definitely not be our last time in Switzerland. It's a little country but there's alot to see....and eat.
For more of Luzern than anyone other than my mother wants to see, follow this link to my Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/gp/9997610@N02/6GS2jF.
Our timing was perfect as it was the final weeks of Lucerne's international music festival. The first night (Thursday) we were there we went to see the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Simon Rattle. Neither one of us had been to the Symphony in a while so we didn't have very high expectations. It didn't help that we got a bit turned around walking to the concert and arrived 2 minutes after it was scheduled to start....only to find out our seats were in the very middle of the seating. (Ooops, pardon us. Um, sorry, oops, sigh.) But we were pleasantly surprised. When was the last time you were sitting in an orchestral concert and the conductor stopped to say "Does anyone know what the hell is happening here?" Ours did and it made the night very memorable. In fact, John thought that comment was so funny he had to stiffle back a laugh (after his first very one).
Friday we rented bikes and rode along the Lake to Kriens, the Beverly Hills of Lucerne. I huffed it up a few hills at John's very enthusiastic "Come on, Babe, you can do it!" and was rewarded with great views of beautiful house, clear blue water, and mountain ranges. It was hard not to fling open and my hands and belt out "The hills are alive..." Julie and I have never been so close. Bike rentals were relatively cheap and the ride afforded us both fatty Swiss dinners that night of Lamb (for me, fatty Kathy), Fish ( for Jack Sprat), and chocolate mousse. How do you spell heaven? S-W-I-S-S M-O-U-S-S-E.
On Saturday, we took a 2 hour ferry, and 30 minute railroad trip (steepest in Central Swiss) up to the highest point of Luzern--Mt. Pilatus. The trip was exhausting and unfortunately the view was disappointing. A balmy 6 degrees on the top of the mountain and you could barely see your hand in front of your face. You're SUPPOSED to be able to see all of Luzern, five lakes, and some of central Switz.....for us, not so much. To recover, we took a gondola half way down the mountain to ride Switzerland's longest Luge. It was alot of fun and satisfied the thrillseeker in us both. I have to admit it was tempting not to ram John from behind but I didn't want to get thrown out of another themepark for so-called "aggressive driving." Ha. Later that night, we went to a traditional Swiss restaurant with the locals for some more fat free food. Fish for John and creamy, delectable Beef Stroganof for me. Fat girl food, yes, but worth every artery clogging calorie. Man, if I had been born Swiss, I'd be dangerous.
Sunday, before catching our train back home, we walked in vein to continue John's never ending hunt for American food in Europe. It really frustrates him that Eurobreakfast consists of fruit, muesli, yogurt, cheese, bread, and deli meat. No matter how hard he tries he just can't seem to find American pancakes (not crepes) scrambled eggs and bacon. Oh well, I was happy anyway. The stranger and more varied the food, the happier I am. (Does anyone notice a theme, here?)
So, two big thumbs up for Luzern. This will definitely not be our last time in Switzerland. It's a little country but there's alot to see....and eat.
For more of Luzern than anyone other than my mother wants to see, follow this link to my Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/gp/9997610@N02/6GS2jF.
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