Switzerland...beautiful and expensive...

OK everyone (I really mean Krista)...just another reminder...with the way I'm travelling these days...updates to the blog will probably take place every two weeks or so.

Maybe I wasn't meant to surprise people. It seems like no one is home or that they are sick when I get there. Hmmm...maybe they just don't want to see me. Damn...now it makes sense. But Patrick was surprised...even though I thought he was going to hit me when I jumped in front of him on the streets of Zurich and scared the crap out of him. Now that's the kind of reaction I was looking for!

Let's just say my budget had a rude awakening when I hit Switzerland. Of course I went to McDonalds...but a BigMac Combo is over $12 bucks. It's less in England if you can believe that!! I know everyone thinks I have shares in McDonalds for how much I eat there, but in Zurich...I actually did feel I was BUYING into McDonalds. OUCH!!



Ahh Switzerland...if you love beautiful people and beautiful views...this is your place. I think I'll stay. It's so peaceful in Old Zurich where pedestrians dominate the stoned pathways and cars...when there is one...gives right of way to the pedestrian. It's a walker's paradise. And even though many of the buildings are very old...they don't look their age as they do in Amsterdam. I look forward to comparing the other major European cities for the architecture, but Zurich impressed me.

I knew Switzerland was more than just Zurich so I ventured out into the Swiss Alps and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

My first stop was Interlaken (awesome in itself) which is the stepping stone to the "Top of Europe"...Jungfraujoch... earning the title since the train station has the highest elevation of any train station in Europe at 11333ft. They advise you that at this elevation, oxygen is 1/3 of what you're used to. I have to admit...taking three flights of stairs had me huffing and puffing!

And I cannot say enough about the scenic train ride from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch and back. Yes it 2.5 hours each way (slightly different routes) and cost $140, but it was worth every cent and every minute. I can't put it into words. Just see it for yourself!!

I wish I could have shown you pictures of Lucerne, but I left my camera in a locker at the train station. Luckily Miranda had her camera and allowed me to be a typical tourist with it. Unfortunately, she hasn't given me the pictures yet. You may want to check Facebook as I keep more pictures there.

This was from my camera as we were leaving and I had picked up my bag from the train station.

Not only were the building themselves cool in Lucerne, but many of the buildings have artwork painted on them. Who needs to go into a stuffy art gallery when it's outside for those of you visiting Lucerne. Even though it had a "gazillion" (yes...that's a word. If you don't believe me...go get a Joe dictionary found in most book stores) tourists roaming around...I think I enjoyed it more than Zurich.

Another destination I would highly recommend is Weggis. Take the ferry from Lucerne and enjoy the sights as you cruise to Weggis. It's a great little lakeside town. Then take the scenic train up to Mt. Rigi (1800m) for some more great views.

OK...if for some reason you don't like the look of mountains...Switzerland really isn't for you.

Another cool thing I got to experience was sitting in a bar (I know...crazy eh?) and watching Switzerland beat Sweden for the first time ever in a world hockey event. The place went crazy. And to make things even better. Some locals were actually in Montreal for the game and were shown on TV. When the crowd found out I was from Canada...oh yeah...there were free drinks!

There's definitely more to see in Switzerland and since I'm making Switzerland my home base for my European trip...I look forward to seeing more of it.

Now it's time to see more of Europe. See you in Greece!!