Swtz10 - Luzern

LUZERN   .   ( loot - SAIRN )  .  "Lucerne" to many countries
Latin for . . "lamp"  (laterna)
(story goes . . town was founded around a monastery
and an angel shone a heavenly light on this spot

On the 'confirmation' page from the Interlaken hostel related to our next stop here  . . it stated that
arrival in  Luzern  and  bus  transportation  to  Bellpark Hostel
would be covered by simply showing the same printout  . .  if asked for a ticket.
It worked.   Rolling our bags 38 minutes down the sidewalk was not necessary.

All these train stations are good looking  .   heavily used by both locals and tourists
and are like small 'cities' with Tracks  .  Subways  .  Food  .  Currency Exchange offices
Tourist Information  .  Shopping temptations  .  and lots of people.

The obligatory picture . . so when people back home ask
"Did you see the  . .  LION ?"
. . we can say  . .  "Sure did!"
Our  2nd hostel  (Lion Lodge) . . was  1 block . .  from . . "the LION"






Thinking of what we said earlier about Switzerland and its'  INDEPENDENT  spirit . .
. .  during years of  'hard times'  . .
Swiss men were willing to be hired by other neighboring countries
as   MERCENARIES   (professional soldiers hired to serve in a foreign army) 
fighting causes that benefit other countries in war.
Hundreds of Swiss died . . gave their lives . . in this way.
This  LION  Memorial
remembers a particular fight  (the French Revolution)
but it also marks . . a decision to let others fight their own battles.
( the U.S.A. knows how you feel,  Switzerland ! )






This explains the  LION  .  the tears  .  the spear in the side  .  the remembering of  "LOSS"
(some killed . . some executed)
33 feet long . . 20 feet tall
resting his paws on a shield  .  head cocked to one side
in his side a broken off end of a spear
slowing killing the noble beast






Many people immediately think   BRIDGE   when Luzern in mentioned.
CHAPEL  Bridge  . .  was originally part of the city's  defense system . .
It has suffered  FIRE  damage and been re - built . .
It now has paintings including a human giant  .  bones  .  an angel
a monastery  .  patron saints  .  and
'skeleton'  reminders that  no one can escape  death






This year the seasonal flower boxes are  GREEN  and  WHITE
So far  'chill'  has not touched their healthy growth






You will find yourself crossing  Chapel  Bridge  both ways  many times
The view on both sides frames the city .  the lake .  and  mountains






and you'll wait to see the evening  'look'  when the lights come on






We saw a few tourists take advantage of  free  bicycles  lined up along the lake






On our self - guided  Walking Tour
we come upon  . .  Mr. and Mrs. Fritschi   (center, top row)
Nanny and Jesters on each side
celebrating Luzern's biggest event . . annual  FASNACHT  (Mardi Gras) celebration
2nd row . . the Cock rows at 5 a.m. on  . . the Thursday before Ash Wednesday
the Fritschis arrive in the wagon to kick off the festivities
You see  oranges  being thrown
marking the beginning of . . SPRING !






This  Hirschenplatz Square is named after the Hirschen  ("Deer") Restaurant
with this elaborate golden sign
(and many more interesting things we have to omit from this blog due to time)






The Promenade across the river from the train station
is particularly inviting.   Many people stroll with babies, enjoy the lakeside setting . .
 sit and read or . . visit on benches






Jesuit Church   (Jesuitenkirche)
is dedicated to Francis Xavier  (co-founder of the Jesuit Order)
. . established to empower Catholics . . during the Protestant Reformation
( look closely . . there is a  WEDDING  party and all the attendees seated up front )






We've seen several  "Holy Cow!"  eateries . . must be a Swiss chain.
Cows are definitely a big part of Swiss everyday living . .
Can't help wondering what India's  HINDUS  would think about this !!






Down river is a remedy to regulate water flow . . Luzern has the responsibility
to protect villages downstream






Can't leave out this  "SPREUERBRÜCKE"  (Mill Bridge) . .
 the 'original'  paintings include Luzern's (seen everywhere)  giant .
city banners under the double eagle of the Holy Roman Empire
. . a reminder that the emperor granted free status  (hands off)  to the city . .
The reverse side shows  . .  Judgment Day
with some going to heaven and others to hell
(remember the reformer John Calvin's emphasis on . .  Double  Pre-Destination . .
see the Geneva blog re: Calvin's  T.U.L.I.P.  acronym)




Must catch up on blogs   . .  we've been in  Deutschland for a few days
So many things going on each day
We're doctoring early signs of a cold . . adjusting to different weather conditions.

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Swtz09 - Interlaken

Moving  . .  northward on the  . .  Swiss Map


We're noticing the title . . "YOUTH"  HOSTEL  . .  has mostly disappeared.
Hostels now regularly serve   all  ages  (& families)  with a variety of rooms and bed arrangements.
They now accommodate those who book in  Zimmers, Budget Hotels, Cameras, B&Bs etc.
Bathrooms  . .  are becoming more plentiful . .
shared often times by only 2 rooms . . ( some have 'private' )
Toilets . .  almost always now can  be flushed  WITH  paper
( plumbing has improved )
Windows . .  most of the time now are double pane
( reducing both noise and heat / cold )
Amenities . .  are regularly including upgraded furniture, lighting,  & even decor.
Customer Service . .  is increasingly taking priority.
Like school classrooms . . 'dormitory' sizes . .  are shrinking.
Privacy . .  is becoming a . . priority.
Competition . .  is creating good choices for savvy travelers.
Additional services . . are being added . . such as 'onward' bookings (other cities) .  activities  .  rental equipment

Properties themselves are increasing in Size and Purpose
Quiet areas  .  Conversational spots  .  Internet corners  .  Patio seating

Refundable 'Deposits' on  LOCKERS  for early arrivals are now 'Standard'
so you are free to make the most of your day

This seemingly unimportant pic reminds me of  . .  3 things:
.  Many now send you to your room not only with your KEY . . but also with your  SHEETS
(make your own bed)
. The guy behind the Desk is seriously looking for a room for us  NEXT  on our Itinerary  (free service)
. When we check out we will bring our sheets / pillow cases down here and drop them 
into the  'chute'  to the left of this counter length . . sending them to  'Laundry'  below

(Bed making / un-making was 'new' to us.   We had never heard of such requests from customers . .)

This particular Hostel uniquely issues each guest  . .  2  'tokens'  for . .  2  free beverages
( Each hostel has something distinguishing it from others )

We walked the length of  INTERLAKEN . .
"Some"  windows are hard to pass by . . Yes, we bought a 'break off" piece of chocolate.

MIGROS  .  COOP  and a couple others are good places to put together a simple picnic . .
Some are basic and small.    Others are extensive and offer ready-made meals and sit-down tables.

This  Migros even had a full-size salad bar . . with . .  take - away container






CREPES  capture attention  with  "aroma"  as we meander down Interlaken's main drag.
A crowd gathers to watch this gal make everyone's mouth water.






We take the advice of our Hostel . . to get  FONDUE  at a grocery store  ('ready-to-serve') . .
bring it back to the Hostel and they will provide all the equipment we need to get it ready.
ON  THE  WAY  . .  we get sidetracked  by all the  Paragliding equipment  and Paraglid-ERS
$100+ (+ another $40 for video)  for the 15 minute  'thrill'.
The 'experience'  is very tempting.   The  'cost'  . . well !?!?
Many many many keep coming off a high hill above Interlaken . .
each glider is taken by Van to the hilltop launch spot when their  'number'  is called.
Our bench-mate is from Saudi Arabia.
She's watching her clock . . for her 5:20  pick-up time






I'm considering 'which'  COLOR  paraglide I would choose
and I'm watching to see if gliders land on their  . .  SEAT  or  FEET






There's only a slight breeze.
When we look behind us at the high hill . .
we notice that the take - off view of those who leave ground
looks  VERY  HIGH  UP . .
and  the  paragliders look incredibly small.
( wonder what they are thinking . . "too late to change my mind now" )






We have  FONDUE  on our minds.
Time to head . . "home"
Late afternoon brings out horses and buggies . .






Our Hostel is not only the  HOME  of this  PARAGLIDING  company
It's right across the street from the big park.






Trying out the Hostel Kitchen on the lower level of the building.
South Koreans are cooking the thickest bacon we have ever seen or heard of.
With it they are sautéing mushrooms and onions.
It smells delicious . . but I'm looking forward to long-awaited  FONDUE






The Korean gang is 'feasting' on a lower outside patio.
Can they ever talk a blue streak . .





And simple as it is . . We are loving our  Gruyere Fondue with french bread.
2 packages come in a box for less than $8
Each package serves 2 people.
Compare that to restaurant serving for one person $20 . . and you can't "share"
The bread (approx. 18" long) was a little over a dollar.
A "deal"  to be sure.
Switzerland surprises you.
'Almost'  EVERYTHING  is outrageously priced
Then you find Cabernet (or other) for   $2.90  or   $1.90  . . (How possible?)






This nice shady tunnel leads us right to our   . .  Train Platform
to bid this inviting town farewell
and . .
we will keep on . . keeping on




LUZERN  . .  here we come !
Rusty and Wrinkles haven't been in Luzern since the late 1980s
Will this nice . . weather . . 'stick-around'

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Swtz08 - Swiss Alps . Schilthorn . Piz Gloria +

Heading  into  the  Clouds
This is our  . .  MOUNTAIN  . .  day
( mountains are,  of course,  in every direction in Switzerland )

Short walk from our Hostel downhill to  CABLE  ride for  1st leg  of journey as far as . .  Murren

Several little villages . . and train stops as we continue up up up.
Living on these slopes  . .  looks like a big challenge  . .  to put it mildly.

After a good chunk of  TRAIN  we get on  1st  of  2  more  CABLE  rides . . higher and higher

Temperature  is  dropping  as  we  rise

Could be worse . . layers help . . and warm places to dip into are here and there
(remember . . we've come from Arizona's 100+ degree Fahrenheit)

3 degrees . . must be . . Celsius 

Just  to  prove   WE   were  here  (!)
At this point we are at  . .  9,744  feet  altitude

The Day is clear enough to actually see mountains . . we're fortunate.   And the clouds keep shifting

This    9,700+  foot location  is  . . Schilthorn
Matterhorn  (close to Italian border)  . .  is Switzerland's highest

Everyone's willing to snap photos for everyone else






There's a "word" for this  (besides 'Photo Point')
Narrow walkway  . .  is attached to the side of the cliff . . and it goes  ON  and  ON.
We go  ON  and  ON  for quite a while





"THRILL  WALK"





Up  .  Down  .  and  Around





Several   Walking Trails   are visible






Rusty  (or is it Wrinkles)  decided to
WALK   the  WIRE
Yes . . it swings and sways  (video would show it better)






James Bond  . .  has a  'connection'  here  . .






Film  FINALE  needed  isolated  . .  location






The  OUTER  several feet of   . .  Piz Gloria Restaurant  . .  REVOLVE
taking in the 360 degree view
every 50 minutes or so.
We enjoyed a simple meal  . .   James Bond - related !
( PIZ = "Romansh" for  "peak" )






It's an impressive place  . .  one I'll chalk up to   my  #77 !






A word from the Birthday Girl  . .  How about something brainy like . .
"It's better than  . .  NO Birthday !"
. . in addition to
"This is 1 way to 'get high' in a fresh air kind of way"






There's  more . .
We return to Lauterbrunnen
and go up the other side  . .  of this deep valley





Some of these stretches must use
COGWHEEL  Trains






THIS  GUY  . .  can never get   TOO  MUCH  . .  "Train"






On the way to  KLEINE  SCHEIDEGG  . .  one  of several stops was in
WENGEN
very inviting  1st Impression  !






Views  . .  as we ride the . . COGS






KLEINE  SCHEIDEGG
town is a uniquely important jumping off place to head up to
JUNGFRAUJOCH
( for a VERY hefty price . . and today those who decide to Pay the Piper
are not going to get their money's worth )
K.S. town is  the  CLOSEST  POINT . . ( without taking the train through the tunnel for mega $ )
to see the famous
Moench  (monk)    .    Eiger  (monster)   .   Jungfraujoch  (young maiden /virgin)
3 peaks with one or more stories related to
the  MONK  . . protecting  the  . .  JUNGFRAU  from  the  . . (ogre)  MONSTER







JUNGFRAUBAHN  . .   makes many daily trips to the . . JUNGFRAUJOCH





Switzerland  is one country where visitors don't need to  BUY  "Water"  . .
Pipes and Fountains everywhere are . . 'yours' for the Filling   ( of your container )
As you can imagine . .  it's  ICY  cold !





Internet service is sometimes interrupted  ( blocked ).    I'll get this on its' way.

Interlaken  and  Luzern  are coming up next.