Laura and her lovely friend of whom I can't remember her name (it was strange to me!) walked me to the train station. I couldn't believe it, but I was already off to Lausanne, Switzerland!
It was a hot hot day and the trains don't have a/c. I was feeling so uncomfortable in my jeans (it was cool in Salzburg) and t-shirt. I had my ticket stamped and was on my way to Munich. I was crossing my fingers that we would get there on time. I was so thirsty and was dying of water and didn't have any Euro's on me. Ran from the train to the kiosk where they sold the water. I asked in my broken German, "How much does the water cost?" He replies in English, "2.50." What a rip off! Ran to the ATM and withdrew some cash. Ran back to the counter. Got the water. Ran to the train and jumped on as I had 1 more minute before it was leaving me in Munich.
I finally find my seat. Get sorted and try to relax for a minute. Was playing Sudoku and the conductor comes around to check my ticket. He tells me that my stamp from the previous leg was stamped for the day before, so I had to explain to him that I had just gotten off a train from Salzburg and showed him my itinerary, etc. He was really giving me a hard time about it! I was starting to get nervous! He finally let it go and I was able to relax again... this time in a train that has a/c. It was much more comfortable.
We arrived in Zurich and I had to make another switch for the train to Lausanne. This switch was much easier as I had plenty of time to change. I was craving an ice cream, but realized that I didn't have any Swiss Francs and wasn't in the mood to look for another ATM. Humpf. I guess the ice cream would have to come later. Got on the train, got settled in, and was feeling a bit toasty... again. I asked the conductor guy if he could turn up the a/c. He didn't realize it, but there was a problem with the system and the a/c wasn't working. He kept trying and was making comments in French that I didn't understand.
The people on this train were different... in their behavior. A few guys were drinking, which was causing a foul smell in the cabin... another girl was talking really loudly on her cell phone (I guess she needed to be entertained)... it was just a very loud journey. Usually, in most trains, people are really quiet and they try to respect people by not being noisy. Hm.
Anyway, I arrive to Lausanne, FINALLY, and there was Muriel there to pick me up in her car. She asked if I wanted to go out for a drink somewhere. I really didn't want to go, but I didn't want to tell her that, so I obliged. I really just wanted to go take a shower. Can't stand feeling sticky! Don't know how I managed to live in Florida all of those years! But we went out to a really nice bar and had a couple of beers... and inhaled a LOT of smoke. I was missing the London/Chicago scene where people aren't allowed to smoke inside. EVERYBODY there was smoking, including Muriel. She says she only smokes socially, but I found out later that's not the case.
We get back to her place. It was a really cute place! She's a photographer as well and has had a few gallery shows, so I was able to see some of her work. I really liked the way she had it displayed! Some of it was in glass panels. Really good idea!
The next day, I woke up quite late. I was really surprised! We had breakfast outside on her porch, which overlooked some of a mountain. It was a really beautiful area where she lived. Had some delicious coffee with bread and jam. And then we were off. Muriel drove me EVERYWHERE! First, we went to the lake then she drove me through the countryside to another small town outside of Lausanne... where we stopped for some ice cream. It was definitely one of the best ice cream's I have ever had! We walked around this little town for a little while and then we were off again through the vineyards and over to the top of a mountain/hill... not sure which. At the top, there's an elevator you can go up to see the view, but the visibility was really bad as it was raining and very overcast. Instead, we went to a little cafe for some sausage and local wine... and to say hello to the cows. Moo.
On our way back, I was noticing that I was getting motion sickness going through the ziggy zaggy streets that I had to close my eyes as she was driving. Was so relieved to be out of the car. I forgot to mention! While we were in the little town, we picked up a new friend. We named him Sticky the 1st. He was a snail... and he somehow landed on my window. He stuck around with us for the rest of the day. The next day he was gone and I was quite curious to know where he went. Hmm.
After a quick nap, we went to watch the firework spectacle in the center of the city. That Friday was a national holiday for Switzerland... and there was a lot of Swiss pride! The fireworks show was great! There was the main one over the water, but there were also several little shows going all down the lake. We were on the hill near a cathedral so we could see them all. After the show, we went out for another couple of drinks... ran in to some interesting people. I think there was a bachelor party going on because several men enter the bar looking like Bjorn Borg, the tennis star. They were quite humorous and very entertaining to watch.
The next bar we went to, there was this guy that was going crazy! He would he a song he knew and then all of a sudden he was dancing around like a mad man - banging his head and doing push ups. It was so entertaining... he had the whole bar captivated!
Walking back to Muriel's was quite tough as it was straight up a hill. I didn't think I was going to make it back without falling over a couple of times... and it wasn't because I had a few drinks, it's just hard exercising when I have had a few drinks. Luckily, I made it. Took another shower and went directly to bed. :)
The next day I didn't have much time to tool around. But it was a better day than the day before, so we went to the lake again and I took a few pictures. Then we went to get an icy. And then I was off to Paris... to see Quentin and Ana. Hurrah!
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