I had a fantastic weekend. Well Saturday kind of sucked... but I am in Switzerland so a sucky day in Switzerland is still ok. I had a plan of going to a rstaraunt called Piz Gloria which is near Interlaken at the top of a mountain and it rotates around. It was in some James Bond movie so some of you may know where I am talking about. I stopped by the reception desk at my hotel just to confirm I was using the right freeway. The woman suggested I use a shortcut through the mountains. On the map it was a tiny little black line (the highway is a big thick red line) so I thought maybe it would be closed with the snow or something. She assured me that it would be fine..... famous last words right. So I go down to the garage and am putting my stuff in the car and start talking to a guy loading his car. He is Australian and off for a day of skiing. He asked where I was going and I told him and he suggested that while I am in the area I might want to go to Jungfrau. He said it is the highest mountain you can go to in Europe. I looked at the map and they were very close together and both things were in my "1000 Things to do Before you Die" book. So off I went......
I knew it wasn't looking good when I kept seeing signs that warned of avalanches and eah time a car came down the hill, we both had to edge over as close to the side as possible to pass each other..... I finally stopped and asked someone if I was going the right way and he said that the little black line stood for train tracks and the only way I was getting over the mountain was on a train!!!! So I had to turn around and go back down the avalanchy mountain.... at least I have a general good attitude and admired the beauty around me. It was absolutely amazing. The sun was out and there was snow everywhere, I can't wait to show you the pictures. So rather than getting upset at losing 1 hour, I looked at it as an opportunity to see the mountains around Switzerland, wasn't that my intention anyway?
So I finally make it to Interlaken and stop for a tea. I started looking at my maps and decided to go to Jungfrau and then to the restaraunt for dinner. I drove to a town called Grindelwald. I parked my car at a park and ride and stood out in -5C weather with wind and cold blowing at me for about 20 minutes until the bus finally came. No one spoke English so I just trusted I was going the right way. We get to the top and I ask the busdriver "OK, Jungfrau?" He then starts talking to me in English!!! Basically it turns out that I am crazy because it is 2PM and it is a 2.5 hour ride to the top so if I went then I would have to stay the night up there!! Oh no!!! I definately wasn't ready to sleep at the top of the mountain!! I had to go to the restaraunt!! My plans! My plans!! So I went to an information booth and the very nice man told me that I could make it to Schtiltorn to go to the restaurant that the last gondola up the other mountain with the restaraunt was at 3:25 and so I had plenty of time. I just needed to get back down this mountain!! So he walked me over to the correct bus stop and low and behold... the next bus wasn't until 2:43. He gave me this sad, sad look to tell me I wasn't going to make it! But he didn't know how determined I can be!!!!
So I went across the street, bought a Twix to eat for lunch and waited patiently for the bus.... and waited... and waited. Fortunately the Swiss are very on time and the bus came right at 2:43. I got in my car at 3:00 on the dot and thought yeah! I have 25 minutes ot make it to the other place on the map that is only about an inch away! I can do it!! As I was driving I kept telling myself not to be disappointed if I didn't make.... tried so hard to prepare myself..... Then a slower than slow car pulled in front of me.... Any of you that have been in a car with me when I am stuck behind a slow driver can just imagine the kinds of things I was saying to myself!! Especially since I was in a hurry!!! I kept watching the minutes tick by..... Finally the gondola place came into view!! It was 3:18! I made it!!! I had time!! I pulled into the parking lot thinking I would have to run... 3:20 no parking spot... 3:22 no parking spot.... 3:25 still not parking spot and I look up to see that the STUPID SWISS ARE ALWAYS ON TIME!!!! There went the last gondola!!! And of course that is when I found a parking spot. I sadly walked to the ticket booth and the woman said I was too late. I said I know and walked back to the car. I sat in the car and cried. Stupid Swiss. I hate the Swiss!!! Then I hear a boom and look up and there was a mini avalanche. Not anywhere near anything so it couldn't hurt anyone but I was able to see it. Really amazing. I dried my tears and determined that "Tomorrow is another day!"
I got back to my hotel starving but decided to see a movie instead. I saw 21 grams. For those of you who have seen it you know it is probably one of the most depressing movies there is! I went back to the hotel, got a sandwich and went to bed.
Sunday was again beautiful and sunny. I decided that driving a far distance wasn't working out for me so I was going to play it safe and stay in the area. I laid around and read my book and slowly ate breakfast and didn't leave the hotel until about 12. I dorve about 15 minutes to Montreaux which is still on the lake. I went to a Castle called Chateau Chillon.
(I got the picture off a website, I'll be able to put mine up on Friday) I spent 2 hours wandering around it and it was lovely. Usually at these sort of things I am in a hurry as it is a stop in the day with lots of other things. But this time, I took my time. I then spent the rest of the day walking around the lake. About 4-5 hours worth of walking but it was worth every minute. The day was lovely and you could see across the lake. Again I can't wait to show the pics!! At one point I sat next to the lake and the sun was warm enought that I was able to take off my coat, close my eyes and enjoy the sun. It was wonderful and completely made up for the disappointments of the day before!!!
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