Savannah August 11, 2014

In a successful attempt at chivalry, Bob elected to drive to the Riverfront today because I got a blister on my foot.  We, nay HE drove down the cobble-stoned River Street bouncing us along this very old road. We were on a quest to sign up for the hop on/hop off trolley tour.  

One of the neat things about Savannah is its squares. Every so many blocks there are historic squares, or common areas. All but one has a statue of a commissioned officer from the Revolutionary War, in the center. This is the only statue not of a war officer. It is of John Wesley, the famed Anglican minister. Apparently he created quite a stir while here in the colonies. It would seem when the woman he wanted to marry rejected his proposal, he in turn declined to baptize her. Her fiancé retaliated by suing him for defamation of character. Mr. Wesley found it best to go back to England, a spurned lover. 

We had an early dinner snack while waiting to get some old-time photos taken. 

We were so exhausted from the heat and walking, and the rain (did I mention the torrential downpours?) that after the pictures we went back to rest. That was at 7:30. We woke up around 5:00 the next morning. 

We went to Clary's for breakfast and then returned to the Riverfront.  Check This bug out. Anyone know what it is?

After that we decided to head east to Tybee island. It took about 20 minutes to drive out there. It's been a long time since we've been so close to the Atlantic Ocean. But we live in Sarasota. Finding a beach more beautiful than Siesta Key isn't easy. We didn't stay for too long. 

We went back to the house because we had a big dinner planned. The Olde Pink House (Thanks Kevin).  Apparently this is the oldest building in all of Georgia, and it's pink. 

About two minutes before we left the house it started to rain. In the ten minutes it took us to drive to the restaurant some places were flooded. Like the corner we needed to walk through. Poor Bob spent the whole dinner in wet socks and shoes. 

The foyer of the restaurant was so packed with people they didn't know what to do with all of us. Fortunately we had a reservation so we got right in. 

There were lots of yummy sounding things in the menu. 

Grilled Portabella mushrooms with bleu cheese and balsamic glaze. 

After dinner we went out for a few drinks, then home. 

This morning we went to Clary's for one more breakfast. There was a drug store on the site that is now The restaurant.  For some odd reason someone thought it would be a great idea to take these old apothecary jars and fill them not with candy or cotton or fruit or air, but with some weird colored liquid. What were they thinking?

The last thing we did in the beautiful old town was get a coffee refill in my favorite Wonder Woman cup. I don't know if or when I'll be back, but thanks for coming along with me. 

Savannah August 9, 2014

The home we're staying in was built in 1875, and we found it through airbnb. Our hosts have gone to a great effort to make the place beautiful. 

Our bedroom has this cute little space on the corner of the fireplace mantle.

Bella, our house companion.

The backyard adjoins the neighbor's yards with the shared circle in the middle.

We have spent some time on the front porch too. Directly across the street is an old-school gas station that STILL HAS FULL SERVICE!

There was a house on Dolphin and Pineapple, in Sarasota, and I often referred to it as MY house because... well because one can dream. Some sicko (who probably calls himself a person) knocked it down. Apparently there was some small problem with asbestos and mold. Now I'm in the market for a new old house. I've found it. Doesn't this look like a house from some old scary movie?  

We went to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room for brunch this morning (thank you Stephanie). Here's the deal with this world famous restaurant. They are open only three hours a day, Monday through Friday. People start lining up an hour before they open, we got there forty-five minutes before opening. They serve the food family-style, meaning you sit at the table with strangers-come-friends with all the food laid out on the table. Fried chicken, pot roast, ham, green beans, collard greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a whole bunch of other typical southern foods.  They serve water, sweet tea, or unsweetened tea, and dessert too.

While waiting to eat we became friends with Chondra and Kevin from Atlanta. Bob put them on the spot when he asked if they'd like to get my travel emails. I explained that it's easier to get a tenant out of a rent controlled apartment than to get off my email list. They said yes anyway!  

After eating we took a long walk and saw some fun things. This blow-up guy is exactly what my toastmaster friends and I have been looking for to fill the room. What do you guys think?  

We went back to the house to take a nap and then went for a GHOST TOUR (insert "Wooooooo"). They let us use REAL ghost hunting equipment. Like this temperature gauge 

 Apparently apparitions are a different temperature than everything else. We didn't find any, sadly. So we just went back to our room to sleep, defeated by the spirits of Savannah. 

Savannah August 8, 2014

 We left Sarasota around 10:00 and just before we left the safety of florida I convinced Bob to stop at one of those absurd tourist traps.  I LOVE these places.  These are all the things you never knew you needed.

Aargh!  I'm holding a pirate!

You know you want one.

Remember these?

Because nothing says "Florida" like tchatchke. 

We arrived in Savannah around 4:00 and got something to eat. We went to The Public. I got a watermelon caprese salad. Just like a traditional caprese  but watermelon instead of tomato, goat cheese instead of mozzarella, and mint instead of basil. But it had balsamic vinegar, so you can see it was just like a traditional caprese salad. 

We went to the home we're a staying at. It is just on the cusp of the safe/not safe neighborhoods.  I asked three different people. The wait staff at The Public said don't want to walk there at night.  Our host said don't walk ANYWHERE alone at night in savannah, "small city with big city crime." And the police, who repeatedly said could not ensure 100% safety, told us that where we are staying is just as safe as every other downtown/historic area. 

We took a long needed nap after that long drive and then walked to the riverside. There was a great busker playing a trumpet. He played lots of songs that required audience participation, such as If You're Happy and You Know It. We all clapped, stomped our feet, and shouted "Hooray!" at all the right spots. I love buskers. 

During our walk we found this sign and I wondered if I could mimic him. Here's my first attempt:

 

But Bob told me not to show any teeth:

  

I think I need to grow a really long beard and then try it again. 

I found a tour guides ID in the park. 

 I considered trying to pass myself off as a tourguide and just make up sh#t about Savannah. Who would know?  But I figured in case I ever run for public office... I turned it in to the first cop I saw. 

Today we plan to visit Mrs. Wilkes. We were told to arrive a half hour before they open. 

Savannah

Ah yes, my friends.  I'm sure you were wondering where I would visit this summer.  I'm sure you were all wondering what you would do if I didn't go somewhere and write to you about it.  What would your summer be like?  How would you survive it if you couldn't suffer through another one of my absurd vacations.  So, with you in mind (this is all about you, baby…) I have decided to set aside all of my obligations (laundry, pet feeding, kid watching, toe nail clipping, etc) and head north.  

This year it is Savannah, Georgia that will suffer my poor humor and teasing.  Why not?  What better place than good ol' Georgia?  Here's the Reader's Digest history for you…

Way back when it was (of course) inhabited by the Native Americans.  Then, at some point and in true fashion, the English arrived and acted like they owned the place.  Then the Georgians (that's what they call themselves) sided with their northern brethren and kicked King George II to the curb.  The rest is pretty much a part of America's sad history of slavery that I won't recount here (remember, this is the Reader's Digest version).  But the history of Savannah is not the history of Georgia.  No one can agree where the name came from.  Maybe a bastardization of Shawnee, maybe from the English word savanna, or maybe a native american term meaning "salt" or "southern".  Regardless, it is kinda' nice.   Savannah is the oldest city in the state, it was a strategic site for both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (the founder of Girl Scouts).  That's about it.  All that's left is some old battle sites and a bunch of girl scout cookies.  JUST KIDDING!

So what should I do?  I posted this question on Facebook and got some idea that sound pretty good.  Visit and eat my way along the Riverfront, take some historic tours, visit Tybee Island, see Mrs. Wilkes.  We'll be staying downtown, about a half hour walk to the riverfront (according to google maps).  

Homeward Bound

Yesterday we went to a store, Migros, that is kind of like a mini-Super Target. We bought some fresh fruit, gruyere cheese, a small pack of meat, and some healthy crackers full of sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and other delicious seeds along with raisins for our trip home (yes this IS important. Just stay tuned). Then Hannah and I went back into Zurich for one last hurrah. We walked around for a little while, popped into a little store where we were stalked by the employee. It was great, and kind of made me feel like Oprah when she visited Zurich last week.

We picked up these absolutely delicious things that are like mini macarons (not macaroons), but instead of being French they are Swiss. After filling a box to take home to our family the young woman behind the counter allowed Hannah to have one gratis, or free.  She chose vanilla. She took a bite out of it and said, "OH MY GOSH MOMMY!  This must be what heaven is like!" Well not really, but that's what I almost said when I tasted it. I secretly considered not saving them for my family and just eat them ourselves on the plane, but decided against it (even though my husband had full access to FREE macarons just weeks before I left for my trip and did not, I repeat DID NOT bring me a single one). Then Hannah said, "mommy, let's not bring them home. Let's eat them on the plane."  I couldn't believe it AND I couldn't stop laughing. She is just like me.  They don't look so pretty after crossing the Atlanta, but you wouldn't look so hot yourself after the nine hour flight they took. 

We also stopped at a candy store and almost got this lollipop for one of you, but reconsidered when I realized you probably wouldn't even have it finished by the time I go on my next trip. 

Last night we went out to dinner with Simone's family. They brought us up to a restaurant on a "hill".  Simone wanted to show me something behind the restaurant.   It was a tower like the ones back home for detecting fires in the forests.  She suggested we climb it, but now that I'm on to her tricks I declined.

Many restaurants have menus in English, and this one was no exception. Most of the time it is a very good translation. This one WAS an exception.

Nutritious and Proven

Line-Conciously

Liked-Meat dishes

I got spaetzle with cheese and grilled onions. It's typical Swiss.

The plan was to leave at 6:45 this morning.   We were all packed up and had the bags outside, waiting for Simone's family to arrive. They pulled up, we loaded the luggage, loaded the people, when Simone asked if I had remembered my food!  Oh no. The door automatically locks when it's shut, and of course I didn't take the key with me. There is a doorbell, but the only person who would ring a doorbell at 6:45 in the morning is the kind of person who would serve instant coffee. What to do... what to do... Just then the owner of the B&B walked up and let me in. Phew.

Once at the airport there were police with MACHINE GUNS stopping cars and telling some to pull over. Ours was chosen to be pulled over. They were looking for something and were not fooling around. It was very frightening.  I smiled at one cop through the door and not only did he not return my smile, but he had my door blocked so I would not be able to get out if I tried. In Switzerland children must be in car seats until they are 12.  We had one for Hannah, but it was a booster so the cop couldn't see it through the window.  He asked how old she is, but I didn't know why he asked, so I offered to show her passport. Maybe they were looking for a kidnapped child?  We really had no idea. He said quite seriously, "no I don't need her passport." Then he opened her door and saw her booster seat.   They returned Andi's documents and said we could go, and Hannah said to me, "Mom, where's my gun?  I mean gum. Where's my gum?" I almost had a heart attack.

Simone and I hugged each other for a long time and exchanged good-bye tears.  Hannah and I were on our way.  We did stop at some shop in the airport to pick up gum. It helps Hannah's ears adjust to the different air pressure, which is why she asked about it earlier.  Before I left for Europe,  I read an article that said Nutella is one of the most stolen foods. Here's one way to reduce theft.  Yes, this is a real jar of Nutella and weighs 5 kilos which is 11 pounds. Remember what I said about European portions?  Keep something in mind; this store is AFTER the security.  That means it has to be for people departing, that means it must also be in the carry on luggage!  Who on earth buys 11 pounds of Nutella and then carries it on a plane?

At some point during the security process someone handed me a US customs form. This is where my shopping list comes in to play.  Question 11. Yes we have fruit and seeds;yes we have meat; no we don't have any disease agents or snails; yes we've been on a farm.  Question 12. Yes, we HAVE been in close proximity of livestock.  I hope you all don't have to read this while Hannah and I are sitting  in some quarantine station.  My only goal now is to eat all the meat, fruit, and crackers we brought. I'm sure happy I didn't bring any disease agents; I shudder to think what they might taste like if I had to eat those too.

We finished the crackers, lost the meat (I don't know how.  How does meat get lost in a plane?), and Hannah made me throw the cheese away, "Mom please!  It stinks." All that's left is the fruit. 

After shoveling all that food down quickly I had no room for the in-flight gourmet delights they serve. HA HA HA HA.Here the salami and cheese panini they gave Hannah. Where's the cheese?  I didn't see it at first. It looks like a quick slather of mayo. 

Our plane arrived a half hour later than expected, so we had 1 1/2 hours to make our next flight. "No problem," you say?  We got off the plane, went through the very very ridiculously long line at customs, claimed "chocolate" on the form. We had to get our luggage and have it scanned for I don't know what. Biological agents that could be present on the chocolate?  Go through another line where we returned our luggage, go through TSA screening (no shoes no belts type screening), and haul butt across the airport to make our connection. We had about 15 minutes once we arrived.


Our flight attendant did the BEST Vanna White impression I've ever seen during the "how to apply the oxygen mask" performance.  I would've taken a picture for you, but all electronics were forbidden.

I've had some frequently asked questions since I left. The most common has been why Hannah and I went alone. It wasn't supposed to be this way originally. Hannah and I were going to go to the UK alone for 2 weeks, take a train to Zurich and meet the family there for another 2 weeks. One by one each member of the family dropped out or wasn't completely on board, and in the end it was decided we would go alone.  Plans had been made, plane tickets purchased, places rented, even Simone's family adjusted their vacation for us.

Another question is about Simone, more specifically how we met. We met through a website called postcrossing. It's a site for sending and receiving postcards to and from strangers around the world. We just happen to contact each other, we're the same age, have children the same age, and we hit it off. Having a penpal at our age is a bit unusual, but not unheard off. We've been writing for 3 years, and when we went to Europe 2 years ago our families met in Paris.

The third most common question is what I miss most while gone. The truth is that I only missed one THING— American coffee, but I missed my family and friends, and toastmasters even more than I missed my coffee.  The flip-side of that is what I had a difficult time getting used to— pay toilets.  I know they exist in larger cities in the US, but it seems to be so common in Europe, and I cannot remember the last time I paid to use the bathroom in America. It's ok, it's how they do things. They don't have people peeing in the streets, it's just something one has to be mindful of. Go before you leave the house, and always have spare change.

Thank you for agreeing to receive my emails. Knowing there are friends back home who care about what I'm doing and where I'm going means so much. I got many emails from people extending sympathy after my crazy day going from Amsterdam to Zurich with the missed train, and it felt like a much needed hug from you. Thank you.  Knowing there were people at home who would laugh at my misadventures made them all the more funny.  As we drove down that mountain on Sunday, and my knuckles were dangerously close to being permanently damaged from the strain I was putting them through, I thought about how funny it would all sound when I told you the story.  Again, thank you.

See you soon,
Diana

Important things I learned or had reinforced during my month in Europe:

1. My children think the dictionary is the most famous book out there.  While at the museum in Klosters (the home built in 1565) we saw a giant bible.  Hannah said, "Wow!  Look at this dictionary!"

 This bible was written in 1667.  A dictionary wasn't even in the house; scandalous!

2. I said this last time I was in Europe, but it bears repeating.  European portions ARE NOT SMALLER than their American counterparts.  We Americans have been sold a bunch of baloney.  The reason *most Europeans are not as big as us is that they walk everywhere, and the elevators are small, so if you are big you cannot fit in the elevator.  *Most— as in not all.  There are plenty of big people in Europe, plenty of them.

Vegetarian "Full English" Breakfast

Bratwurst with Roschti and Onion Sauce

3. If you're 7 years old, bungee-trampoline jumping is waaaaaay cooler than stinky Viking Museums.

 Hannah outside the Jorvik Viking Center

4. I LOVE muesli.  It's oats with milk, yogurt, almond butter, shredded apple, and fresh chopped fruit all mixed together.   Sorry no pictures of it, but who would want to look at that anyway?

Thanks for coming along with me.  For all of those who commented and I didn't reply— sorry, I've been exhausted and by the time I usually sit down to the computer it's time to call my family before going to bed.  I really appreciate hearing from you though.  For all who requested a postcard— thank you.  I liked knowing I could bring you a smile through your mailbox.

Hannah and I head home tomorrow.  Our flight leaves at 10:30 AM, and we arrive in Tampa at 6:30 PM, in case you want to show up with a giant sign that says, "DIANA THE GREAT".  I'll be looking for you.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" is how Hannah responded to Melanie when Melanie said the weather was hot.  Melanie looked so surprised and asked Hannah if she had already said that before.  I had to explain through my fit of laughter what that expression means.  I'm having great fun teaching them Americanisms like, "Dead serious!" and "What the heck?" They're teaching me expression and sayings too which is especially hilarious because I can't even remember sayings in my own language.  Roschti est ta groschti = potatoes are the best.  That's the only one I can remember, and that's because it rhymes.  That's not how it's spelled by the way, but I wanted all of you to be able to say it, so you can enjoy it as much as me!

The bed and breakfast, B&B Zaubernuss  we're staying at is really nice.  Like typical Swiss  we don't see the owners often.  The Swiss are much more private than any American I've ever met.  If you smile at someone on the train or bus they will smile back, but only after a second or two, as if they just remembered that's what you're supposed to do when someone smiles at you.  Everyone seems to know I speak English.  When I go somewhere I try my hardest to speak in Swiss German, but everyone responds in English to me.  I ask Simone, or someone in her family, how to say something.  Sometimes I say hello (Grottsi) instead of thank you (Danke) accidentally.  I'm sure I will not leave Switzerland in the state I found it in.

We went to a farm just a mile or two up the hill. Claudia, a dear friend of Simone's, has a farm and a cow had a baby just hours earlier.

We learned that they name the baby something that has same the first letter as its mother.  The mother's name is Arizona.  I cannot tell you how hard I laughed when they told me that.  First I suggested Arkansas, then Alabama, then aardvark. They really really didn't like aardvark, which I think sounds really German (say it aloud.  Now say it again, but this time as if you are angry... see, doesn't it sound German?) Then I suggested Ariel (my daugter's name), and Claudia said, "Oooh".  (Ariel, don't be offended that there is a cow in Switzerland named after you.  I'm sure somewhere in the world that is a great honor.)  "Steak" is a universal term, by the way.

Yesterday I went into Zurich alone.  I felt like a little kid, whose parents finally trust them to venture into the wide world.  Simone wrote what to say to the bus driver, and I was on my way.  I walked around a little bit, bought some postcards, then made it to the central train station for the 1:00 walking tour of the Old City. Hannah and Simone's girls met me there, and Hannah and I took the tour.

Zurich has something I think is fabulous: fountains.  They have over 1200 fountains around the city, and they are safe for drinking, all of them.  The children play in the fountain itself, adults use the cold water to refresh themselves on hot days, and the water that flows freely from the tap is super clean and safe for drinking.

 Each one looks different.

Ever notice that no matter where you are in the world, the old native America Indian chief always represents tobacco.

Last night we went to Rapperswil, which is the southern point of Lake Zurich.  They had a huge festival, or night party, that promised Groschti lasershow en Schwiez,  the greatest laser show in Switzerland.  They also had a fireworks show at the same time.  Now I have to tell you, I was a bit prejudiced going in, because I thought, how can anyone do fireworks better than Americans?  After all we get to practice it every single year.  But I realized that since the Swiss don't spend so much money and effort on defense, they get to spend it on firework displays.  This was  die groschti fireworks I've ever seen.  It was at least a half hour long, and was choreographed to music.  At the very same time was a laser show across the lake.  They had pumped fog across the lake so it could be seen really well, and was wonderful.

While watching the show, Hannah accidentally sat in a puddle, so we needed to get something for her to change in to.  There were no stores open, but there were vendors up and down the lake side, and one was selling women's shirts.  I got one for Hannah, and she wore it like a dress.  It was cold enough for us to wear leggings last night, so she just slipped her skirt off, and the woman's shirt on over her shirt, and voila! she was dressed in dry clothes again. 

Then we went into a bakery and got something warm to drink.  After sitting there for a little while the place filled with firemen.  There must have been about twenty, and Hannah fell asleep.  I suggested to Simone that we tell the firemen we need someone strong to carry Hannah to the train station, but she wouldn't translate that for me.  We didn't get home until almost 1:00 this morning.  We fell into bed and slept late. 

Today there is a huge parade in Zurich, but neither Hannah nor Simone want to go.  I couldn't care either way, but I promised to take Hannah to a playground around the corner.

Yesterday I downloaded an app onto my phone that would translate English and Swiss German.  It is worthless.  It does not have "help", but it has "Santa Clause's helper" "Schmutzli" and "to slap somebody in the face" "ohrfiege e Flattere ga"  I'm sure I'll have lots and lots of opportunities to say those while I'm here.

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot.  I told you we're staying at a bed and breakfast.  Our hosts are Maja (Maya) and Stephan.  When we first got here they showed me around, and they have a Nespresso machine.  It has little pods of coffee that look A LOT like something I've had sitting in my bathroom for nearly a year because I think it is so funny.  I started to laugh when I saw the coffee pods and realized they were coffee, and not what I shockingly thought they were initially.  I explained through my laughter what I thought they were, but they didn't understand the word.  Andi translated for me, and then we all laughed while Stephan explained that they don't rent by the hour.  You decide, which is coffee, which is a condom?

8 August 2013 Zurich

First, I left out some important details about Make Diana Cry Day.  When I first got on the train to Hannover a man was sitting in our seat.  I kindly told him I had reserved it, and he said it wasn't reserved, pointing to the monitor as proof.  I said my tickets showed those seats, regardless of what the monitor said. He argued with me until a woman spoke up saying an announcement had been made earlier that the monitors were not working properly.  He said, "Fine!  If you need to sit in your "special" seat," and got up.  It made me angry enough to reply, "I don't need "special" seats, I need to sit beside my daughter." He sat in the seats right beside us, and no sooner did the train start moving that an announcement was made that there were many reserved seats, and please get up if you're sitting in one.  

When I ordered the tickets online the website showed we would have internet, but we didn't have it.  When we arrived in Hannover I had to rush around looking for internet access to email Simone, to let her know I would be late.  Because I was only in Amsterdam for 2 days I only got a few Euros and I was quickly running out.  I could buy disgusting crap food on the train with my credit card, or real food at the station with the ten euros I had left over.  When we were on the train I ordered a cheeseburger for Hannah.  Hannah's face upon seeing her cheeseburger:

Once we got on the train to Basel, as I mentioned, we had to sit on the floor.  We sat beside the doors and each time we arrived at a station I would have to see which side of the train the platform was on and that would determine whether or not we just remained sitting, or if we had to stand and make ourselves as small as possible while people entered and exited the train.  We did that for 5 hours.

So all of that, combined with the late arrival of our train in Hannover, not being able to speak the language, a train station employee who was abruptly UN-helpful, hardly any food, and all the other things that happened, THAT is the reason I cried when I finally found myself safely in the arms of a friend.

Our first day we climbed that mountain/hill, remember?  On our way up we could hear music playing.  I wonder how many of you thought the same thing as me.  Hike faster, the bugles are getting louder!

 In the middle of no-where was a band playing typical Swiss music.

Now... onto more current stuff.  Let's all be happy this isn't a scratch and sniff email.  We went to the Zurich zoo. Zoos smell.  There were all the animals you'd expect in a zoo, and there was a rainforest area.  We felt like we were back in hot, humid, sunny Florida.  After the zoo we visited Simone at work, and then later we took boat back home.  

The town we are staying in is Uetikon Am See.  It is south east of Zurich, right on Lake Zurich.  I have learned that Lake Zurich flows north, so I spend a lot of time confused when people refer to Zurich as the bottom of the lake.  Andi, Simone's husband, doesn't use north, south, east, or west.  He uses top, bottom, right, and left when using directions.  You all know how easily I got lost.  This is not helping.

Tuesday we did very little.  We made the decision to make it a day to rest.  Simone and I took a casual walk up to the store to get some milk and things like that.  She showed me around this beautiful village.  I wish pictures could do it justice.  

Yesterday Andi had a tennis tournament an hour and a half away in Klosters, a small village in the Alps.  Again, there are no pictures to describe what I saw.  The mountains, streams, trees, the snow on the mountain peaks far off in the distance that seem so near, they are all breathtaking.  

The mountain on the right is Austria, and if you look very very carefully, you can see the Von Trapp family climbing down.

While Andi played we visited a museum called Nutli-Huschi, it a is a home that was built in 1656, and still has many of its original furnishings, including a huge loom, and cheese making equipment.  They have a common term here in Switzerland, Typical Swiss, meaning, well that it's typical for the Swiss.  Andi has used it many times, like when we saw a family who set up a small camp fire and roasted sausage on the end of sticks, and lots of food are labeled typical Swiss.  In the museum they had a pot with corn meal in it, and Simone told me this was typical Swiss.  I asked, "How it could be typical Swiss if corn comes from America?

This is the biggest loom I've ever seen

These are animal bones, that served as children's toys.  Next time your kid asks for that new video game give them a gift that will last instead.  This is a gift they'll NEVER forget!

 

Hannah and Melanie at Klosters

Afterward Andi won his tournament we went to a restaurant high up in the mountains, Berghaus Sulzfluh.  We had a typical Swiss meal of macaroni, with cheese, pancetta, and applesauce.  This restaurant had cows all around with cowbells, it sounded like music.

This neat fountain was right outside the restaurant.