Thursday, June 11, 2009

We are all moving to Switzerland

It has been an amazing 3 days!

Our hotel in Zurich was wonderful! The people were very nice and forgiving of stupid Americans. The rooms were furnished very basically, but they were nice rooms with great big windows and 2 of the 3 rooms had balconies that opened up onto the main street which was the edge of Old Town. So we were in walking distance to almost everything...and we walked and walked and walked and walked........


We found that in Zurich most people spoke English...only found a couple who didn't, so it was really easy to find what we needed. The first day we just spent time walking around Old Town. Everywhere we looked it was obvious we were in Europe. The buildings are fantastic and there are flower boxes everywhere. We ate dinner at a Swiss restaurant that served Fondue and Raclette and Roesti....we all got something different and passed it around. Had a couple bottles of Swiss wine and sone fantastic desserts. The waiter seemed to anticipate every uniformed question we were going to ask and said he was there for us until midnight. Tami and Michelle chose beer instead of wine and Tami asked another waiter if she could buy the glass....he was very excited to tell her the beer came from his home town and she could take the glass for free. We are contemplating a contest to see who goes home with the most glasses that were given with a smile. The other waiter let Mom take home a plate with eilewiss on it.

At breakfast Aunt Judi noticed there was some kirsch on a shelf so Mom asked the waitress if they could have some for their coffee. She kind of laughed but said sure. After they poured it in she told them that it was a finishing drink and that you serve it at the end of a party with coffee (I think we maybe should take up that habit in the states....that way I would know when my hosts are sick of me and want me to go home).

After dinner we walked around some more...wandered back to the hotel in spurts. I think some of us were in bed by 9 pm and others held out until almost midnight. Put us all in good shape to have no jet lag the rest of the trip.

Our last day in Zurich we took a bus tour, which wasn't great, but did show us a few things that were interesting. Aunt Judi got "scolded" by the tour guide when she had to find a restroom at a stop and therefore made us miss the usual train we were taking up to our 2nd stop. She behaved after that. She says, by the way, to let Alan know she is handling her suitcase (though I also think she said she wouldn't mind if it got stolen and she could downsize). We were lucky Michelle didn't break her ankle as she seemed to trip up and down every step/stair we were on. We found that things were pretty pricey in Zurich - Mom and Aunt Judi got Starbucks for $26 for the 2 of them....water runs between $3 and $6 a bottle...and diet coke runs about $4.50 a bottle (though we did finally get some at a grocery store today for $1.30) (and of course, they are not really $ - it is Swiss francs, but they are about equal).

We stopped at a fantastic old hotel that has a very exclusive golf course (I didn't get the whole story, but you have to have a certain last name and a certain amount of money to play at it). We went to the church (can't remember which one it was) that has windows that were made by Chagall. I guess he was retired when the priest asked him to make them and after much time of saying no he finally did - at the age of 83. They are gorgeous.

Wandered around the "rodeo drive" of Zurich - didn't buy anything :)....oh, not true, we did each get a couple pieces of chocolate. The four of us Thiel's went to Gross Munster to see if Linda's EFT really did get rid of her fear of heights...climbed up the tower and got out on the observation stands. Seems like it did work! Can think of a lot of reasons to try EFT if it works like that! It was a beautiful view.

I (Jeanie) got in trouble for taking pictures of a group of daycare kids sitting on the steps of the church eating their lunch. I know people don't like that, but they were so damn cute and I wanted a candid shot.

We all met back at the hotel at around 6 and decided that the Moms/Aunts would eat at the restaurant with the hotel and the rest of us went to an English pub. It wasn't great food, but it was fun, and we each enjoyed some local (and not so local brew). It sounds like the restaurant at the hotel was fantastic.

Michelle ran along the lake each morning. Said it was beautiful the first morning - not quite so much the second. According to the tour guide there is a "gold" side and a "silver" side...I guess the silver side was a little iffy at times.

Today we got up early to make it to the train station with as little problems as possible....considering we are all a little illiterate in public transportation we wanted to give ourselves enough time. It rained hard right before we left - considered taking the bus but our hotel clerk said it didn't make sense since it was just 2 stops away. We were lucky and it didn't rain on us! Though, Linda did lose a wheel and had to buy a new suitcase. Got our tickets validated and made it on the right bus. We had one transfer in Neuchatal....barely made it, but we did....so we all felt pretty good about that! Then we had a hard time understanding the annoubcer so thought we were on the wrong bus and started worrying, finally realized we were on the right one, but almost got off at the wrong stop....only didn't because we were too slow. Got to the Le Locle train station and it was closed up. There was a number for the taxi - but no phone. Linda got to practice her French....she wasn't too successful with a couple guys she found in a car parked at the station. They were very nice, though and finally offered to take us "down to food" we think just to have us find someone who could understand us...but as we were walking down the hill Gerry arrived. As the poor guys left they shook each of our hands and said "merci"...kind of like a receiving line of sorts. Gerry was happy that we have found people to be very nice - but said that might partly be because we are here at the beginning of the season...they might not be so nice the end of August.

We have fallen in love with Le Locle. It is a beautiful town....there are quaint shops that seem reasonably priced....nice restaurants...beautiful architecture...beautiful gardens....and WONDERFUL new family (maybe better than some of the old :) ).

We met Jackie and her husband (can't remember his name) at their little market....they gave us all hugs and "kisses" (3 air kisses on the cheek) and then opened up a couple bottles of wine and crackers. So, as they are waiting on the few customers who came in we were all standing around laughing and talking and drinking. They kept introducing us as their family from American. Mom and Jackie looked at pictures and family trees etc. Then Valarie came in and they all spent quite some time going over family stuff. She then wanted to bring us to her Dad's place (he is 83) so we left Jackie and her husband. They have a wonderful little market -we all tried to buy some things but she refused to take our money (they have boxed cookies that are like brachleys). Valerie took us to see where she works and then took us to her beauty sallon. She does hair at the nursing home and hospital and has her own little shop. It was very nice. She then walked us up the hill to show us the house where Hans Christian Anderson had some connection (can't remember what it was) and Marie Antoinette spent a night....I guess the revolution was started there. It was a very nice area...we met her son (who was around 10 or 11) and she introduced us to several people along the way. She then took us down to show us where the Hotel Deville is and how easy it is to get back to our B&B. Gerry was with us this whole time interpretting for everyone...it was great of her to spend the whole day with us! Valarie speaks English pretty well, so she left us in her capable hands.

Valerie took the Moms\Aunts to see the old Wenger house and thenb to meet her Dad and went back to work. They spent 2 hours with him - with no one speaking the same language. They said even without speaking the same language they had an amazing time. Valerie then came back and got the rest of us (her and a friend as we couldn't all fit in one car) and brought us to her Dad's house for dinner. She also brought her daughter along (who was 14 or so). We tried to talk her out of making dinner for all of us as throwing 10 loud American's on her seemed a bit much...but she insisted and insisted. She has a friend (Jerry) who is American/Mexican/Sicillian who came and spent the evening with us interpretting (and, doing a very good job of keeping the wine going). He was wonderful! Told us a lot about plants and traditions and Switzerland. And, of course, was able to explain what everyone was trying to say to each other. He left the evening knowing more about our family than we do (Jackie told him it is because he actually listens to Mom and we don't). Valarie made a "simple" dinner which was delicious - pasta with fresh garlic and basil (she bought the plant on the way home) and tomatoes. We had a great time laughing and visiting and spending time together. Met Valarie's husband at the end of the eveining. He is from Lebanon and also was very nice.

All these people are way nicer than we could have ever expected! From Gerry's help finding and introducing us and the relatives being so outgoing and friendly and welcoming, and Jerry explaining traditions and interpretting it really exceeded all our expectations. It can be summed up by Valerie's dad (I can't remember his name - his Grandpa was brother to Mom's Grandpa - or something like that) who told Aunt Linda (Jerry interpretting) when he hugged/kissed her good-bye "I don't speak English, but you are here" and he tapped his chest. Afrter all our impositions they then had to take 3 different cars to get us all home! Those who rode with Jerry got an additional 45 minutes or so with him taking them on a tour and showing them where they could see France.

And, the bed and breakfast is incredible! We have the whole building...each room is decorated differently we have a dining room and a sitting room...it is on 3 floors, with the restaurant being another floor down.

We really may never leave.

7 comments:

E L Cork said...

WOW! Sounds like you are having an amazing time--keep the words and pics coming.

Oh, let Michele know that Brad Pitt is in Basel--just up the road.

-Erin

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a lot of fun!! I want to know when the men of the family are going to get invited on these trips?:~) I bet the new family would have liked to meet the men since the old family doesn't appreciate!! HA HA. Great few days from the sounds of it. Like Erin said keep them stories coming. :~) Ryan.
P.S.I hope my mother hasn't wiped out her map yet.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like today was worth the whole trip. I am sure Ellen Rae was in 7th heaven getting to talk family with all of them. I am so glad you are having a great time.
Can't wait to see all the pictures when you get back.
Shirley

Patricia said...

Looks like you all are having a wonderful time! I'm amazed that mom is over her fear of heights (or at least she was for a little while:-)!

ivy said...

it sounds like you guysa re having an a,azing time!!!! mom, dad wanted me to let you know that he got the job for don and sue finsihed so you dont need to worry about it lol and justin received his GED in the maill today;-) gram and aunts jand j your dogs are being very well takenm care of so no worries and aunt j and j me and justin also had a bbq over there today just to let you know that were enjoying your beautiful yard while your not lol love you all and miss you guys very much!!!!!!

ivy said...

it sounds like yo9u guys are having lots of fun....mom dad got the job for don don so no worries and justin recieved his ged today in the mail:-) gram and aunts your dogs are being taken care of very well so no worries and aunt jandj me and justin had a bbq over at your house with some freinds over so just to let you know and were enjoying your yard when your not lol love you guys and miss you very much!!!!

Jackie said...

Trish - your Mom said that her EFT did not make her stupid so she wouldn't climb up on the ledge of the bridge today...so the cure may be temporary...Ivy - tell Justin congrats from all of us and give all 6 dogs and Iris kisses from us :)

Love Aunt Jeanie