We made it!!

We all made it to Switzerland and are loving every minute of it! The trip wasn't perfect...but we didnt mind! The Thiel crew got into Philly about 40 minutes before all those coming via SLC so were able to meet them at thier gate- wearing the beautiful glow in the dark visors that Carolyn & Liz made (thanks...I think). Then as we were walking up to the international hall Tami came around the corner - we were happy we all made it in time for the plane!! We didn't know how much time we actually had. After being delayed for maintainance (and watching the workers up on the tale of the plane) they finally let us on the plane 2 hours late. Then we sat and sat before they announced it would be 30-40 minutes at which point a passenger got a little crazy and yelled about feeding and providing water for er 3 year old child. We definatelly had symathy for her, but no reason to act like that! After they teased us with short runs toward the runway the same passenger announced that 1,000 Euros had been stolen from her purse. Despite Tami having a couple of suspects and after the US Airways workers crawled around on the floor and the passenger called 911 she found it in a different bag in her purse than the one she thought. So, we left 4 hours later than expected.


Got in to Zurich at 11:45 -the people at customs were very friendly and liked Mom's yodeling goat and Aunt Judi's yodeling pickle. Tami, unfortunatly did not make it her with her luggage. Since it is Tami we are talking about, she pretty much took it in stride and we are hopgin it catches up with us tomorrow - though we did give them the address in Le Locle in case it didnt. In case you were wondering, the guy who took her information told us that a pocket knife does NOT count as a weapon being carried in her luggage.

Took the train into Zurich...we made it much more hectic than it had to be....10 of us - most with opinions about everything, and most willing to talk about both those opinions and everyone elses do not make for a calm and organized approach. - surprise! In the train station - after Mom lost (and found) her money out of her unzipped money belt...we took the long way walking to our hotel....and, though it is only a few blocks away, the one street has about 75 steps to get up to it. But, the hotel is nice...and clean...and the people were very friendly.

After cleaning up we walked around Old Town for a while...it is gorgeous....the architecture is exactly what you would expect a Swiss city to look like. There are flowers blooming - tons of geraniums, which is no surprise! Went into an old church that was very beautiful. Planned on going to more but decided to eat. Went to a restaurant that specializes in traditional Swiss food. We had Fondu and racalette and roesti and wine and beer and split a couple dessertsl. The waiters were very nice and very considerate of American's who can only speak English. We have really enjoyed everyone we have talked to - they are all very nice and funny. We had a long relaxing meal.

Then, we spent the next couple hours walking around morek checking out some stores, etc. We had to buy a new camera because I (Jeanie) dropped mine on the plane and broke it. We trickled back to the hotel and at this time All the Aunts are in bed and I think the rest of us are on our way soon.

Will post some picktures in the next day or so. We are all enjoying ourselves and cant believe we are finally here!

See you all later....more adventure awaits!