aventuresdemma

[aventuresdemma]

My mother’s “blog” that describes all we did together over break (French translation to come)

Thursday

Arrived. Emma’s brought sweets and a bottle of wine and had a homemade sign. We dropped our luggage at the hotel then went to her flat. From there we took a walking tour of the city. Met for lunch of chicken noodle soup and beer. We walked back to the hotel and checked in Kevin took a nap while we went to a department store and the grocery. We then went to a corner pub for dinner. We walked Emma almost to her stop and then we crashed out quite early and slept great

Friday

We took the train to Morges. We picked up lunch for a picnic then strolled through the city and along the lake. We picnicked on a bench in the city. It was quite chilly with the wind but in the afternoon the sun came up and it was beautiful. We got dessert at Audrey hepburns favorite place. We did a little window shopping and bought two bottles of wine from the region. Great fun and the views of the French alps were amazing. We then went to dinner where we had traditional fondue served with potatoes bread and meat. We then went back to the hotel and then walked Emma to her stop

Saturday:

We met Emma at her flat after figuring out the bus and tram. From there we went on the hiking trails by her apartment to see la jonction, the conflux of the rhône and arve rivers.

Then we took the bus to Carouge, the little Italy of Switzerland. It’s called that because of Geneva there was a market and we walked around, seeing a cute candy store, a church with bells that played music

Then we took the tram to Plainpalais, a famous square in Geneva. There are flea markets there. We went to lunch at a local restaurant.

We walked to old town looking at the cute shops and nice architecture. We walked up the towers of the Saint Pierre Cathedral. Saw bells and a good view of the city.

We went to the shopping district in Mont Blanc. We walked along the lake, by the English Garden and the flower clock. We then went to the botanical gardens and picked up some snacks and chocolate. For dinner we went to an Italian restaurant very close to the hotel. Very tasty pasta and pizza. Emma and I made a detour to the train station and picked up some medicine for Kevin.

Sunday

Boarded the train for colmar France. On our way!!! It was a great train ride and Emma was a tremendous help with transfers and all the train stuff. We arrived to a rocky start but tony and Kevin forges us on. We drug our suitcases all over! I was ready to give up and then we came across several cute shops that were open. It is a beautiful quaint city. We had lunch at a cafe and they didn’t bring my food. Once they realized they brought it and the grilled ham and cheese was VERY tasty. We then loaded back on the train and arrived in Strasbourg. They were having a protest for women’s rights! The hotel is very quaint. We made a quick walk through part of the city. Had a bit of an issue finding a place for dinner other than subway and actually left a place but then found an American friendly French restaurant!

Monday

Had a VERY full day in Strasbourg. We had breakfast in the hotel then walked down to the river to take a boat cruise. Unfortunately it was closed due to high water. We toured Norte dame church which was beautiful. We then toured an Alsace museum. From then we took a very long walk to a park and saw their zoo. We stopped for lunch at a cafe and some dessert. We then headed back and went to the art museum. Tony’s feet were bothering him so he went back to the hotel and we finished the museum. After that Kevin went back and Emma and I did some shopping. We went back to the hotel then out for a little more shopping and found Emma some nougat famous in this region. For dinner we found an Irish pub!!!

Tuesday

We checked out of the hotel and made our way to the train station headed for Lucerne. Rain again. More of a drizzle but the wind picked up and was quite cold!

We made our transfer to Lucerne. But just barely! We had to run and I was trailing the pack! Not a runner...

Made it to Lucerne in the rain and quickly found the hotel. Rooms are quite small but we got two so all is good! They overlook the river and the chapel bridge. We headed out for lunch and found a German beer house! Quite tasty. We then did a walking tour of the city and saw a beautiful church and the lion monument as well as some ornate fountains. We passed by the old Swiss house (connected to the Busch’s) but it was closed. We went into a few shops and Emma found a beautiful doily. It was difficult sight seeing in the foggy rain but you can tell this is a beautiful city as are they all on this trip. For dinner we have found an Italian restaurant! We also watched British tv which was quite funny!

Wednesday

We woke up to clouds and good morning Britain! Quite an interesting show! We are hoping to go to mount Pilatus today but not sure about the clouds😢. Mount pilatus didn’t work out and one in our party had a tummy ache. Instead we rewalked the walking tour and went up to a castle/hotel. We rode a cogwheel up did some hiking and walked back down to the city. It was beautiful! We then found a nice spot for lunch (Italian again!) then went on a boat ride on lake Lucerne. Beautiful views once again. We did a bit more walking/shopping then went to the old Swiss house-it has ties to the anheuser Busch family! We had a drink there then went to an Italian retaurant for dinner. A beautiful day all around and the sun finally came out showing us the beautiful picture postcard we had been hearing of. Absolutely breathtaking.

Thursday

What a whirlwind. Got a text at 3am that Trump would restrict travel midnight Friday. Oops. Citizens are exempt. IDIOT!!! Minimal sleep was gotten. Emma also found out they are suspending study abroad and she has to come home early. She is devastated. We left Lucerne for Bern and are hoping things will be smoother sailing for our next few days. Made it to Bern. Couldn’t check in but left our luggage and headed out. Walked along the shopping streets, picked up sandwiches at migros, walked up to the beautiful rose gardens then back to the hotel. Emma and I went out and picked up some things then we just ate in the hotel. Still very stressful.

Friday

Emma decided she would feel better going back to Geneva to pack up. We walked to see the bears of Bern and they were out! We did a bit of shopping then took Emma to the train station. Tony Kevin and I had a beer then went to the Einstein museum. We picked up a very late lunch at a street vendor then came back to the hotel and are just hanging out and relaxing. Plan to leave early tomorrow to join Emma in Geneva.

Saturday

Emma was in Geneva. We did take the correct train and arrive in plenty of time. She met us at the train station and we left our bags at he flat we the went to her French teachers house and had Swiss racelette with her husband and daughter and two sons. My absolute favorite part! They were so sweet inviting us into their home and making such a celebratory meal! We then walked to a nearby animal park and then went on our way. I had a very heavy heart knowing how much the mom meant to Emma during her time here and how sweet they were to invite us into their home. We retrieved our bags and made our way to the hotel which is close to the airport but far from Emma’s flat. We checked in and then went again to Emma’s favorite restaurant. The food is excellent!!! She made sure we got on the proper train; she will meet us at the hotel tomorrow. Kevin and Tony and I shared a beer in the bar and hope to get some sleep tonight. Ready to come home as even parts of Switzerland have changed due to the virus concerns.

Sunday

We slept in until 6:30! Sort of. Kevin has to listen to the noisy chain saws all night. Emma came to the hotel around 10 and we were able to switch rooms at no cost to accommodate an additional person. We took the train to Morges and visited the Audrey Hepburn house and grave. We picked up lunch and desserts at a cafe Audrey used to frequent. From there we came back to the hotel and are just relaxing. We are soooooo ready to go home. It has been very challenging these last few days and we are so hopeful that we will be home by tomorrow night. We just stayed at the hotel for dinner. All is good but we are ready to go home.

Monday

We woke very early and made it to the airport in plenty of time. Flight so far has been good. They ran out of health forms so Tony and I will have to complete when we land. Kevin was randomly selected in Switzerland for an additional security screening and they almost made us pay for Emma’s extra bag but we worked it out. Still nervous about Newark and what will happen with customs and bags and screenings. Fingers crossed and praying hard. Made it through screening and customs and security and rechecking our bags! We are on to our next flight. Glad we are all together!!! Made it home and our wonderful friends are taking care of us dropping off food and offering to do our grocery shopping. What a wonderful experience we had even with all the excitement. So thankful for our family and friends and for making it home safe and sound!

[aventuresdemma]

je suis rentré chez moi hier. je vais donner plus d’histoires de mon voyage plus tard. i returned home yesterday. i will give more stories about my travels later.

[aventuresdemma]

[aventuresdemma]

Tolochenaz pour la dernière journée (for the last day)

[aventuresdemma]

Ce matin, j’ai dit au revoir à Genève (je vais pas partir jusqu’à lundi, mais j’avais envie de dire à bientôt )

This morning, I said goodbye to Geneva (I’m not leaving until Monday, but I wanted to say see ya later)

[aventuresdemma]

Les ours de Bern

The bears from Bern

[aventuresdemma]

Je suis partie un jour avant ma famille pour Genève pour ranger mes affaires.

I left a day before my family for Geneva to put my affairs in order.

[aventuresdemma]

Personne peut voler mes beaux souvenirs de la Suisse. Je les souviendrai pour la reste de ma vie. Pour moi, bien que ma visite soit coupée, ma vie dans ce pays est un cadeau incomparable et je vais la garder proche de mon cœur pour toujours.

No one can take away my beautiful memories of Switzerland. I will remember them for the rest of my life. For me, even though my visit was cut, my life in this country is an incomparable gift and I am going to keep it close to my heart always.

[aventuresdemma]

[aventuresdemma]

[aventuresdemma]

Bern

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