Off again

Yeah, I know, we just got back. But Grant and I are off for two weeks holiday on the boat. I wish we had planned this to start next week, because I have barely gotten settled at home since Europe, but I can live with it. Yes, I can live with lounging on the back of my boat, reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (it arrived!! Woot!), drinking wine and jumping off the back of the boat into a clear, blue lake. Oh yes, I can live with it.

I should have called my sister this week (Hi Sally!). I would call her this morning, but since it is 5 o'clock her time, I will refrain. I should have done some school work, too, but I may be able to get that done at the boat. We are taking the computer so I may get a chance to get online, but most likely I will see you when we get back.

I would respectfully request that you all take care of yourselves. That means nobody gets fired, nobody bombs anything, nobody's heart gets broken and nobody dies. I mean it. Really.

See you in two weeks.

Me? a bitch?

Our dishwasher has been making loud and frightening noises for the past few weeks, so on Monday, Grant and I took ourselves over to Sears and purchased a brand spanking new dishwasher. I explained to the saleswoman that we needed to have it delivered and installed before the weekend,as we are taking off once again on holiday. She seemed to think that was quite do-able. We got a call from the delivery people to confirm Thursday afternoon delivery. I am still waiting to hear from the installers.

I called the saleswoman on Tuesday. She told me they would probably call that night to schedule, but gave me the installer's number just in case because she was off the next day. No call that night. I called the installer yesterday and left a message. No call back.

This morning I called again and told the message machine that if I didn't get a call back within the hour, I would cancel the order. I heard my voice start to shake with anger as I was talking and realize that I probably sound like complete bitch and therefore will never get a call back.

A half hour to go.

Switzerland: We arrive

We arrived in Interlaken at about 6 o'clock Swiss time, after nearly 20 hours of travelling. Due to budget constraints, the Brampton Concert Band (our travelling companions and Grant's reason for being there) had decided to fly into Munich and then take a charter bus from there. Cheap, yes. Comfortable? No. I am unable to sleep in an upright position no matter how exhausted I am, so to say I was tired is an understatement.

Interlaken is mainly a tourist center. Most people staying there use it as a jump off point for sightseeing in the Jungfrau region, as it is pretty central. It is located between two lakes, Brienzersee and Thunsee, hence the name: Interlaken. It is also home to many companies specializing in extreme sports, like paragliding. On any given day, the sky was littered with these brightly coloured chutes.

We were staying there because the band was participating in the Jungfrau Music Festival. We were greeted by our host, Hans, who would be helping us through the concert itinerary. We got into our hotel room, which was clean and comfortable and then connected with Grant's co-worker, Sandra and her husband Peter for a late supper before collapsing from exhaustion. For our first official Swiss meal, we opted for the Indian restaurant directly below our rooms. More than one person has commented that it must have felt like home. It was actually one of the best meals we had in Interlaken.

The next day was a free day in town, so we walked and shopped and ate chocolate. It was a lovely clear morning, but it clouded over late in the day, so the band's first scheduled outdoor concert was cancelled. As it turned out, that was the last day we were able to see Jungfrau, the highest mountain in the Berner Oberland. That night we ate in the hotel restaurant and had fondue. That was the meal when the waiter was shocked I wanted both salad and vegetables.

We never did go into the local McDonald's. I wonder if they had fondue there too?

More to follow.

Waiting, not so patiently

I have not received my pre-ordered copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince from Amazon.

I cannot really blame Amazon or Canada Post for this state of affairs, I can only blame myself. I am the proud owner of the first 5 HPs; all in the American editions. I love those editions; they feel more plush to me than the Canadian versions, all filled with lovely illustrations, fancy headings and rich ivory pages. So when I pre-ordered (months ago!), I ordered from Amazon.com, instead of Amazon.ca.

I knew that I wouldn't get it on release day. They even emailed me last week to tell me that as an out-of-US order in a country that doesn't have Saturday delivery (yes, it's true. Canada, that most progressive of countries, doesn't deliver mail on Saturday. Sure, they let gay people get married...but the important stuff? Pffft!!) they wouldn't be able to meet the release day delivery schedule.

Once again, I am pretty much okay with that. It's the sacrifice I make in order to keep my HP collection looking all--um, the same. Then I find out that Canada Post is making special Saturday deliveries for those who ordered HPATHBP on Amazon.ca.

I am pissed.

And still waiting.

Reflections on Switzerland

Mountains and lakes are pretty. Very, very pretty.

Eating South Beach style in Switzerland is next to impossible. There are potatoes and breads EVERYWHERE! At one restaurant, when I asked the waiter for vegetables instead of potatoes he looked horrified and said "You will have salad and vegetables?" in an incredulous tone. I assured him that I would, indeed. After that, I pretty much gave up and ate what they gave me.

If you eat it every single day you will suffer withdrawal symptoms when you haven't had your chocolate by 2 PM.

The guidebooks clearly tell you not to bother to go to the "Top of Europe" if it is not clear. What they don't tell you is to go on the very first day that it is clear, because, if you are like us, the first day you are in Interlaken will be the only clear day you will see for the entire trip. [sad]

The Swiss don't know how to pour a decent glass of wine. 2 decalitres? I scoff at thee!

Heidi apparently had more influence on my life than I realized. I found that I scanned every mountain slope for the appropriate setting for Grandfather's hut--none were nearly remote enough. It was fun looking, though.

Swiss cows are the most relaxed cows ever, often lying on their sides or curling up in a patch of clover. When we walked on the grass on the mountain, we found out why--it is soft and springy like no other grass I have ever felt!

The lakes (or sees, as they say in Switzerland) around Interlaken are an unlikely aqua that I have previously only associated with swimming pools. Such perfection seems unnatural. And yet, it is nature that has created it.

Cheese is almost as addictive as chocolate.

I didn't sing The Sound of Music even once. I did, however, sing Edelwiess constantly. It would be hard not to, edelweiss (and cows) appear to be the Swiss national symbols!

We spent most of our time in Interlaken because of the band's commitments, but we liked Bern and Lucerne much more. I wish we had more time in both cities.

Many people have dogs. "Hund bars" are frequent sights (a drinking trough) and people take their dogs everywhere, including restaurants. It made me miss my Lucy terribly.

We had cheese fondue twice, first in Interlaken and the second in Lucerne. The fondue in Lucerne was excellent, leading me to reflect that it was just like Mom used to make. My mother took fondue seriously, using real Gruyere and kirsch. I think she must be Swiss at heart.

Pictures to come.

Off we go!

We're off to Switzerland, where we will giggle at cuckoo clocks, marvel at mountains and consume much chocolate. I have resisted re-reading Heidi before leaving and I promise not to sing Climb Ev'ry Mountain.

Well, not to excess at any rate. See you in 11 days!