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.