Back to California

Sunday, December 9. It was time to head back home. I would be trading in Swiss snow for oak trees and mild temperatures of Central California. My flight was at 11:45 AM. It would be a very long day. I was not scheduled to arrive back in SLO until after 8:00 PM PST. Three flights; Geneva to D.C. (9+ hours), D.C. to LAX (5+ hours) and then LAX to SLO (one hour). However, due to a delay in D.C., I missed by connection at LAX. SLO was not to be seen until midnight! Naturally, I was sad to leave. Time with my niece, her husband and their two daughters was too short. However, in the end, I had four days amazing days just before Christmas with my Swiss/American family. Could a Christmas gift be any better?

A Bright Blue Day

Saturday, December 8 - I was awakened this morning to the sounds of "I'm Dreaming of White Christmas." The rest of family was awake and listening to Christmas carols. While it wasn't Christmas, it certainly was white. Perhaps six inches of new snow fell overnight, but dawn had broken with bright blue skies. It was my last full day in Switzerland. While sad to think about leaving, the sun sparkling off the new snow was mood lifting. Late morning; we walked to a small local grocer for fondue cheese, some dried meats, bread and white wine. Relatives were coming over for lunch. Fondue was on the menu. Real Swiss fondue with a fresh brown bread. I consumed the fondue until I thought I would burst; and then came a wonderful chestnut dessert. Family tales were told in French and English. Somehow, language never seems to be a problem with family. After lunch, we headed into Lausanne for some last minute shopping. The city was busy with holiday shoppers. Shops were packed with people looking for the perfect Christmas gift. For me, it was simply a few mementos to bring back to the family plus Suiess

chocolate - lots of Suiess chocolate. It was starting to grow dark as we headed back to the house. It would be a light supper of homemade soup and then watching Cinderella with the girls.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Friday, December 7 Back in California we joke about having "snow days" but, instead of snowing, the rain is pouring down. Today in Switzerland we had a real snow day. The weather forecaster gave us three snow flakes starting mid-morning. Sure enough, at 10:00 the snow started. Lightly at first, and then heavier almost by the minute. We decided if we were going to get out of the house, we had to do it soon. Going to far from home was out of the question so we headed toward the nearby town of Echallens. My niece lived there several years back so knew the places to shop. The first stop was at the cheese shop, but not for cheese. Rather, they carry as very local white honey. Purchase made, we decided it was time for coffee and a pastry. After all, this is the French speaking part of Switzerland so a late morning coffee and pastry is always in order. My niece recommended a local pastry that consisted of a bread type crust layered with a lemon-cream. It was served like a piece of pie on a plane white plate and a white napkin. So French. The combination of the strong coffee, the sweet crust and the slight tartness of the lemon-cream will not soon be forgotten. Upon leaving, we also bought bread for fondue for lunch tomorrow. It was hard to leave the pastry shop and face the snow and cold, but it had to be done. By the time we made it to the car, we were as white as snowmen. The wind has also increased and was blowing the snow across the roadways. Yes, it was time to head for home. With a little slipping and siding along the way, we made it without major incident. The rest of the afternoon was spend playing with the children and watching a little TV. Closer to dinner I took my niece's oldest daughter and braving the weather, we walked to the local grocery store for vegetables (for soup), bread and wine for dinner. I'm getting a little more confident wondering around and shopping by myself. I even know when the check-out clerk asks me if I have a "frequent shopper" card. Being from SLO county, I also remember to bring my own shopping bag. The weather forecast is calling for more snow tomorrow, but if it's not too bad, we'll venture out again in search of Swiss treasures. But in the meantime, let it snow, let it snow, and let it snow.

A Trip To The North Pole

Thursday, December 6. As I sit in Lausanne tonight watching a Disney Christmas special with the kids, I'm reflecting on a remarkable day. In many ways, it was a like living children's Christmas dream, complete with a trip to the North Pole.

About mid-day we drove to Monterux. From there, we boarded the Christmas train that would take us to what seemed like the top of the world. It was scene right out of the Polar Express, except that the train had a center cog wheel to help it climb the steep slopes. Starting at the edge of Lake Geneva, the train climbed for 50 minutes. The higher we went, increasing amounts of snow were piled on the roofs and trees. The green landscape near the lake gave wa

y to winter wonderland of maybe four feet of snow. At several stops along the way, snowboarders would exit the train. No manicured trails for these guys, they were going straight down the mountain.

As the train slowed for its final stop at Santa's home, the excitement was evident in everyone on board. Grandparents shared stories of first encounters with Santa while parents tried to keep their children under control. After all, this was not a normal train station, but at Santa's very own. We were literally at the top of the world. With no wind, the gently falling snow settled on people's hats and coats as walked from the train into a long tunnel that burrowed straight into the mountain. Slowly, the darkness of the tunnel gave way to green and white lights that illuminated our path. Literally at the end of the tunnel was Santa; seated on a majestic throne of red and gold. Pictures were taken and Santa give gifts to the children brave enough tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Shopping mall Santas  should talk a lesson from this guy. After seeing the rest of Santa's house, we eat lunch and boarded the train for the return trip back down and mountain and into Monterux.

The rest of the day was spend at the Christmas market in Monterux. Located right on the shores of Lake Geneva, the market consists of little houses or booths from which people sell Christmas items, food, and crafts. As the sun set over French side of the lake, we gathered our new purchases and headed for home.

If I wasn't in the Christmas spirit before, I am now.

Joyeux Noel

A Good Trip

Wednesday, December 5th. I am happy to report that my flights to Switzerland went without a hitch. All flights were on time and even a little early. Amazing given my recent experiences with United.

I arrived in Geneva about 7:30 this morning. The sky was overcast and it was gently snowing. In the city is was there was little snow, but as we climbed closer to Lausanne, the snow became deeper. We headed home so I could unpack and then it was off to pick-up my niece at her pre-school. The school is even higher in the mountains so by the time we got there, everything was completely white. The branches on the pine tree were heavy with new snow as they bowed toward the ground.

My niec

e's school is located in a quaint cluster of houses and a business or two. Too small to be a village, but large enough to be noticed. It is typical of this part of the Swiss country side. Picture perfect? Almost.

After a little down time, we headed into Lausanne for a little Christmas shopping, and for cheese and wine. Fortunately, today is was also St. Nicholas  Day. In department stores and on the streets, Old St. Nick was greeting children and adults alike. In Switzerland, he's not the jolly, plump Santa that we have in the States, but rather takes the form of the 4th century Bishop Nicholas of Myra, complete with mitre and bishop's hat. He arrives on a dunkey and not in a sleigh. Tonight, we put our shoes outside and in the moring, there will be small gifts in them. It must be magic.

Tomorrow, we head into the mountains by train to visit a special Santa Village. Weather forecast: more snow.

Let's been a very long day. More tomorrow.

Welcome to my mini-blog, Travels-in-Switzerland. I say mini because my entire trip will only be six days long. I leave from San Luis Obispo very early tomorrow morning, Tuesday, December 4 and return to San Luis Obispo on Sunday, December 9 in the evening. Of the six days, two full days will be spent in airplanes. Total miles traveled will be around the 13,000 on six different flights with hundreds of other cranky pre-holiday people. Why an I doing this, a little background information might help. 

Unlike most of my travels, this one is not work related. I'm going to Geneva to visit my niece, Elizabeth, her husband Fabian, and their two beautiful young daughters. Normally, I don't like to travel this time of year, but United had a "promotion" that I just couldn't refuse. Because I do a fair amount of  flying on United, on occasion, I get seat upgrades.  Earler this year, United notified me that I had four system-wide upgrades. This meant I can upgrade one class of service on any United flight to anywhere in the world. The hitch; they were to expire on December 31, 2012.

I have not seen my niece is a long time so I decided to save my upgrades and make the trip to Geneva. After all, even if it's only for a few days, flying business class both ways won't be too bad. Maybe even a little fun.

I should have known it all sounded too easy. When I made the reservations last September, I learned they can only be used in connection with certain fares, in this case, the fare had to be a "W" or higher. Of course, the least expensive fare from SLO to Geneva was not a "W" so I had to buy the more expensive ticket. I never really liked the letter "W" when it was used in conjunction with a former U.S. president, now United has just reinforced my dislike for it.

So with my new "W" ticket in hand, I requested my upgrades. But, wait says United, these upgrades are not automatic, you can apply for an upgrade and if there is space, you might get it. Sort of like having a parking permit at Cal Poly. But, I just bought the more expensive ticket a couple days ago I explain to Mary, the United agent, who is the unfortunate one to get my call. Sorry says Mary, the ticket is nonrefundable and th'ems the rules. What are my chances of getting an upgrade I ask with great hope? In a very calm voice, Mary explains that these are very popular routes, and basically, I have a snowball's chance in hell -  or Geneva in this case - to be upgraded.

However, as of this afternoon, my luck has chanced. I did get an upgrade on one flight tomorrow. United can figure right now that I plan to drink the some quantity of my favorite beverage on that one flight as I would have on all four. After all, I'm not driving when I arrive in Geneva.

It's back to packing my bag for 25 degree temperatures and lots of snow.  To be continued tomorrow.
Happy Travels