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.