In Which Tigger Has Trouble Communicating

No, we have not given up the blog.  *Note: Badger wrote most of this in October, which is why it starts with an apology for lengthy silence despite being published minutes after the last entry.* Having been recently reminded that this blog is still unfinished, Badger and Mouse are determined to finish the blog before the details completely escape us.  To summarize, Mouse, Badger, and Tigger have just spent a wonderful couple of days in Switzerland. They took it kind of easy because the last 5 days of the trip (for Badger at least) were full days. This is a recount of  Thursday, June 27th.   

Mouse and Badger both decided they wanted to see Venice, but were reluctant to use a travel day on the rail pass for it.  So, they decided to see it in an afternoon on the way to Florence.  They hit the train station early that morning and headed to Venice via Milan.  We used this trip to take a last look at the lovely Swiss Alps. 

Mouse gets to see her snow-capped mountains.

We also spent this time reading the phrasebook in a last attempt to absorb some Italian.  Neither Mouse nor Badger had experience with Italian, so this was going to be an interesting week in terms of communication. Tigger assured us that speaking Italian is what Tiggers do best.

Mouse is fairly certain that this is Lake Como. As in Lake Como, the filming location. Unfortunately, Tigger refused to pose until after the most distinctive and scenic portion had passed us by.

Our first look of Venice getting out of the train station

Having arrived in Venice, we stored our big suitcases at the train station and headed out for a few hours of exploring the canals.  Our destination was St. Mark's square at the other end of the city. We didn't want to get too lost and miss our train, but there were helpful signs pointing us in that direction, and most of the crowds were headed that way as well.  The streets were narrow and designed for pedestrian traffic, taking us over the canals on bridges. 

Tigger, the umbrella is to shade the restaurant patrons, not to provide you with a sunny lounge chair facing the Rialto Bridge.

One of the things that was an absolute must was sampling the gelato.  Mouse had heard that Venice was known for having some of the best gelato in Italy, and therefore the world.  Badger, being a scientist, felt that an experiment was called for.  We each tried to flavors while we were there, and were not disappointed.  Badger, at least, by the end of the trip, agreed with the claim. Mouse maintains that the coffee-flavored gelato in Florence was superior.

We arrived in St Mark's square, where Mouse hoped to feed the pigeons as she had done on her last visit with her family.  Unfortunately all we found was a sign saying not to feed the pigeons.  Mouse was slightly cheered up by the music form Sound of Music being played by the band.

Please, don't feed the pigeons

Mouse and Badger were both planing on splurging for a gondola ride in Venice.  However, when faced with the actual prospect of paying for it, all parties seem agreed that it wasn't quite worth it. 

However, our trusted guide to Europe on a budget mentioned the existence of traghettos, or gondola ferries.  These boats are essentially gondolas, but they just take people across the canal, so the ride is only a couple of minutes.  But, as Badger insists, it is STILL a gondola ride.  To be perfectly honest, the canal stinks, and a couple of minutes was plenty of time to actually on the canal.  

Tigger gets closer to the water than anyone should be allowed

One of the docks for the traghetto

We had to choose between buying another ride immediately back across and looking foolish, or walking fifteen minutes back to the starting point via bridges. In a hurry, so we could catch the train. We had a lovely walk.

So, after an afternoon of navigating streets, waterways, and street vendors, it was time to head on to Florence.  We arrived rather late, though we were used to this by now.  Here's our first view of Florence:

Now we just had to find the hostel.  No problem right?  Except we didn't have very clear directions and it was kind of dark.  We ought to have learned in Scotland the importance of finding out where to go before we go plunging off into dark streets.  (Not mentioned in the Scotland blog, we arrived in Edinburgh around midnight, got off the train, and realized Mouse only remembered generally where to go. *Mouse would like to apologize again to Badger for the confusion and thank her for her generosity in describing the situation.* After stopping and looking at a map, we encountered some policemen, who were able to point us in the right direction, though not without giving Badger a case of nerves while they talked to Mouse). Fortunately Badger was able to figure out the map and get to the hostel with only one or two stops to redirect. 

Once at the hostel (another recommendation from the guidebook and one of Badger's favorites), Tigger was quite ready to crash into bed.  However, the drama for the day was not quite over yet. This particular hostel assigned beds, but not everyone realized that.  Badger and Mouse found that someone was already using the beds they were assigned as a dumping ground for their luggage. Neither Mouse nor Badger spoke much Italian, which was okay in this instance as the Chinese girls using their beds didn't seem to either.  We learned how to use hand gestures and pointing to get our point across, a skill which would prove very useful in the next few days.

Finally, after a long day, Tigger and Co. were ready to sleep, which they would need for the next day.

Containing Some Mention of Previously Mentioned Secrets

Hello there! Mouse is contentedly enjoying the last embers of the fire and the moment of silence after everyone has finally gone to bed. A new year! and yet, in some ways, we seem to be stuck in June 2013.

Tigger is most displeased at Mouse's frantic preoccupation with "work" and "students". He wishes to know why there is still a half-completed post unpublished involving the trip from Switzerland onward. (To which Mouse can only ask Tigger to go ask Badger. If he wishes to disturb her in the lab tonight. Mouse would not recommend such an action. Tigger would probably do better to go play with the plushie leukocyte and erythrocyte in Badger's room. Because do you know what happens when you disturb Badger at the lab, Tigger? You get left behind on the next adventure.)

Mouse, however, is of the belief that this delay is for the best. If we hadn't been delayed in such a shameful manner, we would not be able to safely reveal...

... the presents!

More or less.

Okay, not really.

For instance, in Luzern, we spent much of the afternoon here:

where Mouse bought the following items:

[not pictured: toy clocks for sisters (as joke referencing one family vacation when Mouse planned to purchase a clock and sisters latched on to the idea long after sisters' souvenir money was spent)]

[not pictured: silver souvenir spoon for family gift]

[not pictured: small assortments of Swiss chocolate]

Wait, did you think this was an actual purchased item? It is to laugh. Mouse did seriously consider purchasing this for her father in lieu of a knife which he would rarely be able to carry (Mouse's father's job involves regularly passing through the sort of security where any knife is viewed as Extremely Dangerous and To Be Confiscated).  However, it was decided that it would 1) be too bulky for the remainder of the trip; 2) be too difficult to hide during the family portion of the trip, and 3) probably be gleefully received only to remain unused.

So instead, Mouse purchased this:

[not pictured: a smallish sturdy metal flashlight painted to match above bottle and every stereotypical Swiss Army Knife in existence]

By the way? Come Christmas morning, Mouse's father was bemoaning the complete absence of AAA batteries about the house. The flashlight came with three AAA batteries included. So whether or not Mouse's father gets any use out of the flashlight, there was certainly use from the rare, exotic AAA batteries from Switzerland! We are all grateful that the guitar tuner will continue to operate.

Badger, meanwhile, found the perfect gift for the men in her family.

[not pictured: 3 card-sized utility kits much like Swiss army knives, but shaped to fit in one's wallet]

Badger was also able to find the personal souvenir she was most anxious to find: Swiss chocolate.  

Oh, and one more Christmas-relevant thing!

Alert: The following is from back in Scotland, waaaayyyy back on Tuesday the 18th, and not the current point in the blog.

Got that?

Good.

While we were on the Isle of Skye in Port Rìgh/Portree, Mouse and Badger were delighted to find an unusual little shop which we were forced to omit from the Scotland blog for two reasons.

First, we couldn't figure out a way to explain the significance without giving away Christmas gifts.

Second, Internet access and time.

But look!

One would not necessarily expect to see an Indonesian art form highlighted in rural Scotland. But hey, Java, Skye... both islands on the fringes of Eurasia, right? Only about a third of the way around the world.

And oh, the pretties.

And here, the picture we most wanted: the pretty, pretty scarves at great prices that Mouse and Badger purchased in large quantities for the use of various Important Women back home. Important Women such as Badger.

In Which Tigger Resolutely Avoids the Camera

Hello, readers! It has been a while. Apologies. For those keeping track, we are now relating the events of Wednesday, June 26, the fifteenth (!) day of our trip.

After all this running about, we were quite tired and looking forward to our scheduled rest day. We had a leisurely breakfast, sat around and read, hand-washed some laundry...

This was the only time Mouse used the clothesline she brought. AND IT WAS WORTH IT.

 ... and went to Luzern.

This was our first real sunshine since Scotland. And Scotland should never be the one place one sees sunshine.

 We were somewhat astonished at the change. When we arrived, the lake was a raging, opaque turquoise torrent pouring into the Reuss River at Niagara speeds under a black-gray sky.

At a guess, the water is ten feet deep and perfectly clear. See the school of fish swimming?

Also, when we arrived, the mountains were so shrouded in clouds that they were nearly invisible. Now... look at them! (So pretty.)

Granted, the tops are still a little difficult to see.

After his complaints of being left out at the Tower of London, Mouse and Badger were very conscientious about bringing Tigger everywhere we went - but strangely, he never seemed to find the right time to appear on camera this day. He refused to pose on the bridge where the lake meets the river - Poohsticks, he insisted, is played with wooden sticks, not Tiggers. He seemed dubious when Mouse and Badger tried to reassure him that they had no intention of throwing him in. He really ought to have been more trusting. Mouse and Badger would certainly have waited until a day when the current was flowing fast enough to actually push something under the broad Luzern bridge in under an hour. We admired the swans and water and sky and Alps and dear heavens, SUNSHINE! for several minutes before strolling on toward our goal.

In Switzerland, Badger had one goal (as previously mentioned): to have genuine Swiss chocolate. Mouse, on the other hand, had a more pressing desire: to have genuine Swiss fondue.

Worth every single one of the many francs involved.

Given our budget, we had to refrain from getting any but the cheapest of cheese fondues, left with only bread and potatoes to dip in. To Mouse's surprise, the potatoes were by far the best of the pictured items. To Badger's surprise, the expensive local spring water actually did taste noticeably superior to other waters. Even Mouse the water-hater rather liked it upon trying a sip.

To Badger's embarrassment, Mouse acquired a non-pictured group of items by asking the waitress if anyone was going to eat that plate of delicious-looking vegetables abandoned on a nearby table. Well, not quite that bald-facedly, but still. Tigger stayed in the bag out of shame. Mouse and Badger devoured everything in short order and left satisfied to go souvenir shopping.

It is now the wish of the writer to record the wonderful array of gifts and souvenirs (and chocolates!) purchased in the shops of Luzern. Unfortunately, that would ruin a few planned Christmas surprises for friends and family. Suffice to say, it was a very satisfying shopping afternoon. Tigger spent most of it snoring in the bag. He claimed it was because he was bored from the shortage of exciting adventures and exploring, but Mouse and Badger suspect that he was getting some much-needed rest after all our adventures.

We went to bed early that night. After all, there were only five more days in Badger's trip. We were going to be pushing ourselves to the limit to make the most of them. Unfortunately, the Luzern Youth Hostel had among its guests a certain large number of youths. Mouse and Badger felt very old wishing for those darn kids to shut up and get out of the hostel garden (right below our non-closable window) so we could sleep. It is our unanimous conclusion that youth hostels ought to consider restricting themselves to adult use.*

*Unanimous conclusion is reached with tongue fully in cheek in order to nudge out grumpy frowns into smiles.

In Which Switzerland Challenges Scotland to a Natural Beauty Contest, And Everyone Wins

Hello there! Mouse is thrilled to be home, where the photos which utterly failed to load from her phone to the blog... load quite easily from her phone to her laptop, and from her laptop to the blog.

Perhaps a little too easily.

But really, Mouse feels that every single one of these forty-or-so photos is utterly necessary to convey the beauty that is Switzerland.

Badger and Mouse had Eurail passes to burn! With no destination for the last day of the pass, Mouse and Badger agreed that the extra day ought to be a scenic trip through the Alps. We see Tigger here examining a map of the GoldenPass route from Luzern to Interlaken. As we are on the train from Luzern to Interlaken. :)

And some of the beauties we saw on the way.

  

The train! The train!

And our descent down the pass into Meiringen. Mouse later discovered that Mark Twain had once traveled this very route, shortly before there was a train, and had much anticipated the descent to Meiringen. He did not have the same gorgeous experience we did. His loss!

Tigger wanted to go see the boats. And he admired the blue water.

Finally, we arrived in Interlaken - the town between two lakes. With three hours until the last convenient train home, Mouse and Badger were determined to get a Swiss hike in. But where?

Do not color correct - the water looked like it might be full of turquoise chalk. Possibly due to the recent torrential storms.

We crossed the water and noted the peak of the Harder Kulm right in front of us. We liked the lovely nature view, and thought it looked promising for a hike. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to climb to the top and catch our train.

But what's this?

 

A funicular train to the top, you say? And one with discounts for Eurail pass holders?

All aboard!

Before climbing from the train station to the top of the trail, Tigger paused to admire the view.

He wasn't the only one.

Though we all admired the lovely flora on the way up as well.

Tigger inspected the guide to find the Jungfrau, the most spectacular peak in the area, covered in permanent glaciers. We didn't have the heart to tell him that she was hidden in the cloud cover.

The restaurant at the top. Sadly, a bit too pricy for Mouse and Badger to afford lunch. Very sadly. Mouse was hoping for Swiss fondue.

We admired the view extensively. Switzerland was definitely in the running to challenge the Highlands of Scotland. Mouse, sentimentally, believes that the Highlands win every time. Mouse, selfishly, does not wish to admit that she is glad that Badger insisted upon the Swiss trip, which Mouse was (at various planning stages) rather eager to ditch.

We discovered that while in Heidelberg, people sail the river on lovely windy days, in Interlaken, people try a slightly higher-stakes sport.

And then it happened.

Tigger spotted a hiking trail away from the restaurant.

A lovely hiking trail that hugged the ridge, had no occupants, and was easy to follow.

He urged us on.

The pattern as we walked tended to be "admire the path, admire the view. Admire the path ..."

"... what the?!"

This was actually the second such enormous slug we encountered, though it was not the last.

"Admire the view."

Tigger tried to steal the food from Mouse's pack; we were all getting pretty hungry at this point. He definitely wasn't hiding in sheer gibbering terror from the idea of getting on a funicular train at an angle which felt like full-window-view plummeting to DOOM. Nope. Tiggers are braver than that!

And alas, time to travel down. The rain came only during the exact time we were in the train; it was quite considerate that way.

In Interlaken, we discovered that Swiss grocery stores actually have prices comparable to the ones at home. So rather than spend 15 francs apiece on a cafeteria dinner, we spent 20 francs together on microwavable meals for dinner and for lunch the next day. And purchased necessary cutlery, too. Take that, Luzern hostel!

And of course the trip back to the hostel was still beautiful.

Back in Luzern, we had to wait a while till the next bus. So we snapped pictures of swans on the river. Such a beautiful town.

The next day, everything changed. The sun came out.