We had two days in Switzerland - one day spent hiking down from the base of the Eiger, the other day spent walking around the Jungfraujoch. I'm not sure exactly what the Jungfraujoch refers to (the mountain, the train station on the mountain, or the region), but we enjoyed looking from peak to peak, and all the way down to the valley 10,000 feet below. We had a picture perfect day, with few clouds and low winds.
One of the interesting notes taken from the day, corresponding to our trips theme of globalization, was the large number of Indians who come to the Jungfrau region. Between the two days we were in the region, I would guess that a quarter of the people we saw were from the sub-continent. On top of the Jungfrau they even have a Bollywood restaurant to cater to the large number of Indian visitors.
From the Junfraujoch, we took train after train down the mountain, with transfers in Kleine Sheidegg, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, and Interlaken, before arriving in Bern - departure point for our night train to Venice. We had some extra time in Bern, so we walked around the Old Town, watched a group of older men play Bocce in the park, visited the Bear Pit*, at a picnic in one of the town plazas, and closed out the night watching"Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at a Bern movie theater**, all before catching our 11:00 pm train.
* The bear is apparently a symbol of Bern. The city has a pit, where one bear resides for the duration of its life. Upon our arrival we noticed that there was no bear in the pit. "Bear is no more; bear is dead," informed one of the locals, whom we questioned as he passed. The friendly local told us that Bern is building a new pit with a swimming area for a future bear who will serve as the city icon.
** True to form, our tradition of watching a movie, in a theater, while on vacation paid off. Swiss movies, like those in India have an intermission for guests. In addition to making that discovery, we talked with a Mexican student, studying European business in Bern. He talked about Switzerland's unique, third party position in international business transactions, as they are not part of the EU. Very interesting.
Jenny in Bern
Jenny in Bern
Old men playing Bocce
Jenny on topp of the Jungfraujoch
Jenny in the Ice Palace (very cold, but worth it) at the top of the Jungfraujoch
The view of Lauterbrunnen Valley from Wengen. Our hotel room had a very similar view. Put a pair of Swiss chalet in the lower left-hand corner and you got it.
3 comments:
I remember going to Switzerland with Grandma when I was 11. It is so fun to see it again through your eyes! You have truly created the perfect European vacation! The movie that you saw was filmed in Sudbury. The chapel in it is from the Wayside Inn.
Gretta and I have fond memories of staying in Wegan and the being on the Jungfraujoch. Pretty spectacular
dad
What lovely pictures of Jenny! She is so photogenic (and beautiful besides). Dad and I spent a perfect evening in Wengen, walking around the farm trails in the moonlight and listening to the cowbells, then sleeping under feather comforters and waking up to the huge mountains outside. We also went to the top of the Jungfraujoch, with the whole world spread beneath us. I'm glad you've had those magical experiences, too. Love, Mom
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