I woke up sick, spent the day sick, and went to bed feeling better but still sick.
My body preferred being horizontal. Vertical-ness made me feel weak. I had chills, a cough, and my head hurt.
It was raining.
We didn't have plans for the day, so we kept things low key. I slept on and off.
I can't remember the last time I was feeling so ill I could not do anything. Maybe it was sometime twenty or so years ago. Usually even if I don't feel well I can charge ahead. But my body put its foot down. Rest was needed.
Sara was thoughtful, but listened when Dan said "Mama needs to rest." Julia bee-bopped over to me, tore off my covers, grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I did get up when she did that, but I couldn't stay up as much as I wanted to. My body overruled my brain and my feet took me back to lay down.
Needing a lot of rest during the day is very strange for me.
I couldn't cook, eat, or stand. I joined in the family meals, but more as a statue.
Julia was my buddy. Though she did often pull off my covers, sometimes she pulled herself up on the couch near me and put her hand on my arm. I fed off her warm touch; it counteracted my full-body chills. At one point she leaned over and kissed my cheek. With a huge smile on her face. "ummmmMA" she said, giving her kiss a sound effect. I looked up at her sweet face, curtained by her curly hair and her blue eyes looking right into my hazel eyes. I appreciated her reaching out to me in her own way. It did help; I loved it.
After dinner I felt more human. I went to bed at really early (right after Sara). In the night I woke up lined in sweat. I thought maybe we had put the blanket in the laundry and it was still wet. But I had soaked it. My chills, then my sweat may have been fighting a fever. I flipped over my blanket and kept sleeping. I slept 'till 6:50 when Julia said "Mom?!"
On Saturday morning (which is now) I could stand, walk, and even talk and think! My day of rest had helped. The kids are eating breakfast that I made, and I've been able to eat also.
I don't usually have 15 minutes of down-time let alone a whole day. But my body demanded it. I don't know what today has in store for us, but I've packed our map, some water, and some food in the stroller, so when Dan gets up (it is 9:42 AM so it may be soon?) we can go out and have some fun.
END
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thursday: Gothic Statuary; 13th century stained glass; 2014 dirt
Morning
I got up with Julia at 6:09. It is easy to remember the exact time. Checking my iphone for the time is the first thing I do to see if it is 1:00 AM, 3:00 AM, 5:30 AM or actually morning. Anything after 6AM is morning; if it is earlier we try our best to get Julia back to sleep.
There was no getting her back to sleep at 6:09, she was talking, jumping, swooshing, and ready to fly out of her crib.
We had a quiet morning 'till Sara entered the dining room to join us. Then Dan woke a bit after 8:00.
Dan showered and got ready right away, which is a good trick. If who ever gets to "sleep in" joins in breakfast right away that person has to break away again to get ready. Once he was showered and dressed I asked him to watch Julia so I could do the same thing. At this point I'd been up for over two hours.
"I'd have to put her in a football hold, and I'd rather not do that first thing in the morning." That was his way of saying that she surely wanted to be with me and would spaz if he tried to keep her away from me (so I could shower). Though I think he underestimated his abilities to entertain our little daughter I was flexible, and decided to take Julia to the shower with me.
We sat in the tub and I washed her hair and did my own too. She had gotten yogurt all over her so it was a decent thing to go ahead and give her a bath. She looked at me quizzically when I got into the tub with her. She is used to Sara doing it, but not me. After we played "drop the bottle into the water" with the shampoo and conditioner bottles, she was laughing, giggling, and her eyes were beaming with this new found fun-time with Mom. It only took about 10 minutes before we emerged clean and ready for the day.
When I put Julia's sunscreen on, I first did her two cheeks, then she pointed to her nose, to remind me to do that too.
I put a pink dress on her, then she reached for a flowered dress so I'd put that on her too. Though I do sometimes humor her, I decided one dress was enough for today's outfit.
Our Rick Steves book has a walking tour of Lausanne, so we finally did it today. We had already walked to many of the sites, but he puts in details that our eyes can not tell us. Things like when buildings were made, and city history.
The walk brought us to Lausanne's castle, up on a perch over looking the city. Sara and Julia asked to play in the stony courtyard so we let them.
Then we continued the walk and ended up at the Cathedral. We have seen many European churches, but this one didn't blend in with the rest.
It had gothic statuary (in a nave, and protected by glass). Sara and Julia stepped into the gothic statuary's nave over and over again. Surely the couldn't know the history that surrounded them (it is from the middle ages) but Dan and I did, and we stared at the amazing scene and enjoyed seeing our girls sitting on the rock seats below it all - having a great time. They loved exploring the church. We were the only ones there, so they went up and down the long church (it is the largest church in Switzerland). The stained glass windows made patches of color on the cathedral's floor so sometimes as Sara and Julia walked around together they were shades of pink, green, and blue. I was glad no one else was there, it let us explore and take it all in on our own terms and pace.
The rose window was 13th century glass. It is neat to look up at it and marvel at the stories they were trying to tell with glass that long ago. The whole cathedral was a wow.
At one point I was walking with Sara and Julia (they tend to stick with me while Dan wanders around looking at things - and I keep track of Sara and Julia and wander around where they do) and they saw Dan and they ran up to him and hugged him. Then Julia ran back to me and hugged me too. It was a nice moment.
After the cathedral we gave the kids more to eat (we are feeding them constantly, even Dan has noted how much they eat in the morning hours, and I know that since I deal with it everyday on travel or at home) we found our way to a great restaurant.
Lunch
It was self-service, which we like for the ease of ordering, and the ability to leave when we want and not be dependent on a server. Plus the price is better. I had a fish dish, with vegetables that was warm, well-seasoned, and feed all of us for 16.90 SF. They had free tap water (glasses by a fountain). That is good since drinks are pricy, it is 3.40 for a small (2dl) soda (like 4 ounces I think) and we don't drink soda anyway, but those prices are crazy. There was a small play area in the restaurant and the girls played in a play house while Dan and I ate (a nice thing).
After lunch it was nap time. I was the only one that napped (45 minutes total), but we all had a break in the apartment which was welcome after our full morning of touring on foot.
Afternoon
Every night I look at information from the tourist office and our tour book for ideas of things to do. One of them was the "Parc Mon-Repos" that said it was an English garden with a large specimen of trees, aviary with tropical birds, orangery and an old tower. It also houses the Swiss version of our supreme court.
Armed with our map the four of us set out to find it (the park). It didn't take long. It was up a hill (naturally) and down a street. When we found it we didn't know what to do first, but when we went inside (just free, no gate or anything) we rounded a lush, green, bend and saw a play area. It had everything. A dirt pit with a full-sized dirt mover for the kids to scoop and re-position dirt (a big deal), a climbing tower/jungle gym, swings, and some cool wooden things to jump on that were hooked up to air pipes and made music sounds! We stayed at that park for an hour. Sara and Julia were on top of the world. They enjoy touring and seeing sights, but when they hit a playground they feel freedom and instantly are joyous. Dan and I love it too. He stayed with Sara who liked the jungle gym and I stayed with Julia who liked the dirt pit.
Julia and the Dirt pit
Our one year old just loved playing in the dirt. It wasn't dirt actually, sort of like gravel and close to beach sand. Julia stood at a dirt play table and moved it around, playing with shapes, and she didn't even look up to check on me, she was just having a ball just like she does on the beach. Dan said, "I don't know what is going on in that head of hers, but it is something."
There was one shovel in the dirt pit. Julia had it. One kid took it away from her. She waved her hands, stood up for herself, and the kid gave it back to Julia. (No French language required!) A while later another kid took the shovel from her, and she let that kid have the shovel, and began playing and scooping with just her hands. (I was so proud of her ability to adapt.) Still one more time a boy came over and snatched the shovel, she looked at him as if to say "that wasn't nice" and then she turned a green plastic lid into a digging toy. All in all, she was such a good kid, played perfectly with the other kids, and I was so proud (and entertained) watching my young daughter do so well out in the world.
Dinner
We were sad to leave the park, but it was 3:30 and Dan needed to get to work at 4:00 (which is 10:00 EST) so we went back to the apartment. Plus, my stomach was so empty and rumbling for food that it was about to leave my body and go find food on its own.
Dan cooked the tenderloin beef from Argentina (I'm not alowed to cook steak since I over cook it) and we also had a pizza we baked in our oven. Add to that some green snap peas, some fruit salad, and soon all our bellies were happy.
Bedtime
Julia was jumping around at bedtime. Literally using both legs to bounce into the air like a cartoon character. I worried a bit about her ability to settle down and sleep, but when I put her PJs on she didn't resist (if she doesn't want to sleep she well take off her PJs while I'm putting them on, so I have to hold her down with my legs while I put them on her) but this time she just let me put them on. I put her in her crib, said good night and closed the door. A while later she called me in, so I gave her a back rub, then snuck out and closed her door. Good night.
I did a new Mickey Mouse app with Sara before her bed, then she went to sleep too. And even though it is 7:50, I'm heading that way too!
Quotes of the day
(on our walk) Sara: "Hey Dad, did you know mountains turn into volcanos when their ice caps fall off."
-----
(at a play ground, Sara took a header fall off a teeter-totter and stayed where she landed in stunned silence. I waited for her to either cry or get back up, when I asked:)
Me: "Sara, are you okay?"
Sara: "I'm fine Mama. I was just testing how hard the ground is. The only way to test how hard the ground is, is to fall on it."
-----
END of a great day.
I got up with Julia at 6:09. It is easy to remember the exact time. Checking my iphone for the time is the first thing I do to see if it is 1:00 AM, 3:00 AM, 5:30 AM or actually morning. Anything after 6AM is morning; if it is earlier we try our best to get Julia back to sleep.
There was no getting her back to sleep at 6:09, she was talking, jumping, swooshing, and ready to fly out of her crib.
We had a quiet morning 'till Sara entered the dining room to join us. Then Dan woke a bit after 8:00.
Dan showered and got ready right away, which is a good trick. If who ever gets to "sleep in" joins in breakfast right away that person has to break away again to get ready. Once he was showered and dressed I asked him to watch Julia so I could do the same thing. At this point I'd been up for over two hours.
"I'd have to put her in a football hold, and I'd rather not do that first thing in the morning." That was his way of saying that she surely wanted to be with me and would spaz if he tried to keep her away from me (so I could shower). Though I think he underestimated his abilities to entertain our little daughter I was flexible, and decided to take Julia to the shower with me.
We sat in the tub and I washed her hair and did my own too. She had gotten yogurt all over her so it was a decent thing to go ahead and give her a bath. She looked at me quizzically when I got into the tub with her. She is used to Sara doing it, but not me. After we played "drop the bottle into the water" with the shampoo and conditioner bottles, she was laughing, giggling, and her eyes were beaming with this new found fun-time with Mom. It only took about 10 minutes before we emerged clean and ready for the day.
When I put Julia's sunscreen on, I first did her two cheeks, then she pointed to her nose, to remind me to do that too.
I put a pink dress on her, then she reached for a flowered dress so I'd put that on her too. Though I do sometimes humor her, I decided one dress was enough for today's outfit.
Our Rick Steves book has a walking tour of Lausanne, so we finally did it today. We had already walked to many of the sites, but he puts in details that our eyes can not tell us. Things like when buildings were made, and city history.
The walk brought us to Lausanne's castle, up on a perch over looking the city. Sara and Julia asked to play in the stony courtyard so we let them.
Then we continued the walk and ended up at the Cathedral. We have seen many European churches, but this one didn't blend in with the rest.
It had gothic statuary (in a nave, and protected by glass). Sara and Julia stepped into the gothic statuary's nave over and over again. Surely the couldn't know the history that surrounded them (it is from the middle ages) but Dan and I did, and we stared at the amazing scene and enjoyed seeing our girls sitting on the rock seats below it all - having a great time. They loved exploring the church. We were the only ones there, so they went up and down the long church (it is the largest church in Switzerland). The stained glass windows made patches of color on the cathedral's floor so sometimes as Sara and Julia walked around together they were shades of pink, green, and blue. I was glad no one else was there, it let us explore and take it all in on our own terms and pace.
The rose window was 13th century glass. It is neat to look up at it and marvel at the stories they were trying to tell with glass that long ago. The whole cathedral was a wow.
At one point I was walking with Sara and Julia (they tend to stick with me while Dan wanders around looking at things - and I keep track of Sara and Julia and wander around where they do) and they saw Dan and they ran up to him and hugged him. Then Julia ran back to me and hugged me too. It was a nice moment.
After the cathedral we gave the kids more to eat (we are feeding them constantly, even Dan has noted how much they eat in the morning hours, and I know that since I deal with it everyday on travel or at home) we found our way to a great restaurant.
Lunch
It was self-service, which we like for the ease of ordering, and the ability to leave when we want and not be dependent on a server. Plus the price is better. I had a fish dish, with vegetables that was warm, well-seasoned, and feed all of us for 16.90 SF. They had free tap water (glasses by a fountain). That is good since drinks are pricy, it is 3.40 for a small (2dl) soda (like 4 ounces I think) and we don't drink soda anyway, but those prices are crazy. There was a small play area in the restaurant and the girls played in a play house while Dan and I ate (a nice thing).
After lunch it was nap time. I was the only one that napped (45 minutes total), but we all had a break in the apartment which was welcome after our full morning of touring on foot.
Afternoon
Every night I look at information from the tourist office and our tour book for ideas of things to do. One of them was the "Parc Mon-Repos" that said it was an English garden with a large specimen of trees, aviary with tropical birds, orangery and an old tower. It also houses the Swiss version of our supreme court.
Armed with our map the four of us set out to find it (the park). It didn't take long. It was up a hill (naturally) and down a street. When we found it we didn't know what to do first, but when we went inside (just free, no gate or anything) we rounded a lush, green, bend and saw a play area. It had everything. A dirt pit with a full-sized dirt mover for the kids to scoop and re-position dirt (a big deal), a climbing tower/jungle gym, swings, and some cool wooden things to jump on that were hooked up to air pipes and made music sounds! We stayed at that park for an hour. Sara and Julia were on top of the world. They enjoy touring and seeing sights, but when they hit a playground they feel freedom and instantly are joyous. Dan and I love it too. He stayed with Sara who liked the jungle gym and I stayed with Julia who liked the dirt pit.
Julia and the Dirt pit
Our one year old just loved playing in the dirt. It wasn't dirt actually, sort of like gravel and close to beach sand. Julia stood at a dirt play table and moved it around, playing with shapes, and she didn't even look up to check on me, she was just having a ball just like she does on the beach. Dan said, "I don't know what is going on in that head of hers, but it is something."
There was one shovel in the dirt pit. Julia had it. One kid took it away from her. She waved her hands, stood up for herself, and the kid gave it back to Julia. (No French language required!) A while later another kid took the shovel from her, and she let that kid have the shovel, and began playing and scooping with just her hands. (I was so proud of her ability to adapt.) Still one more time a boy came over and snatched the shovel, she looked at him as if to say "that wasn't nice" and then she turned a green plastic lid into a digging toy. All in all, she was such a good kid, played perfectly with the other kids, and I was so proud (and entertained) watching my young daughter do so well out in the world.
Dinner
We were sad to leave the park, but it was 3:30 and Dan needed to get to work at 4:00 (which is 10:00 EST) so we went back to the apartment. Plus, my stomach was so empty and rumbling for food that it was about to leave my body and go find food on its own.
Dan cooked the tenderloin beef from Argentina (I'm not alowed to cook steak since I over cook it) and we also had a pizza we baked in our oven. Add to that some green snap peas, some fruit salad, and soon all our bellies were happy.
Bedtime
Julia was jumping around at bedtime. Literally using both legs to bounce into the air like a cartoon character. I worried a bit about her ability to settle down and sleep, but when I put her PJs on she didn't resist (if she doesn't want to sleep she well take off her PJs while I'm putting them on, so I have to hold her down with my legs while I put them on her) but this time she just let me put them on. I put her in her crib, said good night and closed the door. A while later she called me in, so I gave her a back rub, then snuck out and closed her door. Good night.
I did a new Mickey Mouse app with Sara before her bed, then she went to sleep too. And even though it is 7:50, I'm heading that way too!
Quotes of the day
(on our walk) Sara: "Hey Dad, did you know mountains turn into volcanos when their ice caps fall off."
-----
(at a play ground, Sara took a header fall off a teeter-totter and stayed where she landed in stunned silence. I waited for her to either cry or get back up, when I asked:)
Me: "Sara, are you okay?"
Sara: "I'm fine Mama. I was just testing how hard the ground is. The only way to test how hard the ground is, is to fall on it."
-----
END of a great day.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Wednesday - Market day
Morning
Even though we eat breakfast here in the apartment, the first thing we do when we head out for the day is seek food. The girls seem to get hungry as soon as they hit fresh air.
Today it was easy - it was market day. Food was everywhere out on the street.
The first part of the market we saw was up the hill from St. Francis. It was only a few market umbrellas so we assumed it was a small market. Then we saw that the market stretched down the hill, around the corner and along the streets like the spokes of a wheel. When you can't see a whole street (since they aren't straight) it is hard to know what is around the next bend. And in today's case, around the next bend was more market!
The market was large temporary set-ups (a few feet apart from each other), covered by large white umbrellas. (Though the set-up is up to the individual and no two market offerings look a like.) For the vegetable stands the vegetables are on a table in large wicker baskets or in large wooden boxes. You can see everything, and it looks fresh and pretty. We saw probably 30 vegeable stands in the street today, a few olive stands, 12 or so bakery stands, and then there was a flea market in one area.
For the most part the market was edible, so Sara was very excited to gather what we needed for a "feast" (her word). She picked out carrots, celery, lettuce, radishes, and a pine apple. I guess that is a feast in her mind!
To buy each thing the market keeper would weigh things, tell us the price (in French) then Sara would hand over the money and take the bag. She took this interaction very seriously and was a good buyer for us. She even got a free carrot and a free piece of chocolate!
Lunch
After seeing miles of market our feet were ready for a sit-down break. We went to a roof top restaurant, which had a slide for kids. Sara and Julia went down the slide time after time, again and again, with huge grins on their faces. They never went down alone, Sara would climb to the top, wait for Julia, put her arm around her, then they would go down the slide together. I heard Sara tell Julia "I love you Julia" and I saw her give her a hug with her (Sara's) eyes shut. Sara does love her sister. Julia returns the love, as only a 1 year old can. :)
We got Julia back to her crib quickly after lunch. We wanted to give her a nap here instead of outside in the stroller. It worked sort of. We did get her into her crib quickly, but she pooped twice (two fresh diapers) and then we heard a key in her lock. She had taken her mobile crib apart and was trying to use the key to open her bedroom door!
Dan and I used dental floss to prevent our crib-jail-breaker from escaping again. She tested it immediatly, and she was foiled. Good. No more crib escapes for now.
Afternoon
We went to the grocery store, which meant playing with the toys next to the groceries. Sara did a great job helping in the grocery store, and even helped me pack them into our 2 reusable bags. We bought mainly light things, knowing that we'd have to carry our groceries back to the apartment. I splurged on some tenderloin beef from Argentina. It was 21 SF, but looked good and that really isn't bad for feeding a family of 4 (and believe me the kids can eat a lot!).
Late Afternoon
We went back out (except for Dan) to play at a play ground, play at a toy store, and enjoy the evening scene. Everyone is very nice. When they see me with the stroller they help me with doors (which is pratically a necessity so I'm thankful for the help), and many people talk to Sara and Julia. They smile and wave back.
Quotes of the day
(at the lunch slide) Julia: "Hand. Up. Go!" (Julia was offering her hand to a smaller kid who was trying to climb up the slide's ladder. She even provided further instructional help - 'up' to remind the kid that he was supposed to go up. And, 'go' to get the kid moving! It was funny to see her communicate with another kid like that.
(at bedtime, Sara started to cry a little)
Me: "Sara, why are you crying?"
Sara: "I'm not Mom. My eyes just had extra water and I had to let them drip. They are just dripping Mom. My body makes water for my eyes and I had to let some of it out."
(it was just funny how she explained that to me, she has said 'dripping' for crying in the past, I think she was just tired - she'll get a good night's sleep for sure!)
END.
Even though we eat breakfast here in the apartment, the first thing we do when we head out for the day is seek food. The girls seem to get hungry as soon as they hit fresh air.
Today it was easy - it was market day. Food was everywhere out on the street.
The first part of the market we saw was up the hill from St. Francis. It was only a few market umbrellas so we assumed it was a small market. Then we saw that the market stretched down the hill, around the corner and along the streets like the spokes of a wheel. When you can't see a whole street (since they aren't straight) it is hard to know what is around the next bend. And in today's case, around the next bend was more market!
The market was large temporary set-ups (a few feet apart from each other), covered by large white umbrellas. (Though the set-up is up to the individual and no two market offerings look a like.) For the vegetable stands the vegetables are on a table in large wicker baskets or in large wooden boxes. You can see everything, and it looks fresh and pretty. We saw probably 30 vegeable stands in the street today, a few olive stands, 12 or so bakery stands, and then there was a flea market in one area.
For the most part the market was edible, so Sara was very excited to gather what we needed for a "feast" (her word). She picked out carrots, celery, lettuce, radishes, and a pine apple. I guess that is a feast in her mind!
To buy each thing the market keeper would weigh things, tell us the price (in French) then Sara would hand over the money and take the bag. She took this interaction very seriously and was a good buyer for us. She even got a free carrot and a free piece of chocolate!
Lunch
After seeing miles of market our feet were ready for a sit-down break. We went to a roof top restaurant, which had a slide for kids. Sara and Julia went down the slide time after time, again and again, with huge grins on their faces. They never went down alone, Sara would climb to the top, wait for Julia, put her arm around her, then they would go down the slide together. I heard Sara tell Julia "I love you Julia" and I saw her give her a hug with her (Sara's) eyes shut. Sara does love her sister. Julia returns the love, as only a 1 year old can. :)
We got Julia back to her crib quickly after lunch. We wanted to give her a nap here instead of outside in the stroller. It worked sort of. We did get her into her crib quickly, but she pooped twice (two fresh diapers) and then we heard a key in her lock. She had taken her mobile crib apart and was trying to use the key to open her bedroom door!
Dan and I used dental floss to prevent our crib-jail-breaker from escaping again. She tested it immediatly, and she was foiled. Good. No more crib escapes for now.
Afternoon
We went to the grocery store, which meant playing with the toys next to the groceries. Sara did a great job helping in the grocery store, and even helped me pack them into our 2 reusable bags. We bought mainly light things, knowing that we'd have to carry our groceries back to the apartment. I splurged on some tenderloin beef from Argentina. It was 21 SF, but looked good and that really isn't bad for feeding a family of 4 (and believe me the kids can eat a lot!).
Late Afternoon
We went back out (except for Dan) to play at a play ground, play at a toy store, and enjoy the evening scene. Everyone is very nice. When they see me with the stroller they help me with doors (which is pratically a necessity so I'm thankful for the help), and many people talk to Sara and Julia. They smile and wave back.
Quotes of the day
(at the lunch slide) Julia: "Hand. Up. Go!" (Julia was offering her hand to a smaller kid who was trying to climb up the slide's ladder. She even provided further instructional help - 'up' to remind the kid that he was supposed to go up. And, 'go' to get the kid moving! It was funny to see her communicate with another kid like that.
(at bedtime, Sara started to cry a little)
Me: "Sara, why are you crying?"
Sara: "I'm not Mom. My eyes just had extra water and I had to let them drip. They are just dripping Mom. My body makes water for my eyes and I had to let some of it out."
(it was just funny how she explained that to me, she has said 'dripping' for crying in the past, I think she was just tired - she'll get a good night's sleep for sure!)
END.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Tuesday - Walk along Lake Geneva
Morning
I got to sleep in 'till 8:00 AM! I didn't even realize everyone was up 'till I heard Sara talking to Julia as they ate breakfast with Dan.
After feuling up with breakfast we decided to head down to the water front to explore the area. There is a long promenade down there, and it goes to the left and right. Yesterday we went to the left and today we went to the right.
Julia loves to walk. Soon after leaving the apartment Dan put Sara in a time out for "bothering Julia" in the stroller. While Sara sat up on a rock wall and said, "don't leave me here!" with agony tears in her eyes, Julia was excited to keep going on our walk. So Dan stayed with Sara (appropriate since he put her in timeout) and I got Julia out of the stroller (she grabbed my hand, directed it to the realese button, and said, "down") and then she was off like a rocket. I held her hand as we walked down the hill - as fast as her legs could take her, which was amplified by the downward slope. I loved crusing along with my little Jewel, and we had some fun mother-daughter time. We walked a mile before Dan and Sara caught up to us (I wear a pedometer so I know) and Julia reluctantly went back into the stroller, for one second, then I got her back out and we walked together hand in hand next to Dan and Sara in the stroller (it is isn't that Sara doesn't like to walk, but she likes to look around and enjoy the ride too.)
We got down to the water front. This is about 1/2 hour after breakfast. "Can we have something to eat? Can we have pizza at a restaurant?" both of them were hungry. And admitedly I was hungry too. Dan shook his head and we went to a grocery store right there by the water. Dan picked out bread and a sliced meat tray for sandwhiches, and I picked out a pre-made chicken pasta dish with red/green peppers, corn, and brocoli. I also picked out a fruit salad.
Now that we had our picnic stuff, where to picnic? "How about right here mom? We could just sit on the sidewalk?" Sara suggested. Thinking there had to be a better place, we told her to wait a little and we'd eat soon.
Sure enough, by a boat house (there is a lot of marine equiptment and boats here due to the lake and there is always a white masted sail boat out cruising with the white swans) we found a set of picnic tables. The girls ran to find a seat. I put Julia next to me on my right and Sara sat to my left. I speedily doled out the food with Dan's help. The girls ate as if they were starving. Julia ate piece after piece of fruit (she really liked the honeydo melon) and she also ate the pasta and vegetables. Sara ate some bread and a ton of fruit. I was glad the picnic food was a hit, since we never really know if food we buy will be a hit or a miss (they are good eaters but they do have preferences). So we were glad that our picnic by the lake went well. They ate with perfect manners, swinging their feet off the picnic table's seat as they ate with forks and used napkins. Julia is fun to watch when she uses a fork (which is all the time) she does it with extreme precision and is distraught when she drops food (which isn't often). She is such a good kid; Sara is too.
Once full we continued our walk. We walked along the lake with large stones to bear the brunt of the lapping lake water on the shore. We enjoyed the other people out walking, and everything there was to see. Mainly we just shared a nice walk together. My pedometer read over 20,000 steps (8-10 miles).
My favorite part was when we stopped at a play ground (no one else was there, so it felt like our own private place to play. They climbed up high (especially Sara, who is very good at rope ladders) and they *ran* to get to the tire swing, where they sat side by side holding on as Dan pushed them. "Dad, will you push us? We want to go high!" (they know that my pushing is more conservative than Dan's) so the girls smiled and laughed, looking at each other, us, and up at the sky. We all loved it.
Soon after that we all sat on a merry go round and spun it. It was unique to all be on the same piece of playground equiptment loving the motion, the fun, and the togetherness. Such fun.
To top all that fun there were also some daffodil sprouts in a nearby knoll. It was the kind of place you'd expect woodland fairies to live. The daffodils were a sign of spring, and I invited Julia to walk over there with me. She ran over to me and we walked through the field of daffodils sprouting up out of the Earth. We were quiet, happy, and holding hands, which fills me up with even more happiness. ;)
After that Julia saw a set of train tracks (for a mini train that is not running) and she poked around at those tracks for 20 minutes with out looking up - she was investigating something, we just don't know what! We didn't bother her, it was fun to watch her be so engrossed with nature.
Then we left, continued our walk, to some scant Roman ruins, more marinas, more docks with boats, and even a string of beaches. When we turned around while Julia was napping Sara asked to play on the beach so we did. Dan kept walking along the lake with Julia (to keep her asleep) and Sara and I dug in the sand, made stacks of rocks (I made the stacks, and she knocked them over), and found a few tiny shells. We were totally focused on just having fun, involved in our own world by the sea.
Julia slept for about 1.5 hours. A great nap. When she was awake she *ran* to the carousel down by the harbor and every single person sitting on the nearby wooden benches smiled at her. She was *going* to ride on the carousel - there was no question in her mind! I forked over 10 SF and she took 3 fun trips around the carousel, looking like a Queen out for a ride in the country. I was with her, Dan was with Sara on the pirate playground near by. There are a lot of nice things for kids here!
Late Afternoon
Around 3:30 we walked up to the apartment. It is a crazy long walk, especially after a whole day dedicated to walking. We made it, the girls watched Toy Story 2 as a calm-down treat, Dan worked, and I made dinner. (Chicken, cauliflower, and pasta.) All was well.
Then it was bathtime, time for more food (second dinner) and then off to bed. For Julia I just put her in her crib. She called me back a few minutes later "Mooom!" so I rocked her in my arms with her head on my shoulder. I could do that for hours. I love her soft breathing on my neck and the way she snuggles in. I say "I love you too" since I feel she is saying "I love you" to me.
Quotes of the day
(after breaking two lego toys apart) Julia: "I did it!"
-------
(bathtime) Me: "Is the water okay Sara?"
Sara: "I don't know with my feet. But I'll know with my butt. Just wait a minute and I'll tell you. Ahhhh, perfect."
------
(on our speedy walk down the hill) Julia: "Tree! Leaf! Grass!" to identify things as we passed them by.
-------
(at the end of our walk) Sara: "Dad, why aren't you wearing your hat?"
Dan: "A bird pooped on it."
Sara: "How? Why?"
Dan: "I walked under a tree and a bird took off, and it pooped."
Sara: "Can I see it?"
Dan: "No. It is under my hat over there."
Sara: "Oh, okay."
------
END
I got to sleep in 'till 8:00 AM! I didn't even realize everyone was up 'till I heard Sara talking to Julia as they ate breakfast with Dan.
After feuling up with breakfast we decided to head down to the water front to explore the area. There is a long promenade down there, and it goes to the left and right. Yesterday we went to the left and today we went to the right.
Julia loves to walk. Soon after leaving the apartment Dan put Sara in a time out for "bothering Julia" in the stroller. While Sara sat up on a rock wall and said, "don't leave me here!" with agony tears in her eyes, Julia was excited to keep going on our walk. So Dan stayed with Sara (appropriate since he put her in timeout) and I got Julia out of the stroller (she grabbed my hand, directed it to the realese button, and said, "down") and then she was off like a rocket. I held her hand as we walked down the hill - as fast as her legs could take her, which was amplified by the downward slope. I loved crusing along with my little Jewel, and we had some fun mother-daughter time. We walked a mile before Dan and Sara caught up to us (I wear a pedometer so I know) and Julia reluctantly went back into the stroller, for one second, then I got her back out and we walked together hand in hand next to Dan and Sara in the stroller (it is isn't that Sara doesn't like to walk, but she likes to look around and enjoy the ride too.)
We got down to the water front. This is about 1/2 hour after breakfast. "Can we have something to eat? Can we have pizza at a restaurant?" both of them were hungry. And admitedly I was hungry too. Dan shook his head and we went to a grocery store right there by the water. Dan picked out bread and a sliced meat tray for sandwhiches, and I picked out a pre-made chicken pasta dish with red/green peppers, corn, and brocoli. I also picked out a fruit salad.
Now that we had our picnic stuff, where to picnic? "How about right here mom? We could just sit on the sidewalk?" Sara suggested. Thinking there had to be a better place, we told her to wait a little and we'd eat soon.
Sure enough, by a boat house (there is a lot of marine equiptment and boats here due to the lake and there is always a white masted sail boat out cruising with the white swans) we found a set of picnic tables. The girls ran to find a seat. I put Julia next to me on my right and Sara sat to my left. I speedily doled out the food with Dan's help. The girls ate as if they were starving. Julia ate piece after piece of fruit (she really liked the honeydo melon) and she also ate the pasta and vegetables. Sara ate some bread and a ton of fruit. I was glad the picnic food was a hit, since we never really know if food we buy will be a hit or a miss (they are good eaters but they do have preferences). So we were glad that our picnic by the lake went well. They ate with perfect manners, swinging their feet off the picnic table's seat as they ate with forks and used napkins. Julia is fun to watch when she uses a fork (which is all the time) she does it with extreme precision and is distraught when she drops food (which isn't often). She is such a good kid; Sara is too.
Once full we continued our walk. We walked along the lake with large stones to bear the brunt of the lapping lake water on the shore. We enjoyed the other people out walking, and everything there was to see. Mainly we just shared a nice walk together. My pedometer read over 20,000 steps (8-10 miles).
My favorite part was when we stopped at a play ground (no one else was there, so it felt like our own private place to play. They climbed up high (especially Sara, who is very good at rope ladders) and they *ran* to get to the tire swing, where they sat side by side holding on as Dan pushed them. "Dad, will you push us? We want to go high!" (they know that my pushing is more conservative than Dan's) so the girls smiled and laughed, looking at each other, us, and up at the sky. We all loved it.
Soon after that we all sat on a merry go round and spun it. It was unique to all be on the same piece of playground equiptment loving the motion, the fun, and the togetherness. Such fun.
To top all that fun there were also some daffodil sprouts in a nearby knoll. It was the kind of place you'd expect woodland fairies to live. The daffodils were a sign of spring, and I invited Julia to walk over there with me. She ran over to me and we walked through the field of daffodils sprouting up out of the Earth. We were quiet, happy, and holding hands, which fills me up with even more happiness. ;)
After that Julia saw a set of train tracks (for a mini train that is not running) and she poked around at those tracks for 20 minutes with out looking up - she was investigating something, we just don't know what! We didn't bother her, it was fun to watch her be so engrossed with nature.
Then we left, continued our walk, to some scant Roman ruins, more marinas, more docks with boats, and even a string of beaches. When we turned around while Julia was napping Sara asked to play on the beach so we did. Dan kept walking along the lake with Julia (to keep her asleep) and Sara and I dug in the sand, made stacks of rocks (I made the stacks, and she knocked them over), and found a few tiny shells. We were totally focused on just having fun, involved in our own world by the sea.
Julia slept for about 1.5 hours. A great nap. When she was awake she *ran* to the carousel down by the harbor and every single person sitting on the nearby wooden benches smiled at her. She was *going* to ride on the carousel - there was no question in her mind! I forked over 10 SF and she took 3 fun trips around the carousel, looking like a Queen out for a ride in the country. I was with her, Dan was with Sara on the pirate playground near by. There are a lot of nice things for kids here!
Late Afternoon
Around 3:30 we walked up to the apartment. It is a crazy long walk, especially after a whole day dedicated to walking. We made it, the girls watched Toy Story 2 as a calm-down treat, Dan worked, and I made dinner. (Chicken, cauliflower, and pasta.) All was well.
Then it was bathtime, time for more food (second dinner) and then off to bed. For Julia I just put her in her crib. She called me back a few minutes later "Mooom!" so I rocked her in my arms with her head on my shoulder. I could do that for hours. I love her soft breathing on my neck and the way she snuggles in. I say "I love you too" since I feel she is saying "I love you" to me.
Quotes of the day
(after breaking two lego toys apart) Julia: "I did it!"
-------
(bathtime) Me: "Is the water okay Sara?"
Sara: "I don't know with my feet. But I'll know with my butt. Just wait a minute and I'll tell you. Ahhhh, perfect."
------
(on our speedy walk down the hill) Julia: "Tree! Leaf! Grass!" to identify things as we passed them by.
-------
(at the end of our walk) Sara: "Dad, why aren't you wearing your hat?"
Dan: "A bird pooped on it."
Sara: "How? Why?"
Dan: "I walked under a tree and a bird took off, and it pooped."
Sara: "Can I see it?"
Dan: "No. It is under my hat over there."
Sara: "Oh, okay."
------
END
Monday, February 17, 2014
Monday - to France! (boat trip to Evian - town of water)
Note: I took 22,000 steps today, and went up 54 floors according to my pedometer.
Morning
We woke to a clear sky, so by 9:25 we were on a boat down at the harbor heading to France. By 10:04 we were walking across the gang plank into Evian - the source of Evian water!
The walk down to the boat at Lausanne's harbor was about 30 minutes walking down hill. Not just a little bit down hill, but really sloped down. Half way we stopped at a grocery store for bananas, sliced ham, and bread. Then we continued down, down, down 'till we saw the lake.
With only 3 minutes left to catch our boat we picked up our pace. We could see 3 boats in the harbor, which was ours? We made a guess and chose well. After walking across the gang plank to get on our boat, they pulled up the gang plank and the boat let out a HONK and we were off. Dan bought tickets (got 1/2 off) while the girls chose us seats. They are very good at that. No matter where we go, they always look around, decide where to sit, then they set up shop. Julia always takes off her shoes (no matter if she is on a train, a boat, or the stroller) and Sara takes off her hat and coat. They land where ever gravity takes them.
The seat they chose was on the upper deck of the boat. It was enclosed so we sat looking out at the rippling Lake Geneva. Though the lake is pretty, the mountains steal the show. They rise up in their snow capped stateliness, just demanding you to be entranced by them.
The crossing to France (on the other side of Lake Geneva) was only 30 minutes, so we enjoyed every minute. That is to say, SAra and Julia ate cereal, strawberries, and an orange. Dan and I picked cereal and orange pieces up off the floor, but they were good girls.
Our white boat made a white wake as it plowed across the lake. We moved steadily, not fast, but not pokey. France came into view, we all went to the bathroom, then we stepped out into a town named "Evian" where Evian water comes from.
We drink Evian. Not all the time, but we buy it occasionally at home in VA. Here on this trip, we just drink tap water or sometimes buy water - but we jump around from brand to brand just to try things while we are here. But in Evian, people drink Evian.
The lake side promenade in France beaconed us to walk along the water. We did. To our right was the water, to our left was green parks, play areas, even a small elegant mini-golf (empty, it is off season). After a stop at the tourist information booth where we got a historical walking tour map, we began our walk to get to know Evian.
It is a nice place. A real place. Though I guess there are tourists here in the summer, there were not any tourists today. Locals were walking down the streets (pedestrian streets, no cars) with their shopping bags and knit hats. People were walking their dogs. We tried to fit in, and Sara and Julia made people smile. (People of all ages smile at them.)
Evian Water -- the source!
The walking tour brought us past the "pump room" (an ornate building with huge iron gates) and up a hill. That's when we saw it. A tiled structure with a simple spout - of running water. Evian! We walked over, emptied out our water bottles (that we always carry for when we are thisty) and filled our water bottles with Evian -- from the source - - for free -- with no one else around. It was special. Spring water that is shipped all over the world, and here it was at our finger tips.
As we stood there enjoying the water, a lady walked up with a water carrier and 6 empty bottles. She filled them then walked away. Then a man came with a paper bag and 10 empty bottles. He filled them and then walked away. Then a young lady came with glass bottles, filled then, then walked away. The locals were getting their water! We loved seeing it. And they were of all ages, of all states of fanciness, and each of them was friendly to us, but went about their task of getting their water and walking away.
Some how Sara and Julia knew the water was special. They each had a water bottle and drank more water than I've ever seen them drink. They just drank, sipped, glugged, and then drank more! We had to fill our bottles again (which was fun of course). And I even put my hand in the source just to feel it - why not? It was free flowing spring water, pure and cold, so I even leaned in and used it as a drinking fountain. All fun.
Our bellies were full (and sloshing) when we left. We continued our tour of Evian's water front area (town hall, casino, etc) and then found the MOST delightful cafe for a lunch.
I don't know how we got so lucky, but this cafe was friendly, had great food, had a high chair, and every thing about it was just great. There were probably 15 tables in the whole place (cafes are usually small like that) and only 3 other groups were there (a set of men, a set of women, and a lone man working on a lap top).
Dan had the "menu" which is a set meal with appetiser, meal, and dessert (for 15 Euro). I had lasagna, which came with a salad. Sara and Julia had the children meal of chicken and french fries. It was all good quality, served nicely, and it felt good to have such a nice lunch together. They even gave Sara a scoop of Strawberry icecream (about the size of an ice cube).
After that we walked, played, and enjoyed the water front promenade - in the other direction from before. The promenade lead past gardens (with arched trellises), play grounds (with slides, climbing towers) and we enjoyed everything about it. When Julia fell asleep at nap time, Dan walked with her in the stroller while Sara and I pretended a playground was a pirate ship. Captian Hook didn't stand a chance to our defences of sticks, one stone, and 2 imaginations. At one point Sara picked up a worm and said, "what's this?" and when I made a surprised face she dropped it. Then we looked at it - and I told her worms are used for fishing at the lake. She didn't touch it again - I think she thought it was a neat looking stick or something. It was funny.
Back to Switzerland - a great boat ride.
Our boat left at 3:15 or something like that. We had a good time in Evian but we were ready to go. The boat ride back was utterly fun. We sat in the way back deck - although we never actually sat, we were all at the boat's railing feeling the wind in our faces. Sara looked out with interest and Julia said "waaaa-weeeeeeee!" with a smile on her face and the wind blowing her hair. You could see both daughters were loving the feeling of gliding above the water as we zipped along back to Switzerland. Since we were on the back deck and there was only a small railing, it was like we were standing on the water as it zoomed along below us. It was impossibly pretty. The lake was calm with a ripple of wind, the mountains were white and it was 30 minutes of bliss. It was an adventure we were all having, the thrill of the speed, the beauty of nature, and the fun of doing it together.
To see some of the area, you can see Evian's video about it. When they show the "source" with people getting water - that is where we were! And you can see some of the mountians in their video also.
http://pure.evian.com/en/UK/#/home
Back in Lausanne
The first thing we did after the girls rocketed off the boat was go on the carousal down at the water. They each took 2 rides (10 SF) and Julia loved it so much she didn't want to get off! She chose a third thing to ride and it broke my heart to have to take her off it to leave the ride. The first thing they rode was a two seater car, so they looked impossibly cute together in their little car going around and around. Then they each chose a carousal horse that went up and down in the traditional way. For those few minutes all that existed was that carousel on the harbor - we just lost ourselves in the fun of the ride.
Then we did a playground (that really did look like a pirate ship) then we came back to the apartment for a meat ball/pasta dinner.
After dinner walk
Though we didn't like to leave the dinner mess, we knew we had to if we wanted to go for a walk after dinner but before bedtime. "Get your socks and shoes on!" we said, then moments later we were on the elevator to go for an evening walk here in Lausanne.
Our walk took us up into the awesome pedestrian area - with a vibe that is difficult to describe. There is a mix of everything, focusing on the high-end of things. Dan used an ATM and got a 200 bill. I commented that is because we were near a Rolex store. But forgetting about the high end stuff, there are just so many people strolling around that it is fun to be part of the evening scene with them. Just like usual, even the streets with the stores go straight up or straight down. That is why my fit bit thinks I went up 54 flights of stairs today! It was just a fun walk. We mentioned ice cream and there were no scoop shops so we went to Manor department store (very fancy) and got a pint. I opened it, gave the girls 2 spoons, and we kept walking. It could have been a bad idea, but they shared nicely and they sure were quiet as they ate ice cream and we strolled around enjoying the shops, fountains, and regal buildings! What a neat place this is.
Time for sleep
I got Julia in her PJs, gave her "cheese" at her request (she goes to the refrigerator, reaches up and says "cheese!!!" and she has been asleep since about 7PM. Sara has been asleep since 7:30 and soon me too!
Quotes of the day: (All from Papa!)
(on the boat) Papa: "Let's go to France!" (it was just funny to hear him say that, since crossing a lake and going to France isn't something you do every day.)
(at lunch) Papa: "I have no idea what I'm eating." (his appetizer was some sort of tri-colored goo but he ate it - he is more adventurous than I am.)
(at the Evian source) Me: "let's dump out our water (from the tap in our apartment) and fill our bottles with Evian!"
Papa: "Yeah, because water from France is so much better than water from Switzerland." (he is such a man)
(at lunch) Papa: "Oh sure, use me as a napkin" (to Julia, who was sitting next to him and appeared to remove some of her lunch off her face and onto his shirt)
---
A great day. Boat trip to France. Evian source. Carousel ride. And many smiles, hugs, and "I love you" - I heard Sara say that to me, Dan, and Julia. Makes it all worth while.
END.
Morning
We woke to a clear sky, so by 9:25 we were on a boat down at the harbor heading to France. By 10:04 we were walking across the gang plank into Evian - the source of Evian water!
The walk down to the boat at Lausanne's harbor was about 30 minutes walking down hill. Not just a little bit down hill, but really sloped down. Half way we stopped at a grocery store for bananas, sliced ham, and bread. Then we continued down, down, down 'till we saw the lake.
With only 3 minutes left to catch our boat we picked up our pace. We could see 3 boats in the harbor, which was ours? We made a guess and chose well. After walking across the gang plank to get on our boat, they pulled up the gang plank and the boat let out a HONK and we were off. Dan bought tickets (got 1/2 off) while the girls chose us seats. They are very good at that. No matter where we go, they always look around, decide where to sit, then they set up shop. Julia always takes off her shoes (no matter if she is on a train, a boat, or the stroller) and Sara takes off her hat and coat. They land where ever gravity takes them.
The seat they chose was on the upper deck of the boat. It was enclosed so we sat looking out at the rippling Lake Geneva. Though the lake is pretty, the mountains steal the show. They rise up in their snow capped stateliness, just demanding you to be entranced by them.
The crossing to France (on the other side of Lake Geneva) was only 30 minutes, so we enjoyed every minute. That is to say, SAra and Julia ate cereal, strawberries, and an orange. Dan and I picked cereal and orange pieces up off the floor, but they were good girls.
Our white boat made a white wake as it plowed across the lake. We moved steadily, not fast, but not pokey. France came into view, we all went to the bathroom, then we stepped out into a town named "Evian" where Evian water comes from.
We drink Evian. Not all the time, but we buy it occasionally at home in VA. Here on this trip, we just drink tap water or sometimes buy water - but we jump around from brand to brand just to try things while we are here. But in Evian, people drink Evian.
The lake side promenade in France beaconed us to walk along the water. We did. To our right was the water, to our left was green parks, play areas, even a small elegant mini-golf (empty, it is off season). After a stop at the tourist information booth where we got a historical walking tour map, we began our walk to get to know Evian.
It is a nice place. A real place. Though I guess there are tourists here in the summer, there were not any tourists today. Locals were walking down the streets (pedestrian streets, no cars) with their shopping bags and knit hats. People were walking their dogs. We tried to fit in, and Sara and Julia made people smile. (People of all ages smile at them.)
Evian Water -- the source!
The walking tour brought us past the "pump room" (an ornate building with huge iron gates) and up a hill. That's when we saw it. A tiled structure with a simple spout - of running water. Evian! We walked over, emptied out our water bottles (that we always carry for when we are thisty) and filled our water bottles with Evian -- from the source - - for free -- with no one else around. It was special. Spring water that is shipped all over the world, and here it was at our finger tips.
As we stood there enjoying the water, a lady walked up with a water carrier and 6 empty bottles. She filled them then walked away. Then a man came with a paper bag and 10 empty bottles. He filled them and then walked away. Then a young lady came with glass bottles, filled then, then walked away. The locals were getting their water! We loved seeing it. And they were of all ages, of all states of fanciness, and each of them was friendly to us, but went about their task of getting their water and walking away.
Some how Sara and Julia knew the water was special. They each had a water bottle and drank more water than I've ever seen them drink. They just drank, sipped, glugged, and then drank more! We had to fill our bottles again (which was fun of course). And I even put my hand in the source just to feel it - why not? It was free flowing spring water, pure and cold, so I even leaned in and used it as a drinking fountain. All fun.
Our bellies were full (and sloshing) when we left. We continued our tour of Evian's water front area (town hall, casino, etc) and then found the MOST delightful cafe for a lunch.
I don't know how we got so lucky, but this cafe was friendly, had great food, had a high chair, and every thing about it was just great. There were probably 15 tables in the whole place (cafes are usually small like that) and only 3 other groups were there (a set of men, a set of women, and a lone man working on a lap top).
Dan had the "menu" which is a set meal with appetiser, meal, and dessert (for 15 Euro). I had lasagna, which came with a salad. Sara and Julia had the children meal of chicken and french fries. It was all good quality, served nicely, and it felt good to have such a nice lunch together. They even gave Sara a scoop of Strawberry icecream (about the size of an ice cube).
After that we walked, played, and enjoyed the water front promenade - in the other direction from before. The promenade lead past gardens (with arched trellises), play grounds (with slides, climbing towers) and we enjoyed everything about it. When Julia fell asleep at nap time, Dan walked with her in the stroller while Sara and I pretended a playground was a pirate ship. Captian Hook didn't stand a chance to our defences of sticks, one stone, and 2 imaginations. At one point Sara picked up a worm and said, "what's this?" and when I made a surprised face she dropped it. Then we looked at it - and I told her worms are used for fishing at the lake. She didn't touch it again - I think she thought it was a neat looking stick or something. It was funny.
Back to Switzerland - a great boat ride.
Our boat left at 3:15 or something like that. We had a good time in Evian but we were ready to go. The boat ride back was utterly fun. We sat in the way back deck - although we never actually sat, we were all at the boat's railing feeling the wind in our faces. Sara looked out with interest and Julia said "waaaa-weeeeeeee!" with a smile on her face and the wind blowing her hair. You could see both daughters were loving the feeling of gliding above the water as we zipped along back to Switzerland. Since we were on the back deck and there was only a small railing, it was like we were standing on the water as it zoomed along below us. It was impossibly pretty. The lake was calm with a ripple of wind, the mountains were white and it was 30 minutes of bliss. It was an adventure we were all having, the thrill of the speed, the beauty of nature, and the fun of doing it together.
To see some of the area, you can see Evian's video about it. When they show the "source" with people getting water - that is where we were! And you can see some of the mountians in their video also.
http://pure.evian.com/en/UK/#/home
Back in Lausanne
The first thing we did after the girls rocketed off the boat was go on the carousal down at the water. They each took 2 rides (10 SF) and Julia loved it so much she didn't want to get off! She chose a third thing to ride and it broke my heart to have to take her off it to leave the ride. The first thing they rode was a two seater car, so they looked impossibly cute together in their little car going around and around. Then they each chose a carousal horse that went up and down in the traditional way. For those few minutes all that existed was that carousel on the harbor - we just lost ourselves in the fun of the ride.
Then we did a playground (that really did look like a pirate ship) then we came back to the apartment for a meat ball/pasta dinner.
After dinner walk
Though we didn't like to leave the dinner mess, we knew we had to if we wanted to go for a walk after dinner but before bedtime. "Get your socks and shoes on!" we said, then moments later we were on the elevator to go for an evening walk here in Lausanne.
Our walk took us up into the awesome pedestrian area - with a vibe that is difficult to describe. There is a mix of everything, focusing on the high-end of things. Dan used an ATM and got a 200 bill. I commented that is because we were near a Rolex store. But forgetting about the high end stuff, there are just so many people strolling around that it is fun to be part of the evening scene with them. Just like usual, even the streets with the stores go straight up or straight down. That is why my fit bit thinks I went up 54 flights of stairs today! It was just a fun walk. We mentioned ice cream and there were no scoop shops so we went to Manor department store (very fancy) and got a pint. I opened it, gave the girls 2 spoons, and we kept walking. It could have been a bad idea, but they shared nicely and they sure were quiet as they ate ice cream and we strolled around enjoying the shops, fountains, and regal buildings! What a neat place this is.
Time for sleep
I got Julia in her PJs, gave her "cheese" at her request (she goes to the refrigerator, reaches up and says "cheese!!!" and she has been asleep since about 7PM. Sara has been asleep since 7:30 and soon me too!
Quotes of the day: (All from Papa!)
(on the boat) Papa: "Let's go to France!" (it was just funny to hear him say that, since crossing a lake and going to France isn't something you do every day.)
(at lunch) Papa: "I have no idea what I'm eating." (his appetizer was some sort of tri-colored goo but he ate it - he is more adventurous than I am.)
(at the Evian source) Me: "let's dump out our water (from the tap in our apartment) and fill our bottles with Evian!"
Papa: "Yeah, because water from France is so much better than water from Switzerland." (he is such a man)
(at lunch) Papa: "Oh sure, use me as a napkin" (to Julia, who was sitting next to him and appeared to remove some of her lunch off her face and onto his shirt)
---
A great day. Boat trip to France. Evian source. Carousel ride. And many smiles, hugs, and "I love you" - I heard Sara say that to me, Dan, and Julia. Makes it all worth while.
END.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunday - Chateau de Chillon (Castle!)
Today was castle day.
We arrived in Lausanne yesterday. It is on Lake Geneva. Today was our first day waking up here.
Since it is a weekend day we wanted to do a day-trip (since Dan wasn't working) so we decided to head to Chateau de Chillon.
It is on the outskirts of Montreux, built on a rock island on the edge of Lake Geneva. Rick Steves calls it: "remarkably well preserved, never damaged or destroyed--always inhabited, always maintained. Today it it's Switzerland's best castle experience."
You can reach it by boat or train. We opted for train since the only boat left around noon and we wanted an earlier start than that. After an initial mix up with which train to take (we actually got off a train to double check, and the train we were originally on would have required a bus transfer) we got on a train at 11:00.
The train ride was super easy and only 6 swiss francs. We got off at the Veytaux-Chillon station. I got my first glimpse of the castle as we pulled into the station. "ooooooh" I said. "What Mom?" Sara inquired. And when she went down the steps to the lake side promenade she saw for herself: the castle.
Enlarged to its current state in the 13th century it takes a minute to stare at the castle just to realize it is real. We walked about 10 mintues along the lake (a gorgeuous turquise lake so clear that you can see rocks and even fish in it!). The ticket line took you across the moat (a natural moat since it is on a small island) and then we got inside.
The girls didn't walk into the castle, they tore into it - with gusto. They were so happy to look around (and there was so much to see) and they treated it as a rock tree fort - running to the fountain, running around the castle courtyard, and finally sitting on a rock seat.
The best part about the castle is that it was an entirely self-guided tour. You could just wander through a gothic arched rock doorway, or wander up or down a stone stair case, and see what ever you wanted to see - it was like a treasure hunt that took us back in time. We saw it all. (How could we not with two kids leading us in three directions at once?) All the way down to the dungeon (with Byron's name), and ALL the way up to the "keep" with amazing (and I mean amazing) views of the lake stretching as far as the eye could see to greet the sky, clouds, and mountain peaks. There were 10 windows at the top of the "keep" and Sara and Julia looked out each one twice (the top of the "keep" was a square, so they would run to each window, wiggle into it together, stare for 2 seconds, then run to the next window). It was nice we are here in February since we had the castle with out too many other tourists - and the stairways were narrow. But the rooms were grand - especially the halls, with medival wooden ceilings and paintings on the castle walls from the 13th century.
Sara and Julia were giddy with energy. They walked up countless steps with out pausing even once. They ran down cat-walks made of wood that walked along the top of the castle. They danced in the court yards and ran in circles. There was one puddle in the whole castle and the girls found it, and by the time they were done there was no puddle left, just muddy foot prints that went in circles around the cobblestones.
The history was neat - to think of the centuries that the castle was "real" before it became a tourist attraction. Nobility lived there. They had to defend it. They had to cook, raise pigs, go to the bathroom (the latrines were interesting), and do everything that life requires -- right there in the castle. My favorite part was just going from room to room - in the story book castle, not knowing what the next room would hold. Julia stayed close to me. If there was anything I wanted a closer look at, and I asked Dan to watch her for a while, she would come running to find me yelling "mama!" so she was my buddy. We went hand and hand up the wood steps to the "keep" I mentioned earlier. I held her hand tightly, since a mis-step would have sent her falling 15 or so feet to the floor. She was very good and took careful yet confident steps and I probably put indentations on the stone handrails with my hand grip - but we did well and had fun!
I was sorry to leave the castle, but we had finally toured it all and we were hungry. After a quick look in the gift shop with prices so tempting I wasn't tempted, we walked to Montreux. The walk was exactly what travel is about: fun, gorgeous scenery, exploration, self-paced, care-free, and wonderful. Seriously, the walk to Montreux after the castle was along the lake on a promenade that made us understand why it is called "the Swiss Rivera" -- it was just lined with lush flora and fauna (trees, flowers, gardens, decorative elements) it was like a botanical garden of so many different things to look at, from Palm trees, to moss covered linden trees, to forsythia bushes! One one side of the path was the lake (turquoise water, big oval stones at the bottom, some fish visable) and on the other side of the path was gorgeous mansions. There were a lot of other people out enjoying the path - one or two joggers, and many people in their later years strolling along the path arm-in-arm with their spouse of 50-60 years. There were also a lot of families with kids - it was a mish-mash of everyone just enjoying the path (it was paved and meant for strolling) -- it was a "this is just great" moment - with ooodles of perfectness and nothing but beauty to land our eyes on.
Julia slept on the walk (fresh air can do that) and Sara talked on the walk. We finished the 2 mile walk and got to Montreux's lake side area (beautiful) and then found a place to eat. With Julia sleeping our criteria was a place where she could stay asleep. The first place we found was perfect. We could wheel her in asleep and there was a place near out table to let her stay asleep. We ordered food (pizza) and she woke up and joined us. We had colored pencils and large lego blocks to play with 'till the food arrived. I appreciated how accomodating the people in the restaurant were to us. They were glad to have us and did what they could to ensure we had a nice meal. We did.
After eating we wandered the town (a hilly town as usual) and then took the train back. There was an announcement in French 2 minutes before our train, and we had to change tracks. So, even though we went as fast as we could, we missed that train. No big deal. We waited 20 minutes and took the next one. Transportation is easy and frequent so there is no need to worry about it.
The train was packed when we finally got onto the train back here. Someone gave me a seat so I could sit with Julia on my lap (at first I let her stay with Dan and got a seat with Sara, but I could hear her yelling "MAMA!" all the way in the middle of the train so I got her, and that's when someone gave me their seat so I could sit with her. Sara stood near me. Dan was by the train's door and didn't even enter the full train car.
It was about 30 minutes of a ride, then we got to the apartment after an uphill walk. I gave Sara/Julia a bath (they love "swimming in the tub and they got to use bath salts) then we ate dinner that Dan made salmon, snap peas, and rice.
The sunset at dinner out the window of our apartment was orange, pink, and smeared the sky above the lake, which was a mirror for the crimson colors. "Look at the sky Mom!" Sara said. And we went out onto the balcony to drink in the view.
Then came bedtime. Sara used her sticker book from the other castle we visited (in our day trip from Fribourg) and then we called it a day. A great day for sure!
Quote of the day
(at dinner) Sara: "I loved today. It was a great day."
END
We arrived in Lausanne yesterday. It is on Lake Geneva. Today was our first day waking up here.
Since it is a weekend day we wanted to do a day-trip (since Dan wasn't working) so we decided to head to Chateau de Chillon.
It is on the outskirts of Montreux, built on a rock island on the edge of Lake Geneva. Rick Steves calls it: "remarkably well preserved, never damaged or destroyed--always inhabited, always maintained. Today it it's Switzerland's best castle experience."
You can reach it by boat or train. We opted for train since the only boat left around noon and we wanted an earlier start than that. After an initial mix up with which train to take (we actually got off a train to double check, and the train we were originally on would have required a bus transfer) we got on a train at 11:00.
The train ride was super easy and only 6 swiss francs. We got off at the Veytaux-Chillon station. I got my first glimpse of the castle as we pulled into the station. "ooooooh" I said. "What Mom?" Sara inquired. And when she went down the steps to the lake side promenade she saw for herself: the castle.
Enlarged to its current state in the 13th century it takes a minute to stare at the castle just to realize it is real. We walked about 10 mintues along the lake (a gorgeuous turquise lake so clear that you can see rocks and even fish in it!). The ticket line took you across the moat (a natural moat since it is on a small island) and then we got inside.
The girls didn't walk into the castle, they tore into it - with gusto. They were so happy to look around (and there was so much to see) and they treated it as a rock tree fort - running to the fountain, running around the castle courtyard, and finally sitting on a rock seat.
The best part about the castle is that it was an entirely self-guided tour. You could just wander through a gothic arched rock doorway, or wander up or down a stone stair case, and see what ever you wanted to see - it was like a treasure hunt that took us back in time. We saw it all. (How could we not with two kids leading us in three directions at once?) All the way down to the dungeon (with Byron's name), and ALL the way up to the "keep" with amazing (and I mean amazing) views of the lake stretching as far as the eye could see to greet the sky, clouds, and mountain peaks. There were 10 windows at the top of the "keep" and Sara and Julia looked out each one twice (the top of the "keep" was a square, so they would run to each window, wiggle into it together, stare for 2 seconds, then run to the next window). It was nice we are here in February since we had the castle with out too many other tourists - and the stairways were narrow. But the rooms were grand - especially the halls, with medival wooden ceilings and paintings on the castle walls from the 13th century.
Sara and Julia were giddy with energy. They walked up countless steps with out pausing even once. They ran down cat-walks made of wood that walked along the top of the castle. They danced in the court yards and ran in circles. There was one puddle in the whole castle and the girls found it, and by the time they were done there was no puddle left, just muddy foot prints that went in circles around the cobblestones.
The history was neat - to think of the centuries that the castle was "real" before it became a tourist attraction. Nobility lived there. They had to defend it. They had to cook, raise pigs, go to the bathroom (the latrines were interesting), and do everything that life requires -- right there in the castle. My favorite part was just going from room to room - in the story book castle, not knowing what the next room would hold. Julia stayed close to me. If there was anything I wanted a closer look at, and I asked Dan to watch her for a while, she would come running to find me yelling "mama!" so she was my buddy. We went hand and hand up the wood steps to the "keep" I mentioned earlier. I held her hand tightly, since a mis-step would have sent her falling 15 or so feet to the floor. She was very good and took careful yet confident steps and I probably put indentations on the stone handrails with my hand grip - but we did well and had fun!
I was sorry to leave the castle, but we had finally toured it all and we were hungry. After a quick look in the gift shop with prices so tempting I wasn't tempted, we walked to Montreux. The walk was exactly what travel is about: fun, gorgeous scenery, exploration, self-paced, care-free, and wonderful. Seriously, the walk to Montreux after the castle was along the lake on a promenade that made us understand why it is called "the Swiss Rivera" -- it was just lined with lush flora and fauna (trees, flowers, gardens, decorative elements) it was like a botanical garden of so many different things to look at, from Palm trees, to moss covered linden trees, to forsythia bushes! One one side of the path was the lake (turquoise water, big oval stones at the bottom, some fish visable) and on the other side of the path was gorgeous mansions. There were a lot of other people out enjoying the path - one or two joggers, and many people in their later years strolling along the path arm-in-arm with their spouse of 50-60 years. There were also a lot of families with kids - it was a mish-mash of everyone just enjoying the path (it was paved and meant for strolling) -- it was a "this is just great" moment - with ooodles of perfectness and nothing but beauty to land our eyes on.
Julia slept on the walk (fresh air can do that) and Sara talked on the walk. We finished the 2 mile walk and got to Montreux's lake side area (beautiful) and then found a place to eat. With Julia sleeping our criteria was a place where she could stay asleep. The first place we found was perfect. We could wheel her in asleep and there was a place near out table to let her stay asleep. We ordered food (pizza) and she woke up and joined us. We had colored pencils and large lego blocks to play with 'till the food arrived. I appreciated how accomodating the people in the restaurant were to us. They were glad to have us and did what they could to ensure we had a nice meal. We did.
After eating we wandered the town (a hilly town as usual) and then took the train back. There was an announcement in French 2 minutes before our train, and we had to change tracks. So, even though we went as fast as we could, we missed that train. No big deal. We waited 20 minutes and took the next one. Transportation is easy and frequent so there is no need to worry about it.
The train was packed when we finally got onto the train back here. Someone gave me a seat so I could sit with Julia on my lap (at first I let her stay with Dan and got a seat with Sara, but I could hear her yelling "MAMA!" all the way in the middle of the train so I got her, and that's when someone gave me their seat so I could sit with her. Sara stood near me. Dan was by the train's door and didn't even enter the full train car.
It was about 30 minutes of a ride, then we got to the apartment after an uphill walk. I gave Sara/Julia a bath (they love "swimming in the tub and they got to use bath salts) then we ate dinner that Dan made salmon, snap peas, and rice.
The sunset at dinner out the window of our apartment was orange, pink, and smeared the sky above the lake, which was a mirror for the crimson colors. "Look at the sky Mom!" Sara said. And we went out onto the balcony to drink in the view.
Then came bedtime. Sara used her sticker book from the other castle we visited (in our day trip from Fribourg) and then we called it a day. A great day for sure!
Quote of the day
(at dinner) Sara: "I loved today. It was a great day."
END
Bye Fribourg; Hello Lausanne: Lakeside lovely
It is never easy leaving an apartment. Toys, clothes, and travel papers get spread all over and it takes a while to pull them together into our luggage. Especially with two helpers, that are known to demolish neat piles, re-play with packed toys, and climb on everything and anything while we are trying to work to pack. Our best plan is to divide and conquer - have one person watch the kids while the other person packs. We were packed around 10:00. Every inch of space taken. Both duffle bags, both back packs, and even under the double-stroller was full of food.
It was quick to check-out, just a key drop off. Then we wandered through the open-air Saturday market. It had everything, each in their own market stand: olives, cheese, vegetables, fruit, meats, beer, honey, etc. Each stand was tended by some one who looked like they’d been tending that market for 5 decades. The cheese woman wore an orange scarf around her whole body and a blue scarf on her head. She lovingly cut each cheese for people who were from her same vintage. I wheeled our kids down the cobble stone road, snuggled in between the medival buildings, and just soaked up the scene. It was incedible - sort of like a summer market in France, but with a taste of practicality. Everyone had a cart on two wheels to take their stuff home with them - and everyone was chatting with everyone else - with genuine smiles and gentle nods.
After that we hiked up the hill. We had read that it is hilly, and it is hilly. Take my word for it. Dan never stops to rest, but he stopped to rest on the up hill walk to the train station three times. Granted he was hauling our 100 lbs of luggage and his own back pack, so it was quite a load. As for me, I was hauling our 50 pounds of kids, my own back pack, and all the food we were moving from place to place. I just put one foot in front of the other, hiked up the hill, took off my coat when I got hot, and fed Sara and Julia stick pretzels to keep them happy.
When we got to the train station we bought tickets, bought a blue berry muffin (that is actually what the sign said - in English! Usually things were in French, or sometimes French and German.) and went to our train track. We were about 20 minutes early, so I played with Julia (I take her minnie mouse doll and say ‘I’m going to kiss your nose!” or whatever, and I say different body parts so she learns the vocabulary and she also thinks it is very funny.)
Our train pulled into the station. A shiny, modern, double decker. A family car sped past us, so we ran down the platform so we could board that particular car. Family cars have a play area on the second level, worth it for us to be on that car.
The train was delightfully empty of passengers. (We’ve had that great luck for most of our journeys, and it makes it easy to find a seat and easy to find space for our luggage.) We went upstairs and the girls had stars in their eyes when they saw the play area. They didn’t stop smiling for 43 minutes, the length of the train ride.
The train ride was beautiful. We went past little villages with houses huddled around a church with a pointed steeple. We went past farms with 5 shades of green in their fields. All this was crowned by the mountains, rising up magistically in the background. Nothing could be prettier. Then it did get prettier. We got our first glimpse of “Lake Geneva” which is the Swiss Rivera (although France is on the other side) and WOW it was stunning. The sun made the water glisten like mercury, the mountains rising up above it were covered in sugary white snow, and the towns along the lake dotted the valley like the freckles on my arm. Dan and I were glued to the scene, Sara and Julia kept playing, but one time Sara looked over and she stopped in her tracks and stared at it as we chugged along the tracks towards our Lake Side wonderland.
We arrived in Lausanne. It was just 43 minutes, but it feels a long way away from Fribourg. This city is also very hilly. We are forgetting what it is like to walk on flat ground. Our building starts on the 3rd floor for the front entrance and dips down to the 0 floor in the back - it is that hilly. We are on the 6th floor. We are renting this place from people who leave on business travel. It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and a living room - and a literal wall of windows (like every inch is a window) that faces the Lake. Cool!
After getting a tour of our place (getting a lesson on the dishwasher, the laundry, etc) we left to get groceries. The ‘co-op’ city is in a building across the street! How lucky. We went over there, took an elevator (of course, we take elevators a lot since there are so many levels here - and it was confusing to know where the food was since co-op city is also a department store). The grocery part was nice once we found it - full of everything we could ever want - as nice as our grocery stores back home. We had a list and got what we needed (I bypassed the ‘horse meat’ in the meat section) like vegetables, fruit, some sliced roast beef, some chicken breasts, and meat balls. Another thing to buy was the city trash bags, which cost 20 CF for 10 of them. They don’t pack groceryies for you so we put them in reusuable bags and carried them to our apartment.
I unpacked quickly, then met Dan/Julia at the play area. (We all went to the grocery store, but they went there while Sara/I unpacked the food.) Both Sara and Julia were jublient to be in the playground - smiles, giggles, and “hey! Let’s play over here!” echoed in the whole area. We were the only ones there. They had a great time then it was time to get a late lunch.
Lunch
We ate near the train station (a walk down hill, and 1 elevator) at Vapiano. I got a beef tenderloin/pasta dish, and Sara and Dan both got pizza. Of my 6 slices of beef, I ate 1, since Sara and Julia kept asking (reaching out!) for more. I was happy to give it to them.
After lunch we explored, walked, wondered, and gaped. This place is wonderous. I was thinking “we should live here!” - there is a modern part of the city, there is a ‘old part’ and the stunning lake! AND for the most part we walked in pedestrian areas (no cars) so we were out with other happy people on a Friday afternoon - and it felt marvelous. We passed churches, grand squares, stores so fancy they have door men, and I couldn’t believe how neat it all was. Up, down, around, through, we traveled in a line that Dr. Suess would draw on a map.
At one point I took a video while walking. It was a faboulous scene with a fountain, shops, and happy pedestrians walking up the converging cobblestone lanes. I was bubbling with excitement that we plan to spend two weeks here - just soaking it all up.
Then drops fell from the sky. Then rain fell in buckets. Then hail pelted us. What? Where was it all coming from all of a sudden? We kept walking. We covered the girls in the stroller with their roof so they didn’t even say anything about the airborne flood. Dan and I each put our L. L. Bean hoods up and kept dry and snug. I watched the hail stones land on my jacket. They looked like large cubes of salt. They bounced on the ground, landing in the fresh puddles. I marveled at how just a couple minutes earlier I was loving the wonderful evening strolling around this town - and then the rain! It was fine, almost fun, though Dan took a few wrong turns and it took longer to find our street, and get to the warm comfort of this apartment.
Dinner
We got to the apartment and both girls looked like robotic stick figures walking with their arms and legs straight to keep their wet clothes away from their bodies. I put Julia in dry clothes and she was off to play. Dan put Sara in a “dancing outfit” (she loves to dance around the apartment, or anywhere for that matter).
After a simple dinner it took 1 second to get Julia to bed and Sara soon after. A long day, including travel, and a great one.
Quote of a day:
Quote of a day:
Sara: “Mama what does a worm do when it climbs into a meatball?”
END.
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