My spontaneous trip to Germany (where my brother lives) and then our trip to Switzerland and Italy--celebrating life again with food, wine and fun and good company.

June 2015

06/23/2015

Bern is a charming surprise for me. I had images in my head of Bern as the capital (don’t know where I got them from) but they turned out to be so wrong. At least the older part of the city where we landed so to speak. Took us a minute to figure out the parking meter but we got it in the end—suspended because it was holiday.

Informative Note: In 1983 the historic old town in the center of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bern is ranked among the world’s top ten cities for the best quality of life (2010). I agree!

A river runs through it and wow! It is a beautiful tiffany like blue—a little muted but still so very vibrant against the old terra cotta colors of most of the buildings in the section of town. It was almost a muted turquoise which is my birthstone.

Bern is built on uneven ground. There is an elevation difference of several meters between the inner city districts (Matte, Marzili) and the higher ones (Kirchenfeld, Länggasse).

We were walking in 'Matte' following the river and ran into young filmmaker (with fresh mint in his pockets—he loves mint tea he said) who told us of the history Matte—the poorer residents historically live down here due to the flooding but with their homes directly on the river, at times of non-flood—how beautiful it must be. The water and its color comes from the melting glaciers that rushing down from the alps. Wild rapids at times swollen and destructive and at others, a tranquil glacier blue flowing past windows and balconies.

Climbing to Higherground

We took a stroll through the shopping promenades filled with shops, restaurants, bars and apartment buildings. Almost every building has a basement that has been turned into bars/ cafes/discoes—cellars like doors open outward inviting everyone to walk down narrow steps to who knows what kinds of delightful entertainment.

06/22/2015

Straight on to Zurich. My excitement mounts with each passing kilometer. Border crossings are easy now, one minute you are in one country, the next we are in a new one without even slowing down.

Zurich. It's my second time here with Jeff but last time we had to cut the trip short so we wanted a bit more time to enjoy this bustling but beautiful center of finance.

Lake Zurich runs through the city providing water views with every step. Swans populate the lake like water clouds passing their days floating gracefully amid all the noise and endless streams of people making their way to meetings, meals and who knows what else—the people, not the swans.

Old world buildings as well as new ones line the lake on either side with a multitude of places to shop, do business, and of course eat and drink.

By the water's edge with swans dotting the lake

Catching some rays

I love the European style of setting up tables and chairs facing outward so while eating and drinking you can people watch. My lunch at a charming café was a delicious ‘salat nicoise' and light crisp Swiss white wine.

'Salat Nicoise' for me...

Golden chicken nuggets for Jeff

After our leisurely lunch, we were ready to stroll away the afternoon peeking into shops, churches, and hotels along our way--just being part of the scene.

06/21/2015

Up early today and loaded up the car ( I left some stuff at Jeff’s house but I really still have too much- but a girl needs options—never know what social event might arise on the road) and left bright and early for Switzerland. Jeffie at the wheel, the navigator hooked up and me ensconced in the passenger seat with my coffee.

On the road again...

There is nothing like the excitement at the start of a road trip on a beautiful sunny morning, no matter where you are and where you are going. The magic is in the start of a trip and all the glorious possibilities you are going to encounter along the way if you are lucky. And luck is always on your side.

I take the wheel as soon as I finish my coffee-- I love to drive too. On the autobahn driving past beautiful German towns with clusters of homes and farms provides the scenery as I whiz by in the morning light. Jeff keeps telling me the german rules of the road—yes you can go really fast on the autobahn but the trick is not to go crazy—I tend to want to go crazy fast.

Fun stop: At a rest stop (I needed more coffee), they have an exercise/ stress reduction zone for drivers. This helps cut down on road rage I am sure because after spending some time on these machines, we couldn't stop laughing.

06/10/2015

Jeff’s friend Connie is a great cook. For my welcome to Germany dinner this time, it was Roast Duck. Deliciously done with the perfect amount of crispiness on the outside hiding a wonderful pink blush on the inside. Served with simple white rice and German style salad on Connie and Rudi’s beautiful balcony on a perfect Spring evening.

The meal was fantastic but the company even better. My brother is fortunate to have such great friends and this circle (Connie, Rudi, Thea and Addy), I have come to know from my various trips there and they have welcomed me with open arms. We eat well, speak in all manner of German, English, hand signals (on my part--I spend a lot of time in Germany--time to start learning German I think) and lots of laughter. They are a fun crowd and know how to show a girl a really good time.

We talked, laughed and drank late into the night under a clear sky filled with brilliant stars and soft breezes easing me into relaxation and a state of joy that I came searching for on this trip.

My brother’s German 'family' love him and take good care of him while he is far away from us and for that I am very very grateful:

Pics from a delightful dinner under the stars:

Rudy, Connie, Addy, Jeffie and Thea.

After dinner drinks: After the wine with dinner, Ramazotti and Sambuca

Addy enjoying her Sambuca

Thea giving the thumbs up on the evening's fun

Rudy, Connie and me toasting to good times

Sambuca to light up the night---a throw back to my hostessing days in Japan--(don't try this unless you are a professional (and put the flame out before you drink it)):

.....I realized that it was better to spend my vacation living and enjoying every moment of it as it was happening instead of trying to write about it.

So now that I am back and can put some thought into what I am writing (and relive it all-yeah!). I will try to share the sights, food, wine, joy, insights, people and places with you and how such beauty as I have seen and experienced is now a part of me.

Best travel buddies!

Close your eyes and imagine it if you can.... On the road to Burg Eltz.

Driving up, up the winding road into the mountains and then down into the valley. On either side of the road fields upon fields of green and yellow spread like perfectly laid carpet.

These fields of yellow dot the German country side

Jeff kept telling me about Burg Eltz, a castle in the middle of nowhere. I couldn't really imagine it and then we pulled up and parked, walked about a quarter mile and there it was...