My dear friend Aurore, whom I have visited several times in Strasbourg, came to visit me this past weekend, and we had a totally wonderful time.
She arrived on Friday night, and we decided to cook dinner at home (chili and cornbread), since we wanted to get up early on Saturday morning to go to the mountains. My flatmate Stefanie joined us for dinner, which was really great.
On Saturday, Aurore and I got up really early to head into the Bernese Oberland, and, more specifically, to Lauterbrunnen. This is really the place that started it all back in 2007, when I visited on vacation with my family and told my mom that I could imagine myself living in Switzerland. I also went with my dear friend Anne to Lauterbrunnen when she visited me back in 2010, and we did hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. I loved that hike so much that I had my parents do it when they visited me this past summer, and I made this hike again with Aurore this past weekend. Although I have to say that it was quite different in the winter, as the path went a totally different route, but with the same fabulous view, thankfully.
We were treated with beautiful weather- sunny skies and clear. I took a video of our view from Männlichen, which is below.
The view was really incredible. I think Aurore and I were a little giddy because it was so amazing clear and beautiful. I may run out of superlatives in this post, that's how great it was!
We walked for a while, having a few near-death experiences while crossing ski pistes, and stopping every few minutes for more pictures, of course.
We had a little picnic on a rock in a little stand of trees and enjoyed the warmth of the sun, the incredible view, and the birds that were singing. It really was so warm that we were hiking without jackets!
We had a rather bizarre encounter with a snowboarded who had dislocated his shoulder but didn't really want our help. He eventually managed to re-locate his shoulder and boarded off, but we were a little concerned for a while. First, because he was hurt, and then after, because he wanted to talk with us about fighting sports and drugs.
I really love how different the mountains look under the snow. They really look other-worldly, I think.
We got to see para-skiers, which was cool. I'd never do it, but it looked exciting!
At the end of the hike we had to walk straight uphill, which definitely gave us a good workout. But the views were so worth it! I just can't get over the Alps!
After the hike, we headed back to Bern, where we got out and walked around at sunset. I really like the city of Bern and have been several times. The main reason that we stopped there is to go to the Altes Tramdepot, which might be my favorite restaurant in Switzerland. I have been there multiple times, because I really like the atmosphere and the beer, and it was a perfect place to stop between the mountains and Zürich. Before dinner, we walked through Bern at sunset, saw the mountains turn pink in the distance, and enjoyed a really good beer and dinner. We had really nice servers (which definitely doesn't always happen here). I think that I won them over with my very earnest (if not accurate) attempt to speak only in German with them. I even got a thumbs up from one when I came up with the word I was searching for!
On Sunday, Aurore and I had brunch with Stefanie and Lilli, which was really lovely. After, Aurore and I wandered around Zürich, down by the lake. We also had time for a Starbucks before I had to take her to the train station. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend. I love it when people visit me here (Hint, hint!), especially as I become more and more comfortable and knowledgeable here.
She arrived on Friday night, and we decided to cook dinner at home (chili and cornbread), since we wanted to get up early on Saturday morning to go to the mountains. My flatmate Stefanie joined us for dinner, which was really great.
On Saturday, Aurore and I got up really early to head into the Bernese Oberland, and, more specifically, to Lauterbrunnen. This is really the place that started it all back in 2007, when I visited on vacation with my family and told my mom that I could imagine myself living in Switzerland. I also went with my dear friend Anne to Lauterbrunnen when she visited me back in 2010, and we did hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. I loved that hike so much that I had my parents do it when they visited me this past summer, and I made this hike again with Aurore this past weekend. Although I have to say that it was quite different in the winter, as the path went a totally different route, but with the same fabulous view, thankfully.
We were treated with beautiful weather- sunny skies and clear. I took a video of our view from Männlichen, which is below.
The view was really incredible. I think Aurore and I were a little giddy because it was so amazing clear and beautiful. I may run out of superlatives in this post, that's how great it was!
We walked for a while, having a few near-death experiences while crossing ski pistes, and stopping every few minutes for more pictures, of course.
We had a little picnic on a rock in a little stand of trees and enjoyed the warmth of the sun, the incredible view, and the birds that were singing. It really was so warm that we were hiking without jackets!
We had a rather bizarre encounter with a snowboarded who had dislocated his shoulder but didn't really want our help. He eventually managed to re-locate his shoulder and boarded off, but we were a little concerned for a while. First, because he was hurt, and then after, because he wanted to talk with us about fighting sports and drugs.
I really love how different the mountains look under the snow. They really look other-worldly, I think.
We got to see para-skiers, which was cool. I'd never do it, but it looked exciting!
At the end of the hike we had to walk straight uphill, which definitely gave us a good workout. But the views were so worth it! I just can't get over the Alps!
 |
| You can see a little sun dog in this picture! |
After the hike, we headed back to Bern, where we got out and walked around at sunset. I really like the city of Bern and have been several times. The main reason that we stopped there is to go to the Altes Tramdepot, which might be my favorite restaurant in Switzerland. I have been there multiple times, because I really like the atmosphere and the beer, and it was a perfect place to stop between the mountains and Zürich. Before dinner, we walked through Bern at sunset, saw the mountains turn pink in the distance, and enjoyed a really good beer and dinner. We had really nice servers (which definitely doesn't always happen here). I think that I won them over with my very earnest (if not accurate) attempt to speak only in German with them. I even got a thumbs up from one when I came up with the word I was searching for!
 |
| Pink mountains in the distance. |
On Sunday, Aurore and I had brunch with Stefanie and Lilli, which was really lovely. After, Aurore and I wandered around Zürich, down by the lake. We also had time for a Starbucks before I had to take her to the train station. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend. I love it when people visit me here (Hint, hint!), especially as I become more and more comfortable and knowledgeable here.
