Day 13--Switzerland

 This day was more stressful and difficult than any other we’ve had. It felt like the kind of travel nightmare you read about.

When I was booking our train tickets between countries, I used an app that gave me the best deals. Sometimes the trains left early in the morning. Donnie and I thought this would be fine, failing to recognize the absolute necessity of a cushion, especially when relying on public transit in a foreign country where you don’t know the language. Our trip to Switzerland began punishingly early.

Our first critical step was getting from our flat to the international train station across town. We got out the door about 15 mins later than anticipated, so we decided to call an Uber. The driver kept getting further and further away from us instead of closer. Eventually we decided to cancel the ride and take the Metro instead. The one positive thing about this delay was that it gave us time to buy three more croissants from the beloved bakery next door .

We got to our first stop just fine, but then we couldn’t find our next Metro line for several minutes. We finally found it, got on, and then the train suddenly terminated its route. We tried hard to find an alternative, but time was running out quickly and panic was beginning to set in. We decided to try calling an Uber. So there we were, at the Musée d’Orsay before 7am, watching crews unload multiple trucks for the day while we waited for the  Uber. Thank goodness, the driver arrived quickly and we arrived at the international train station with minutes to spare. We struggled to figure out our seats, but once we did, the relief was palpable. We all slept as France whizzed by. 

The rest of that day is a blur of different stations and connections and stress. It all turned out just fine—we arrived in Switzerland safe and sound. But my goodness, we were all so relieved when the day ended! 


This is a video I took of the courtyard of our flat in Paris on the morning we left. The courtyard is like a church—everyone is silent when they enter out of respect for their neighbors. I loved it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YMW11LTyPV9RXN5P6


Enjoy some pretty pictures of France taken from a train window:







               Tired parents who finally got to sit together. 




We arrived in Lucerne, Switzerland ! Gorgeous Alps in the background. 


               Girls at restaurant-a reviving meal for everyone.


                                  It was adorable there. 


Fancy flower gelato. We waited in line for a while—they were little works of art.



Driving to our place in Stalden


 Beautiful views as we climbed!


People actually live here.











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