Day 2-- Zurich walking tour

The last leg of the flight was long but rather uneventful.. I slept some, and squirmed in my seat and just passed the time. When we were about an hour away, the cabin staff served breakfast, which was not advertised in the literature we had, so it was a surprise. We were given a banana and a “egg/muffin” thing that was hot and filling.

Customs was easy—stand in the right line, give the man your passport, go get baggage, go through a door that says “nothing to declare” and we were in Zurich.
We were met by the owner of the travel agency who arranged the trip for us. Carmen, the travel agency owner gave each of us a gift bag which contained a box of chocolates, a beautiful little book of scenic pictures and a Swiss Army knife with our name engraved on it. She and the driver took our bags and offered us champagne (I put orange juice in mine) while we listened to two gentlemen playing Alphorns specifically hired to serenade us. We took their pictures (and lots of other folks did too) and were on the way to our hotel.



After getting settled, we began our walking tour of the city with Kurt, our tour guide and driver while we are here.

The pilot had said that the temp outside was 37 degrees and I was sooooo thankful to have brought my long wool coat, which in Texas I wear- Oh, I don't know, maybe- twice a year.

I have to look in the windows of some of the stores to know what they are selling because of their German names, but "linenhaus" is fairly obvious. I found a Starbucks where I hope to go this evening or tomorrow morning to download this since the hotel St. Gotthard has no wireless internet and the wired is rather expensive. For the price of a $5 cup of tea I can do the surfing I want at Starbucks for no extra charge.

Kurt told us that Zurich has 1500 fountains and all have water good for drinking and altho’ we didn’t see all 1500 we did see quite a few. He said that periodically the water is checked by some little crustaceans which are very sensitive to anything unhealthy in the water.

We saw Roman ruins (bath house) , Roman fountains, the place where the Lindenhoff castle was in 30 BC, a huge train station, river and lake, we walked through a high school and technical university, like none I’ve ever seen before. Huge and ancient, but still used. Einstein taught and studied here at one time.


We saw parks and gardens along a walkway in Zurich




We went into 2 churches- Fraumunster (was a convent built for the king’s daughter Hildeguard) had stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagal at the age of 83. Rather “modern” type of art with the 5 long narrow windows each being predominantly one color---red, blue, green, yellow and blue again. The second church was Grossmunster where we visited the crypt. At one time it had enjoyed lovely colored paintings (frescoes) on the walls. They no longer exist, and no one knows whether the Prostestants destroyed the paintings, or the elements, smoke from the fireplace dimmed them. I'm hoping it wasn't the Protestants,altho' it is a possibility in the rush to eliminate all "Popery"
Monastery garden



We rode a cable car and the city tram (large buses) and then came back to the hotel. We rested up some, changed shoes and went out in search of LUPPER (lunch and supper). We found a place which was recommended in a guide book where the food was good, but the bread could have been used as a weapon. This bread- 3 large rolls cost $3 per roll. We ate and on the way back stopped at a toy/ candy store with a slide from the ground floor to the basement that looked like a dragon. The kids were loving it.



More tomorrow--downloading this in Starbucks having walked 8 blocks and ordered my cup of English breakfast tea. definitely worth $5.

The trip to Zurich

DFW airport—October 11, 2010
Trip from home to airport smooth, and bag check at curbside equally smooth. Inside there was a short line for security. No problems there. The folks working there were friendly, polite and efficient.

Found gate 15 with almost 2 hrs to spare and went looking for a snack. Realize it is just after 9 am, so the Barbecue Smokehouse didn’t appeal to me—Maybe if it were later in the day, but not now. Pretzels smelled good, but were huge. I finally decided on a cranberry scone which was very tasty warmed up.
I’ve snacked now and have done half a Brownwood bulletin crossword puzzle and thought I’d begin this journal.
I keep thinking that I’ve packed too many “cold weather” clothes, but I am going to Switzerland, so we’ll see. I fly from DFW to Atlanta where I’ll meet up with little brother and Marion. The flights from DFW to Zurich are a combined total of 14 hrs. That long part, I rather dread

Several interesting places in the airport, but I shouldn’t have been surprised to see the “Official Dallas Cowboys Store”.

We loaded the plane (it was rather full) and waited for about 30 min on the runway to be given permission to take off. Sitting across from me was a family with a 3 yr old and a 4-5 month old . They kept their parents really busy, but for the most part were pretty good.

A month ago when reservations were made for this trip, I chose my seat locations—choosing all aisle seats. When I checked in at DFW, my seat had been changed and when asked why, the gate attendant said “equipment change”. I’m guessing that the size and configuration of the plane was different from when I reserved my seat. It was a short flight, so there wasn’t a problem. Sat next to a young woman heading to Moscow, and I’m guessing she was headed home.

Arrived in Atlanta and saw many many people disembark who had been in Dallas for the sports events from the previous weekend. I talked to a mother and son, from Nashville, who went to see the Cowboys even tho’ they live near the Titans’ stadium.

After waiting, meeting my family, and walking around some, we loaded. This flight is NOT full. Several people can stretch out and nap, not having anyone sitting beside them.

Delta is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness month by offering pink margaritas and pink lemonade for sale with proceeds going to Cancer research.

After spending 4 days at Cursillo, I’m ready to nap here in a while. Hope I can.

Supper was served consisting of a choice of chicken with rice and veggies, and pasta with Alfredo sauce and tomatoes. My chicken was quite acceptable. Ample for my needs and tasty. A really great brownie came with it. After supper there was coffee, tea and water service. Several people had wine, from a box.

During the first part of the flight the movie GROWNUPS was shown, and some of the men guffawed and belly laughed. They were having a wonderful time. I read rather than watching.

Switzerland- here we come

In less than a week, my brother, Bill, sister-in-law, Marion and I will meet in Atlanta to fly together to Switzerland. Our grandfather came from Switzerland as a young man and we are going to see some relatives who live in St. Gallen. We will fly into Zurich, and do some touring before and after visiting. Our destinations are Bern, Lucerne, Lake Constance, and Interlocken. (as well as St Gallen on the far eastern side) On the agenda, which was planned by B and M, are a textiles tour and chocolate factory tour and lots and lots of really amazing scenery. I will be writing every day, but depending on the capabilities at our hotels, may not post every day. Pictures will be added after I return on Oct 20. Enjoy the trip with me.

Food Bank- the kitchen

There were 7 of us from W'minster Pres. church who drove to the Tarrant County Area Food Bank this morning.
This time we weren't relegated to the organizing room (which is really boring), but we were ushered into the kitchen. I'm not sure who eventually enjoys these meals, but they were interesting to "prepare". Our assignment was to parcel out 238 individual spaghetti and meat sauce servings in "paper" containers, seal them w/ the hot cellophane equipment and label each one before storing in the freezer. This gave me the opportunity (with food handler's gloves) "play" in cold spaghetti and to flatten the also cold sauce down with gloved hands. An interesting sensation. That done, we labeled another group of already prepared (and frozen) entrees and repacked them in boxes. Labels won't stick very well on frozen cellophane, so we warmed it up slightly with our hands before sticking the labels on. The label gives content information as well as when it was packed. Interesting.

Our final project was to sort and clean beans. Several pounds of dry beans were sorted through for rocks, corn, and wizened beans. This wasn't the most exciting activity of the day, but it is interesting how differently 7 people sort through beans. A few folks sorted out all broken beans, all "half" beans, along with wizened and strange looking beans. The rest of us just culled out the rocks and (of all things) kernals of corn. Different strokes.......
The Food bank also has culinary classes (another story in itself) who this morning were preparing "grains". We were invited to sample their class products and they were excellent.

I'll miss the October opportunity because I'll be in Switzerland.

The long road

I walked around downtown, noticed the glorious sunrise, and went back to the room before the sprinkles got too hard.

Enjoyed worship at the church where I grew up. Before worship, I slipped out and took a look at the sunday school area, which has not greatly changed in the last 60 years. New paint and curtains, but other than that it's all pretty much the same.
Met Jo Beth McCloud, the minister. Very few people that I know, but the congregation was not as tiny and elderly as it was when I was here 5 yrs ago. One friend mentioned that there were probably more Alpine High School graduates in the sanctuary than had been there in many years. Seems a strange thing to say, but AHS graduates generally don't stay after graduation and the new congregation members usually come from somewhere else. There were three AHS graduates from the reunion there, the gentleman who said that and his wife, and three others who live there, so that made 8 in a congregation of about 40 or so.
After worship, I showed off my Smart Car to several interested folks. And then I headed out................ I finished listening to the story on tape (actually on CD) by Dan Brown and then sang along with Elvis, the Kingston Trio, Hits from 1961, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Chicago, Seussical and Big River. I love driving down the freeway with the top down on my little car, it is so airy and cool.
Filled up with gas and stretched my legs at Odessa and Abilene.
Am soooo glad I took the hospital detour to see my friends. It was good for me to walk around and also to see them--and they were surprised to see me.

The drive from Abilene to Arlington was difficult in that the road was FILLED with 18 wheelers. I was surprised that the freeway was so crowded with traffic on Sunday evening. I left the hospital about 6:45 or so and the freeway was packed with trucks and cars. And I'm guessing that 60% of all the vehicles on the road were large truck.s I didn't have any trouble with the trucks, but they do take up lots of room and they were going faster than I do. I go the speed limit, or just a hair below, and they don't.

I got to Arlington at 9:30, having left Alpine at 12:30 I'm glad I went, but boy is my body stiff from all the sitting.

Sunday and the trip home

Have loaded my car and have been walking around. The air is cool and every now and then I feel sprinkles on my face.--I'm taking home more than I brought because Brother Bill brought me a packet of brochures about our upcoming Switzerland trip and Marion brought me some (personal) items for the trip.
Plan to attend First Presbyterian Church this morning and then head out for my 8 or so hour drive back. Since a friend is in the Abilene hospital awaiting heart surgery tomorrow, I thought I'd break up my trip by stopping by and saying hello. Should get back home between 9:30 and 10 pm

Alpine, day 2

The hotel is right on the main street and mere yards from the railroad tracks. I expected to hear the trains at various times during the night, but nope. I slept hard and never heard the train noises--altho some people who were a bit farther from the tracks said they heard them at various times during the night.
I forced myself to stay in bed til 6am- I'm usually up at home by 5, sometimes earlier. Went down to breakfast in the lobby at 7 and chatted with some other early risers

Went back upstairs to organize my stuff, and do some writing and went back down for more tea about 8:30.
Little brother and several others were there, then and we talked awhile. Plans were made for the Anderaus to go see the SR museum and to drive around and check out the town.

We got to the museum at 9:05 and they weren't open (information said 9-5), but when we went back in an hour, we discovered that the person who was slated to open up, didn't and the girl manning the desk had just been called in to cover for her. During our wait we walked around the campus, showing B's wife Marion where things had been (and not been) when we attended in the 60's. I wandered into the Fine Arts Bldg, which has a new name/dedication. I walked up to MY little theatre and was surprised to find it open. We went in and commented on the changes --door in different place, removal of some seats to create a light/sound booth, etc. Felt good to be there again. After that I looked thru the door of the "shop" where I made costumes in the early 60's. Then the room did not have any electrical outlets, so I made costumes with a treadle machine. Much improved today, I saw three sewing machines (electric) and even a refrigerator. Wow! things got modern.

Meanwhile, back at the museum, nothing from the earlier place was in evidence (I'm hoping it is stored somewhere, cuz it was cool old stuff) but the place had a very interesting layout. Several video kiosks showed clips of what was being shown in artifacts. The Rock art was interesting (and really tall) and no the original rock art was not in the museum, but a very realistic representation was there.


Saw a clip abut the battle of Ojinaga (Pancho Villa) and another of the use of the Big Bend Area in movies.
When we left, walking through the gift shop, I almost bought Lillian a toy until my brother pointed out that they said "San Diego Zoo" on them. She didn't need that.

We drove, and looked and drove. We saw the new hospital (old one looks so sad and deserted), saw the new library building, which has not been opened yet. Saw places where friends and relatives had lived, asked each other questions about "Wonder what happened to .....?

After our drive around we had lunch at the Bread and Breakfast. Salad, soup, and sandwich. Then we walked up and down Holland Avenue going into almost every store. And yes, I did buy a couple of things. Found a "resale" shop with children's clothes and toys, where I got a fleece sleeper with feet, for Lily at a great price. BTW- for fans of Alpine, this shop is housed in the old JC Penny store.

Walked down the street, and Quetzal is the shop where I found an embroidered Mexican style blouse.

I don't think B or M bought anything but a book.

Back to the room to chill and nap (had to turn the A/C off--too cold) and get ready for the evening "DO".

Walked to the site of the evening gathering which was 2 1/2 blocks from the hotel. It is the Granada Event Center. The Granada theatre is etched in my mind as where kids went every Saturday afternoon, to see the latest western movie and several cartoons. Later I remember it as the place where I saw "West Side Story" at least 5 times in one week. Do I need to mention that I love that music? The Granada is no longer a theatre but some forward thinking person has turned it into a celebration venue. It is a large open space with black ceiling and the largest ceiling fan (one) I ever saw. The place was decorated with balloons and lit -up stars. The meal was excellent-- prime rib with veggies and various desserts to choose from. The meal was followed with an assortment of door prizes (which we had all brought) and entertainment. The troupe of 7 belly dancers entertained for over 30 minutes (which I thought was a little long--but they were quite good, and they travel to various Texas cities to entertain) After the entertainment, class pictures were taken and then a deejay was on hand to provide music for dancing. Earlier I said that only 3 of my class was here, turns out 7 of us showed up. And it was really good to see everyone. It seems that since next year is the 50th anniv for the class of 61, we are expected to organize and host a similar event. We did talk about it some and first need to choose a date, then determine a "style"--casual (Legion Hall venue), dressy (Granada venue), a combination or something else--I hope if this happens, we can get permission to have an event in the building where we attended High School---It is now a Jr. High.

Anyway, those are decisions for another day. The event was a success and seemingly enjoyed by all. I wonder how the committee did all this for $45 per person.



I heard later, that a large group stayed until the wee hours reminiscing