Pfoderie: SWITZERLAND 2013

Time is flying, especially when you arrive to my age. 2010 we had the greatest vacation in Switzerland and ever since then we planed another outing overseas and we finally decided on 2013 from Sept.16 to Oct. 4th. Today it is already 2 weeks since we are back and I think it is time to make my first entry on my blog since our return. The reason it took so long is very simple, my wonderful brother and sister in law, Toni and Andrea introduce us to that incredible new game on I-pad by the name of HAY DAY. So for the past 10 Days I was trying to farm the land and get rich. Anybody who plays this game knows what I am talking about.
So much for my excuse, lets get on with the important things. On Monday, Sept 16th, Daniel chauffeured Donna and me to the St Louis airport at around 2 o'clock. With on abounded amount of time left, (2.5 hours) Donna checked us in and sent the baggage all the way to Zurich, we cleared security with minor difficulty, because just 3 months ago I got a metal plate in my left ankle and with my medal left hip from 10 years ago the bells in the security box went off, bringing over several officials to check me out. Since I look so innocent, everything was cleared up in minutes and we where on our way to the next cocktail bar.
The plane was on time and we had another two and a have hour before our Swiss Airbus 330 takes of at 7:30 pm. It seems to be a lot of time but since the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is so big and we had to take the train to our concourse for the flight to Zurich and going to security again with the same results, there was not enough time for another cocktail. As soon we arrived at the Gate we had to board.
The flight took only 8 hours and 20 minutes. The food was nothing special and less than expected from Swiss airline, then again they can't control the kitchen in Chicago. The airbus 330 has a large body, but there is very little leg room. I suffered all the way to Zurich being in my brace for the inured ankle. The anticipation, arriving in my homeland was to great for me to complain too much. I guess I have to win the Lottery so I can fly first class or at least business.
We arrived a half hour early in Zurich and there also you have to take the Train to get to the main terminal. Delightful, because the special effect going to the tunnels are typical Swiss tradition with cows mooing, flag throwing and Alphorn music. Unfortunately the train was a little to crowded to get the full effect.
Pass control was a 2 minutes affair, well organized and fast. We arrived at the luggage carousel, picked up our suitcases and waked to the green line to the exit. It was Tuesday, Sept. 17 here in Switzerland 10:30 am . 7 hours ahead of St Louis time.
Just outside, my brother Toni was waiting for us and drove us to Neerach, a small village only 10 minutes from the airport. Toni and Andrea own a beautiful house there and we settled in there guestroom. Officially our Swiss Vacation are starting right now.
Andrea arrived at home the early afternoon from her part time job,(2 days a week) and we all caught up on our exciting lives. I had some snack in the afternoon consisting of Cervelat, fresh bread and Thomy Senf.
Later Andrea fixed dinner, our first traditional Swiss food of many to come. We had Nuesslisalat with homemade dressing and roast Feischkaese. It was delicious! We also consumed Feldschloesli Beer and lots of Epesses, my absolute favorite Swiss white wine.

Donna and I finally got to bed after the long travel and being sleepless for 24 hour.

Andrea fixing dinner

Cervelat, bread and mustard

Wednesday, Sept 18th, first thing comes first. you can't survive in Switzerland without money, so I went with Andrea to the bank to get some. We also purchased some breakfast and snack items and of course some all important beverages. Packed with Croissant, Zopf, Cervelat, Metwurst, Tilsitter, Appenzeller, Feldschloessli, Dole and Epesses we headed home. The rest of the day was socializing, eating and watching a soccer game on TV. My brother Toni worked all day, (he is part time an instructor for Swiss airline pilots) he came home late and Andrea, Donna and I had to enjoy the raclette by our self. We went to to bed around 11 pm, but the time change did not let us fall asleep until the middle of the night.

Talking about our exciting live

Wednesday night Raclette

Thursday, Sept 19th, we had a relaxed morning and in the afternoon, Andrea took us to the Glatt Center in Zurich where I bought me some hiking boots for when we go to the alps. It is only our second day but we already found some souvenirs to take home to St Louis. On the way back we had some cocktails in the local restaurant of Neerach. In Switzerland, cocktails means beer or wine.

Believe me, we tried to order a Bacardi and coke on occasions, but it was not consumable. If you are lucky you get 2 Ice cubes with your Bacardi and a coke on the side! So we stick with beer and wine.

Andrea fixed us all a great dinner and after we went to watch her play tennis on the clay court right behind their house. To bed at 10:30 pm and I slept good for the first time.

Special prepared dry Green beans, Ham, cabbage sausage and speck

on Thursday night

That dinner is excellent with Epesses,

Veal bratwurst and roesti on Friday night

Friday, Sept 20, we stayed home all morning and at 3 pm Toni drove me to the airport Avis rent a car to pick up my wheels for the next 2 weeks. He ordered the car on line and a brand new Opel was ready. Toni left for home and I was to follow him in my rent a car. Unfortunately I had some mayor problems, (it would be to long to explain) and arrived about 2 hours after him at home.Needless to say, I was laughed at and teased, taking 2 hours for a 5 minute ride. After a good dinner we packed again our suitcases so we can travel the next morning to the Berner Oberwald. Andrea handed me the keys to there apartment in Grindelwald. The plan was to pick up Amy and Tony at the airport in Zurich and drive together to the Alps, but since I got lost picking up the car, Toni offered to drive me to pick them up. I was happy going to bed.