Week 1 & 2

We have been in our delightful apartment in Pully, a suburb of Lausanne, for a week now and it is beginning to feel like home. It is a two bedroom, 1 bathroom (with a toilet for those who know of our previous Lausanne abode), with living and dining rooms and good size kitchen. The apartment is high on a hill and has lots of windows facing Lake Geneva and the Alps and is sunny and bright. We are the first floor of three floors of this house built probably mid 20th century. We have two small balconys facing south to view the snow capped Alps across the Lake in France. And there is a ferry boat from here to Evian in France.

There is also a small children's playground adjacent to our building which is perfect for the grandkids. The neighborhood is gorgeous. There are many multifamily houses but also many older, large, beautiful traditional homes with stunning small gardens. There is even a forest within walking distance. It is quiet, and only a short walk from Jed & Helga's apartment. Fortunately, we have lived on Drovers Close for 10 years and hiked with Kathy & Harmony and are in shape. The walk from here to the kids is only a half mile but the same as walking down & up Longmeadow, perhaps a little shorter, but not less steep. And here there are many steps.


Now that you have background I can return to the beginning. We have actually been in Switzerland for almost two weeks. After our long journey here we stopped overnight in Pully to drop off some luggage and meet up with our friends, Laura & Steve Gilbert, who travelled from Charleston to join us. The next day we all took off for a skiing adventure in the Alpine towns of Crans Montana. The weather was cold but sunny and warmed up each of the five days we were there. The two Steves and Laura went skiing and I went snowshoeing. I couldn't find the raquette (snowshoe) trails at first so spent the first day snowshoeing on the ski trails. That was a challenge. When I did find the trails they were through the peaceful and beautiful woods. We managed to burn lots of calories, enough to indulge in a traditional fondue.

We have spent several afternoons with our brilliant little boys. Auke is now talking and Tern knows everything in three langauges. They exhaust us but are so full of energy and fun. Starting Friday we will need to gather all our resources as their au pair, Marcelle, is off on Friday and Monday, Helga is in the USA, and Jed must go to work. I think it will be a busy weekend for us. We must get paid extra for the overtime.

In preparation for our upcoming duty we interviewed gyms today. We went to three and have not decided which to join but one gym has given us free passes for one day. We are going to try their body pump class tomorrow. I have finally talked Steve into trying it.

Yesterday was the first day of rain and since Helga has already left for Minneapolis, Jed wanted to go in to work and Marcelle is off on weekends, we decided to take Tern and Auke and Laura & Steve to the Olympic Museum here. It took two busses and when we got off the last bus there was a sign that the Museum is closed for renovations for a year. That was disappointing, but did not dampen Tern's spirits as he was happy as a lark (or a Tern) to ride the next three busses to get back to our apartment. There is lots of space here for the kids to roll around on the floor and play.

Last night we had Jed & Helga, Tern & Auke, Marcelle, Steve & Laura over here for Jed's 40th birthday celebration. It was the first birthday we have celebrated with Jed in many years and was wonderful.

Thank you to all who are playing "Words with Friends" with me. I am enjoying the games and knowing I am still connected with you.

More later.
Anita