Week 2, the Laundry

After two days of rain (not complaining, just stating) the sun is out in full force. It is still cold, about 40ºF, but the sun off the Lake and the snow in the mountains is almost blinding.

We decided to use our free coupons to the "Let's Go" gym today. There was a 9:30 Body Pump class and between me and the reception lady we convinced Steve to try it. It was interesting enough to take a class taught in French that I am familiar with, but poor Steve who didn't have a clue what we were doing or what came next, and of course the weights are in kg so that was another layer of discovery. The instructor was kind and helpful but mostly all he could do to help Steve was to use sign language. We all had a good time and could hardly wait to find the patisserie when we were done. It turns out that that gym is really too far from home so we will have to try another branch that is closer.

And now as the title of this posting states, The Laundry. The laundry is one of those cultural things that is unique to each country. Our little multi family house has a laundry room in the basement. Since we are on the first floor (which is really the zero floor) going to the basement (level -1) is not too far to go. Is is a daylight basement so it is not too gloomy though when Tern followed me down there yesterday he declined to go back when the wash was done.

There is one small Meile washer for the three families. There is a magnetic key to start the process. One programs in prepayment then holds the key until it accepts your payment. You pick the desired program and it goes for between 54 minutes and and hour and 34 minutes. When it is done you need the magnetic key again to restart the power to the machine and then can open the washer door.

As for drying, the dryer is bolted shut. It seems no one cares or wants to use it anyway as there is a drying room adjacent to the washing room. This drying room is strung with lines for hanging clothes. There are even a couple of windows that open. One must remember not to wash all the towels at once or if it is a rainy day it can take 24 hours for them to dry. Also using fabric softener is a must or the towels and your T shirts become dry in the form of cardboard.

We learned yesterday that our visas to stay for 6 months were denied. The Swiss government thinks we do not have a good enough reason to stay beyond the normal 3 months of a tourist visa. Steve is investigating getting employment here and our upstairs neighbor is a lawyer with, I hope, good connections. More about this later.

For now I am meeting my boys at the park in Lutry. Steve is off to meet his contact at IMD, the business school at which he has given a lecture.
Until next time.
Anita