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John: day 1- Today we have experienced a little frustration because we have 3 changes to get to Interlaken and we were separated with our seat reservations even though we appointed adjacent seats when we made our booking. Works out ok because of vacant seats on first leg and an Italian lady generously offering to swap seats on the Milano-Spiez leg. Gee, aren't we becoming hypersensitive to trivilalities after 3 months of travel? Anyway, we reach Interlaken and all so pretty and the apartment is nice and Jesse is coming for Christmas.....that's what's more exciting than anything!!!
Loretta: day 2- Jesse is not arriving until 7p.m. this evening, so we decide to do a bit of Christmas shopping and check out Interlaken East. We find a small, but colourful Christmas tree to add to our apartment. We are able to cook for ourselves - a nice change and purchase a few food supplies.
Jesse arrives arms waving after train delays and re-scheduling. It is so good to see him again and we spend time exchanging travel stories and taking a walk around Interlaken altogether.
Loretta: On the 24 th December, we decide to go up to Wengen and Lauterbraun (both ski resorts that are in full swing) and need to travel on the finicular to reach these two mountaintop locations.
The scenery at Wengen is absolutely breath-taking. The Swiss Alps have to be seen to be fully appreciated, and to see them this close is seeing God's handiwork at its best. They look so beautiful covered in snow and the valleys below look like post-card images. We are amazed at just how mild the temperature is up here. We were expecting it to be cold but instead the sun is out and it is warm as we sit in the sun enjoying our lunch, with both John & Jesse cooling their beers in the snow- this is bliss!
After lunch we purchase two Swiss Army knives which come with free personal engraving-as a Christmas gift for both John and Jesse-what is it about knives and boys????? (John: the valuable, life saving tool also has scissors, pliers, screw drivers, bottle openers and more.....Loretta will be more appreciative after I use it to administer her next 'a la moda', stylish hair trim!!)
We catch the funicular back down the mountain and get off for a look around Lauterbraun and purchase some beer for Christmas-got to get the important things right. (John: as everyone who knows Loretta really well is aware, she loves her beer!!!.....not!!)
Loretta: We awake to Christmas morning and take it easy before contacting Josh via skype, then phoning Lucy to wish them both a Merry Christmas. On Josh's advice we set off to explore the reserve at the back of Interlaken and follow a track that meanders to a hilltop look out of the town and lake. This proves enlightening as we had previously thought Interlaken a little too commercial and touristy. So much beauty outside the CBD.
We share a Christmas meal together, and later decide to go out for a walk around Interlaken and are surprised to find quite a few business houses open. Jesse enjoys an Indian meal at a local restaurant (John & I are both full & enjoy a chai).
It is time to pack up and get ready for tomorrow when we set off early for Vernazza, Italy and bid Jesse farewell till we see him again-wherever that location may be.
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