Return to Switzerland (20/8-27/8)

Back home, a week off and Orlaith comes to town, its like Christmas in August! So I got back to Switzerland an really didn't do much. To be honest, the weekends I get back are almost always quiet and slow. I generally spend the time catching up on sleep, doing laundry and trying to relax.

This weekend was no different. With one exception, I had the next week off. That meant I could really relax and catch up. However my folly was in July thinking that I should finally get an accounting certification. So I had signed up for the CMA with my exam scheduled for October 17. Al of my free time over the last month and a bit had been studying. So while I was on vacation this week, I was in study mode, trying to cover serious ground in limited time.

Orlaith did come into town, so we hung out and did some sight seeing. The weather was great so we went down to the lake several times. The sun was out and there were actually people around. We went swimming in the lake and just relaxed in the wonderful weather. It was a nice change for me as Bolivia, Argentina and Peru were all cold!

We did do a trip over to Lucerne and up Mt Pilatus. It takes awhile and after a train, bus and two gondolas, we arrived at the top. Mt Pilatus was once thought to be home of dragons in the area, so the dragon symbol is used a lot. Also there is a local legend that Pontias Pilate was buried there. And it is an impressive 6,982 feet high.

There are restaurants, a tourist center and even hotel at the top. But to be fair, the place feels like a Bond villain movie lair that has gone commercial. We did see several people paragliding down from the top too. It has crazy good views and is a gorgeous place. I am glad we got to go there while the weather was good.

We spent part of the afternoon just around Lucerne then headed home. It was a quick visit but we were going to see each other soon in the US. That weekend Orlaith went home and I was off to Texas, again.