CHF

CHF - that's swiss francs.
Switzerland is the only non-EU country we visit on the trip, and therefore has guarded border stations where you actually have to stop. Crossing the border from Belgium to France, for example, involves driving past a sign that says FRANCE on it. Luckily we all had our passports when we crossed the Swiss border, and we didn’t have to leave anyone like last year when we had to leave Elliot behind. Hopefully his new life in Europe is going well for him.
First stop in Luzern was the Swiss Lion watch and knife store, just around the corner from the famous dying lion monument. After Mr. Johnson had collected all the weapons from the kids exiting the store, he got a chance to lead the group up to the lion and tell them about it. He is an excellent guide, by all accounts. It’s hard not to listen to someone carrying a bag of knives.
Tyrel does his best imitation of the lion, sans arrow.

Our tour of Luzern, though it was cloudy and Mt. Pilatus was not visible, was nonetheless beautiful with the Rheus River and Lake Luzern as the backdrop. I told the kids the interesting (though probably not true) story of William Tell – how he came to shoot an apple off his son’s head and eventually inspire a rebellion against Austrian rule that would see the formation of the Swiss Federation, the oldest surviving democracy in Europe (since 1291). We ventured over the chapel bridge, and it was easy to see why some wealthy Japanese couples fly their entire wedding party to Luzern to have their wedding photos taken near the chapel bridge.
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A nice steep but short hike up to the old city wall was a bit of a preview for the Cinque Terre – I hope everyone followed Mr. Johnson’s suggested walking fitness program! On the way down, I tried to take a photo of the hotel that was built way up on the hill for Queen Victoria to stay in when she visited Luzern. These girls insisted they were more interesting than the hotel, so it is just a small blip in the distance.
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From almost the beginning of my tour of Luzern, a man who saw me guiding our group casually joined us, videotaping me and listening as I explained the sites. Hopefully he enjoyed the tour. The kids suggested I ask him to pay a fee, but he thought 50 euros was too steep and left us after that.
Our new friend tries to look disinterested as I snap a photo of him.


Switzerland has interesting driving laws – you basically don’t need a license to drive, and you only have to be 14. Aazam took advantage of this and drove our bus from the town centre to the hostel (only about 10 km). Here are some photos:
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Aazam sits up front in the tour guide seat so Rens can give him the basics of operating the bus as we approach the Swiss border.

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Aazam takes the wheel with confidence.


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Rens gives Aazam some pointers after a minor fender bender.

And here’s the hostel we are staying in. Not the nicest place, but it did have running water (cold only though).
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Note: none of the text accompanying the last four pictures was true.


Sorry worried moms. Your kids are all fine.

Craig