Swiss trip mini-report

Hey,

We had an awesome trip to Switzerland last Friday (3-19), good weather, great travel mates, and a vistas galore. EasyJet worked well for us and we arrived in Geneva about noon safe and sound. We bussed downtown for a quick lunch and a look at the Reformer's Wall, a monument to Reformation leaders that were centered in Geneva in the 15 and 16 hundreds. Also played checkers with huge pieces in the park. Took the train back to the airport and caught another train (this will be a trip-long theme) to the town of Vevey which is west about 1/2 way down the north side of Lake Geneva. The French Alps are on the south side of the lake and are spectacular. From Vevey, we took a local train up the side of a mountain and then hiked the rest of the way to the Emmaus Institute for a late supper and our rooms for the night. We found the place and the people outstanding and enjoyed our visit very much. We were to return on Sunday night.

Saturday morning, we headed back down the hill and "trained" further west to Chillon to visit the castle there. It was very cool as you can see. A picnic lunch by the lake and then we were back on a train headed over the Alps to Interlaken. The slow train revealed vista after vista of rugged mountains, chalets, and quaint villages. We arrived late (another theme of this trip) and took a cab up a mountain to our supper and digs in Beatenberg. Spectacular is the best word I can think of to describe the views.

After breakfast, we bussed down to Interlaken and arrived early (an exception) for English service at a small church. Since it was raining a bit, we dropped into a local bakery/cafe and enjoyed a warm drink and the ambience. Church was a highlight for several in our party. Good sermon, singing, and fellowship with a small motley (Germans, Swiss, Americans, French, Canadians, and 3 Africans from different countries seeking asylum) group of people meant for wonderful worship. Lunch was cheese fondue (Kati's birthday meal) and then the fast train to Bern, Geneva, and Vevey and up the hill to Emmaus again.

Back to Geneva in the morning, a short tour of the area where John Calvin did most of his great theological work and then back to the airport for the EasyJet ride back to Lisbon.

A whirlwind tour for sure but well worth it. I have left out lots of details about the trip (including taking the wrong train the wrong way and "losing" part of our group by doing so) and it is impossible to effectively report on the fun and laughter we enjoyed. It was a great time and we should recover soon..