Parent-Sitting
As these things sometimes/always go, I am very very behind on updates. Hopefully I’ll have the chance to prepare a few more entries before my re-entry to the US. Even if not, I’ll try to keep this one relatively succinct for your benefit and mine.
A bit over a month ago, my parents finally made it back to Europe to visit me. Their previous trip had taken them to the UK sometime before I was born (and maybe even before they were married?), so this was actually their first time in Continental Europe. Because I had to work during the week of their arrival, I sent them on a few day trips in which they got to visit Bern, Lucern, Lauterbrunnen and various others. Finally, on the weekend after their arrival I began my vacation and was able to accompany them to some places in the country I hadn’t yet traveled.
Basel
It seems kind of crazy that it took me almost 2 years to make it to Basel, one of the country’s design centers (home of a world-renowned design school where two of my professors studied). When I finally did visit, it was during ArtBasel, an international showcase by various galleries and artists at the city’s massive convention center. We spent the better part of a Saturday browsing some great (and exorbitantly expensive) contemporary art.
Entrance to ArtBasel
On Sunday we returned to do more traditional sight-seeing including some nice museums and the zoo. The city is quite beautiful with some great Medieval architecture. That, coupled with the thick Eurocup atmosphere made it a great day.
the Rathaus at the city’s main square
an amazing door relief
detail of a Rodin sculpture
sweet birds at the zoo
street scene
Broc
On Monday we traveled to Broc to tour the Callier chocolate factory which has technically been owned by Nestlé since the early 1900s, but still retains its own recipes and name. It was a nice visit, compounded by the fact that it was free and included a room full of chocolate for unlimited tasting. Yes, please.
So much chocolate, so little time.
Sampling some of the goods
Gruyeres
Following Broc, we made our way to the cheese-making village of Gruyeres. We were able to do the cheese-making tour which included some delicious samples of differing ages of the namesake cheese, but missed out of touring the Chateau or H.R. Giger museum (devoted to the artist behind the aliens in Alien, which for some reason resides in this otherwise quaint little place). Even so, it was a fun trip and I think my parents enjoyed the spectacle of the Raclette we ate.
Cheese aging in the cellar
Entrance of the Giger Museum
Dad preparing some raclette (in which you melt the top of a block of cheese and scrape it onto a plate of potatoes)
Vevey
On Tuesday we stuck around Lake Geneva, venturing just an hour away to Vevey. This lakeside city offers fantastic views across to the mountains and has a nice little statue as a tribute to Charlie Chaplin who lived in the area after he fled the states during the McCarthy Era. We wandered around in the morning and enjoyed the views.
Mom and Dad
Chaplin as the Little Tramp
There’s a Museum of Food near the lake, thus it’s only logical that this giant fork would be there.
Lausanne
Our Swiss tour ended with another trip (for me) to Lausanne, one of my favorite cities in the country. We did the standard “attractions” as well as some shopping and a last dinner at a great pizza place/microbrewery I try to get to every time I’m in town. Since I’ve covered this city pretty well in other posts, I’ll just leave you with one final image to haunt your dreams.
My new vote for scariest mannequin ever:
A bit over a month ago, my parents finally made it back to Europe to visit me. Their previous trip had taken them to the UK sometime before I was born (and maybe even before they were married?), so this was actually their first time in Continental Europe. Because I had to work during the week of their arrival, I sent them on a few day trips in which they got to visit Bern, Lucern, Lauterbrunnen and various others. Finally, on the weekend after their arrival I began my vacation and was able to accompany them to some places in the country I hadn’t yet traveled.
Basel
It seems kind of crazy that it took me almost 2 years to make it to Basel, one of the country’s design centers (home of a world-renowned design school where two of my professors studied). When I finally did visit, it was during ArtBasel, an international showcase by various galleries and artists at the city’s massive convention center. We spent the better part of a Saturday browsing some great (and exorbitantly expensive) contemporary art.
Entrance to ArtBasel
On Sunday we returned to do more traditional sight-seeing including some nice museums and the zoo. The city is quite beautiful with some great Medieval architecture. That, coupled with the thick Eurocup atmosphere made it a great day.
the Rathaus at the city’s main square
an amazing door relief
detail of a Rodin sculpture
sweet birds at the zoo
street scene
Broc
On Monday we traveled to Broc to tour the Callier chocolate factory which has technically been owned by Nestlé since the early 1900s, but still retains its own recipes and name. It was a nice visit, compounded by the fact that it was free and included a room full of chocolate for unlimited tasting. Yes, please.
So much chocolate, so little time.
Sampling some of the goods
Gruyeres
Following Broc, we made our way to the cheese-making village of Gruyeres. We were able to do the cheese-making tour which included some delicious samples of differing ages of the namesake cheese, but missed out of touring the Chateau or H.R. Giger museum (devoted to the artist behind the aliens in Alien, which for some reason resides in this otherwise quaint little place). Even so, it was a fun trip and I think my parents enjoyed the spectacle of the Raclette we ate.
Cheese aging in the cellar
Entrance of the Giger Museum
Dad preparing some raclette (in which you melt the top of a block of cheese and scrape it onto a plate of potatoes)
Vevey
On Tuesday we stuck around Lake Geneva, venturing just an hour away to Vevey. This lakeside city offers fantastic views across to the mountains and has a nice little statue as a tribute to Charlie Chaplin who lived in the area after he fled the states during the McCarthy Era. We wandered around in the morning and enjoyed the views.
Mom and Dad
Chaplin as the Little Tramp
There’s a Museum of Food near the lake, thus it’s only logical that this giant fork would be there.
Lausanne
Our Swiss tour ended with another trip (for me) to Lausanne, one of my favorite cities in the country. We did the standard “attractions” as well as some shopping and a last dinner at a great pizza place/microbrewery I try to get to every time I’m in town. Since I’ve covered this city pretty well in other posts, I’ll just leave you with one final image to haunt your dreams.
My new vote for scariest mannequin ever:
posted by Aaron at 11:05 PM
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