From Luxembourg I took the train to Brussels, headquarters of most of the European Union’s institutions. Both culinarily and culturally speaking, it was really the chocolate that I was eager to ingest, as well as the traditional fare of waffles, mussels and beer. Belgians possess quite a savory palate! Tomek who lives in this frenetic city, joined me in a feast of delectable moules. I think I have had my fix!
Luxembourg was voted the City of Culture in 2007, a title designated by the European Union in order for a city to exhibit its cultural life on an international level. Needless to say I sought to find a bit of this culture. What I found was an elegant little city which felt very manageable and lively without an air of pretension, though it happens to be one of the wealthiest in the world. Luxembourg is a country of under half a million people, many of whom come from neighboring Belgium, France and Germany, creating a large ex-pat community. Ruled by a Grand Duke, it is the world’s only remaining sovereign Grand Duchy. I was well charmed by this intimate city.
Sometimes there is simply nothing to be said, and everything to be seen and felt. Such was my experience as we drove along the lake from Lausanne to Vevey, home to Mathias and one of the most beautiful scenes I have laid my eyes upon. On the right, the savoy alps diving into the lake. On the left, the steep stairs of the vineyards (this human accomplishment has been awarded the Unesco world heritage).
Lausanne lies at the edge of Lake Geneva. Complete peace exists amidst this dramatic panorama upon the lakeshore of Ouchy.
Sometimes it is simply the feeling in the air and the resonating mood that a time and place create. Such was Gruyères, where we stopped for the night. I was immediately taken with this medieval town, shrouded by mist and inhabited by vagrant cats. For dinner we dined on a grand feast of fondue (we were in Gruyères after all) and fell asleep to the trickling of the fountain outside the window.
In the morning a blanket of fog covered the landscape as we toured the Château, a walk into eight centuries of architecture and history. In complete contrast to the grandeur of the castle, we delved into the fascinatingly twisted mind of HR Giger, the Swiss artist famous for creating the effects for the film Alien. He bought one of the old houses in which he showcases his unique style of sexualixed surrealist visions, extending this imagined world into his Alien-style bar next door. I did not want to part with this mystical town but it was time to return to the lake.
Following a walk in the green rain of Bern, Mathias and I set out for Interlaken, located between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west. The destination of many adventure-seekers.
As the rain continued to fall and evening drew near we drove to Gstaad, renowned as a ski resort for the wealthy elite. Indeed a charming winter paradise. A perfect stop for hot chocolate.