After leaving Alsace we headed towards Lausanne, Switzerland to see Michelle, Danielle’s sister. and her husband Jean-Pierre and their son Regis. Michell had grown up in Australia but had married Jean-Pierre and went to live with him in Switzerland.The speedy lady drove us to a little village 10 km south of Kolmar where we sent a telegram to Michelle saying that we were on our way, and started hitching.
It was drizzling a little and we weren't very hopeful, but a young guy in a Kombi picked us up and took us to the start of the auto route near mole house. We waited there for a while and then walked into a nearby village about 2 km away to get a couple of cakes and headed back to the order room after a short time a guy who had seen us there about an hour before, picked us up and took us to Basel.
We crossed the border (they didn't even stamp our passports) and changed our money into Swiss francs and stayed at the youth hostel. Spent the day in Basel, modern Art Gallery in the morning and also is a historical Museum which was full of the most tasteless furniture and furnishings. I've ever seen. We went to the zoo in the afternoon which was quite nice except for the constant drizzle, the monkey house being the best I thought. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
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| Rabbi by Marc Chagal Postcard Kunstmuseum |
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| Flamingos - Basel Zoo Postcard |
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| Shoebill - Basel Zoo Postcard |
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| Lausanne - Postcard |
We had lunch, and got another lift to Lutry which is short distance along the lake from Lausanne. We found John Pierre home and he took us into Lausanne to have a look around.
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| Lausanne c1830 - Postcard |
It's quite hilly, with many galleries, exhibitions and theatres. Jean-Pierre owned a magasin d'alimentation (delicatessen) so we ate very well.
We spent the next few days exploring the area and along the lakeside. We found it interesting that Lurty had a Monkey Fountain (Fontaine aux Singes) and Ouchy, about 12 minutes away by bus had one as well!.
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| Fontaine aux Singes - Ouchy Postcard |
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| A Lutry wine label with monkey motifs |
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| Fontaine aux Singes - Lutry Postcard |
We went looking for work but found we had to have a work permit for Switzerland which is contrary to what we had heard earlier. I attended a classical floor class one morning which destroyed me for the rest of the day, and the next -out of condition.
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| Playing chess in the square - Lausanne |
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| On the banks of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) |
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| Lac Leman - Lausanne |
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| Spotlessly clean Swiss petrol station |
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| Danielle and Michells outside the apartment block in Lutry |
It was now the end of October and we were starting to get a bit bored and stir-crazy - too cold outside for walking too much and cooped up in a small apartment. Also we felt that we weren’t really accepted by Jean-Pierre. He’s pretty bourgeois and sexist as well. Michelle mentioned that Jean-Pierre doesn't like Danielle wearing her patched jeans as it is bad for his image.
We decided to leave with about Fr.500 in our pockets.
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| Where to next? |
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| The sign says "Drive Quietly" |
