T n T and Switzerland:
After revelling in free, high-speed, internet on the train to Copenhagen from Stockholm, and a successful transfer to an overnight train I arrived back in Paris. The return to Paris for one reason only: Tex Perkins (Cruel Sea) and Tim Rodgers (You am I) playing at the Australian Embassy bar for €10. the boys were on a European tour promoting their collaborative album and took the time to play to some Aussies starved of some good old Aussie music.
As the evening approached, Rod and I got increasingly excited as we travelled on the metro towards the embassy, enjoying a slightly strong vodka and Red Bull™ on the way. (NB: Red Bull™ has not actually been approved for sale in France but there are always shop-keepers prepared to deal in the illegal trade of banned soft-drinks?!?) We arrived at the Embassy bar, called Matilda’s, to be welcomed back to Australian land and presented with a grand selection of beer: Cooper’s Red, Toohey’s New, Crownies and VB. (No Fosters sold on Australian land mate!!)
The concert was awesome. Tucked into the small bar, the acoustic tunes flowed as did the beers. The relaxed nature of the boys on stage, clearly enjoying just having a bit of a joke with a bunch of Aussies, and the overall vibe of the event meant the couple of hours they played for went by really quickly. As it turned out, our night didn’t end there! Through a mutual friend of mine and Rod’s, we met Tex’s girlfriend, Mel, and instantly got on like a house on fire. There no hesitation when the two of them invited a couple of us back for a few more drinks at Tex’s hotel room!! Tex was an absolute legend. He was just a top, down to earth bloke who enjoyed crapping on about everything as much as the rest of us. In the wee hours of the morning we left to stagger home, feeling like kings…..we’d just partied with Tex Perkins!!!!!!!
Next was off to Zürich. I had previously spent an afternoon there and was looking forward to spending some time there. Zürich is often described as the true heart of Switzerland for its stunning buildings and diverse culture. The city is a cohesive melange of old and new, chilled and chic, cheap and ridiculously expensive. Zürich sits on the shores of a large lake which bares the same name. A 4 hour round trip boat ride on the lake provided the opportunity to have a squiz at the other small villages with dotted the lake, all to the background of the amazing Swiss Alps.
Unfortunately the weather was not conforming to the accepted norm (between a standard variation of +/- 2 with a P-value <0.05) for what one would consider SUMMER!! While not exactly snowing, the regular intervals of driving rain forced me to accept the fact that at some stage in my journey, waterproof clothing would be necessary! Hence, I finally bought an umbrella. In truth, I actually forgot to pack any form of waterproof clothing with me.
After enjoying all that the city had to offer, my last day was spent feeling like the centre of attention. I caught up with Volker, who’d happened to be in Singen the night before, Marcel who drove down from Olten 45 minutes away and finally Marion and Nakissa, two girls from Stockholm. Cruising around a few of the local little bars was all we could do to keep out of the rain that continued to fall…at least that is our excuse and we’re sticking to it!!
Next was off to Luzern, 50 minutes by train from Zürich. Although not a big city in itself it makes a great place to make a base from which to explore the Alps. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to do that and instead spent my only day cruising around the city. The town itself is split into two by the river Reuss and over this river spans a number of foot-bridges, including two wooden enclosed ones. Inside these wooden bridges, on the wooden arches, were details paintings depicting the history of the area and parts of the Switzerland’s Royal history. Unfortunately the story was incomplete as part of one of the bridges was badly damaged by fire in 1997.
One of the funniest things I’ve seen for a while was the “Labyrinth of Mirrors” located at the Geo-archaeological museum. This museum was a “living” exhibition with detailed explanations regarding the fact that Luzern was once a tropical area complete with palms…at least it was some 1,000,000 years ago!! Anyway, what made the labyrinth so funny were the scores of children running around the mirror maze, laughing their heads off as they repeated slammed face first into mirror after mirror trying to find their way around. the network of mirrors also provided an awesome medium for some self portraits as well as the one with the young girl. (her mother was stoked and really happy when I offered to send her the photo.)
Near this museum, which was called Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) is an amazing dying lion carved into the sheer rock face. I have absolutely no idea why it is there or what it represents but I couldn’t help but think of the Lion King™ when I saw it.
After cruising along the old city walls it was off to the funiculaire (diagonally moving train thingy) to get a view from the Schloss at the top. Unfortunately the Schloss was closed, and had been for about 14 months, as the owners were trying to sell it. Unfortunately, neither my credit nor my promised good will were enough to secure the €19 million required…..anyone want to go in?..we could each have our own floors!!!!
After the short dash into Switzerland it was time to get back to meet up with Robin Thurman, another Santa, and continuing travel.
As the evening approached, Rod and I got increasingly excited as we travelled on the metro towards the embassy, enjoying a slightly strong vodka and Red Bull™ on the way. (NB: Red Bull™ has not actually been approved for sale in France but there are always shop-keepers prepared to deal in the illegal trade of banned soft-drinks?!?) We arrived at the Embassy bar, called Matilda’s, to be welcomed back to Australian land and presented with a grand selection of beer: Cooper’s Red, Toohey’s New, Crownies and VB. (No Fosters sold on Australian land mate!!)
The concert was awesome. Tucked into the small bar, the acoustic tunes flowed as did the beers. The relaxed nature of the boys on stage, clearly enjoying just having a bit of a joke with a bunch of Aussies, and the overall vibe of the event meant the couple of hours they played for went by really quickly. As it turned out, our night didn’t end there! Through a mutual friend of mine and Rod’s, we met Tex’s girlfriend, Mel, and instantly got on like a house on fire. There no hesitation when the two of them invited a couple of us back for a few more drinks at Tex’s hotel room!! Tex was an absolute legend. He was just a top, down to earth bloke who enjoyed crapping on about everything as much as the rest of us. In the wee hours of the morning we left to stagger home, feeling like kings…..we’d just partied with Tex Perkins!!!!!!!
Next was off to Zürich. I had previously spent an afternoon there and was looking forward to spending some time there. Zürich is often described as the true heart of Switzerland for its stunning buildings and diverse culture. The city is a cohesive melange of old and new, chilled and chic, cheap and ridiculously expensive. Zürich sits on the shores of a large lake which bares the same name. A 4 hour round trip boat ride on the lake provided the opportunity to have a squiz at the other small villages with dotted the lake, all to the background of the amazing Swiss Alps.
Unfortunately the weather was not conforming to the accepted norm (between a standard variation of +/- 2 with a P-value <0.05) for what one would consider SUMMER!! While not exactly snowing, the regular intervals of driving rain forced me to accept the fact that at some stage in my journey, waterproof clothing would be necessary! Hence, I finally bought an umbrella. In truth, I actually forgot to pack any form of waterproof clothing with me.
After enjoying all that the city had to offer, my last day was spent feeling like the centre of attention. I caught up with Volker, who’d happened to be in Singen the night before, Marcel who drove down from Olten 45 minutes away and finally Marion and Nakissa, two girls from Stockholm. Cruising around a few of the local little bars was all we could do to keep out of the rain that continued to fall…at least that is our excuse and we’re sticking to it!!
Next was off to Luzern, 50 minutes by train from Zürich. Although not a big city in itself it makes a great place to make a base from which to explore the Alps. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to do that and instead spent my only day cruising around the city. The town itself is split into two by the river Reuss and over this river spans a number of foot-bridges, including two wooden enclosed ones. Inside these wooden bridges, on the wooden arches, were details paintings depicting the history of the area and parts of the Switzerland’s Royal history. Unfortunately the story was incomplete as part of one of the bridges was badly damaged by fire in 1997.
One of the funniest things I’ve seen for a while was the “Labyrinth of Mirrors” located at the Geo-archaeological museum. This museum was a “living” exhibition with detailed explanations regarding the fact that Luzern was once a tropical area complete with palms…at least it was some 1,000,000 years ago!! Anyway, what made the labyrinth so funny were the scores of children running around the mirror maze, laughing their heads off as they repeated slammed face first into mirror after mirror trying to find their way around. the network of mirrors also provided an awesome medium for some self portraits as well as the one with the young girl. (her mother was stoked and really happy when I offered to send her the photo.)
Near this museum, which was called Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) is an amazing dying lion carved into the sheer rock face. I have absolutely no idea why it is there or what it represents but I couldn’t help but think of the Lion King™ when I saw it.
After cruising along the old city walls it was off to the funiculaire (diagonally moving train thingy) to get a view from the Schloss at the top. Unfortunately the Schloss was closed, and had been for about 14 months, as the owners were trying to sell it. Unfortunately, neither my credit nor my promised good will were enough to secure the €19 million required…..anyone want to go in?..we could each have our own floors!!!!
After the short dash into Switzerland it was time to get back to meet up with Robin Thurman, another Santa, and continuing travel.
posted by santas walkabout at 9:45 pm
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