From Interlaken to Luzern

Thursday the 20th of April was our final day in Interlaken. We really were not ready to leave. There was a definite feeling of sadness in the air as we readied our bags after breakfast and checked out with Ursula behind the desk. We told her how much we enjoyed our stay and she responded the same. I attempted to add a bit of gratuity to the bill, but she refused it and told us we ought to keep the money for our travels. She is a special person, and she and Chris run an excellent B&B, one that WHEN we come back, we'll be sure to patronize again. We reluctantly headed for the train station and boarded the next train to Interlaken Ost, and then from there, the next one to Luzern. As most every train ride has been thus far in Switzerland, the views were spectacular as we passed lakes and hills and farms and chalets, etc. We eventually dropped down into Luzern and found it to be a beautiful city. After de-training, we bought a map, found our pension (hotel), checked in, dropped off our bags, and headed back out to explore the town as it was just past noon and we had a full day ahead of us. There was a kaffe across the street from the pension advertising "take-away" kaffes for 3 SFR, so we got two and a small wheat bread and very slowly wandered around town. There are two old wooden bridges that Lonely Planet mentioned as being significant so we found those, and then walked out by the river and sat down to watch the swans. After a while, we decided to try a boat ride, and with our Eurail passes in hand, we immediately boarded one of the large vessels and began a wonderful zig-zagged expedition atop Lake Luzern to Vitznau, and back. The trip took just a bit longer than 2 hours and it was fantastic. The water was glass-like with a slight haze that made for a mystical horizon. The sun was so bright that the views of the surrounding moutains seemed bleached out, yet still awesome in their gradiosity. A deep sense of calm enveloped us. Once back on land, we walked by the Luzern arts center and found out that there was going to be a symphony orchestra concert at 7:30, but that it was by invitation only. The lady inside was very friendly and told us that we could come back around 6:30 to see if they'd be selling any additional unused tickets. Having not eaten anything substantial since breakfast, we went to the coop and bought some goodies for a picnic dinner. Outside, we found some benches by the river and enjoyed our spread of bread, ham, cheese, olives, potato salad, Coke and beer. It was fun people-watching and we finished up in time to head back over to the arts center and try to score some tickets. Unfortunatly, the cheapest tickets available were alot more than what we were willing to spend. Instead, with the weather still perfect, and the sun going down, and everyone all dressed up for the symphony, we went outside by the water and watched all the people congregate and linger amongst themselves before the show. After a while, we walked back over to the coop for a chocolate bar, and sat out by the river to watch the ducks play in the water. With the sun finally gone down, we called it a day, and went back to the hotel for the night. If that Mexican dinner would not have been so expensive last night, we would have gone to Mr.Pickwicks Pub instead, where a jazz/blues show was scheduled. But, still feeling guilty about that expense, we decided to make it a quiet night. Anyway, we'll be in Munich, and then Vienna over the next week, and we're bound to find all kinds of great live shows there. Tomorrow, Zurich in the morning, and then to Munich in the late afternoon where we'll be for two nights before heading to Vienna.