Ann arrived Sunday morning amidst holiday traveling. The airport was a zoo and we all got the paulsey as a result. But, we picked up Annie safe and sound after a long day of flying Spokane-Seattle-Amsterdam-Geneva! We brought her into town before setting off for the day.
The five of us (Chris, Claudia, Annie, Steve and me) piled into a tiny Opal wagon and hit the road. Next stop, Gruyere.
The hour car ride turned into two. We took a wrong turn, and it lead us through the Bernese-Oberland region--quintessential Swiss terrain. There were no complaints (other than being hung over from the night before). The long ride eventually lead us to La Maison du Fromage, where we watched cheese be made the old fashion way. (See our other blog post about Gruyere HERE)
A walk through the town was next.
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After learning about the cheese and walking around, we all had quite the appetite. It was time to eat some cheese. We promised Chris, Claudia and Annie a traditional Swiss meal, Raclette, accompanied by traditional Swiss wine, Fendant.
After a quick stroll around the castle, it was time for dessert, creme double de Gruyere avec les merinues et les framboises! After dessert and another bottle of wine, it was time to head back to Geneva.
It was late and Chrilaudias had to catch and early plane the next morning, but we all decided to go out for one last beverage. We popped down to the corner bar, Dukes, where one drink turned into many and before we knew it, the bartender was kicking us out...literaly.
Santé!Monday:
We got Chris and Claudia up and bathed before taking them to the train to get them back to the airport. We said our farewells and they were off. Now it was Annie time.
I went off to work. Steve let Annie sleep until 11ish before they went for a coffee at our favorite cafe, La Vouivre.
I came home from work early, I was hurting from the night before, and all of us ate some lunch and relaxed and caught up on things. Later I took Annie for a stroll through town.
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Tuesday:
Annie and I went for pain au chocolat and renverses for breakfast at Cafe Vouivre of course. After chatting for a bit, it was time for me to head to work. In the mean time, Steve took Annie to a few of the main tourist sites in town: The Cathedral, Old Town, Bastions Park.
Annie and Steve at the top of the Cathedral and view of the city.
I came home from work early to prepare dinner, fondue! Our second cheese-only meal in 2 days, and our last fondue of the year.
Say "Cheese"!
Wednesday:
While I was at work, Steve took Annie to the Red Cross museum where she spent hours reading about the work of the Red Cross.
That night, after Annie got all packed and we ate our delicious dinner prepared by Steve, we went to the President Wilson Hotel for mousse au chocolat. The reason: 22 years ago my parents came to Geneva because my Dad did some work for the ILO. They stayed at the President Wilson Hotel for weeks and every morning Annie would go downstairs for breakfast and order mousse au chocolat. In honor of her, we went and had mousse au chocolat. It was the best chocolate mousse I have ever had before. I was doing everything in my power not to pick up the bowl and lick it clean with my tongue; it was that good.
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And that is how we ended Annie's visit, with a trip down memory lane.
We won't mention the fiasco at the airport...
3 comments:
Looks like you had a fun time with Mom. The mousse au chocolat looks soooo decadent!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, your blog makes my mouth water!!! Would you mind bringing back some wonderful gruyere with you for petite Marie? :)
Was Cherry as annoying the 2nd time around as she was the 1st?
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