Switzerland

Geneva, Lausanne, St Gallen, and Zurich.  Four cities in four days.  This four-day weekend was hectic.

My friend Alex, who lives now in St Gallen, informed me that landing in Zurich would be far too expensive, so instead it was decided I'd land in Geneva, drop my things off in a locker, and that night meet him in Lausanne, where his parents live.

My first impression of Switzerland: holy shit everything is so overpriced.  The Franc to USD is about 1:1, and with that in mind here's some the prices I saw: $3.50+ for a cup of tea, $20+ for nearly any entree (including just a plate of spaghetti), $47 for a night at the cheapest hostel in Zurich.

I knew I couldn't stay here long, as my budget would not allow it.  Luckily I was crashing with Alex for most of the time.

I walked around Geneva, which is a nice city, including a lake clean enough that locals regularly swim in it.  A jet shoots water up a hundred meters, there's a wall portraying the Reformation, and of course the UN building.  I went to Lausanne that night, walked around with Alex for a bit, and went to meet his family.  Very nice and welcoming people, plus his mom's from California!

On Saturday, we drove to go hiking on a mountain about an hour away.  Not quite the Alps, but a beautiful set of scenery nonetheless.  On the way we saw some people rock climbing (there's a more specific word for it, but I forget; it involves ladders and specifically placed foodholds)  Toward the top, there's a lot of mountain bikers practicing going down a set rocky course.  And cows.  Lots and lots of cows.

That night, we hung out with his friends from childhood.  Sometimes it would be nice to speak French, I suppose.

Sunday, we went to Alex's current town of St Gallen.  Early.  When we got there, his roommates came back, handed me some beer, and we head to watch a soccer match (football/futbol?).  The environment, even for a small-time game, was intense.  There are closed off sections for fans of a specific team to go wild.  And they chant the entire time.  Anyway, St Gallen lost 0-2 so that was sad.

St Gallen is also known for a brotwurst they say is so good they don't need mustard.  It's the town's pride.

Monday, wake up early again.  Alex went to work, and I headed to Zurich.  Nothing much to say here, just walked around and saw some buildings, but none too different from the rest of Switzerland.  Played capoeira with a group Vivarte in the city, with some crazy skilled capoeiristas.

And, met a lot of cool people in the hostel.  I'd say I'm sad to leave for Munich tomorrow, but my wallet is glad.