A Splash of Color

Friday, October 9 - Tuesday, October 13

Two years ago, I worked with two fantastic people who have since left TASIS. The first to get married, and the second to pursue her desire to live in London. They were both a huge part of my life at TASIS and some of the best travel companions. This past weekend, my girls were back in town to spice up life and catch up a bit.

Allyson arrived late Friday night in Lugano, so after picking her up we stopped at the Irish Pub to have a drink and say hello to a couple of our friends who work there. Early, Saturday morning I took off to Milan to pick up Shannon and Ellis at the airport while Lizzie and Allyson met up with Guia to watch the TASIS Elementary Soccer team play.

First stop was Como so that Shannon could do a little shopping and we could show Ellis around a bit. We enjoyed lunch in the main Piazza overlooking the Duomo.

Ellis was sporting his Como sweater, and Shannon was determined to capture every event on film. Some of the pictures being not so flattering.

After our tasty panini's we walked to the funiculare to catch a glimpse of Lake Como from above as well as to sample some creative pasta creations. The waiter was not fond of us just ordering one small pasta dish for the three of us so it resulted in us ordering two to split three ways. The first choice was Chocolate Pasta with mint sauce and the second Blueberry with orange zest. When they arrived we could smell the chocolates and the blueberry's but were still skeptical of the taste. However, they were quite good and we had no problem cleaning our plates. However, at the end of the meal our waiter disciplined us for using a knife on our pasta to split it onto three plates.

Ellis and I playing in giant wheels on our way to the restaurant

Chocolate Pasta

Blueberry Pasta

With full belly's we took a ride back down to the lake and walked to the market for Shannon to purchase one or two scarves as gifts. At least that is what she said they were for. It is questionable if they will actually make it to the recipients by the time she gets home. Then back in Lugano for a little nap, wine and cheese at Carols and a huge group dinner at Bellavista.

Then back to the Irish Pub for Shannon to make an appearance before heading to my house for a late evening of vino and conversation. The language barrier was broken and people were speaking English, French, and Italian and just hoping that someone would understand what was going on. By 3 am we all had had enough and the party came to an end.

Ellis and I at the Irish Pub

Sunday morning, after sleeping in late and having a lot of coffee we met up with the girls and went to La Posta in Carona for lunch on the terrace.

The Girls in front of La Posta

Emily, Shannon, Allie and Allyson

Ellis, Me, Lizzie and Carla

Slow Food Good Cooking

Then into Lugano for some Gelato before Allyson had to head off to the airport to catch her flight back to London.

Next stop was San Salvatore. After living in Lugano for a year and the funiculare for San Salvatore only being 15 minutes from campus Shannon had never been to the top. So we took the trip and were welcomed by beautiful views and sky's that almost looked fake. After taking a few pictures of campus and Monte Tamaro we went to the very top with the intention of climbing the stairs to the roof of the chapel. But that plan was foiled for a short period because the door was locked. Locked long enough for Ellis to go exploring inside the church for another way to the top, tripping the alarm as he walked behind the alter. However, with the alarm going off, it scared the couple who had locked the door behind them when they decided they wanted their own personal time on the roof. They descended the stairs with a guilty look on their faces and were welcomed by a long line of people who wanted to experience the view.

The girls

The whole gang

The View. Definitely Can't Complain

Jumping pictures

Ellis gets creative

Waiting for the funiculare we had a little fun on the playground.

Monday, I had to go back to work, while Ellis and Shannon went exploring in Ascona. We met up after work and drove to Morcote to try and purchase some vintage posters from a store that is only open from 2 - 6 four days a week. However, we arrived at 4 and it was conveniently closed for the evening. So we had to make due in a ceramics shop next door where Shannon was able to purchase many souvenirs and I finally bought my Swiss army knife. I know it is sharp because the store owner successfully sliced her finger with the knife as she was showing me what it included.

With time to kill before my favorite restaurant was open for business and waiting for Guia to arrive after tutoring we stopped at a little bar and had a couple of bottles of prosecco.

Prosecco

Shannon and I

The girls of TASIS

The dinner was very tasty and we spent a lot of time going down memory lane. After some goodbyes Ellis,Shannon and I went back to my place and I had to pack for my sixth grade field trip. Shannon poured us some wine and she sat on my bed while I packed. We never made it back out into the living room when I was finished so Ellis came and joined us and we finished the last night of their visit sitting on my bed with glasses of wine talking and laughing. I really miss having her here!

A Golden Weekend

Friday, October 2 - Sunday, October 4
Geltenhutte, Lauenen Switzerland

I could not have come up with a better way to celebrate my birthday then the weekend I had with the returning ES ladies. Emily, Carla, Allie, Beth and I piled into Giuseppe Friday afternoon after school had gotten out heading for the Alpineland Hotel in Lauenen just outside of Gstaad. At this point the 5 of us have been together for 2 years and we have become really close friends, knowing each other pretty well that we can be ourselves. This is something that is really hard to have when everyone is coming and going constantly and we not only work together but we eat all our meals together as well. This can be stressful but the 5 of us have finally struck a balance between being colleagues, friends, and travel companions.

The 5 hour car ride was full of laughs, deep conversations and discussions of our expectations for the future. Even getting stuck at the Gottard tunnel didn't damper our excitement for the weekend and some quality time together off campus. Passing through the sustenpass and giving Giuseppe some words of encouragement as well as stopping about every hour to empty the bladders we pulled into our hotel around nine and checked into our apartment on the 3rd floor.

The place was huge with 2 bedrooms, a loft, 2 full baths, family room and a balcony looking out over the mountains we were going to be hiking in the morning. It was absolutely amazing and that wasn't even the best part of our stay. Dinner just wrapped up the entire evening.

Blair's Party...as Raelene says everyone needs to recognize the National Holiday

We had a 4 course dinner of salad, split pea soup, breaded cod, and a fantastic dessert. The 5 of us were starving at the beginning but well stuffed by the end. I guess you could say we were loading up for our hike in the morning.

When we got back to the room, I was surprised by the girls with a champagne toast for my birthday. Definitely making it a birthday weekend to remember.

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and repacked our bags for the hike up to the hut. Emily wins the prize for being the lightest packer, while I am definitely the worst. However, in my defense I packed a ton of food and games for us to play at the hut. I was very skimpy on the clothing, only bringing the necessities. And if you go by what my father always says...if you can carry it you can bring it. I never complained once that my bag was too heavy so I guess it was fine.

Our family room

View from our balcony Saturday morning

The Alpineland Hotel

With our book in hand we started off down a paved trail through tall evergreen trees. Heading towards a trail recommended by the hotel concierge that is lined with wood carvings done by the locals. We had a great time playing who can spot them first.

Before hitting the trail we passed Lake Lauenen.

Group shot with a woodpecker and a squirrel. Unfortunately I cut out the squirrel when I set up the timer shot.

Bear climbing a tree

Looking back on Lauenen and our hotel in the distance

Group shot on a playground about half way up

Allie and I were leading the group when we finally left the wood animals behind and we came to a fork in the path. The trail was clearly marked with arrows leading to the left but off to the right there was a ladder made out of logs leading towards the sound of a waterfall. We were curious so we led the whole group that direction and it was well worth it.

The waterfall

Beth and I

The funny part of the whole detour was that the other 3 girls had no idea that we had taken them off the path. They were just fully trusting of us and followed without looking around. They forgave us rather quickly though, the detour wasn't all that strenuous. Anyhow, then we continued our uphill trek to the next clearing along the river's edge and our second waterfall.

Group Shot with the waterfall. Our hut is directly above the highest point

Geltenhusse

A hut off in the distance that we mistook for our destination

The Geltenhutte, we finally made it

After 3 hours of significant uphill hiking we made it to the Geltenhutte just in time for lunch. After checking in, getting the lay of the land we found a picnic table in the back and broke out all the food. It was quite a spread with Allie displaying three different types of cheeses. Beth had tupperwares full of nutella and natural peanut butter. Emily was sharing mango slices and m&m's while Carla and I traded peanut butter sandwiches, oranges, apples, and rice cakes with peanut butter and bananas. No one went hungry during this lunch!

We unloaded a bunch of stuff from our bags and took off for Rodenbog, a hour loop around the ridge behind the hut. It provided fantastic views of the hut from above as well as allowing us to walk along the land where the glaciers had receded significantly from.

The waterfall behind our hut

The Geltenhutte

Carla, Allie and I continuing the tradition of the October hike

Back at the hut we cleaned up a little bit and pulled out the games. I had brought Bananagrams and cards for us to entertain ourselves. With beers in hand...which no one knew how to pour, we played multiple games of Bananagrams until Carla's competitive side got the best of her and we switched over to hearts.

Beth and her beer pouring skills

Allie and I

Bananagrams

The temperature changed drastically when the sun went down. One by one we went up to our small bedroom and changed into warmer clothes.

Our accommodations for the evening

Later that night, while we waited for dinner to be served we played a few games of rummy and hearts trying to stay warm with a bottle of wine. Dinner was served at 6:45 when we took our seats inside with the rest of the crowd. We spent a little time talking to the couple sitting next to us who were from Gstaad and were at the hut for the evening celebrating the 40th anniversary of it's opening. On Saturday night the hut was at full capacity and everything ran smoothly to my surprise.

Dinner consisted of a chicken soup, Raclette and a lemon desert that was fantastic. With full belly's and a decent amount of wine we went upstairs to bed, well before the rest of the celebrations died down.

Sunday morning, with an early wake up call and a traditional European breakfast we were back on the trails heading down taking a different path.

The group on Sunday Morning

This path lead us through steep declines where it was necessary to hold on to a steel cable to assure safety as well as climbing down an almost vertical ladder.

Carla holding on for dear life

The ladder

Having fun with our shadows

Lake Lauenen from above

Next we passed through rough pastures where I convinced myself I was going to be attacked by a killer cow.

Then we were followed by 2 goats who were protecting their house.

Finally we made the descent back onto the paved road leading us to the hotel and my car. After cleaning up a little bit we piled in once again heading for Gstaad a beautiful ski town known for the celebrities that come during the winter. We had a great time walking around and enjoying the scenery before heading for home.

Gstaad Promenade

A traditional German Home

The cows even followed us into town.

It was a great weekend with great friends. It was the best way to celebrate turning 29!