In Bern

This morning I took the train from Dijon into Bern. Sophie dropped me off at the station, and I managed not to commit the same hugging faux pas (I'm learning). I swear I must have some kind of child-attracting scent or something though, because the entire train car I was on was filled with children and babies. They were hilarious, and luckily my seemingly lifelong career (my life's been pretty short thus far) in child care has given me extreme patience, and the ability to tune out most shouting and crying that is unrelated to me. Since I just started this blog, I haven't mentioned to most of you that the first week I was in Europe small children seemed to swarm to me. At the airport when I arrived a three year old was convinced I was her au pair. We had a nice conversation, very little of which I actually understood. In Brussels a toddler on the subway kept trying to give me the magnets she was playing with. It's weird that they just seem to find me.

Anyway, it was a pleasant ride with really beautiful scenery. Switzerland's geography is 70% mountains, so you can imagine (if you haven't been here) how beautiful it is. When I got into the train station I got some money out. Switzerland is not part of the EU so my euros were no good here. I went to the tour desk, got some maps and brochures, and decide the hoof it to my hotel instead of taking the bus. In retrospect, this was probably a good idea because I got to enjoy some scenery, but at the time I thought I was going to die. I wore my jeans (or my travelling pants, as I like to call them) so I was sweating and I swear that my bag has taken on a life of it's own. Also, I was walking on a gentle incline that got gradually less gentle as the walk processed. In the end I was pretty impressed with my ability to navigate myself to my hotel without any wrong turns. Anyone who has ever driven with me and/or travelled with me should be impressed as well.

It was about a twenty-five minute walk, and I was pretty sweaty, thirsty, and tired when I arrived so I was pretty relieved that they let me check in right away. I went up to my room and took off my pants (in true Kristi style). Then it started to rain, so instead of going out to explore the city (as I should have done. I do have an umbrella) I did some emailing and took a nice long nap. Clearly I don't have much to tell about my Switzerland adventures thus far, but I plan to make tomorrow count, so I'll update then and let you know what I get up to.