My friend Les,

                              Les and me 

So, we have known each other since 5th grade.  Not sure if it was my 5th or her 5th, but close enough.  She has moved around. I have moved around. We see each other maybe once a year or every other year.  We can take up where we left off and then some.

How do we stay connected  ? 

LES !

She makes it happen.
Ok, I am the writer.  E-mails, holiday letters, my blog...
But, when she swings through my area, and that is about 3,000 miles from her area, she always try's to get together.

And we did

This morning.

Les, came from Sea-Tac on the bus to down town Bellevue at 7:30 A.M.
I picked her up and we went for breakfast.  We had  102 minutes before catching the bus to the ferry to visit brother number one.  She will spend the night then head to brother number two and then head home.  Three days, 3 destinations. 


What I did not know until breakfast....she spent the night in the airport.   She had been in LA visiting her uncle and got into Seattle close to midnight.   I am always up until 1:00.  I could have picked her up and taken her to my house for a good night's sleep.
But, she says she likes airports.

I  know that she often takes the red-eye.  She does not like to waste time flying.

Not sure how we ended up such good friends. Doesn't matter that she is Jewish and I am Christian. Doesn't matter that she is high energy and I am not.  Doesn't matter that she is really bright and I am sort of normal.   Doesn't matter about any differences. 

  We care about each other.  We learn from each other.  We are friends.  We are good friends


I took her back to the bus stop.  Hugged and kissed  ( yep we do that )  She walked away with her bulky suitcase and large carry on   and her smile...


I am blessed

Switzerland - Geneva and beyond

Two of the days, Darrell and I were on our own.
And guess what ?  We did  fine.

Well, except for one thing.




History:   A Swiss Rail pass gives you rides on trains, trams, buses and most gondolas. It is just a paper that is printed from your computer at home.   If you want to pay $25. extra, you can get a laminated version. We had the paper version.

Probably 9 times out of 10 the ticket taker does not come through the car to tally the riders. But today, On train number one, the ticket taker came through. 

Darrell pulled out his ID and rail pass, and I pulled out my ID and continued to look for my rail pass.  The Ticket lady said she would come back.
I kept looking.  Darrell remembered seeing it on the kitchen table last night.  I did not remember ever taking it out of my purse. BUT, I must have pulled it out with the brochures from the day.

The Ticket lady was moving out of the car, looked around and kept going.
Once outside the train, there she was and we waved.

Not there yet.
Second train and here comes two ticket takers.  The first man checks Darrell's ID and pass and moves on .  The second man smiles and follows.This has never, ever, happened before.

Arrived at Vallores
We need to get back home. We need a copy of my pass.
I needed to get the link from Tiffany to find my pass. She was on an overnight to Lugano.
The information center told us to go to a cafe with WIFI.
Despite the stress, we had a very nice Petit Dejeuner. Window seat.
Sent a text to Tiff. She had her phone on. Sent me the link. I sent the link to the Information Center
40 minutes later,and they printed it out for me.   Cost  $.30   and relief.

The cost for not having a ticket ?    $100. fine, plus the cost of the ticket

Miracles happen.
We are so thankful  

On to a beautiful day and another ride up the mountain  

First stop...

The Petit Dejeuner 

Long awaited cup of coffee  

Look close....who is going to climb those ladders ? !

Construction in Switzerland

Picnic in Switzerland 

Pretty bike in Switzerland

Another nice ride 

And the store was closed  

Playground in Switzerland 

Take a rest in Switzerland

The Next journey was to Geneva 

A bustling big city 

Tiffany...always nice to see her name in silver

Waiting for lunch 

Next stop 

Then back upstairs
WC's are almost always downstairs 

Lunch has arrived
His favorite, Caprese salad
my favorite, french fries  

Onward...in search of a carousel 

H & M
and remember United Colors of Benetton, still in Europe 

This guys moves, but I did not catch his name 

Probably 99 steps up to the Cathedral 

 Then back on the street looking and looking

 And then......we found it...

And yes, I took a ride
me and one little girl with her grandma 

More bikes than cars

Another reminder of home. Starbucks 

 The big park along the Lake...

Yes, the clock really works

This is Lake Geneva....

My only panorama shot 

Took this shot is  for Matt - Rolex, not the most expensive, 
but close 
Chopard is also located in Geneva.

Another long day

time to get home...

Geneva, 4 hours there,

3 hours to see the city

4 hours back home.

But we saw enough of the city to be impressed.

The end of a great day 

And Geneva was our last city to visit.