I remember the Three Dog Nights rock roup and it took me awhile to understand the name came from the number of dogs you needed to keep warm in the far north. That crossed my mind during our stay in Lausanne, Switzerland since we stayed at our friends home, Roxanne and Dan O’Keefe. Since the family was away on a cruise we stayed in the O’Keefe’s bedroom and so did the two big black dogs, Rose, an old sweetheart and Nikki, a girl with a lot of “Bravo” , more bark then bite, but she can startle you. They both settled down every night by or under the bed, Nikki reluctantly not on the bed where she inevitable spent much of her day. As I listened to the dogs different breathing or gentle nocturnal growls I thought that I was possibly experiencing my coldest time in Europe, definitely a two dog night.
The time in Switzerland was sweet because we were in people’s homes. Both Brittany in Zurich and Whitney at the O’Keefe’s had a free berth for their project time here. We all agreed it was a necessity to afford the country. A dinner for three at a moderate restaurant with only entrees and no other dishes, two beers and a water was over $90. A coke cost about $5. or $6. Depending on where you bought it. I think Whiney mentioned a McDonald meal (found everywhere I might mention) that would cost about $5. at home cost about $12. In Switzerland. So the hospitality and kindness of others made this leg of the journey particularly affordable. And then there was that little interruption of the French strikes…
We were delayed about three days trying to get to Spain to continue the visits- which unfortunately required passing through or over France for most options. French trains were on strikes, fuel was being blocked for airlines and cars, traffic on expressways was being slowed to a walk at times by protesters and so we booked a flight. Then the French air traffic controllers went on strike and our flight was, naturally, canceled. So we are actually taking a boat-a ferry- from Ligorno, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We had spent two days walking in to get train tickets and being shot down, this seemed a sure reservation. A plane would have been smarter.
I am now sitting on a ferry that left 4 hours late and will take about 20 hours to get where it is going. It’s off season so the bar and casino are closed. It crossed my mind that seeing Italian slot machines might have been entertaining. Or maybe not. This is after spending the day yesterday on trains to get TO the ferry and staying overnight in Italy eating mediocre pizza while horrible radio music blasted from the kitchen. And we were charged 4 euros for the honor of using a glass, silverware and a napkin, none that fancy I might say. I would say this ferry idea was a misstep on our European jaunt, not because it has been less than stellar, but because I was to be in Spain right now and we will really have to move it to get everywhere to everyone.. I note there are no business people on the ferry. Live and learn.
Kevin points out we are steaming across the Mediterranean, a body of water people have been sailing on for thousands of years before us. That is true. Why am I not comforted????
PS. Made it to Spain! Saw Abby, stayed in a hostel with hundreds of 20 somethings, am doing great. Old dog learning new tricks.
Where are you now?
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