Sparkling Lucerne

You remember that abnormal hot summer 2013 in Germany? That was the time I took a lowcost flight to the even hotter Switzerland to visit my fabulous aunt living in Lörrach on the German side of the border triangle (France-Germany-Switzerland). The airport of Basel is in fact on French ground but is used for tourists coming to Basel as well. Imagine what a desaster it was to have three (!) different currencies in that area. French Francs, Swiss Francs and a long while ago the German Mark. Fortunately France decided to join the European Monetary Union in 2002. My aunt was temporarily  living with three wallets at a time. Thank EU this is over.

From our place we took 1,5 hours by car to get to Lucerne in north-central Switzerland. Capital of the Canton of Lucerne counting 76,200 people.

Cooling me down at Lake Lucerne

My vision of that city is a bit blured by the bitter-sweet heat of that day but my head was very clear on water. A fresh breeze running through my nose and hair let me see the beauty of a historic city built near turquoise crystal sparkling water. The Lake Lucerne is surrounded by mountains with luxurious villas clinging to their hillsides. We crossed the water with a modern gorgeous yacht handing out headphones with presentations in several languages including English and German. Nothing can describe the feeling of being one with nature and at the same time repecting it`s greatness. The rays of the sun illuminated the water and burned my shoulders. I could see the bottom of the lake and wanted badly jump in and feel refresh and healthy.

View to the historic city 

After our cruise we strolled along the promenade and went across the street to the next impressing sight: The Chapel Brigde. It is a covered wooden bridge with a water tower spanning diagonally across the Reuss river. While walking inside you can admire painting in the triangles dating from the life and death of Lucernce`s patron. In 1993 it almost burned down and you can still see some carbonized remains. After one year it was reopened and is today a popular attraction for tourists and the view point for all restaurants around. We settled down outside a tapas restaurant with a delicious buffet with a wide choice of antipasti and seafood. The price level is very high in Switzerland. It is true, Swiss gain more money however living is really expensive.

Chapel Bridge

 

Jesuit`s church 

The day faded away and with it the sun. We enjoyed our glasses full of wine and stories and after a few hours we returned to our car happy and carefree.

Lucerne reminded me somehow on the Hanseatic town I lived at that time, Hamburg. Both are beautiful with all their old impressing buildings, built around the elixir of life: water; and everything is in order and hat it`s defined places. Like at the end of every day someone tidy up the sidewalks and cut back the trees.  Cold and distant on the one side but shy and warm on the other. Homelike to me.