Scott and Tiffany in Israel

Switzerland (and France), Part I

We had a bit of a rough time getting to our plane. We arrived at the airport at a decent time, but the long term parking lot was full, so we had to go to another lot. We got lost and ended up outside the airport with a 15 minute drive to get back to the airport. We finally found the temporary long term lot on a grassy field and had to carry our bags and our children across the field to the shuttle bus.

In Israel, there is a security check before check-in where all bags are X-rayed. While we were waiting in this line, we realized that we had left Tyler's car seat in the car. It was too late to get it, so we just had to hope that we could rent one in Zurich. Once we checked in, though, things went much smoother.

Tyler watching our Swiss Airlines plane land

We flew Swiss Airlines. It was great. Every seat had a monitor with video on demand and a view from the cockpit, the food was great and Brooke and Tyler both got toys. Brooke got a teether and Tyler got a Duplo Lego set. It sure helped with the flight.

After arriving in Zurich, we picked up our rental car, a brand new Opel Vectra. Fortunately, the rental agency also had a car seat for Tyler. After about an hour drive, we arrived in Basel where we stayed with Tiffany's brother, Rob, and his family. Tiffany's parents were there too, so it was quite a party.

Cousins

The next day, Rob, Linda and their four oldest went to Paris. The two younger girls, Amy and Taylor, stayed with us. We went to Mulhouse, France, where Scott started his mission 11 years ago. We didn't have enough room in our car, so Tiffany's parents took Tyler and Amy by train and met us there.

In Mulhouse, we visited the town sqare in front of the cathedral, bought Leonidas chocolates (only 1.5 pounds, though, so not enough to share), let the children ride on a carousel, bought bread and wandered around in the pedestrian zone.

In front of the Mulhouse Cathedral

Scott's favorite Belgian chocolates

It was then that Scott made his big mistake. He suggested that we eat outside at an Alscacian restaurant right on the town square. Scott was anxious to eat choucroute, the regional specialty. Choucroute translates as sauerkraut, but it is a meal, not a topping. Fortunately, we got a table under the tent, because right after our food came, an enormous thunderstorm came and drenched Mulhouse. We got a little cold and had to bundle up the children, but soon the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy our meal. Tiffany has since forgiven Scott for suggesting that we eat outside.

Rainy restaurant

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids while Scott and Tiffany went shopping in Mulhouse. We bought French clothes, French music, French comic books and lots of French food. It sure was fun to go shopping with just the two of us.

On Sunday, we went to church in Mulhouse. The ward was very nice and some of the members even vaguely remembered Scott. We even met a family that is learning Hebrew, so we got to practice both our French and our Hebrew.

At church in Mulhouse

When we work up enough energy we will continue with Switzerland, Part II (and more Tyler-isms).

Posted by sjbowden at August 25, 2004 9:08 PM