French trip, Day 2 - Part 1

[wiseheart]

Still not in France. But getting closer. And Switzerland is a pretty place, too.

After the usual food fight (Hungarians have a deep-rooted fear from starving, apparently, which surfaces every time they get into an all-you-can-eat place), we packed our stuff into the bus and left for Switzerland. It was a beautiful route, with lots of mountains again, and we crossed them through incredible viaducts and long tunnels. The longest of them was the Arlberg Tunnel, for which we needed 12 minutes, by 80 km/h. Have I mentioned that I'm claustrophobic, too? *g* Well, at least I know now what happened to the Dwarves after the perisihing of Middle-earth: they have become Swissmen.

After having had 37-41 degrees Celsius at home, the 9 (!) degrees this morning were a bit... surprising, but also a great relief. Besides, the weather got warmer as the day went on.

I must admit that St Gallenwas a bit of a disappointment for me. For starters, we didn't get to see any part of the abbey (in case there still exists), just that horrible Baroque cathedral. Mum and I escaped into the protestant St. Laurentius church, which was a dream, and I took a few photos on the main street.

The only pretty thing in the cathedral: an old cupboard:



A few pretty sights on the main street:











The beautiful St. Laurentius church:







At that point, we still didn't know whether we'd get to see Fribourg, as promised, because the bus drivers are only allowed to dive eight hours a day, each. Also, I realized that by entering France near Geneve at Lac Léman, I'd get in touching range with Yvoire (the village on which my Halabor is based), without being able to actually see it. Needless to say that I was slightly frustrated.


Want to know whether we got to see Fribourg, after all? Stay tuned!

Comments

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'd get in touching range with Yvoire (the village on which my Halabor is based), without being able to actually see it.

Gah!

Staying tuned...!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

"Gah" indeed. One day, I'll go there and spend a week, at the very least, petting every authentic stone.

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Well, at least I know now what happened to the Dwarves after the perisihing of Middle-earth: they have become Swissmen.

:D

It seems hard to believe a cathedral could be ugly. I guess not all old churches can be masterpieces, but still... you'd think if your city was building a cathedral, you'd want it to be the most beautiful cathedral you could manage. What's the point otherwise?

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Well, ugliness, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. Personally, I despise the baroque style with a passion of thousand burning suns: too pompous, too much, too... of everyone. Especially when people have a perfectly beautiful Roman or Gothic cathedral and violate it with Baroque redecoration. *shudders*

I don't doubt that they believed they were building something great, but the Catholic Church did always have this unfortunate tendency to show off its power and riches. Taste often played little to no role. It was part of intimidating the heretics.

[jen-rock.livejournal.com]

The pictures are amazing and, as you said, you're not even to your intended destination yet. I would love to tour Europe some day and see all that gorgeous architecture, not to mention the history. In New England, a house is considered historic if it's over a hundred-years-old or so. I'd be so impressed to see towns that have stood for multiple centuries or even millenia. Maybe someday...

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Holler me when you cross the pond. We might organize a shared tour. *g*