To Bilbao

I forgot to mention in my last post that at dinner last night it was someone's birthday and the staff did the birthday celebration song using Swiss cowbells. First time I had heard it done that way.

After crashing last night, I woke up this morning and discovered that I had muscles hurting that I never knew existed before this trip. I have no one to thank except Jimmy for that...the hiking in Murren was a great workout, and I'm glad we did it. Despite the blisters on both heels, I managed to hobble around ok today. Once breakfast was done, we had some time before our flight left Zurich so we went to the University and then headed down toward the Hauptbahnhoff. Couldn't have asked for better weather so far...clear and sunny again today. I hope that holds up for Mondragon.

After grabbing our luggage we were off down the hill to the train and airport. We ran into a guy on the walk that heard us talking about things to do in Zurich, and he mentioned that one thing of local interest in summer is swimming the river down a mile starting from city center. The water is clear and clean, and when you get down there you can shop or drink. First time I had heard that as an option. I think Jimmy is officially going to come back and try that on his next trip.

The first flight was fast...only an hour or so to Dusseldorf. Air Berlin is an efficient airline...I'd fly them again. The only hiccup was the landing...did one of those "land on one wheel then bounce another time" landings. I also thought it was interesting that we didn't have any sort of passport control leaving Zurich. Maybe it was because we were flying intra-Europe and not leaving the continent?

Flight #2 went just as quick to Bilbao - I sat next to a seat crowder, but otherwise it was good. The landing was much better this time, and then it was time to get luggage. The only drama per say were the two Asian girls that decided the best time to stand up and move seats was 200 feet from landing...the attendant was hollering at them to sit...what might possess someone to want to do that as the plane is landing? Ok back to luggage.

Now, I usually will try my best not to check luggage unless I have to, but since my bag was 6kg over weight I had no choice. Just my luck would be that the luggage wouldn't make it, right? We stood waiting for our bags and eventually everyone got their luggage and the belt stopped...we had no bags. (sigh). Not again. No worries though...we come to find out that international passengers pick up their luggage on a separate line. Ahhhh. Good to know. (aren't all of us coming from Dusseldorf to Spain international? Nevermind...). Our bags did make it...whew. We also found it odd there was no passport control leaving the terminal - no one to stamp or stop us for any reason. Are all places in Spain this way?

Next it was time to find a taxi. The first six told us 'no' to go to Mondragon, but the 7th agreed. Small language barrier with the guy driving (no English) but off we went. He had a cool GPS he used once we figured out what the hotel address was. After a quick 45 minutes we were here!

I didn't eat much today, so after dropping my stuff in the room i needed to find something. Crys from my cohort came walking down the hall and was kind to come along and show me where some options were. We ended up coming back to the hotel for food since it was so late, and I had an egg sandwich and some wine. It was good, but now I'm pretty beat. We'll start up with a class meeting tomorrow morning as a group.

Here we go...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Day 3 - Murren

Our evening wrapped last night with some time talking to other hostel goers, and sharing some stories with a group from Canada and a guy who works for Microsoft. The main meeting area was full of backpackers, spirits, and good stories which made for a good end to the day. Then it was time to hit the bunks.

The room we were in was not large, but had five bunk bed sets. Jimmy and I had two bottom beds that weren't terrible. That is, until the snoring started around 2am. Now, I had earplugs and an eye shade on so I didnt hear any of this, but apparently one of the guys in the room had an issue and ended up waking everyone else. And they couldn't get the guy to stop. I woke up around six, showered, and got myself together - well rested. The hostel is very much a self-service place, so we had to take care of our sheets and linens before we left. No clouds on the peaks meant some great morning mountain pictures (more to come). Each part of the day seems to give a different viewing perspective.

After much debate we decided not to hike the Schilthorn. It was cloudy and would have been a 4.5 hr hike one way, and if it's not clear up there, why go. So we decided on the Northface Trail instead...winding toward Murren by way of a cog train from Allmendhubel. We stopped and tried to get a morning order of pommes frites from the restaurant before we started but they wouldn't serve us - they said they only had a day old egg quiche so we moved on. The trail left Allmendhubel and wound it's way up and over the side of the mountain, through cow pastures and rock placements, finally ending itself back on the other side of Murren. I'd like to think that we solved all of our remaining issues in our PhD programs as we walked...consulted a few cows and sheep along the way too. Three hours later we were back to Gimmelwald and on our way back down the mountain to Stechelberg.

The trains were right on time as usual to get us to Zurich, and after trucking it up the hills and checking in at the Hotel Sunnehus, we left for downtown and food. It was at that time that my feet told me they weren't doing so hot. All of the mountain hiking did a number on my heels especially...what's a few blisters, right?

We managed to find a place for some gelato and apfelstrudel, and now will crash - we leave tomorrow mid-afternoon.

Schlafen gut!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 2 - Gimmelwald

I'm not sure where to begin to describe how amazing the mountains are in this part of Switzerland. If anyone has the chance to get here and visit Gimmelwald or Murren you should definitely take advantage of it. I will post pictures later to share - they may not do justice. (and now here they are!)

Jimmy and I successfully made the trek here from Zurich, and after the crazy five minute cable car ride up the mountain we were in Gimmelwald. Along the way we stopped in Interlaken and met up with one of my good friends, Beth, who is a staff member for Backroads. We found a place to have some lunch (schnitzel and pommes frites, yum) and catch up, which was nice. I enjoy being able to make these connections overseas while I travel, and was thankful Beth had the day free to meet us.

After checking in at the hostel we decided that we might as well hike up to Murren...normally a one hour hike one-way but we took our time. The paths wind and turn, and around each bend another mountain stream seems to jump out and surprise you. Hayfields, gardens, cows with huge bells, sheep...so many things to see. But along with all of them a silence that doesn't feel like it can be duplicated...as you stand along the path you are able to hear nothing but the rushing of melted water flowing from the largest of the snow-covered mountain peaks. So peaceful...makes me almost want to consider renting a chalet here to write my dissertation. What a perspective!

We'll sleep soon...been up for almost 42 of the last 48 hours. And we're trying to decide whether to hike the Schilthorn tomorrow...if we do that it might just do me in.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Gimmelwald, Switzerland

So we're holding

Yes, that's right. We are in a holding pattern outside of Philly...for about 20-30 minutes. Why, might you ask?

Because it just so happens that, of all the days this week, the President decided to fly to Philly today.

Lucky us.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

And we're off...

Greetings from somewhere over the Midwest!

I'm currently in flight on the way to my almost two-week global study trip through USD to Mondragon, Spain. So far the first leg to Phoenix was uneventful, and this flight to Philadelphia has been fairly quiet. My buddy Jimmy and I are traveling together for this first leg of the journey, which we decided will take us to Switzerland as our pre-trip experience before we end up in Bilbao.

I'm looking forward to experiencing the participatory model of leadership that Mondragon is known for, and learn firsthand what makes this area and region unique. So many others from USD have raved about this trip...can't wait to get there.

But before that happens, we have just a few more hours to go. :) My seat-mates so far have been great...empty seat next to me on the first flight, and a quiet person right now. Jimmy and I had a chance to catch up a bit on the first leg, but we have different seats on this segment. Plenty of time left to discuss the rest of our program, careers, and sleep. And no major US Airways complaints so far...our boarding in PHX was a bit chaotic, but Star Gold boarding took care of that problem. Bring on the lounges!

(as a side note, Airbus A321 planes are really nice. If you can fly on one, I'd recommend it)

I will be doing my best to post as regularly as I can, given available Internet access. And I can always draft write like I'm doing right now to post later when access is available.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad