9.10.09: Lucerne in photos

What you need to know:

Lucerne is one of the most visited cities in Switzerland. German-speaking. German pastries, German pretzels, German beer. Located on Lake Lucerne.

The River Ruess in Lucerne. Despite all the Swiss flags, Marki and I were thoroughly confused as to which country we were actually in. A three-hour train ride and suddenly you're surrounded by German-speaking people who look at you strangely when you instinctively respond with "Merci bien." We are so not in French-land anymore.

Trying our best to get acquainted with the city. Hello map-clutching, water bottle-carrying, googly-eyed-looking tourists!

They love their bicycles here. Can you tell?

Mismatched buildings stuck together like lego pieces line the river along the old town, green turning to orange and red-colored ivy squeezing its way in to every free wall space it can find. Hmmm... I wonder what it's like to live in a fairytale city.

The "Lion of Lucerne," famously claimed by Mark Twain to be the "most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world" (thank you Wiki). Commemorating the deaths of the Swiss Guards killed in the French Revolution, the lion is quite impressive. Although, when you're standing in its presence along with a group of camera-happy Asian tourists and platform-wearing, bad ass attitude Swiss teenagers, the emotional effect is slightly lost.

Yes, we are Americans and yes, we indeed found and endorsed the local Starbucks.

Just a little street market. Why is it that fruit and vegetable stands, along with their artfully decorated signs, umbrellas, and apron-clad vendors cultivate such a sense of romance? Or maybe I just love food that much. I think it's a combination of both.

Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. It would be difficult not to find a postcard of Lucerne without one or both of these monuments plastered on the front. The bridge, claimed to be the oldest wooden bridge in Switzerland, dates back to the 14th century. And the tower is likely the most photographed monument in Switzerland!

*Lucerne history and facts brought to you by my trusty handout from the tourist office.

Train ride through farm land and forest back to Lausanne. Tired from a day of walking, eating, drinking, and playing tourist, we were slightly delirious yet we still managed to make a friend...

This little boy found Marki and I to be hilarious--ha, smart kid! It all started by a simple game of peek-a-boo. Then he was dropping things on my head, playing with my hair, and jumping up and down on his mom's lap while Marki made faces at him. And right before his mom led him off the train at their stop, he came over and said goodbye to us. Such a cutie. And his chubby cheeks and pudgy belly made him that much more lovable.

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Along with a bag of hot, roasted chestnuts and a wiener schnitzel lunch (I told you I love food), we had a wonderful day. Lucerne (or Luzern, whichever you prefer), it was a pleasure!