Jochen's kind of commute
Jochen is someone who doesn't put a lot of stock in the tried and true, the bird in the hand, the devil you know. This is why it generally takes months before we make it back to our favorite restaurant, and years before we go back to the same ski area; it's also why he happily suffers disappointing meals and complicated travel arrangements. The last time I was in the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis region was approximately 8 years ago. Afterwards Jochen and I split up and I took a train to Lucerne to meet up with Leanne and Niki. I still remember sitting in the sauna with the girls and them questioning the black and blue marks all over my upper body: is this guy good for you?? Back then I was tumbling my way down the red and black slopes, somehow completely confident in the knowledge that this is a sport I will master and love. If I knew then I would be back someday with the Pig!
Serfaus has a lot going for it: altitude, decent snow, excellent array of long and varied runs, and a reputation for being family-oriented. As you see above it even has a village subway with only 4 stations that saves you from having to lug your skis to the lifts...pretty cool!
We loved our hotel, which is totally geared toward young children and serves amazing meals for parents who don't manage to get out much anymore.
Jochen enjoying the sun on our wraparound balcony.
Since coming back we've had our hands full with Pig sick all this week, but he's thankfully on the mend. With this year's trip Jochen has achieved the dubious objective of not letting me miss a single ski season, despite two pregnancies. This *achievement* was made possible by weirdly cooperative family planning, my mother-in-law's willingness to take on above and beyond grandma duties, and the milk pump - the subject of a future soapbox exercise to come...
The former docklands are being converted into a home for architectural showpieces along the river.
Hopefully these industrial views of the Rhine will cure you of any notions that the river is all Loreley/Bingen idyllic. There's some of that down around St Goarshausen and surroundings, but it's always hard to explain to the visiting relatives that it's not all that picturesque as the Romantic poets would like to have you believe...
Best part - no hangups like the French about spoiling the lawn - visitors are allowed to sit, trample, roll, and play football on the green stuff.
Food break: Sacher, Marzipan buttercream and Italian Black Forest cakes (lunch was healthy but not as photo-worthy!)
Back to work
I think the first ever picture of all four of us - with Monchi wondering, who IS this guy next to me?
The last time I visited the Chocolate Museum in Cologne must have been nine, ten years ago. At the time I was underwhelmed by the quality of the exhibits, and at best could only recommend it as a rainy day option.
The tour was very much hands-on, but I think Pig is still a year or two away from understanding the alchemy of cacao beans, cacao butter, sugar, etc as well as explanations of the milling process. Still, the upgrade of exhibits (as well as explanations now provided in English and German) means I can now recommend this for those of you coming my way (hint!)
Of course Pig had no problems enjoying the chocolate fountain or the dizzying array of samples they handed out. Isn't it just devious of them to grant children under 6 free admission??
No Cadbury's eggs here - it's the invasion of the Lindt Goldhasen!!
Jochen is someone who doesn't put a lot of stock in the tried and true, the bird in the hand, the devil you know. This is why it generally takes months before we make it back to our favorite restaurant, and years before we go back to the same ski area; it's also why he happily suffers disappointing meals and complicated travel arrangements. The last time I was in the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis region was approximately 8 years ago. Afterwards Jochen and I split up and I took a train to Lucerne to meet up with Leanne and Niki. I still remember sitting in the sauna with the girls and them questioning the black and blue marks all over my upper body: is this guy good for you?? Back then I was tumbling my way down the red and black slopes, somehow completely confident in the knowledge that this is a sport I will master and love. If I knew then I would be back someday with the Pig!
Jochen enjoying the sun on our wraparound balcony.
