Six time zones later....

Ah, it is good to be home. I walked through the doors after coming through customs on Wednesday evening and saw my daughter's beautiful face and life was good again.

Well, life had been pretty damn good for the previous 8 days, but you know what I mean. It's good to get away--and Switzerland was a fabulous get-away--but it feels great to come home again to PJ and Dave.

Yesterday was all about unpacking the suitcases, washing clothes, and NOT eating all the chocolate I brought back. I bought myself a beautiful glass bowl and a small cow bell (the cows really wear bells over there, it's SO cool). Dave loaded my photos onto a Web space and we're in the process of labeling each (only 275, please have patience).

The one thing I couldn't get in Switzerland was what I'd call a decent cup of coffee. Sadly, no Dunky's... hey, there's a major early retirement possibility--solid American coffee for all the American tourists! I did see two Starbucks but I don't care for their coffee, even in a pinch. Imagine that, only two after traveling hundred and hundreds of kilometers and into three other countries! Swiss coffee is thick and too strong for my taste). I did discover two flavored teas that were very nice, cherry and rosehip. Found rosehip by Lipton in a shop in Lenzburg (you'll see castle pictures from Lenzburg when we post the photos. Hell, both teas are probably available locally at Market Basket!)

Marcia and I opened a Swiss bank account. Very cool. Very James Bond, don't you think?

There was one adventure I could have done without, and that was our travel through the Goddhard Tunnel. It's 17 kilometers long (that's 10 miles and plus some 993 feet. WAY TOO LONG for my money). It is built into a mountain and has just two lanes, one in each direction. There are cutouts that can hold a few cars, the theory being that if there is a breakdown or accident your fellow drivers will help push the problem out of the travel lanes. There are also "SOS" signs pointing the way to escape chambers (well-ventilated, I was assured).

Don't want to take the tunnel? There the option to drive the St. Goddhard Pass over the mountain, but that was still closed due to winter snow.

We took the tunnel twice, going to and returning from the Ticino region of Switzerland, which is the southern area that borders Italy. In Ticino we found palm trees and tropical vegetation, quite a different look and feel from the Argau region (our "home" north nearer to Germany).

The food... amazing. Who could have dreamed that macaroni and cheese could be so tasty? The cheese was indescribable and the dish and combined with chunks of potato and meat. And presentation is everything. That particular meal was served in a deep, fat little bowl that had a cover; the cover was turned upside down and filled with the smoothest, sweetest apple sauce I have ever tasted. Both service pieces were accented with rings of dried apple and spices.

We had lunch one day in Italy and enjoyed the best pizza I have ever tasted. The dough was soft and sweet, vegetables crunchy (including yellow peppers, zucchini and fresh tomato) and pepperoni to roll over and die for.

We drank a lot of water. Your choices are "natural" or "bubbles," and it's all bottled. That said, there are fountains everywhere, on the village streets and on the sides of mountains. We were assured time and again that the water is drinkable, and we saw lots of people taking advantage (along with a puppy or two).

Speaking of dogs, they are welcomed everywhere, provided they are on a leash. It's not unusual to sit in a restaurant or outdoor cafe with your dog at your feet. Most are so impeccably behaved you don't even know they are there.

Airplane food is even fabulous! Swiss Air knows how to make customers feel comfortable and welcomed. We had two meals on each flight (chicken or pasta at takeoff and a light breakfast-style meal closer to arrival, with cheeses and pastries). Real flatware and dishes--plus all the alcohol you want. No one took advantage. Complimentary in-flight movies (and enough time to watch 3 on each 8-hour journey) and hot towels to clean your hands before landing.

OK, it's time for another cup of decent, American coffee and then I'll have to tackle the office e-mail (I get to work from home a half day today).

Check back over the weekend for the link to the photos!