Well, we made it to Zurich after a grueling day on the plane. But first, I'll back it up a bit. The Colorado trip finished up nicely with some quality family time, a New Belgium Brewery tasting with Brenna, and some good riding. Shannon and I went on an awesome group ride Saturday with the Echelon Health team, complete with attacking ;-)
Bier, Bier, Bier
Brenna likes New Belgium Beer
Well the journey to Zurich didn't go as smoothly as planned. The day started out with a 3:30am wake-up...Let me say this: cyclists should never fly with Delta! Shannon and I used a double bike box and with our bikes it weighed 70-lbs, hardly over the 50-lb limit for suitcases- they charged us $450 one-way for the bike box- $300 because it was a bike and $150 because it weighed over 50-lbs! My only suitcase also cost $150, so my plane ticket's cost was basically doubled getting here. I don't deal well with things like that. What's even more messed up is that Delta's headquarters said that the cost of my single suitcase and the bike box should have been less than half of what was charged, but nothing was done about it.
Giant snail
We couldn't get seats together for the long flight from Atlanta to Zurich. Luckily, the guy next to me switched with Peter so I could sit next to him and Shannon made a new friend on the flight who shared her love for Twilight ;-) Those next eight hours consistested of dozing, reading, and doing Rosetta Stone. When we got here this morning at 7:30am, all our luggage made it except Peter's bike box. We're hoping its on its way and it should show up tomorrow. Also, Peter's ride from the airport was MIA when we left with our ride. It would be much easier if I could just call Peter to make sure he made it.
Shannon in our room
The language barrier fun as begun- the staff of Team Bike-Imports speaks very little English and Shannon and I speak very little German. All the more reason to really focus on that Rosetta Stone and to try to take in as much as possible. Everyone so far as been very, very hospitable. The landscape is very beautiful here- it is exactly like I imagined it- very picturesque. I love everything about this country so far!
A view outside our window
Another view outside our window
On our way to where we're staying this week, we had breakfast at a gas station restaurant consisting of amazing pungent coffee and some doughy pastry filled with a nut and apple paste. The drive to where we are was amazing with all the little villages and pastures and forests and mountains and just magnificent beauty. We got settled into our room, unpacked and eventually headed to lunch at Bruno's sister's house. The food was good and of course was concluded with yet another coffee- this one a macchiato. Yum, I could get used to their coffee. The only other item on the agenda today is putting together our bikes. Tomorrow we're going to watch and maybe race the local time trial.
The farmhouse where we are staying
The view outside our window
2 comments:
Sounds so great already! I really wish I was there too! :/ I cannot believe how much you got charged!! That is so ridiculous.
That charge is insane.
If you have the time and/or are so inclined, you should be able to get your money back with your receipts and a few phone calls to the appropriate parts of Delta.
Alors, Bonne Chance en Suisse !
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