So Long to Stechelberg, Bonjour to Beaune
I was up at 6AM raring to go. I packed and dressed and took my computer with me to breakfast, playing on it as I nibbled. By 8AM we were on the bus.
It was very, VERY hard for me to leave Stechelberg. It was the perfect place to me, so beautiful, so remote and small, yet surrounded by the immense, magical mountains. I was half tempted to tell Dimitri to just leave me behind. I wanted to call my husband and tell him we were moving, immediately, to Stechelberg.
I had only the smallest desire to see France. I'd been to Paris once before, for just one day, and it was a terrible day. Such a terrible day that I wasn't eager to return. People had been very rude, we had witnessed a mugging and nearly been mugged ourselves, we'd been pestered by aggressive scammers and sent on a wild goose chase while trying to find Notre Dame. I was more than okay with staying in Stechelberg.
I also knew that my Paris viewpoint was skewed and I couldn't judge a whole country based on one bad day. I was hoping this time, Paris would redeem herself. Dimitri told me he'd make sure I changed my opinion. My friend, Helen, who was joining me after the tour, was also determined to change my mind about Paris.
I had only the smallest desire to see France. I'd been to Paris once before, for just one day, and it was a terrible day. Such a terrible day that I wasn't eager to return. People had been very rude, we had witnessed a mugging and nearly been mugged ourselves, we'd been pestered by aggressive scammers and sent on a wild goose chase while trying to find Notre Dame. I was more than okay with staying in Stechelberg.
I also knew that my Paris viewpoint was skewed and I couldn't judge a whole country based on one bad day. I was hoping this time, Paris would redeem herself. Dimitri told me he'd make sure I changed my opinion. My friend, Helen, who was joining me after the tour, was also determined to change my mind about Paris.
As we got closer to France, Dimitri came up to give us some French lessons.
We had a half an hour at the first rest stop. While some folks were happy to see a McDonalds to get coffee and a snack, I was happy to see a large souvenir shop. I wanted some Swiss gifts to take home. My oldest son Trev had just had his birthday the week before, and I thought a genuine Swiss Army knife would be a great birthday gift for him.
I found the perfect knife, and got one for my husband as well. I also found t-shirts, a small decorative cow bell and some other fun trinkets.
As I further explored the place with Julie, we also found some stores unlike any you'd find in a mall environment in the states- at least where I live!
I found the perfect knife, and got one for my husband as well. I also found t-shirts, a small decorative cow bell and some other fun trinkets.
As I further explored the place with Julie, we also found some stores unlike any you'd find in a mall environment in the states- at least where I live!
As we got closer to Beaune, the rain turned to sleet, making driving more challenging for Richard.
For lunch, Dimitri was eager for us to try a new buffet style restaurant.
For me it was confusing. You picked a price for your plate and then you could choose specific meals based upon the price you picked. Because of the language confusion, I ended up with a different price than I wanted. No big deal. I decided to order a hamburger. I took a seat outside with Karen, since the weather had improved. I ate some fries. Then I took a bite of my burger. I took another bite and then had to quickly grab a napkin and spit it out. Looking down, I could see that my burger was raw. Not rare- RAW.
I went inside to have somebody fix the situation, but again, with the language barrier, I didn't know how to communicate my problem. None of the restaurant workers seemed to be concerned, or able to see a problem with a raw piece of meat. About to give up, Dimitri walked by me and asked me what I thought of my food. "I think they should kill the cow before they serve it," was my answer as I held up my plate. He asked if I'd told somebody and I explained the problem. "I'll take care of it." He had them make me a new plate and told me to wait. Unfortunately by the time I received my new plate, everybody was leaving to get on the bus. I didn't have time to eat. By then, I really didn't want to.
For lunch, Dimitri was eager for us to try a new buffet style restaurant.
For me it was confusing. You picked a price for your plate and then you could choose specific meals based upon the price you picked. Because of the language confusion, I ended up with a different price than I wanted. No big deal. I decided to order a hamburger. I took a seat outside with Karen, since the weather had improved. I ate some fries. Then I took a bite of my burger. I took another bite and then had to quickly grab a napkin and spit it out. Looking down, I could see that my burger was raw. Not rare- RAW.
I went inside to have somebody fix the situation, but again, with the language barrier, I didn't know how to communicate my problem. None of the restaurant workers seemed to be concerned, or able to see a problem with a raw piece of meat. About to give up, Dimitri walked by me and asked me what I thought of my food. "I think they should kill the cow before they serve it," was my answer as I held up my plate. He asked if I'd told somebody and I explained the problem. "I'll take care of it." He had them make me a new plate and told me to wait. Unfortunately by the time I received my new plate, everybody was leaving to get on the bus. I didn't have time to eat. By then, I really didn't want to.
I was pleased to see that the town of Beaune was indeed a small town and quite charming. We, "The Thundering Herd", rolled our noisy luggage from where Little Ricky parked and through town to the hotel. We arrived around 3:00.
Home Happy Home~ The Hotel Athanor
My room was simple, quaint and comfortable with a window overlooking the front road and the oatmeal colored buildings. I had a giant wooden beam running over my bed and through the bathroom, even through my shower! I had to be careful as I showered not to knock myself in the noggin! I loved it though. Quirky places intrigue me. I like a place with personality!
At 3:45 we met in the reception room to get ready for our tour of Beaune. Refreshments were waiting for us!
In spite of on and off rain, we headed outside for our walk. Dimitri led us around and pointed out the highlights of the lovely town.
After the walking tour we were taken to the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune. This former almshouse, or hospital for the poor, was founded in 1443. The current building came along nearly ten years later. It functioned as a hospital until late 1970! The building surrounds an inner courtyard that lets you fully admire the spectacular design of the place.
Dimitri left us there to explore on our own with instructions to meet up with him at 5:45.
Dimitri left us there to explore on our own with instructions to meet up with him at 5:45.
After about an hour, most of us felt we had seen all there was to see. It was really quite an amazing place, full of interesting architecture and art. The concept of the hospital was wonderful.
We had time to kill before meeting up with Dimitri. Lannie, Julie, Shirley and I ventured out to shop!
We found ourselves in a home goods shop and again I found myself eyeballing some spoons. Eager to add to my collection from Orvieto, I found two more spoons to remember Beaune by. I was very happy! Later, Little Ricky teased me terribly about my spoon "fetish" and what was it with me and spoons? Did I dream about them? I told him I only dreamed about eating my cereal with them and remembering my trip. He wasn't convinced!
We found ourselves in a home goods shop and again I found myself eyeballing some spoons. Eager to add to my collection from Orvieto, I found two more spoons to remember Beaune by. I was very happy! Later, Little Ricky teased me terribly about my spoon "fetish" and what was it with me and spoons? Did I dream about them? I told him I only dreamed about eating my cereal with them and remembering my trip. He wasn't convinced!
Next on our list was a visit to a local winery. We were led down to the cellar for a tasting with Martine. We were given souvenir tasting cups. Then Martine taught us how to properly taste wine and how to pick out a good wine. What I remember most is the wine!
Picture below courtesy of tour-mate, Lori.
Martine showed us how to hold our tasters up to the candle light to check the quality of the wine. We're not for sure, but Pat, Lannie, me, Julie and Emily are pretty sure that some hocus pocus might have been spoken and we accidentally joined some sort of a witchy, wine cult!
Martine showed us how to hold our tasters up to the candle light to check the quality of the wine. We're not for sure, but Pat, Lannie, me, Julie and Emily are pretty sure that some hocus pocus might have been spoken and we accidentally joined some sort of a witchy, wine cult!
I made the "mistake" of standing by Julie (or vice-versa). When we get together, we tend to bring out the best/worst in each other. Add some delicious wine to the mix, and...
"Please mum, may we have some more?" (Spoken in our best Oliver Twist London accents)
"Please mum, may we have some more?" (Spoken in our best Oliver Twist London accents)
We were feeling no pain when we left the wine cellar. Upstairs, we noticed several Rick Steves itinerary posters in the window. One of our tour members had spotted The Rickster's girlfriend in the main lobby. She was there with one of the tours. I never saw her, but I heard she was very nice. Outside, Richard was there, cracking everybody up in his usual way!
Joe and Julie, Pat, Lannie and I decided to find a restaurant for supper. Julie was really wanting some escargot. We found LeConcord Restaurant and were quickly seated. Imants and Barb, Tom and Ila took the table next to us. Later, we noticed more of our group at a table across the room. Great minds think alike!
I had a "ham and cheese salad", which is what I call "headcheese", followed by beef bourguignon, veggies and fries. An apple torte for dessert rounded out the meal. Julie, Lannie and Pat all went for the snails!
I had a "ham and cheese salad", which is what I call "headcheese", followed by beef bourguignon, veggies and fries. An apple torte for dessert rounded out the meal. Julie, Lannie and Pat all went for the snails!
We headed back to the hotel around 9:30. After a shower and some TV, I was more than ready for bed.