Europe 2014 - Switzerland, Lucerne Arrival

Now that our time in Italy was behind us and we'd adjusted a bit to the jet lag, it was time to board a train from Como, Italy to Lucerne, Switzerland.  As we soon observed, the difference between the two countries is striking.

Going the other way, as we crossed into northern Italy from Paris - destined for Milan and our first night in Europe - I observed unkempt farmhouses and poverty gliding by through the windows of our train, sadly reminiscent of what I'd known so well in Mexico.  I was a bit disappointed that the human landscape was dingy and depressing, here in Europe of all places.  Fortunately our accommodations were situated in the pricier areas of tourism, but even there lurking shysters were never far away, intimidating visitors out of pocket change and one time hassling me because I was carrying the Big Cahoona.  As stated in earlier posts, we had to be careful not to wonder off of the beaten path in the more populated cities that we visited.

Cannot imagine that happening in Switzerland.  As opposed to the slide into an atmosphere of caution and uneasiness, crossing into Switzerland was riding into brighter sunshine, incredible vistas and a safer feeling overall.  After arrival we walked to the hotel - the Radisson Blu, a distance of about two blocks from the train station.  In no time we were out exploring the neighborhood, and discovered that Switzerland is so nice that even their trees have chandeliers!