Sunday, August 03, 2003

 

My fervent wish to go beyond the outskirts of Switzerland was granted! And I haven't really imagined it would be this far, way up to the Scandinavians.

A friend of my aunt, Tita Cathy who was a tourguide had to find someone to fill in for her supposed to be job as a "stewardess" in a "Busreisen" (tour bus) since she had an earlier commitment to another trip in Mt. Titlis. She recommended me, and good thing my aunt agreed. At first, I was sort of panicky, since I have no idea what I would be putting myself into, considering my 'language inefficiency.' But I was reassured that my job would just be simple, serving drinks while on the road and helping with the luggage.

Also los! (So, we start!) June 16, we took off from Zurich to Hannover, passing Stuttgart, Wuerzburg, Kassel. We drove by the Weltmesse (World Exhibition Center) in Hannover before unloading and stayed overnight at Ramada Treff Hotel- Britannia. My second glimpse of Deutschland, was only limited to the "Autobahn"(Freeway), the country landscape, the rolling hills, the Windmühle, not much that would leave an overwhelming impression. Perhaps it would be better if I could also go on a Busreisen all over "THE" places to go in Germany.

Next day, we drove further to Hamburg - Luebeck - Puttgarden, drove for about 40min. to R?dby, and then further drove to Copenhagen. We had a Stadtrundfahrt (city tour) in Copenhagen with a German-speaking Reiseleiterin (tour guide). It is such a lively, and colorful metropolis, the royal palace, courtyard, the "Hafen" (wharf)! Es gefaellt mir!(I like it!) I wish to visit this place again in the future. That first time, I wasn't able to really pay attention to where we are going. Been so busy serving drinks and food to the tourist.

By 6p.m. we drove further to Helsingor-Helsingborg, and drove towards Angelholm, Sweden. Stayed there overnight in a hotel! I especially liked the food there!!! Fisch tastes so good!! Next day, we drove towards Stockholm. It was 7:00 p.m. when we reached there. Stayed in a hotel again for the night. The morning after, we went to Stockholm Zentrum, where another tourguide was waiting. Stockholm is one beautiful city as well but the weather that day was wet and cold! Nevertheless, we still did walk along the narrow streets in old town (I don't know what was the name of that street, but I'm sure it was famous! ;-) I had lunch at McDonalds! (hehe yeah right...I was in Stockholm to eat at McDo! boohoo!). I especially liked the big shopping malls in Stockholm. (As big as what we have in the Philippines, big malls which I rarely find here in Luzern). And of course, I like the television channels in Stockholm....It's in English, and only with sub-titles! (The thing also that I am deprived of while I am in der Schweiz when all I have are German-dubbed TV shows like N.A.S.H., 7th Heaven. And we don't have CNN signal at home!)

Next day, we drove towards Orebro, still in Sweden. Stayed there overnight in Eurostop Quality Hotel. While in the Scandinavians, the word "midsummer nights" made sense to me now. At midnight, I could still see the sky, dark blue--which in my country, that is supposed to be 6p.m. Then at 3am, I was awakened by the bright sunlight coming from my window! New, and strange things for me! The whole day and night, with sunlight!

Sixth day, we were off to Oslo. By 3:30pm, we made another Stadtrundfahrt (city tour) with a not so good tourguide! I don't understand any of her Deutsche at all! She is so serious and boring! But anyhow, I just enjoyed the Oslo scenic tour by myself, just wondering where we are. We also went to that Winter Olympics stadium (for World Ski jumping event as well) ...is it called Holmenkollen. I didn't have much time to do some researching on THE important places in Norway. After the city tour, we drove towards the wharf, boarded the Stena Line ship and stayed there overnight on a cabin. The following day, we were in Frederikshavn in Denmark. The sea trip was so 'at home' for me! Didn't have much of that seasickness, but rather had been bitten by the pangs of homesickness! But anyhow, I enjoyed the company of the tourist in this bus tour. I've become close to some of them, and of course befriended all of them! They are all nice!! Mostly are Swiss, some Czech, and a couple from Cambodia! They have become a family to me. One of them is my mommy, a couple of them my "granny", some uncles, and some aunts. For me, doing this is not for the money (although I admit, it makes a good pay!). But this for me is more of an experience...of venturing new places, and of meeting people, and making them a part of my life...and I am in theirs. You can just imagine how "sad" I was on the last day.

Anyway, let's get on with the trip. From Denmark, we drove towards.... HAMBURG!!! It wasn't really part of the trip itinerary, but Herr Chauffeur decided to make a side trip! We had a Stadtrundfahrt (city tour) as well!! And of course when in Hamburg, one should not miss out passing by Reppenbahn. Oh well, it was not something new to me, when I've seen better/worse in Castro St.! But it was daytime when we drove through Reppenbahn. Not so much glitter in the red light district. After the city tour, we went to the wharf and did a Havenrundfahrt (Ferry cruise)! Es war toll (It was fantastic!)!

Am Abend waren wir in Hannover. Ich war sehr sehr müde.(In the evening, we were in Hannover. I was very very tired) By the next day, we drove back to Switzerland, passing by Kassel, Wurzburg, Ulm, then part of Austria in Bregenz, where we had some little problem with the engine, kept us stranded for a while. It was fixed and we're on the road again. Dropped off some of the tourists in St. Gallen, Thurgau, Winterthur, Frauenfeld and then back in Zurich. So for me, it was like a 5-country, 8-day tour! Nicht schleckt! (Not bad!) From Zurich, I was with another tourist, who became close to me as well. We took the train together going towards Luzern. I was home at around 10:30pm. And just dropped dead tired!

The trip wasn't all that 'bed of roses' there were the not-so-good stuff, which I consider a learning experience.On the first day especially, Ich mache viele Fehler. (I did so many mistakes)Well, for one, I wasn't given much time to be given instructions. The bus was 15 minutes late in Zurich, and the passengers are all waiting. So Herr Chauffeur, did some rush instructions. And I am on my own. I was so tensed and awkward. The coffemachine wasn't cooperating, the coffee got stuck in it, no more hot water for the sausage. Ach! But I am thankful, the people sitting near the coffemaker were so helpful and really encouraged me. They told me, "it will be fine", "people make mistakes", and "no one knows everything!" I may forget what their names are...but I shall not forget their kindness.

They're all but wonderful memories now! It came and went so fast, I would have thought it was just a dream if not for these mementos I have taken along with me! You can also view them, just click here

posted by Natter 12:31 AM