August 16, 1984 - Day 16
SWITZERLAND - LIECHTENSTEIN - AUSTRIA
Lucerne, Switzerland - Vaduz, Liechtenstein
The “Chicken Dance“ was played, and danced to, at regular intervals en route. To while away the long drive, there was also an impromptu talent show organized by Carmen, who refused to set a good example and join in herself. By some bit of good luck, I managed to win USD5 for singing “Is Love A Game“. Earl scored 10 points out of 10 for me, ditto for Lois. Bart said 15 points for me if the song was dedicated to him, 5 if not...I retorted that the song was dedicated to both him *and* Earl and scored 10 points as well.
Though I do believe I never saw that money - it was diverted, I think, to some common fund or whatever. Hmp.
Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is, arguably, the most “drive-through” of all the countries in Europe. It is one of two principalities in Europe, the other being Monaco. Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein, looks like any small Bavarian town, which is not surprising, since the Liechtenstein family purchased the land from Austria after complicated arrangements with the government.
We had a quickie of a “city orientation” here; basically “Here's the main street, and the important buildings are all on it...” type of thing. Importantly, it was the last stop for shopping using Swiss francs. We must change to Austrian money after the border, less than half an hour away.
St. Christoph Am Arlberg - Austria
From Leichtenstein, the road climbed steadily upward towards our lunch stop at St. Christoph Am Arlberg. Arl=name of mountain; Berg=mountain. Put the two together, along with the name of St. Christopher, patron of travelers, and you have a most hopeful place name.
It was COLD!! when we were allowed to get off the bus. Alas, in the general rush for the door (first to get to the washroom wins, yay!) I left my overcoat in the bus!! Thus had to shiver my way through the lunch line. Smart girl!
Bart recommended goulash soup, which was so very good, I went back for refill. Actually, goulash the only item on the menu as far as soup was concerned - a house specialty, perhaps. Took a stroll outside after lunch, and it was pointed out that St. Christoph has a hospice for the terminally ill, with a very pretty view. I totally agree that one can't get better than the Austrian Alps to look at when one is feeling low. The clear mountain air goes straight to one's toes when you breathe, and is said to have cured many with lung problems.
Innsbruck, Austria - Tourotel
From the heights of the Alps, to the flat contours of Innsbruck, where it showered on us as we arrived at the city limits. The local police had us going in circles to find the rear entrance of the hotel because front entrance was a one-way/no parking zone! So it was decided to drop us off at the first legal stop, and Bart would take care of the baggage while Earl walked us to see the “Golden Roof“ of the Emperor Maximilian, straight down and to the left from the front entrance.
Dinner was a hilarious affair. We had only one very sweet, very handsome waiter to serve all our tables. Main course was...hold your breath...chicken again! (Like we were expecting something else? Chicken is the culinary leitmotif of this tour.) Diana (of infamous Cologne fame) sent the waiter off to the kitchen for dessert spoons when the strudel arrived. While he went off to do her bidding, she hid the dessert in the bread basket, under the cloth, while waiter was gone.
When waiter came back with the spoons, Diana claimed he took so long, she had eaten the strudel (which was pretty good, if I may say so). The look on his face! A perfect Kodak moment, absolutely priceless. Diana did reveal the strudel sitting innocently in the bread basket, and the waiter gave her an exasperated/flirtatious kind of look. I think she ought to have slipped a nice tip under the bread basket to make it up to the poor boy.
While getting ready for bed, the sound of happy music floated up to our room, and I looked out the window to see a marching band passing beneath us on the way to a concert in the plaza. Nice way to end the day!
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