Thu, Aug 23: Lucerne, Switzerland

It was cloudy in morning, but cleared up by noon, but was hazy.  We walked around old town, including viewing the Lowendenkmal (Lion monument), a tribute to those Swiss Guards who died defending France's King Louis XVI.  Mark Twain praised the sculpture of a mortally-wounded lion as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world." 

We ate lunch along the Reuss River, which drains the lake.  Later we went to a chocolate shop to taste and buy chocolate, lots of chocolate.  And then we walked over the Spreuerbrucke (Chaff bridge, because it was near the mills and wheat chaff was thrown into the river from the bridge).  Mary and Paul walked the old city wall, and climbed the one tower with the best views. 

 

In the evening, we attended a good, entertaining, singing and musical folk show, including dinner.  They played:  accordion, piano, bass fiddle, clarinet, horns, alpine horns, saw, bottles, broom, bowls, and cow bells.  We shared a cheese fondue appetizer, which was not very good, as the alcohol did not burn off completely.

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