"Don't go searching for a mermaid, son / if you don't know how to swim"

[larryhammer]

Off to Switzerland next week, to meet the new nephew and others. I'm f-locking this and posts made on the road until our return.

Books: Even though this is a low-luggage trip, I'm allowing myself three reading volumes instead of two, because the Japanese grammar I want to review is a slim paperback (All About Particles, Naoko Chino). For poetry, I plan to risk Paradise Lost on the theory that if I can finally finish Aeneid, maybe I'll find PL readable if it's all I have on hand -- especially among the Alps. But I reserve the right to dither at the last minute and swap it for Don Juan plus a third-round draft pick. For fiction, I'm leaning towards Declare by Tim Powers. Plus of course my journal. And Lonely Planet, natch. Especially since part of our itinerary will be worked out upon arrival.

I'm a lot less panicked about preparations than I possibly ought to be, given that. And that I still need new walking shoes and a haircut.

At the moment, ash looks okay for the flight out, but the return is during one of BA's scheduled strikes. We'll see how long it takes us to get back home.

---L.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Maybe by next journey you guys can get e-readers?

[larryhammer]

It is entirely possible at least one of us will by then.

---L.

[harvestar.livejournal.com]

We were thinking of you last night. Have you seen the PBS show on origami on Independent Lens? It was really fascinating! :)

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/between-the-folds/index.html

[larryhammer]

Yup -- saw that the last time it came around. Nifty documentary. Kinda wanted it to go a little more in depth on some of the artists, though.

---L.

[tcastleb.livejournal.com]

Oh, how cool. I've been to Champery and Montreaux for a band trip. Lovely, lovely place. I want to go back. Have fun, and best of luck getting there and back again!

[larryhammer]

This is our third trip -- last time we spent a lovely week in Interlaken, with a few days in Geneva and Zurich. Somewhere around here ... ah -- found the three-part trip report. (Reading that makes me want to take more Byron ... )

This time, there will be time in the Black Forest across the Rhine and, probably, Zug and environs.

---L.

[branna.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful trip! When do you guys leave?

[larryhammer]

Saturday.

---L.

[taigerchily.livejournal.com]

i wouldn't mind a very, VERY long ba strike and/or more ashes, at least after you crossed the ocean ;-P that would give me a lot of time for showing you zug and environs, once we're back from italy... ;-)

[larryhammer]

But -- Janni has a conference to help run the Saturday after we're suppose to return.

---L.

[taigerchily.livejournal.com]

yeah, to miss important dates/appointments/deadlines would be bad.

[janni.livejournal.com]

Aside from the conference and a book deadline (know if there's anywhere a stranded traveler can rent a laptop in Zurich? :-)), the idea of being stranded in Europe indefinitely is actually quite appealing ... :-)

[taigerchily.livejournal.com]

oh, i have a laptop ;-)
but that wouldn't help much with the conference, i guess.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_twilight_/]

Have fun! And fancy Swiss chocolate! :D