October 8, 2018 – Bern to Lucerne

October 8, 2018 – Bern to Lucerne
It turns out that Bern was just what I needed to get my energy back. These 2 days were the only days where I could just do what I wanted at a leisurely pace. (The cabana day was relaxing but ended at 5pm and then became cruise busy.)
Today I went back to watch the bears and do the river walk. When I got there the bears were up in their concrete enclosure while their hillside was cleaned. So I walked back to finally see the famous clock do its thing. First, animals and soldiers spun around. Then on the hour high up a golden man used his hammer to strike the bell.
After this I headed back to the Bear Park. Now the bears were on their hillside. Two of them were swimming in the moat. I read that they let fish from the river get into the moat as a treat for the bears.
Finally back to the hotel to pick up my bags and over to the train station. Being Switzerland the train was on time. I got to Lucerne at 3pm and found that the hotel was only 1 1/2 blocks away. At 6pm we had our introductory meeting and learned about what we are doing the next 4 days. I was sitting next to a woman who i found out was from Brentwood. She asked if I lived at “that senior place by the outlet mall”. When I said yes, she asked if I knew Eleanor Murray. Small world.
My friend Carol was due to get in around the same time as me but due to airline problems didn’t arrive until after 8pm.
Tomorrow we start out with a walking tour. Most people are jet-lagged. I’m the only one who didn’t fly in today.