Our plane arrived ahead of schedule in Zurich due to tail winds in excess of 150 mph. As we pulled our bags from the conveyor belt, we realized that for the first time since our trip began, we would have to do some walking with our packs on our backs (instead of dragging our belongings in duffle bags as we had done in London). We slowly and deliberately strapped all of the straps, clipped all of the clips, and made our way to the information desk to ask for the best way to Interlaken. We were pleased to learn that we could catch a train right out of the airport, instead of having to "shlep" to the main train station in town. On our way to the train, we made a point to stop for commission free money exchange (You don't have to be on the road very long to appreciate the fact that every dollar counts.).

Our train ride from Zurich was about 2 1/2 hours long but the scenery made it seem like 2 1/2 minutes. We twisted and turned our way into Interlaken, a city lying in a valley within the Alps and sandwiched in between 2 gorgeous lakes. From the Interlaken Ost station we made the 15 minute walk (again with our packs on our backs) to the mini-metropolis known as Balmer's. We introduced ourselves at the reception desk and were greeted with something to the effect, "Oh, your Jason & Dana!" Apparently our reputation preceeded us. In any event, we were shown to room #50, the honeymoon suite, and once we let our packs down, we cruised back downstairs to try and find the real reason for our having come to Interlaken...Janel.

For those of you who do not know Janel, she is Mike's younger sister. For those of you who do not know Mike, he is one the "BOYZ" that I grew up with in "THE HOOD". Anyway, after having graduated form Syracuse University, Janel took off to travel for 2+ years. Suring her travels, Janel ended up at Balmer's and was taken on as staf after some time. After a brief stint back home in NYC, Janel returned to Balmer's this past summer to renovate the bar at the hostel. Before she took off, Dana & I asked Janel to see what strings she could pull and get us jobs at Balmer's during the ski season. Just after Dana & I were married in October of this year, Janel came home for a friend's wedding, at which time she called us to let us know that she had in fact been able to secure us employment at Balmer's. From the very moment Janel called with the good news, I think I was more excited than Dana. You see, I had stayed at Balmer's some time ago, and I could see what a good time the staff was having. Dana, on the other hand, had no frame of reference and was a bit hesitant as a result.

After an emotional reunion with Janel, she took us around to meet the rest of the staff. It seemed as though everyone knew about us, from employment history to marital status. Janel apparently built us up a bit. After a slew of intorductions, anel planted us in "her" bar and made dinner for the 3 of us ( Mom, I ate mushrooms again!!). We stayed up for a bit longer to discuss the ground rules of working and living at Balmer's. Janel really took good care of us our first night, and things were indeed off to a good start. However, as the old saying goes, "Good things don't last forever."