Bonjour! Greetings from Lausanne. I got in at 9:30 last night after 3 flights, a train ride and a taxi.
What is not to like about a place named Hotel Swiss Chocolate.
And they had this chocolate fountain right by the elevator with little cigar shaped cookies to dip. YUM!
On my way to find breakfast, I saw this sign. I love signs in other countries. It was the only sign I saw in English. Hmmmm? Does that mean that we English speakers need more directions to let us know when somewhere is closed?
I saw this little place that had crepes. I am in the French speaking part of Switzerland so crepes seemed to celebrate the moment. I didn't even notice that the name was "The Pancakes Mafia" - gave me a laugh.
Not a fancy place but my crepe was good. It had goat cheese, nuts, and honey.
The Bull is named "Le taureau de Wall Street and appropriately sat at the start of the financial district.
Such an interesting door for my writer friend Mary! It was hot in Lausanne, and if you have never been there, it sits on the side of a mountain. There is not a flat spot to be found. It is all severe uphill or severe downhill.
In the afternoon, I walked about 45 minutes to the Olympic Musuem. I have loved the Olympics since I was a kid. It is always so exciting to see the world class athletes come together to compete. And all the pompand circumstance! The headquarters of the Olympics is here in Lausanne and on the same grounds as the Museum.
I found this gun to be an thought provoking symbol for non-violence. It was placed right outside the museum.
The entrance to the museum.
It all begins in Olympia. Actresses re-enact the centuries old action of the vestal virgins in a dramatisation inspired by ancient times. Several months before each of the games, the flame is lit in a ceremony held in the ancient sanctuary of Hera (My sorority, AXO symbol).The flame is lit by harnessing the sun's rays in parabolic mirror. It is then place in an urn and taken to the ancient stadium were it is handed to the first relay runner by the high priestess in charge of the ceremony. The entry into the host city stadium is the grand finale of the relay.
One of the most interesting of the dance costumes celebrating the opening ceremonies.
An exhibit honoring the media's presence at all of the modern games
There were thousands of photos and memorabilia from prior Olympics. Norwegian Sonja Henle is the most successful athlete in Olympic and World Championship figure skating history.
Who doesn't love the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team.
Jersey and hockey stick from the surprise American team win in the 1980 games in Lake Placid. The victory against the reputed invincible Soviet team was nicknamed "The Miracle on Ice."
German figure skating champion Katarina Witt is in the hall of fame.
Wayne Gretzky in 1998 games. It was the first time that the games allowed professional players.
A look at the different sizes of Olympic athletes. The tiny girl is Tara Lipinski, a gymnast at 4'10 and 95 pounds. Next to her is Lisa Leslie, a basketball player at 6'5 and 170 pounds. The heavyset girl is Cheryl Hayworth power lifter at 5'9 and 297 pounds.
This was the most interesting of the exhibits
The medals for each Olympics are different.
At the exit was a quote from Emil Zatopek, "An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. Hemust run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head."
Soooo It is goodnight for now - until tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment