Benvenue a Neuchatel

View from Chateau de Neuchatel of the Lake (Lac Neuchatel) at 2130 hours.
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Travel

It will be hard to ever return to coach.

I butchered the Swiss-French so many times, I'm surprised I haven't been butchered by the Swiss-French

Baxter has sent us business class to Neuchatel, where we will be working for the next month to two months.  I have of course never flown business class, because I am a masochist.  I love the sadistic pain of the cramped, deep-vein thrombosis yielding economy seats.  That's not necessarily true, but what is true is that economy is cheap, allowing me to save money for the actual travel inside the destination.

Chateau de Neuchatel in the center of the city.
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These flights were more expensive than my entire month in Asia, flights and living expenses combined.

It was immediately apparent that it would be so amazing.  At LAX, the business lounge is hidden behind several large hangers in what appears to be trashy bungalows.   However, once you step inside, you feel like aristocracy.  There is a plush lounge with soft classical music playing.  There is free food, drink (alcoholic and otherwise), soft comfy chairs, wireless internet, outlets and phone jacks everywhere.  Jason and I spent most of the time trying to get the internet to work on the laptop, so I probably didn't savor it as much as I would have wanted.  And all too soon, the tram was there to pick us up to head for the departure gate.

View from my room at the Hotel De L'Ecluse of the Chateau de Neuchatel
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The spoiling continues all through the flight however, where you have more than enough room to stretch out your legs.  And your seat can straighten all the way back to an actual, full-on bed.  You would sleep, except that the flight attendants are pampering you with h'ors deavres and wine every five minutes.  Plus, and this is minor, but important, you get to decide for yourself when to start whatever movie you want.

Yep.  Today, I was more of a Christopher Taylor, descending from some noble lineage than a mere Chris, the lab guy.

***

We spent so little time in Frankfort, that I cannot in any possible good conscience say I've been to Germany, although it is true that this was the first time Chris' feet touched German soil, in any regard.  Almost every German I've ever met spoke better English than I do, so it hadn't occurred to me to try and learn German (even a few phrases).  I was quite naive, however, in that there are a lot of people still who speak only German.  Luckily, the signs were either posted in English and German, or the German was similar enough to English to not cause any complications to our connecting flight.

Arrival

We arrived in Zurich and, without too much hassle, bought tickets to Neuchatel. The Swiss, being master linguists, can essentially communicate, in on way or another, no matter what language you speak.  Once upon the train, however, the exhaustion (business class or not) began to set in.  And because we had been warned amply by our director not to sleep because if you miss the stop you end up all the way in Geneva, we could not afford to sleep.  That was tough, but we got to see a good portion of the Swiss countryside, which rivals Ireland in utter beauty, except that Switzerland actually has trees, which makes it that much more beautiful.

Neuchatel is on Lake Neuchatel, which is a sparkling mountain lake.  The town of Neuchatel is easily navigatable.  There are only a few streets to know before you understand that whole town.

But it is absolutely gorgeous.  The architecture is straight out of an old movie.  I think alot of what I will be recounting will be straight from an old movie.

Language

I tried to speak French to the cab driver, and got my point across enough that he got us to the right hotel pretty speediy.  I was proud of myself until I realize that I mistranslated whether or not he could accept credit cards, and so used my own cash to get the hotel.

Once at the Hotel de l'Ecluse, we were greated by a vibrant young Swiss woman.  I tried to ask for our reservation in French, but butchered it.  She responded in English, and foolishly, but ultimately helpfully, I responded again in French.  This time I got the point across, which made me quite proud.  The Lonely Planet is correct, in that you are much more warmly accepted if you try in the French first, especially because Neuchatel is the "heart of Swiss French"  (or Swiss Romande, as they say), and less people are polylingual than in any other part of the Switzerland.

But the whole staff is very friendly, and we had a jolly time trying to communicate between English and French (disclaimer: they speak much better English than I speak Frency- it was mostly my obstinance that led to the confusion).

Food

After showers and a change of clothes, Jason and I headed out into the mild Sunday evening in search of food.  This was no easy task because Neuchatel shuts down early even on weekdays, and all the much more on Sundays. So, all the restaraunts were closed.  We saw a McDonald's but quickly passed by.  We ended up at a Kebab place and ordered a couple.  However, they didn't accept American Express, so I used my own cash again.  No worries.

They weren't the best kebab's I've ever had.  John and Jackson speak of spectacular donor kebabs in Europe somewhere,but I don't remember where.  Clearly not in Neuchatel.  As kebabs are concerned, my favorite are still reserved for Bangkok.  But perhaps, I can change my opinion by the end of this trip.  But the staff helped us through the French (they spoke 2 or 3 words of English at most).

We then took a quick stroll to the lake and went back to the hotel.  The hotel has a wonderful little patio that we had an espresso on earlier.  We had thought it would be a good idea to grab a beer there, but when we went to put our stuff in our respective rooms, we both immediately crashed, not to be woken..... until the jet lag kicks in at about 3 or 3:30 in the morning. Hah.

Tomorrow we have to be at work at 8:00, our taxi comes at 7:45.  Wish us luck...