Following the work related activities, I took a sabbatical to Hogwarts the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.

The goal was to either ski or snowshoe up around Eiger/Mönch/Jungfrau. However, nature had better ideas… The Alps hadn’t receive much snow (if any), so none of the ski areas were open.

The first day was very foggy and wet, so the trains to the area summits didn’t run.

It snowed on the second day. Boy did it snow…

^and Jungfrau or Schilthorn were still fogged out…

Since there was nothing to do in the highlands, I visited a neighboring town, Thun:

^Lake Thun.

Christmas Markets were in full force there and the old town had a “sunken street,” where there’s two levels of shops.

I climbed to Castle Thun, but it was closed.

On the third day, clouds parted, and one ski area opened! However, I had to fly out…

Zurich has one fancy airport!

Note: Interestingly, they don’t have water fountains at the airport. Also, expect to pay at least 5 Swiss Francs for a bottle of anything… I found out that you’re supposed to drink out of the faucet in the bathrooms, so bring a Nalgene!

As homeboy Arnie would say:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liu6sEJPd4A&w=400&h=300]