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FRIDAY, JULY 20TH:
HOO-WHEE, What a day!
Got about 4 hours sleep and then went for a long run. Of course, I got lost.
But, I’d been seeing these signs for the “Swingers Club”. We were joking about
it, but I actually found it when I was lost. They have a masseuse and a sauna
there, too! It was a beautiful run past corn fields and into a little village.
Had breakfast and the nice lady at the hotel asked me if there was anything she
could “make” me. I asked for an omelet but she didn’t know what it was. She
kept asking if it had flour in it. I told her how to make it and she was gone
for about 30 minutes. She came out with this beautiful HUGE omelet. I was
laughing and told her it was much too big. She used FIVE eggs!
Answered a few emails and then “dis-assembled” my fan for the trip to
Switzerland. It was supposed to take 3 ½ hours, but you know how that goes. We
had two vans and Chely and I got in one and Victor, Kevin, and Katie rode in the
other. We had driven about an hour when we stopped at some type of “station”.
We were crossing the border into Austria and had to get permits for the
vehicles. Victor walked over to our van and his clothes were dripping water!
There was no air conditioning in their van. I later found out that the driver
was refusing to roll down his window, too. I would definitely have taken care
of that problem had I known. We told all of them to get in our van but Katie
said she was “cool enough” where she was sitting as the window was down on her
side.
After we drove another 2 hours, we learned that the road we needed to take was
closed. So, several minutes negotiating a new route and then another hour’s
drive. Finally arrived at the hotel and Chely’s other musicians had just
arrived right before us. Their flight had mechanical problems and they sat on
the runway in Chicago for 3 hours. Lindsey sent me an article today where the
rate for cancelled flights was up 30% from last year. Last month there were
over 20,000 cancelled flights and for the same month in 2006, there were only
about 7,000! I believe it after our experiences.
I took everyone except Chely into Lucerne. The plan was to sightsee and shop.
The big “Blue Balls Festival” is in Lucerne this week. Yep, that’s really the
name of it. One of my friends asked me if there were a lot of unhappy men
attending.
:)
The minute we got out of the van in Lucerne, it started pouring down rain. It
didn’t stop, only got worse while we were there. Usually, it’s just a late
afternoon show caused by the “heat”. Not this time. I was determined to buy
John (my new artist) a tee-shirt from the Festival. Easier said than done! We
kept asking people where we could buy one and were finally directed to the main
pavilion for the show. (Seal is performing there tonight). There was security
on the door and we were not allowed in without a ticket! But, I sweet-talked
the security guard and he let us go in. Only to learn that there is NOT a
festival tee-shirt. There were “Seal” t-shirts but no festival “t”. They
finally pulled out some old shirts from last year but none in his size. I
finally purchased a white polo with “Blue Balls Festival” on it in a Child’s
Large! Sure hope it fits.
I took everyone out for a nice dinner at an Italian Restaurant. Only when our
driver made reservations, he made them for the restaurant upstairs instead of
the one downstairs where we had looked at the menu. It was very fancy and the
service was extremely slow. She would not let anyone have red wine prior to
the meal – only WITH the meal. Plus the “special” was Veal Liver. YUCK. We
asked to be moved downstairs and they accommodated. Much better menu. I had
incredible ravioli. Went back upstairs to the bathroom but didn’t know if I was
a “Damen” or a “Herron”, so I had to go back downstairs and ask our driver which
door I was supposed to go in.
Our waiter asked if we wanted dessert and I asked if they had crepes. He was
offended and told me it was an “Italian” restaurant and they did not have
crepes. I mentioned that all the booths outside had them and he made a grand
gesture with his arm telling me to go out there and eat then! I told him I’d
like the check. His comment then was, “Oh the beautiful lady is also the
boss!”. My comment was, “Yeah NOW you are sucking up to me!”
It was raining very hard when we left Lucerne. Billy Yates had just arrived the
hotel when we returned. We all had a drink (hot chocolate for me!) and some ice
cream and then went to our rooms.
Finishing up emails and going to bed. We have an 8 am lobby call for check
tomorrow.
Jude
SATURDAY, JULY 21ST:
Got up and had breakfast with some of Chely’s group. A couple of them wanted
“scrambled eggs” so we attempted to place an order with the waitress who did not
speak English. Last night when we told her that we wanted “separate checks”,
she freaked out and started yelling “Oooh, La-La!”. This morning we told her
scrambled eggs for 2 but since there were 3 of us at the table, she insisted
that we needed “3”. Then when she brought them out, they were soft-boiled
eggs, not scrambled. Glad I didn’t order any.
I assumed that the stage would not be ready for us that early and I was right.
We had to wait about 45 for the opening act – Billy Yates – to finish his sound
check before we could begin. Everyone at this festival has to take a gondola up
to the top of the Alp (Klewenalp). All the beer, food, instruments, etc., for
the event, have to be transported on the gondola. I hate that thing. When it
passes a tower, it SWINGS back and forth. I always time it – 7 minutes up and
6 minutes down! Katie and I had to go back down to pick Chely up at the hotel,
so we had TWO trips up and back down this morning.
It was cooler and very foggy this morning. Finished sound check and came back
to the hotel for lunch. Another “challenge” but we had Marcus (our wonderful
driver) with us to interpret. The wireless was not working in my room when we
left this morning and it had not started working when we finished lunch.
Everyone else’s rooms had a great signal, but not me. The hotel told me I could
change rooms, so I went through several rooms trying to find one where the
internet worked. Then I had to pack everything back up and move again. I did
get in a great run down along the lake. Ran for 5 miles and was watching the
sky because they had a huge hail storm in Interlaken a couple of days ago. It
got dark a few times, but I made it back right before it started raining. My
friend and the agent on the date – Iris – arrived just as I was heading out for
my jog.
I was just thinking the other day how lucky we were not to have the attacking
shower heads. Guess I jinxed myself. This shower has one of the “wands” and
the water pressure is extremely high. I got in and turned it on and it
immediately flew off the wall and started chasing me around the shower, banging
into the wall and soaking me. Once I finally got it under control, I had to
hold it with both hands to keep it from taking off again. It had as much
pressure as one of those hand-held wands at a car wash. I definitely got an
“exfoliation” at the same time I had a shower.
Had dinner with Chely’s group and Iris and then was able to answer a few more
emails before we left for the show. It is raining really hard now and I did
not want to take that Gondola up. Iris hates the trip up as much as I do. But,
there is no other way to get to the show site. The backstage this year was
amazing. It was “catered” and very clean. Usually, we have to beg for water
and a peanut but this year the food looked really great. I would have
rather eaten there than at the hotel restaurant.
Chely did another great show and there were a few
die-hard fans standing in front of the stage in the pouring rain. The others
were up at the top of the hill in a tent with open sides so they could watch the
show. I was walking back down to the tent when a lady who was trying to sneak
backstage, slipped in the mud an fell. She fell right where a little walking
bridge led to the backstage. She was fairly overweight and broke something when
she went down. They had to bring a stretcher to get her back up the hill.
Chely signed autographs for about an hour
after the show. The merch table was set up right in front of a German country
music band and when they started playing, it was deafening. Not a good plan.
Took the gondola back down – one last time – and got in my room by 1:30 am.
Going to bed very soon. Tomorrow my friend and I drive to an exclusive hotel
on Lake Lucerne for 3 days of pampering.
Jude
SUNDAY, JULY 22ND:
Got up to get Chely’s group off to the airport. Someone had called Chely’s room
at 4 am and woke her up. She said they were asking her for a photo! I was
furious. Got everyone off to the airport and Iris and I had breakfast. Then we
tried to check out of the hotel and no one was at the desk. I waited and waited
and waited……Finally I went into the restaurant. I think the front desk staff
was doubling as a waitress. Hopefully, we won’t be at this hotel next year!
Just as we were leaving, this lady from the backstage catering came in and
wanted me to take “photos” to Chely. I told her that I could not do it because
I’m traveling for another month. She was not happy but I told her she could
mail them to me if she really wanted Chely to have them. Then a “light” went
off in my brain – Chely and photos. I KNEW she was the person who called
Chely’s room at 4 am. Decided to leave before I said something very rude.
We had to waste some time so we drove through Lucerne. The Blue Balls Festival
is taking place through next weekend but it was STILL raining. Drove on around
the lake and found our fabulous hotel. I had called them this morning to make
sure all the rooms had internet (they do – wireless!) and asked if the rooms
were air conditioned. Only the suites are air-conditioned and the cost is over
a thousand dollars per night. I brought my fan with me. Iris was horrified
that I checked into a 5 star resort hotel with my own fan. Bet she wishes she
had one tonight. :)
We are staying at the Park Hotel in Weggis, Switzerland on Lake Lucerne. My
room has a little balcony that looks out over Lake Lucerne. The bathroom is
really high tech. Took me five minutes to figure out how to flush the toilet!
And, when you sit on the toilet, a fan comes on. When you get up, the fan turns
off. It also has a built-in bidet with photos showing how to use it.
We went over to the Spa and make appointments for tomorrow and Tuesday. I’m
getting a body scrub, body wrap, facial, massage, and facial. Wanted a manicure
and pedicure but they were all booked up for both days. I’m also going to do
the “power plate” with a trainer at the gym. It’s the newest form of exercise.
It’s a “pad” that vibrates. You only do 10 minutes on it, exercising various
muscle groups. It’s supposed to be really hard to do but I want to try it.
The entire atmosphere of the hotel and spa is very relaxing. The landscaping
and architecture are very “calming”. And, everyone walks around in their
terrycloth bathrobes. There’s little statues of naked men and women all over
the groups. Of course, I took photos of those. We walked down along the lake
and had a drink at a little lakeside café. The weather is beautiful. Then, I
went to the gym to work out since I didn’t have time this morning. Worked
“arms” today. I was lying on the weight bench when a man walked past the
windows in his robe and it was gaping open every step he took. I didn’t think
he had anything on under it and was going to flash me at any moment, so I looked
the other way. About 2 minutes later I heard someone say “Hello” and looked up
and he was in the gym, too. I answered him and kept working out and noticed
that he was taking off the robe. Had a moments panic thinking he was naked
because he didn’t have on a shirt. But, he had on swim trunks. Guess I’ve seen
too many statues.
J
After a quick shower, we walked down to a little restaurant in the town. Had a
great dinner and sat and talked for hours. Back at hotel answering emails now.
Looking forward to a wonderful day of pampering tomorrow. I’ll be the only one
on the massage table answering emails on my blackberry! LOL
Jude
MONDAY, JULY 23RD:
Walked to a little restaurant down the street for breakfast because the only
thing the hotel has is a huge buffet for 30 CHF. Too much food for me. Then we
went to a market and purchased some water. Took me about 10 minutes this
morning to figure out how to work the espresso maker. Finally realized that
there is a “switch” by my door that turns the power on to it!
Went to the gym and worked out prior to my day of pampering. My first “treat”
was a body peeling. It was heavenly. Followed that with a body pack which was
pretty amazing. My friend was afraid to do the body pack because she is
claustrophobic. Sure didn’t bother me. I had a male who did both of these
procedures. At least this time when he handed me the little plastic packet and
sent me to the shower, I knew it was plastic panties and didn’t put it on my
head like I did in China a couple of years ago!
My last treat of the day was an amazing facial. I wish my skin could be this
soft and smooth all the time. Also, there was a little bottle of avocado oil in
my bathroom. It is fabulous. I purchased a large bottle of it from the Spa
today. It smells and feels so good and is not at all “greasy”.
Showered and then we were going to go into Lucerne for Sushi. But, since it was
already 6 pm and all the shops would be closed, I suggested we wait until
tomorrow when we would finish our treatments earlier in the day. ‘Cause I
REALLY want to shop in Lucerne.
We walked down to a fantastic little bar that is owned by the hotel. It’s right
on the beach at Lake Lucerne. Had just ordered our drinks when it started
pouring down rain! Unbelievable. We were going to eat in the hotel restaurant
but it was French Gourmet and we didn’t like the menu or the prices. So, we
walked back down to the same restaurant where we ate last night.
Came back to my room only to find that I had no electricity. I tried pushing
every button on the wall but nothing worked. I called the front desk and he
came up. There was a knob beside the door that had to be turned. I was really
ticked off then because evidently the maid brought my cleaning back up and
turned off the master power switch as she left. I had left my computer on and
lost a lot of information that I had to then re-type.
The wireless internet has been going out all evening. I don’t like to pay 30
CHF for 24 hours of service and only be able to log on for about 20 hours. Lots
of challenges in a resort hotel that does not cater to “business travelers”. J
Going to
bed now as my first treatment begins at 9 am – a 90 minute Tibetan massage.
Then I do 10 minutes on the Power Plate. If I live through THAT experience!
Jude
TUESDAY, JULY 24TH:
Had to be at the Spa by 9 am for the massage. I was REALLY looking forward to
getting the knots out of my neck and shoulders. When we booked this particular
type of massage, we asked if it was “hard” pressure or just a relaxing massage.
They assured us that it was a very deep tissue massage. NOT. So, first she
ties strings or ribbons or something on my toes (the ones next to the big toes)
and on my middle fingers. Then she rings this bell several times above my
body. She used lots of oil (even in my hair) but absolutely NO pressure at
all. At one point, she laid my arm off the side of the table and just let it
hang there while she did NOTHING for about 5 minutes. I was not at all happy
with this and called Iris to “warn” her. Iris talked to the Spa personnel and
told them that I was not happy with mine and she wanted a much deeper one. She
had the same girl and said that it was a little better but still not what either
of us was expecting. We learned that this Spa has only been open for a few
weeks and evidently, they just don’t know what they are doing yet.
Next came the Power Plate for me. It was pretty amazing. When you stand on it,
EVERYTHING vibrates – even my eyelids and cheeks. I can see why they asked if I
had any “medical” problems before letting me try it. I worked my legs, butt
and arms. You only do each exercise for 30 seconds. Trust me, I couldn’t have
lasted any longer than 30 seconds. It is a very intense work out. I was
breathing as hard as if I had just run 5 miles. And, this afternoon, I was
actually “sore” in some spots where I trained specific muscles. But, here’s the
negative. I got a migraine right after I finished and I really believe it was
brought on my the intense vibration. It’s a wonderful “miracle” machine but I’m
not sure the “side effects” are worth it.
Iris and I drove into Lucerne to shop and of course it started raining again.
We shopped for about 3 hours and all I purchased were two belts. I found some
really cool boots that I wanted but they didn’t have the color I wanted in my
size. Then we went to a restaurant that has a Penthouse Bar that overlooks the
city. It was beautiful and we sat outside – for about 2 minutes, until another
huge storm blew in! We went to another hotel and had really great sushi for
dinner then drove back to Weggis.
Have to leave for the airport at 7 am tomorrow. Spending the night in the Oslo
Radisson Airport Hotel and meeting up with Carlene on Thursday.
Jude
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