11 41 am Switzerland time zone [ photos ]
I shall interrupt my journal transcription to post our first batch
of photos.

^ So we're not actually in Neuchâtel. Were in a
small town next door called Cortaillod. The hotel in Neuchâtel
(which appears to be a very posh place right on the edge of the lake) was
full, so we have the most quaint little hotel in Cortaillod, which is
where Matthew's corporate office is. But now for an attempt at
chronological order:

^ I wanted a touristy photo of Matthew by the metal
sculpture in the Amsterdam airport, but he insisted I pose and I
oblidged...

^ During our layover, Matthew became captivated by the
beauty of the planes...

^ ... and I read.

^ Our room is sparse, but has much character, and the
balcony in huge!

^ Matthew relaxing in the room.

^ Rachel hard at work on her trip journal. I am trying
to keep a running expense report as well as documenting our adventures...

^ I must confess to being totally captivated by this
building on the corporate "campus" where Matthew and Dan are giving their
training sessions.

^ Most would describe the weather here as dreary,
though I find the overcast days to be completely pleasant.

^ We are all hoping that the weather will clear for
just one day, so we can see the view of the alps from out hotel room.

^ The skylights above the classrooms where Matthew and
Dan are teaching. Dan has classes Monday through Wednesday and Matthew
has classes Wednesday through Friday.

^ These are little internet and phone kiosks in the
hallway outside the classroom. I will probably be banished here during
Matthew's class, because he says I absolutely cannot be in the room while
he is teaching.
As a side note, Matthew was having 6 "video cards"
shipped to Switzerland for his class. There was somehow an error on the
form which resulted in Customs believing he is trying to ship 600 cards,
with a combined value of 2.4 million dollars US. Matthew has suggested
the simply open the box to see that only 6 items are enclosed.

^ After lunch yesterday (Monday) at what Matthew dubbed
"the Denny's of Switzerland", we wandered around just a little to stretch
our legs. Here is Matthew looking not so pleased about having to pose for
me in front of some typical architecture.

^ The adorable building in bacck of Matthew on the
right is the fantastic restaurant where we had dinner our first night.

^ Here is a perfect picture of Matthew when he is
walking towards the camera -- not posed -- and he doesn't know I'm taking
a picture of him. He has been a total sport this trip and we are both
excited about moving on the the vacation portion of our voyage...

^ Here is a dog who apparently plays the guitar for
money, though appears to be rather lazy. He amused me.

^ These are the three cows that live just outside our
hotel. There are the source of much commentary and joking. I am aware
that in this photo they look like one cow with lots of legs and two heads.
[This entry was made, more or less, for our families, who were
disappointed by our lack of photos from our previous European adventure. We've vowed to do
better this time...]