Switzerland - Lausanne, You Don't Have to Wear That Dress Tonight

Lausanne is gorgeous. 

I am fortunate to have traveled to many cities, but this is up there amongst the most beautiful. My sister told me she'd move to Lausanne tomorrow if someone asked her to, and I can totally see why.

Yesterday we got the train here from Zurich and had lunch in the dining car, as I had anticipated. The lunch was so-so, but the service was great (thanks, Mohammed!), and I enjoyed a good Swiss beer.

The real star of the train ride was, of course, the scenery. I've been here since Monday and it was the first time we had any real sun. Oh joy! Oh rapture unforseen!

Switzerland, at least from Lausanne to Teufen, but probably the rest of it, too, is covered in rape fields. Stunning neon yellows dot the landscape of meadows and country houses, all ascending into the rolling hills. Oh-so pretty.

Lausanne is a gorgeous, lake-side haven in the midst of this. Carnival of the Sun is happening at the moment (Fete du Soleil), so the streets were lined with Test-Your-Strength and Knock-Em-Down booths, brightly colored balloons, children running with waffles and lots and lots of noise. We are staying down at the (much quieter) waterfront with a view of the French alps (above). The area has the feeling of a quaint French village with the amenities of a city. Simply put, it is a sight for sore eyes. As is our hotel, the Angleterre.

Our hotel consists of several elegantly appointed villas like the above, from which I currently write you, a separate lobby area, a waterfront restaurant and breakfast room and a luxe swimming pool (though not currently filled, due to the season). We have access to the spa at the Beau Rivage next door. I accessed it.

And, since I know you were all dying to know, YES, I have a bathtub. It's a terrific bathtub.

We had an aperitif in Les Arches, a cool club that exists under a historical city bridge where everything had to be constructed without disturbing the protected structures. The mini sandwiches were tasty. Dinner tonight was okay. It began to rain again just before and continued through the night. Apres food, we went to a club called MAD for a tour. Oddly, the bouncer kept us outside shivering (though there was an empty vestibule behind him) while we waited for the manager to come get us for the tour. I gave him a sweetly evil smile when we went in. Douchecanoe. (Annie! Language! Stop that.)

At first, I wasn't sure why they'd brought us there, other than that the club was one of the oldest establishments in the up-and-coming area, but then we ascended to the top floor, which can be accessed only by ages 28+. That was pretty cool. Apparently, my countryman Prince liked it, too. That was something of a claim-to-fame for them. I smiled again at the bouncer on the way out.

Then, I came back to the glorious hotel and soaked in the bathtub and slept the best sleep I've had in Switzerland. Merciful gods. When we first arrived at the hotel, I hugged one of the other journalists. "Oh, (name)," I said to her. "We're home."

That said ... there's still no hair conditioner. At least here, they did us the honor of providing different products for soap and shampoo. And the shampoo says "conditioning shampoo" on it, which is BS but a step in the right direction. :)