6 say Fondue - 1 says Fondon't*

Last night the 7:11 club headed downtown Geneva for Fondue. We went to the Edelweis hotel (which is a total tourist trap) for dinner. When we went in the first thing we heard was the rockin' Alpine Band. The band had two members and many many instruments - of course there was the accordion, the alpine horn, the cow bells and a bowl with a marble. So you know that they were rockin'.When we arrived, we asked for a table of seven. But right before we were seated - Robear (who though has a French-Swiss name, but doesn't like cheese or chocolate) let us know he was going to go somewhere else to eat. Which makes sense if you don't like fondue, but we all think he is just trying to break ties slowly - that way when Geneva is over it will be easier for us all.

During dinner - Meghan, Karyn, Joe, Tony and Bruce took their turns at the Alpine Horn. However Bruce stole the show when he played the Kentucky Derby song - it turns off playing tuba in the high school band helps you become an excellent Alpine horn player. If teaching doesn't turn out well he might just have a future in the Edelweis Band.
Then Robear returned and we all headed down to the Festival. It's the national celebration of Swiss day (which was August 1) and it goes on all week. We went down - enjoyed a crepe and the atmosphere. I think Bruce is the only one who enjoyed a crepe because we were all too full to eat one. However soon after we got to the Festival - Robear headed home. Again, slowly letting us down.


The rest of us headed to the very dangerous bumper cars. I know what you are thinking - bumper cars - that is clearly not dangerous, but oh how wrong you are. At the European carnival - there are no safety regulations. And they could care less if you are wearing a seatbelt. During the ride - one guy got out of his car to complain that his car wasn't working - apparently he was unaware of the pedal on the floor that you need to push. He then jumped back on while everyone else was going and got back in his car - that now worked. However by the picture below you can't tell who is the most competitive person in the group (Meghan.)

Then we headed home, we all reminisced about how we missed the last bus last year - which resulted in us walking all the way home, which is a long walk at midnight just ask Karyn. However this year we made sure that we were on the bus!!! However, Joe decided half-way through our trip that we should recreate that memorable night. So at a bus stop not to close to the John Knox Center - he jumped off. I said, "don't go." I think we all thought that he was going to jump back on at the next set of doors - ha ha real funny. But he didn't and the bus kept going and we stayed on.
Now looking back we probably should have gotten off at the next stop and waited for him - but frankly I don't think anyone wanted to walk more than we already had to. We knew he knew were he was and was very capable of taking care of himself (through Lori's many years of schooling) and making the long walk home. And thankfully he made it back late last night. I am sure if he hadn't arrived by morning we would have sent out a search party. When asked what he was thinking and why he didn't jump back on the bus - his answer was clearly he hadn't put much thought into the decision. In the end it makes for another funny story.

*contribution from Joachim LaValley - please friend him on Facebook - he needs more friends than Meghan. Or you can read his wife's wonderful blog - Tails from the Bird Coach.