Day 9: Lucerne, I love you.

Day 9:

May 7th, 2012 ---

Having set my alarm before falling asleep last night, I made sure I up and at'em by 9:45. I showered, did hair & makeup, dressed then quickly finished the last of my packing. While I was getting my stuff together, Janis was kind enough to make me breakfast one last time - some wicked scrambled eggs, complete with peppers, veggies, spices and sausage I think. Personal chef Spogis in tha house! Haha thumbs up all around.

We left the house shortly after 11 and hopped in a cab over the train station, making a quick stop at Starbucks when arriving.

After writing all about the "love locks" on the bridge last night, I decided that before I left Cologne, unsure if I would ever make it back - I wanted to put a lock on that bridge. I may date people, I may have casual or serious relationships, who knows - maybe I'll marry one day... But what I do know is that no matter where I end up, I'll always be where I am with myself and after 23 years of working on me, and of course many more to go... Right this minute: I like who I am. Heck, I love who I am.

We all have flaws, we make mistakes or have disappointments along the way, but the one thing I've learned - in an artsy sense, you are your own masterpiece and you decide who you are. If there is something about yourself or your situation, only you have the power to change it or overcome. There are always supporters or people in the world/ your life that will be willing to help, but you are solely based on your own decisions.

So when it came to reaching the bridge, I just happened to have a small lock in one of my bags, I grabbed a sharpie and on the front o the lock I wrote "Me" framed inside of a heart. Hey, you gotta be able to love yourself before you can love anybody else and no matter where or who I end up with, I'll always have a some love for me. And not in a selfish, self-absorbed kind of way.

On the back of the lock I wrote "JPond" and the date, put a few x's and o's on the sides and then fastened the lock to the bridge. With two sets of keys in hand, I walked over to the side of the bridge and chucked them into the rushing Rhine below! The keys plunked in the water and I walked away, happy as a clam!

Janis and I walked back to the train station, making a quick stop for a postcard and a cute pair of earrings to replace a pair I had already lost somewhere between the train from Paris and the Black Seeds concert on Thursday.

Janis led me over to the platform, my train already awaiting. We said our goodbyes, thanking him a million times for such a fun weekend and hopped onto the train to head to my next destination: Lucerne, Switzerland! :)

The first train I took was a four hour journey from Cologne to Basel, Switzerland. We would go through tunnels, which from sitting in the opposite direction from the way the train was going, when we came our the other side I realised we were going through hills and sides of smaller mountains. It was really neat!

Arriving in Basel, I had 15 minutes to grab my bag, jump off and figure out where to catch my next train! I saw a train next to us with a sign saying Lucerne but there was no train number... I walked up stairs, luggage in tow, and did a quick once around looking for any sign with information.
Nothing.
Hmmm...

I decided to make the executive decision to go back downstairs and just hop on the one that said Lucerne and see what would happen.

Made it to Lucerne about an hour or so later. Coming into the city, I became a bit nervous. It looked sort of dull and uninteresting. I'll be here for two and a half days, what would I do?!

And then I stepped off the train.

Right off in the distance, I could see snow covered mountains. I melted. To me, there is nothing more beautiful then snow covered mountains on the horizon. I was arriving early evening so the sky was saturated with pale pinks and oranges.

I started walking over to the hostel I had booked, just a short five minute jaunt away. I walked along a paved pathway along the edge of the lake, going through a large park. Within a few minutes I could see more mountains on the horizon. I've travelled and seen many places, driven through and snowboarded in mountains... But never have I breathed such clean, crisp air. It was refreshing to just take a deep breath and enjoy it.

Once I arrived at the Backpackers Hostel, I checked in and went to my room. A small dorm with two twin beds, one for me and one for another girl who I have yet to meet. I threw down my stuff, locked up my suitcase, grabbed my headphones and camera and went out to walk along the path some more.

With the sun setting, the colorful hues reflecting on the lake, mountains in the background and flowered trees lining the entire sidewalk - I don't think life could've gotten any better. I could smell the flowers and nature all around me. It was incredible.

I walked along the path for about an hour, with it still be light out. So far I've found that people are incredibly friendly here. One gentleman saw me trying to take a picture of myself with everything in the background and offered to take it for me. He chatted with me for a few minutes... though it seems people also overstay here welcome a bit because it he just kept trying to make conversation until finally I said thank you, nice to meet you and walked away.

As I kept along the path, people were jogging by, others sitting on benches or riding bikes. Along the shore of the lake, swans lie and walk along the waters edge. I noticed a young guy walking in my direction. With my headphones still on I stopped with my back turned to him to take a picture, hoping he wasn't about to try and talk to me.

I heard someone say something behind me, I knew it was him. I took my headphones off and he asked me something in German. Thinking he was a tourist like myself asking for directions or something, I apologised and told him I spoke English. And that's when he asked where I was from and would not stop talking.

He told me something about seeing my picture on yahoo? And that I was "so f***ing beautiful" (excuse his French) and then carried on rambling for about 10mins. I thought maybe he was mistaking me for a celebrity or someone famous he knew. He was very kind...at first... but then he began to get uncomfortably close, then trying to put his arm around me, even kiss me. I had enough. I was done being polite. I put my arm out to block him from getting any closer. I saw three young guys walking towards me, as I turned towards them I gave them an "I'm uncomfortable" look and they slowed there pace but still walking. I noticed them standing not too far behind him trying to see what was going on.

I told the guy that as nice as it was to meet him, I was going to leave and keep walking. I started to walk away towards another person sitting on a bench very close by, someone who saw what was going on. He followed me and started saying something about walking with me, wanting to sleep with me that night. I started to get nervous but with people around I knew I could ask for help if I needed to.

As I picked up my pace away from this guy and closer to the person by the bench, he started calling out my name. I told him to back off and that I was going to go do my own thing and he should leave, I would not be walking in any direction with or near him.

Finally, the three young guys came back closer and yelled at him to leave me alone. To move on. He yelled something back and then said "f*** you to me" and walked away.

I walked over to the three an thanked them, they assured me it was nothing and then I walked straight back to the hostel.

Crazy guy.

(Dear Parents: I know you're freaking out reading that, but seriously, it was okay. I found people around and could've ran or calls for help of I had needed. It wasn't as scary or bad as I'm sure you're making it seem in your minds right now. Don't worry, I being smart and safe!!! Haha love you!)

Anyways, when I got back to the hostel, I came to realise I was quite hungry so I decided to head to the little restaurant called Cafe Seepark next door. It had a beautiful, but simple atmosphere - dimly lit, dark wood and leather chairs, candles on the tables. After a long day I opted for a glass of wine and with it being rather chilly outside, an amazing tomato soup and house salad.

Now, I'm sitting in the lounge of the hostel, met some Americans, chatting and almost ready for bed.

Putting my love lock on the bridge!

The view from the train station in Lucerne!

The lake

Lucerne!