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Introduction Stories... |
August 11, 1986, on Hotel Waldhaus aerogram stationery Dear Don and Sally,
I last left you on the Glacier Express crossing the Alps. It was a gorgeous trip, of course; but of all the things we’ve done so far, it did not meet our expectations. We had driven the Alps in 1982 and somehow I thought the train would hold vistas not seen by car. Not true...the only advantage was Jack didn’t have to drive...but he likes to drive so that was no advantage. The real adventure of that day started when we picked up the Hertz car...which was an adventure itself. The GE was to arrive at 5:44 and the garage where we were to pick up the car closed at 6:00. But the train was 10 minutes late in arriving...but being good information seekers on the train we knew we were a 5-minute taxi ride from the garage. We reached the garage at 6:01 and not only got the car but got a German car they wanted transported back to Germany so no drop charge...and a bigger car. Then the real adventure started. I wanted to go to Sils Baselgia-Maria to the Hotel Margna as stated on the itinerary. The Hertz clerk called and it was full, but she knew another old place there and called. Yes, they had space but it was $120 for two. We said what the hell and went. This turned out to be the Hotel Waldhaus which was an experience not to be forgotten. Besides being met at the door by clerks, bellboys, concierge...the senior hotel manager (an older man with 2 canes) meets every guest. The ceilings of this early 20th century hotel must be 30 feet high in the lobby and downstairs seating rooms. Most of the guests were at least 20 years older than myself and all wore wool suits (in hot weather) to supper...ah supper...an elegant experience in an elegant room! The next morning we left fairly early, but the junior manager (without canes) dashed after us to say goodbye. We were $200 poorer but rich in experience! The next nite we stayed in Scheffau in Austria in a loft above a grocery store for $24...it all evens out somehow. We had stayed in Scheffau 4 years ago on a Saturday nite and there had been a local festival going on and we were trying to duplicate the adventure. This time we focused on walking in this hill/mountain/pasture area and it was gorgeous. Scheffau, itself, is about the size of Weston but it looks like out of The Sound of Music. For the last two days we’ve been in Salzburg. We’ve both been here before and find the city lovely. Supposedly it’s one of the 3 loveliest cities in the world but Salzburg will not disclose number 1 and number 2. We are staying in the Romantik Hotel Schlosswirt about 10 minutes out of the city. The ironic thing about this Romantik Hotel is that it is the only bad beds we’ve had. Somehow that doesn’t seem right. Do hope all is going well in Sun City West. I am thinking of you both and sure you are keeping a positive attitude. I assume, Don, with this somewhat forced rest period you will be writing your memoris. I’ll review chapter 1, The Early Years, when I get home. Cheers, Theresa |
