Montreux

Last weekend I traveled around Lake Geneva to visit Montreux. The world famous Montreux jazz festival was in full swing and just because I couldn't afford tickets didn't mean that I couldn't enjoy the atmosphere. The town is a beautiful example of the Swiss Rivera. Posh, beautiful and extraordinarily expensive.  The Jazz Festival itself is on of the most famous music festivals in the world, thanks in part for inspiring the song "Smoke on the Water". The day I was there the headline act was Van Morrison followed by zombie Bob Dylan. I was told that there would be lots of little outdoor stages with free act however, I forgot about Europe time which means nothing gets started before eleven pm. I didn't get to see much in the way of music but I did see my new favorite band the ingenious, highschoolkidswithaboat.

I also walked around the lake to see Chillion Castle. It holds the honor of being the most visited sight in Switzerland. A fact the festival must have something to do with. After some walking, snacking and sightseeing. I really wanted to take a dip in the lake. I hadn't brought a swimsuit and I was much too embarrassed to  jump in in my clothes. While I was milling this over in my mind, a older Swiss gentleman walked over and sat down in front of me and my friend. He then proceeded to put us all to shame by taking off all of his clothes and swimming naked. We were all a bit shocked (but not too much, this is Europe after all) and as he came back to shore, he looked us in the eye and said in a think Swiss-German accent "It's refreshing." Well, I had no excuse not to swim then and proceeded to jump in the lake. With my clothes on of course. 

In other news, this is my last blog post from France. I'll spare you the run down of my third trip to CERN. Unless you're into than just track me down when I return and i'll be more than happy to yammer on. In one week I fly to Barcelona for a short nine day trip to Spain, then I will spend ten days in London to visit friends and experience my first Olympics. Like Montreux, I don't have ticket and will just mooch in the atmosphere. 

The summer flew by. The last time I lived aboard I was gone for two and a half years so three and a half months seems like nothing at all. See you in Spain!