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   that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:45 JST that one JNL

   Things we felt it neccessary to carry with us to Europe: bananagrams. 12 books, some unreasonably heavy, including a D&D gamemaster handbook. an unopened and heavy bag of Molly's Suds detergent. Jackets.

   Things we did not use AT. ALL: see above 🙃

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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:40 JST that one JNL

     in reply to

     Overall, we very much recommend the trip. Switzerland was as gorgeous as you imagine, and we found it easier to visit than we had feared. I really do recommend Valais as a region in which to base yourself- it is a place with TONS of personality, and where the two tallest Swiss mountains are. If you like hiking and trains you will be in heaven, and it's possible to do on a general 'Europe' budget.

     That's a tough act to follow, but the Netherlands is truly equally rad. They were worthy partners.

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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:41 JST that one JNL

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     Things that are absolutely unbelievably expensive in Switzerland: dining out, hotel nights in the 3 largest cities, entry fees, bottled water, tap water, peeing in public, per-trip rail tickets, Swiss citizenship

     Bill repeated this.
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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:42 JST that one JNL

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     Things that are pretty affordable in Switzerland (compared to the things that are not, and compared to the US and Canada which is where we otherwise spend our time): buying food and cooking your own meals (groceries were comparable with or cheaper than Vermont and Newfoundland), renting a car, renting an Airbnb in the Alps during the summer (we got two weeks for less than what we paid for ONE in the Netherlands)

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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:43 JST that one JNL

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     If we were doing it again we would buy zero paper travel guides. Lonely Planet is IMO not what it used to be--twenty years ago it truly explained how to do life; now it's basically Fodor's but heavy--and we consulted them basically never.

     The Swiss rail pass for 15 days was expensive but genius--we didn't have to prebook anything, it made nearly everything (even the Mont Blanc Express) free and the few things that weren't were half off, and direct booking by trip is $$$$$$.

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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:44 JST that one JNL

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     Thing I brought that seemed a little ridiculous BUT WAS NOT IT WAS AMAZING I AM BRILLIANT: my foam pillow, giver of joy, harbinger of middle age, whatever whatever.

   • Embed this notice
     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 07-Aug-2024 07:28:45 JST that one JNL

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     Things we did not bring and ended up buying: hiking poles. reusable water bottles. reusable store bags (whywhywhywhywhy what have we all done)

     Things we did bring and ended up repurchasing anyway: sunblock products in many varieties. basically infinite takes on French and Swiss antiperspirant.