HomeSICK

Okay, well it's likely not homesickness because I don't think I've ever seen a homesick camper vomit as much as Janelle did today. We don't know what it is from, but it is fierce. I will omit the details, but Janelle has come down with either food poisoning, the flu, or a short-term virus. This is an entirely solo post because my partner in crime is sleeping it off, or trying to at least. We have gotten all the necessary medications, as well as heart-warming generosity from Swiss women at a coffee shop who provided us with a damp towel, water, salt water, dry bread, and permission to lay on their couch for a few hours. Don't worry Tina, your girl is in good hands and is feeling much better!

We biked around Lake Lucerne for a bit before slowly making it back to the hostel. I biked around a bit more solo afterward to snap a few pictures of the quaint, yet tourist-laden town. I could have produced a delightful post of more touring, photo snapping, and adventures with symphonies of cowbells (which did happen!), but this is a better reflection of the day.

We caught our train to Lucerne without any troubles, and were only scolded twice for putting our shoes on the seat before we smartened up and took off the shoes. Apparently socks are allowed - little do they know these are in dire need of a washing! Two hours and a spectacular train ride later we made it to Interlaken. We are staying at the "first established private hostel" Balmers, which is unfortunately not right next to the train station. Janelle was a champ and powered on all the way to the hostel.

The rest of our plans are up in the air, but we are in Interlaken for 3 nights. It will be a nice break from the trains, and hopefully a chance to stretch our legs up the mountains. We are playing it by ear, as well as avoiding the bar. Interlaken is nestled between two lakes amid gorgeous mountains. The views are stunning (and will only get better and we hike higher up) and will be amazing to wake up to tomorrow morning!

Taking a page from my friend Matt's blog, here is a short list of a few of my favourite awful things to put a fun spin on the post:

1. Food poisoning - That feeling of complete body ache, nausea, and hunger from not eating for days. You thought that bite of sandwich, cheese, leftover meatloaf, or raw chicken was worth it, but your reasoning is being completely pummeled by your stomach. Never again will you try to pull a fast one. Your gut is punching with a strength and aggression that only steroid users know. You cry "Uncle", and then for your mom, but he shows no mercy. Your stomach won't even let you take a break for water. Food poisoning is a unscheduled opponent that has never lost a fight. Awful!

2. Smacking - The awful noise that your lips and mouth can make, but never should. Did your mother never teach you to chew with your mouth closed? Here's a quick lesson: It is not polite to share how much you are enjoying your food by replacing "mmm" with loud, vulgar sounds. If you are under 3 you can get away with this and I won't hold it against you because you are probably still cute when you do it. If you are over three and have control of your lips please keep their sound effects to a minimum, regardless of when/where/what/how much you are eating. Awful!

3. Being sick without your mom. There's nothing like the rub of your mom's hand on your back and the perfect chicken noodle soup she can conjure up to make you feel better. When you're without the comfort of her blankets, cool facecloths, and flat ginger ale, your sickness suddenly explodes by a power of 3. Drugs are no comparison for the power of mom medicine, and when you're without it you will likely become more dehydrated from all the tears you've cried. Awful!

So here's signing off from Interlaken, still with an optimistic attitude and some good training for my medical days ahead! We will be back in fighting force in no time at all!

Heather