Luzern

Photo notes: It's a shame that the Kappellbrucke has burned down. I hear it's been rebuilt, but of course 700 years of history cannot be replaced. The bridge can be photographed from various viewpoints, each giving a completely different look. No need to limit yourself to wide-angle lenses.

After meeting my friend Matt, we caught the train out of the airport and headed to the tourist town of Luzern. The Kappellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) was the focal point of the city (the bridge burned down three months after our visit). It was a covered wooden bridge that dated all the way back to the 1300's. Luzern is a pretty town with Mt. Pilatus rising above it and a view of Mt. Rigi across the lake. Most shops were closed since it was a Sunday so we mostly window-shopped and took pictures around the Kappellbrucke. As we crossed the main thoroughfare, a car stopped abruptly and was hit behind by another car. I thought they were going to start beating each other up but the first thing both drivers did was to get out of their cars and shake hands. I didn't know if that was the usual thing Europeans did after totalling each other's cars but I was impressed nontheless. After lunch, we headed up the Lowenstrasse to see the Lion Monument. Mark Twain called it "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world." It's a simple image of a dying lion, his chin sagging on his shield, a broken stump of spear in his side. As my feet were really hurting by then, I opted to sit and stare at the monument while Matt spent some time exploring the Glacier Garden next door. For a good view of the city, the city towers proved to be excellent vantage points.