Day 7 & 8: Switzerland - Altdorf

We had a wonderful couple of days with the Klager family. We spent 2 nights with Daniela, Peter, Michelle, and Aline and they were the absolute best hosts. They went out of their way to take care of us and it was so nice to be with family, to eat-in, and to just sit on the back-porch taking in our beautiful surroundings. Also - they all speak great English (in addition to Swiss German and "High German") so it was nice to be able to communicate freely for a change. We had so much great conversations throughout our stay, about all sorts of things and I've learned so much about Switzerland and their culture and way of life.

The Swiss love of cheese is no joke - I recall this from my first Switzerland trip. They made awesome meals for us - the first night a Swiss tradition - Raclette (google it). It's like Switzerland's fondue; a little table top oven and everyone has a personal "pan". You put bacon, a huge slab of Swiss cheese, and whatever toppings - tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, etc - then grill it. Then slide it off and eat it with little fingerling potatoes and a sour cream of sorts. Soooooo good! We devoured it. Chris loves potatoes and at one point Peter said "Potatoes make you stupid." That's what his mom told him growing up, I don't really remember why, but it was just really funny because we'd been talking about how much Chris likes potatoes. Second night Peter grilled homemade pizzas on the grill and Daniela made a beautiful caprese salad. And of course great breakfasts each morning - yogurt, bread, cheese, meat, jam, nutella, lattes, etc.

Thursday evening after dinner we went for a nice long walk around Altdorf to a monastery on the top of the hill so we could see all of the pretty town and concluding with a beer at their favorite local hangout. Then came home and had some of Peter's best grappa - intense!