Day 16 to 17: Santiago to Lausanne to Ste Croix

From Santiago to Lausanne to Ste Croix

Date 10/01/19 to 10/02/19

Transportation EasyJet @ 200 eu
Hostel/Albergue: Airbnb @ 75 chf
Taxi: 20 chf
Train from Geneva to Lausanne: 30 chf
Train from Lausanne to Ste Croix: 30 chf

Made it to Lausanne, Switzerland.

Pretty good flight and pretty good travel. Just some of the usual things that can happen.

In the airport in Santiago I was selected for special screening, on a random basis.


Got into a verbal argument with a guy at the boarding gate in Santiago because he was being a real jackass with the service personnel. But he kind of apologized in the end.

Met a nice woman, while boarding,  who had just completed the Camino Frances. She was very proud of herself and I complimented her on her accomplishment.

On the EasyJet flight, I joked with a Spanish lady about the availability of free drinks on an Easyjet flight. We both had a good laugh.

My bags were delayed coming off the plane, but no biggie, because I used the opportunity to talk to several people at the airport, and I discovered that many folks do speak English here so that eased my mind.

The taxi driver in Lausanne ripped me off for two Swiss francs. Lol.

Xavi is my Airbnb host and he's a really nice guy. Very friendly, very welcoming. Speaks only Spanish, but that's okay because we're communicating well anyway.

Just made an interesting discovery that my online guide may have a big mistake. The destination in the title is not the same destination as in the map. I would have walked to the wrong town, or at a minimum been seriously confused in the middle of the stage. I need to research this more.

The travel from Lausanne to Ste Croix was pretty easy. I had to pay close attention, but it pretty much went without a hitch.

Stepped off the train, sorted things out for a few minutes to get my general feelings, found the trail and with my guide on my phone and my eyes to the posts, started my Switzerland Camino.

Notable memories

Price sticker shock has hit. Starbucks latte and cookie $10. Hotel in my first stop is $110. I always knew Switzerland was going to kill the wallet, so this is the new experience for me on a camino.

I  think that the big thing I need to talk about is the decision about where to begin my hike.

I have talked with the staff at two tourist offices here in Lausanne, and based on their information, I have decided that the easiest transportation arrangements will take me to St Croix, which is in Switzerland, and I will begin my hike there.

I had considered starting my hike just across the border in France, but it goes from needing only one transfer, to needing three transfers. And I think that's just a little too much aggravation.

Had I gone into France, I would have needed one more day of travel. As it is I will take the train to St Croix tomorrow morning, and start hiking.

Lausanne

It is a pretty city, and I am enjoying walking around. Don't have a whole lot of time to explore in depth.

Interesting architectural style

The city is actually built on a series of hills and valleys, approximately five or six.

 Night time walk