Patti's unusual meal, and tipping tips.

Here is a little something I forgot to post that you may find amusing. On Friday, when Patti and I went to dinner in Satigny, Switzerland, everything on the menu was very expensive (after all, it is Switzerland) and we weren’t very hungry anyway so we just ordered appetizers and wine. Menu was in French (they speak several different languages in Switzerland, but mostly French in the Geneva area). Patti ordered something that she thought was scallops (I had a small salmon salad). Anyway Patti’s food was clearly not shell fish, and seemed to be some kind of meat. Patti thought it was delicious – I didn’t like it. Too fatty. It was about the size of a small brownie, and cost 25 swiss francs (about 30 dollars). Turns out it was goose liver!!!

One thing about restaurants over here is that they may be expensive but all the taxes and tip are included. So it is not quite as bad as it seems. Servers typically receive a salary (they don’t depend on tips; this has the effect you might expect on service). You might leave a euro ($1.45) or a swiss franc ($1.21) if you are pleased with the service but it is not expected. Rules vary from country to country. In Italy for example you leave 0.5 euro per person. Being american I always have to leave something.

We've got lots more pictures from Italy, Mt. Blanc, Swiss Alps and the Rhone Valley, Montreux,  and Yvoire. Were back in Crozet now and leave tomorrow (Wednesday) morning so I will probably post those after we get home. Been a great trip but looking forward to getting back.