Written June 2017

July 9: Bern, Switzerland

Sites: In Bern, we did a session in the LDS Temple. We were the witness couple and the only other patrons were a set of American missionaries, who we took to lunch at McDonalds afterward. Talking with them about home, about the mission, about America, about travel — it brightened my soul. And I could tell it did theirs too. We also wandered through Old Town, and spent too much on a sandwich at our hostel. The pretzel sandwiches we had at the train station were to die for and we still talk about them.

Lodging: In Bern we hoped to stay at the temple patron’s housing, but it was full. Instead we booked a hostel in the city center that was $50 per person for a mixed dorm room! That’s really, really expensive. Usually a mixed dorm room is the cheapest option, moving up exponentially to a same-sex dorm room, then a private without ensuite, then a private with ensuite. And it didn’t stop there! Food and transportation were so expensive in Switzerland that we knew we had to get out. We spent one evening exploring the city and the next day doing a session at the temple — then we were out!