While not everything in the US is cheaper than in Canada -- it is obvious some things are; books for example. I spend a ridiculous amount of money on books. It has been something I've tried to curtail for a number of reasons: books are a pain in the ass to move, they are expensive (unless Costco carries the title you are looking for), there are libraries where you can borrow them, etc.... That said, I spent a fair chunk of time in book stores this past weekend. I bought 10 books* and saved ~$40. You also can't underestimate the duty free stop as we managed to get 2 - 40 ounce bottles of Crown for $35US which is a great deal!!

Neil bought a bunch of clothes and he saved a little. I wanted to buy some clothes but I didn't really think the selection was great (but then, I live in Toronto where the shopping is fantastic). I also don't think you save much on clothes. We spent a hour or two at Target and I think you'd save a bit for things around the house... sheets, towels, dishes, etc -- but we didn't need any of that, I just like looking at that stuff. I really want a new purse but didn't find one I liked. Does anyone else think most purses are ugly?? and expensive?? I went into Coach and I must say, I officially declare that I don't understand fashion. The store was packed with people spending ridiculous amounts on fugly purses.

So was shopping in the states worth it? On a weekend trip, no. I'd like to say that what we saved made us break even with the cost of a weekend down there (hotel, gas, meals) but that would be a lie. We did stay at a really cheap hotel and didn't eat anywhere fancy so I'd say that we probably broke even on one of the 2 days which really isn't too bad. Afterall, we did get a bit of a mini break out of it... even if Neil really hates shopping.

*5 books were for myself, 1 is N's, 2 are gifts, 2 were bought as gifts that I may keep or may read and then give as gifts if I can somehow get over how tacky that would be... though the recipient is my sister who never reads this blog and would probably never know and/or lend them to me afterwards so does it matter?? Seriously, if you have thoughts on the despicable-ness of this, enlighten me.

It's Friday, I get off work at 3:35. My drive home is 36.7 km according to Google Maps - it will still take me an hour to get home. N is going to meet me at the house around 4:30. We have to pack for our weekend away but vow to be back on the road by 6PM. The plan is to grab something to eat en route. We leave pretty much on time.

Two hours later it is 8PM. We are in Burlington -- a city/suburb between TO and Hamilton (~63.5 km from TO). For the record, Toronto to Hamilton should take at most an hour on a good day. N is disgusted by Friday rush hour traffic. He vows never to leave Toronto again. I just laugh as I experience this everyday to and from work. Welcome to my world, Dr. N, welcome to my world.

With the Canadian dollar soaring, Neil and I have decided that now is the time to hit the border for some holiday shopping. So we've booked a hotel and are taking off Friday after work for a "shopping weekend" in Buffalo, NY.

Personally, I could use some new shoes for work and a new purse. Neil is depressed because I am forcing him to buy some new clothes (why is this so difficult for some men???). I've also compiled a Christmas shopping list and I'm hoping to cross off a lot of it this weekend. Fingers are crossed.

The tricky thing about Christmas shopping this year is that someone in my family decided that they didn't want to draw names this year; that it would be better to buy a little something for everyone. It is hard because a) there are a lot of us, b) some people are easier to buy for than others, c) I want to stick to a reasonable budget. So it shall be interesting to see how this turns out.
**(This someone's name rhymes with Jimmy and he's one of the 'hard to buy for people' because he just buys whatever he wants... ALL THE TIME... hence he doesn't ever want anything... Hey Jimmy, I want a 24" IMac -- make it happen!)**

So it's that time of year when Neil and I start watching the prices of flights home for Christmas.

Well, lo and behold, we check around and this is what we discover for a flight from Toronto to Regina for the 2 of us:

Price Summary

Departing: Sat, Dec 22, 2007

---

Airfare / Guest

Regular Fare

$552.00 CAD

Taxes, Fees & Surcharges /

Guest (details)

$83.65 CAD

Taxes, Fees & Surcharges /

Guest (details)

$83.65 CAD

Nav-Ins

$23.00 CAD

GST-HST

$35.98 CAD

AIF

$20.00 CAD

ATSC

$4.67 CAD

Subtotal / Guest

$635.65 CAD

Multiplied by 2 Guests

$1,271.30 CAD

Returning: Thu, Jan 3, 2008

---

Airfare / Guest

Regular Fare

$512.00 CAD

Taxes, Fees & Surcharges /

Guest (details)

$75.95 CAD

Taxes, Fees & Surcharges /

Guest (details)

$75.95 CAD

Nav-Ins

$23.00 CAD

GST-HST

$33.28 CAD

AIF

$15.00 CAD

ATSC

$4.67 CAD

Subtotal / Guest

$587.95 CAD

Multiplied by 2 Guests

$1,175.90 CAD

Our second last night in Europe was spent in Berne, Switzerland.

We had left the last day wide open when planning our trip -- the only thing that was certain was that I needed to get back to Geneva for my flight Monday morning. After flipping through our travel books, we picked Berne. Berne was absolutely lovely (just look at the view of the Aare River flowing through town on the left!). We spent all of Sunday morning exploring a virtually empty city. As with all European cities, nothing in Berne was open on Sunday and it was nice to be able to take a leisurely pace while strolling its quaint streets.

There are 4 miles of arcaded walkways along streets decked out with fountains and clock-towers.

On the top we have the main shopping drag and on the bottom, the Zytglogge.

Berne's center is largely medieval. Perhaps its most famous sight is the Zytglogge, an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets. It also has an impressive Gothic cathedral, the Münster. The Munster was one of the most impressive churches we saw (and that is saying something because we saw a lot of beautiful churches) -- here's a short video -- note the details above the door.

We also stopped to look at Einstein-haus. Albert Einstein rented this small flat with his wife during his years working at the Swiss patent office. The special and general theories of relativity were born here, where Einstein's writing desk overlooked the busy street below! I made Dr. Neil, the physicist, pose out front!

Berne is inseparably linked with bears. According to legend the city’s founder, Duke Berchtold V von Zähringen, named the city after the first animal to be caught here. The saga lives on in the form of the real-live bears in the Bear Pits and the heraldic bear in the Bernese coat of arms. While I thought it strange, we did go and see the Bear Pits. Apparently these pits have caused a lot of animal activists to go squirrelly -- so these bears in the next few years are going to see the pits enlarged, complete with the capability of going for a swim the the Aare River.

Around noon, we headed back to the train station and took the hour long ride back to Lausanne. The last 15 minutes of the ride is along Lake Geneva and it is glorious! Vineyard after vineyard. We had picked up a brochure on the small wine making towns along the lake and when we go back (and one day we will), we plan to walk from Lausanne into wine country. The views alone would be magnificent without the added bonus of getting to tour a winery or two and sampling their wares!

Lausanne is more steep than big. If you head north of the train station, you find yourself walking straight up (literally) into the old town. If you go south, you head down towards the lake community, Ouchy. We spent most of our time down on the lake as we had amazing weather when we were here.

After a quick lunch, we wandered the promenade around the lake and then it was time to head back to Geneva. This marks the end of our trip!!

To view all the pictures from Berne, click here.

To view all the pictures from Lausanne, click here.