ALIENS.... PUMPKINS, and DINOUSAURS .....Part one...

As I feel like an Alien in this Land, and taking into consideration that the Creator of : Alien, is Swiss, a Mr, or Herr, H.R. Giger.
Decision made; now would be a most suitable time to pay one of his museums a visit.
There is even a Bar, which Giger has designed in his instantly recognisable, and hypnotically fascinating Bio-Mechanical Style, situated right opposite the museum.

What an incredible Pilgrimage, this mission was going to be, for someone like me !!
You see, as much as I have admitted to: (oh, "The Being a Tourist Shame of it") by having purchased a cheesy Cow-Bell Key Ring.
I must also admit, that I am a HUGE FAN of the ALIEN Films.
I have a DVD box set, of all 4 Films, and the second one : ALIENS is one of my All-Time Favourite Movies, which I can, and have, watched again, and again, and so on...

There are 2 H.R.Giger Museums and H.R.Giger Bars, here in Switzerland.

We chose to drive to the one in the French part. In.... wait for it....GRUYERES, yes, THE PLACE where THAT World Famous CHEESE comes from !!

Can it get any more Surreal ?? Cheese and Aliens, from another world...

Go with it, and stay with it.  She said to herself.

I have waited near on 20 years, to see a sculpture of this breed of Alien: face to face, and now was the moment, no turning back.

Before this visitation to "The Master" Giger, of Bio-Mechanical Art, all good things must be done on a full, and thus, appreciative stomach.
(I agree with "Asterix and Obelix", on this, 100%).

So we pull and park at the : "Motel de la Gruyere".
A very pleasant member of the Restoroute, or: rest-en route, road-side, available, refreshment, companies, and eat a sandwich.

Of Gruyere Cheese, where it is made, err, crystally, yet subtly Clear-Klar that, there is an order of events to be followed.
Before one can meet an Alien, one must meet: The Painted Cows, First, and Foremost !

And, if you are tempted; Blank-Canvas; Cows;(as below) are also available, at Reception, for the price of: 1.600 + Tax Swiss Francs.

Cool idea.  Paint your own Cow.
Wonder if they do a Calf sized, version of these Cows, for, err, less than half of that preis.
Pretty please ?

At this point, will share with you, that have not been to India. (As yet...) but Cows have a High Position, in Swiss Society too.  And the real ones, to be seen grazing on the potently green, lush, lush grass, look seriously well groomed indeed. 

Onto Gruyeres itself.
Medieval, and sweet, picture-post-card village.  Where we were greeted by a group of, Traditionally costumed Alpine Men, blowing AlpenHorns (which look like very long pipes, that sit on the floor, Didgeridoo-kind-of-style.)  All accompanied by some Swiss Flag throwing, and spinning, acrobatics.

What timing, on one of those sunny, warm, Saturday, September, afternoons, when the light is at one of its best times.

Whilst Yodelling may be loud (have yet to experience this, first hand, and am slightly worried at the thought of disappearing, out here, somewhere, in a remote, yodelling mountain village...."The Dark Side of Switzerland....??)
Anyhow, these big long, AlpenHorn, pipes make a surprisingly soft, funneling of calming, sound.

Next up, on the village of Gruyeres Agenda.
Full-on, Leathered-up Bikers, and their Babes, hanging out, everywhere.  Testosterone dripping from their Market Stalls, selling seriously kitted-out-personalised, and painted, proper Motorbikes.

Alzo, Mingling in, and eating Meringues (which are a v. popular Swiss Dessert), were Biker, err, Disciples of Christianity.  Signs up, Loud and Proud.  Now what were they doing, apart from eating Home-made Meringues in the September Sun..? 

None of my business. However, the Multiple times table of questions that arose, at this point, of observations, just have to be, put out there, and asked !
Is Gruyeres an "Easy-Rider" pit-stop, on a Swiss-Bikers Lifestyle, and is it, an Art-Market-Testament-Target-Area ?
(If anyone does know, for real, would, seriously like to know, thanks !)

To give you some idea of the, err, "Time-line", of these events unfolding before us.  All being of a rather intensely and surprising, Kaleidoscope of "Types of Peoples" wandering around, hanging out, relaxing on the cobbled streets of Gruyeres.  All of this, occurred within the space of about 10 minutes, upon our arrival.

Swiss controversy...?

Well, onwards, and yes, Upwards - Switzerland, is Seriously Hilly.

To the Giger Museum.

A young damsel, running across our path, dressed in long flowing, pastel petticoats, a frilly apron, and a starched white bonnet.

Later known, as an employee of "The Hotel Fleur de Lys", to be found on the main street.

Part two....to follow....

Until next time, Thanks for Reading, Yours CFC x