kleeblatt

Tomorrow Engelberg will again be reachable by car and bus. They have built two temporary roads to reach the town. Each road is for one-way traffic only. There is train service up to the place where the railroad lines are damaged. Then a bus will continue with the passengers.

The construction companies will now begin work on the original road and railroad lines and hope that they will be finished by mid November. They need to build a new bridge and secure the ground around the area.

Engelberg, itself, did have flooding but only 10% the infrastructure was damaged. None of the cable cars were damaged. The citizens of Engelberg are looking forward to greeting tourists and to starting their daily lives again.

jmw44

Engelberg has been on my to-visit list for some time, schuler. I've read about it often here. I'll ask again for an update on Brienz, if you know anything about their recovery.

I noticed at a trip report today that you live in Rothenthurm. The rail route from Rapperswil to Arth Goldau is one of my most beautiful train travel memories. Many trips ago my friends and I stayed a week in Rapperswil and rode that route several times. It has remained one of my favorites.

Thanks for your continuing posts. J., lucky but sad in Louisiana

kleeblatt

Gruezi jmw44:

Thanks for your comments. It is a beautiful area. There are still times when I catch myself gazing at the scenery instead of the road when I'm driving.

Here's the newest transportation update concerning Brienz:

The trains should be running normally along the Brunig lines by the end of September. Presently, the trains are running between Lucerne and Sarnen, and since Friday morning, the regional trains are running between Interlaken and Brienz. There is bus transportation for anything in between.

Engelberg: Trains are running from Lucerne to Dallenwil. From Dallenwil to Engelberg, buses are being used.

Brienz is getting help from the government for the clean-up. There is great solidarity here for the flood victims.

However, we realize how lucky we were: Louisiana was hit MUCH harder. My prayers are with you.

jmw44

As a comparison, I commute to my school by driving across the Atchafalaya Basin Causeway and then through canefields. Interesting to be sure, but not nearly so visually appealing. Tell me, please, how to pronounce 'Gruezi', and does it mean 'you're welcome'? J.

kleeblatt

Pronounced: Grew ezi (but said real fast and together). It means "greetings" and comes from Gruss. Your welcome is "bitte" or "bitte schoen". Please is also "bitte". Kind of confusing, huh?

So how do you pronounce Atchafalaya? Sounds like a tongue twister.

jmw44

Oh right, I remember bitte shoen. I don't recall Gruezi. Maybe it's for correspondence or telephone?

It's indian, sort of "ah chaf ah lie ah" with the stress on the lie. The basin is one of the few remaining wetlands and is located between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Thanks for the prayers. I know God will apply them to those most in need. J.

kopp

I just had one of those "a-ha" moments.

On any number of hiking trails through Switzerland, I am greeted with what I've always heard as "good see", and I have said it back, sort of quietly as they say it but nonetheless it gets a friendly reaction.

Now I read they're saying "gruezi", pronounced as schuler has indicated. Thanks for that clarification. Now at least I know what I'm saying!

kopp

I'm still checking out apartments for our week stay in Engelberg for July 2006. We will not have a car, 2 adults, prefer like a one-bedroom place, walking distance to train would be preferred.

I've been to the engelberg site but if anyone has personal recommendations, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks so much.