Mark

We were feeling a little ambitous yesterday, so we decided to make a family outing to Martigny to check out an exhibit of Picasso's cirus-related works that Allegra had heard about. Allegra, Noema, Anoushka, and Allegra's brother Dominic and I had a nice lesiurely continental breakfast while Allegra's mom, Tina attended Palm Sunday mass, then we all loaded up in the various strollers and went down to the station, while Dom went off to play Ultimate Frisbee.

The train ride took us past the vineyards, castles, and villages of Lavaux, through Vevey and Montreux and south into the valley below the Vaud Alps, and the majestic Dents de Midi a gigantic mountain which looms (at 3800m) above the valley like a row of jagged teeth. After 40 mintues we arrived in Martigny where the valley turns to the east into the Valais, the most alpine canton of Swiss Romande. The city itself is nestled in the mouth of a side valley which leads twisting and turning up to the Saint Bernard pass and eventually Aosta.

After we'd debarked and Allegra and Tina had dealt with the baby's immediate needs (diaper mainly) we moved on out toward the museum. In fact Martigny has more than its share of museums and points of interest, partially as a result of the town's marketing strategy but more importantly due to its history as the Roman outpost forming the northern gate of the Saint Bernard. The Roman era ruins are extensive, with sites scattered around town, some of which you can just walk right into. The town center also has a well preserved Early-Christian basilica (ca 420AD) which still functions as an active Roman Catholic church for the local parish.

We made our way through town, noting the terraces we'd like to hang out on as we passed the Place Central, and eventually past a water park to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda to see the exhibit. Noema fell asleep in the stroller on the way there so I pushed her around looking at the paintings while she slept. It's weird, because I went to art school and all, but I have always gotten and still get painting overload. I kindof have to live with one for a while before I can really look at it. Anyhow I spent most of my time looking at a particular cubist harlequin painting from the early 30s. Neat.

Anyhow the real star attraction for the day was the scupture garden where we spent the balance of the afternoon. Noema loved the sheep sculptures next to the little pond, and even more the real ducks in it. We sat at the concession stand for a long while and had bretzelis and red wine.

On the way back to the train we stopped at the Plantain restaurant back in Place Central. All in all it was a really fantastic first trip with our new baby.

Of course we forgot the camera.

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