Definetly in the top 5 of the best weekends of my life!

We left friday night as soon as Aline was finished work and took the 7pm train from Geneva to Frutigen to stay the night with Aline's family before hedding off the next morning to Monza, Italy. The train ride was nice because I was fresh off my second interview with Altran and the job prospects are very positive. Aline and I were definetly spending the money before we had it, but it was refreshing to be able to toy with the fact that I may actually get a job offer. I think new skis, swiss watches and our vacation plans were the main points of conversation as we shared a bottle of wine on our way to our next weekend warrior adventure.

We arrived at the train station in Frutigen at around 9:30pm and as soon as we got out of the train you could smell the crisp mountain air. It was much cooler as we were now in the Bernese Oberland, at the foot of the Alps. We were greeted by Aline's Uncle, Rez, and made our way back to their house to sit down and "chat" with Rez, Vrauni (Alne's Aunt) and some of their guests who would be joining us on the trip. It is a very interesting experience to be submersed in an environment where you dont speak the language. It is funny how for the most part my inner voice is telling me.."Wow, no idea what they are talking about!!.....oh wait...I think I just herd computer.." I often put my own story together based on the little bits and pieces I can pick up and then validate it later with Aline. Sometimes I can follow, but others....meh...not soo good!

So we were up at 5:30am to get ready to meet the rest of the crew (14 of us in all I think) and to board the mini bus they had arranged and head to Monza. The drive was unreal. this country is insane...every village more beautiful than the next, sourounded by mountian views, clean and perfectly put together. We drove through the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. You have to understand that we were on the opposite side of the alps than Itlay, so the swiss, as clever as they are realized they couldnt go around because it would take to long and they couldnt go over because that just wont work, so they built a tunnel through the mountians for a train to pass. You simply show up, park your car on the train and in 20 minutes you are on the other side of the alps. Who would have thought. Once there, we drove up and through the remainder of the mountains on a route called the "Simplon pass". The bridge and road system is incredible. We were literally cruising through and on top of mountain passes right beside snow capped peaks, crossing valleys on the highest bridges I have ever seen and then descending on roads overhanging steep cliffs. Through all this you even get to stop for coffee at 2005m in altitude at a restaurant on the mountain side.

The drive took about 4-5 hours but it was well worth it and definetly left a lasting impression on me. We then arrived in Monza at the race track where we were greeted by "Simone Trummer's" father. Simone is the racer we were there to see. He is sponsored by Aline's two uncles, Tony and Rez and he races in the Formula Renault series, the training ground for F1. Right away we were brought to the pit area and were ushered to the actually garage on pit lane of the race team. We were allowed peek in the door of the garage on pit lane and take pictures of the cars as they were being prepared for the qualifying time trials. We Then went up to the stands to observe the qualifying and hoped for a good performance from Simone. It was great, we could sit where ever we wanted and were able to have a front row seat to the whole event. Simone finished first in the qualifying so that meant he would be in pole position 1 off the start. Very exciting for everyone there as he was in second place for the overall points race for the year.

Here is the best part, after the time trial, we went down stairs and were allowed to go into the garage and out onto the actually pit lane as the cars were wheeled back into their garages for tunning in preparation for the race. This was amazing to be able to get an up close view of the cars and all the action that goes on behind the scenes. Watching the mechanics prepare the cars and watching the racers prepare for the race, unreal! It didnt stop there, we then sat down in the garage and were served lunch! we spent the whole weekend here watching, observing and eating amazing lunches..it was awesome!

We walked around a little after to see all the different cars in the pits. You can se from my photos that there was more than alot of fast cars this weekend and watching them all race was really amazing. They had a race which included several different categories and it was a mix of all types of cars from Porsches and ferraris to even a little fiat, all racing together. Lol the little fiat was great to watch. Off the start, all the cars go zooming by together and then through the first turn and it is intense to watch them fight for positioning and then they are gone in a flash...and then all of a sudden you hear the little roar of the fiat engine as he is putzing along alone behind all the other cars.......

The Formula Renault series has two races every weekend so we got to watch two time qualifyings and two races. It was all very exciting as Simone was really pressuring for that overall points leader position for the season and it really came down to the wire. He started first in both races and it was very exciting to watch them jokey for positions and to follow where the other cars were and how the positions changed. Simone ended up finishing both races in second place and in the last race it was a photo finish with both cars finishing side by side. Unfourtunately he didnt get the overal points lead but it was a still a very successful weekend and season for the 19 yr old swiss driver and it was amazing to watch this weekends competition.

We stayed in a hotel in Monza and also had an opportunty to go out saturday night with the family for a a nice late night snack of pizza and wine thanks to Vrauni and Rez. It was really an awesome weekend and what better way to finish it off than to drive back through the amazing scenery to an amazing home made meal at Aline's Grandmothers house in Frutigen! This is the life!

Oh and I forgot to mention that saturday was beautiful and sunny without a cloud in the sky!