Switzerland

Dear Family and friends,

We had decided to change up our plans just a bit, with our number of rides left on our rail pass and the places we were looking to see, we came to the conclusion that it would make more sense to do Eastern Europe on its own another trip. SO, we skipped Hungary and the Czech Republic as planned and moved up North into Switzerland. I personally didnt know what we were getting ourselves into, since Ive never really taken much of an interest in Switzerland before.

The seven hour train ride from Venice to Milan, Milan to Brig, Brig to Bern - dumbfounded me entirely. I still cannot believe that in the span of a couple of hours how much can change! Once we crossed the boarded between Italy and Switzerland, it was like being in an entirely new world. The shutters on the windows still apparent, but the mountains, lakes, greenery, log homes and gingerbread-house-feel became apparent very quickly!

We have been in Bern now since Tuesday and the Swiss have shown us nothing but hospitality and a sense of home! The streets are so nicely paved, the trams wizz by with not a sound (which is nice, but no so nice if you arent paying attention to where you are walking!), the sidewalks are clean and they drive like decent people here! The people are laid-back and friendly, and each street you walk down has a vintage feel. The houses are gorgeous and the yards so well maintained! Grandma, you wouldnt believe the gardens and antique stores here. We have done our fair share of browsing and if I could afford/transport half of these things to you I would do it in a minute!

We spent our first evening just looking around, wandering into the more Modern area of the city and paying more than necessary for a hot chocolate from Starbucks (it was necessary, we hadnt had a good hot chocolate the entire trip!). We woke up early yesterday to get a head start. We bought groceries (there is a kitchen in our hostel!), made breakfast and set out to RopeTech. Costing 30 Swiss Francs, RopeTech is a ropes course just on the edge of town. Looking hot in our harnesses and helmets, we started at the third level (each level divided by difficulty). SO, we climbed ladders, crossed the tight rope and zip lined (that was the best part) through the trees of Switzerland at a pretty quick pace, loving every minute! NOW. Jenna and I both loved the zip line an equal amount, and when we were on the sixth level I think it was, there was a huge one and I got a bit carried away. Jumped for some serious speed (break-shin speed we call it now), a bit too fast and managed to bash my shins, currently flaunting about 2 or 3 foot bruises on each one. OUCH! A bit sore, we made our way to the seventh level. Lets just cut it short and say that I hate climbing across the rope nets and shimmying upside down from one end of the rope to the other. The swinging logs got the best of me and I quit just before the great ziplines that came afterward AND a freefall! Bummed!

We sat and ate our picnic lunch, then set out to window shop (one of our favourite past times). We also paid 6 Francs and took a tour of Einsteins former home, where he lived for three years. It was in those three years that he was acknowledged for his theories, so the Swiss take pretty great pride in that! It was really interesting. We got back to the hostel around seven, made some spaghetti (still delicious!), and bummed around for the rest of the evening.

Today we slept in big time, and are planning on heading to the Chocolate Factory and the Cheese Factory, and then hiking up on of the paths to get the best view of Bern at sunset. Romantic, I know.

I should also mention that our people-watching past time has gotten fairly out of hand, and Dad you wouldnt have believed our fate on our train ride here! We had about an hour wait in the train station in Milan - where we witnessed such people as Bullfrog, an old woman with six suitcases who sat upright, falling asleep on a regular basis but eyes springing open at almost any sign of movement. Snarl-woman, who managed to raise her lip like Elvis each time she glared at anybody. Wedgie-man, who stood in his suit trying to casually rid himself of his wedgie without anybody noticing. We noticed. Hilarious! I cant even begin with the people who were seated in our car with us.

All in all, Switzerland rules, I wish I had my longboard (the streets are so smooth and biking is a huge thing here - bike rentals for free beginning on the 26th!), I will be back someday WITH my longboard, we leave tomorrow for Geneve, then France and I hope we get free samples at the chocolate factory today.

I wish I could have packed all of you in my backpack with me, and miss all of you terribly!

Love, Ash