Standing at the Top of Europe, I had one of my revelations. One of those feelings of complete understanding that wash over you when you come to realize something and can grasp it if only for a few minutes, maybe seconds. I looked out into the mountains and realized how incredible the earth is. The force in which these plates must have collided to form these mountains is mind boggling.
I am the luckiest girl in the entire world- being able to experience something so breathtaking.
We arrived to Geneva around 20:30 on friday night and went to the train station to buy our ticket to Interlaken. 70 chf later, we were on the train making our way through Switzerland. We could not see any of the scenery as we took our 3 hour journey. When we arrived in Interlaken at 23:45 after our transfer in Bern, we walked to our hostel and quickly settled in and fell asleep. When we woke up the next morning, I went to take a shower and decided to look out the window. This was my first time seeing the Swiss Alps. I jumped. They were massive and right outside out hostel. I went down the hall and looked our another window and saw more mountains. Interlaken is in the center of the mountain range. I actually began to cry. I couldn't believe I was finally here, after all of my hoping and dreaming.
The mountain water was so clear!
I love this house.
We walked around Interlaken that morning, having breakfast in a bakery and stopping at the supermarket for fruit. We made our way to Interlaken Ost (east) and stopped in the park/field to take pictures. As we stood there, we saw the para gliders we have been seeing in the air, land. It was incredible. It was then that my friends and I threw caution (and our bank accounts) to the wind and signed up. We made our way up the mountain and harnessed up. It all happened very quickly and before I knew it, I was running through the snow off the side of the mountain and souring through the air. It was a feeling I will never forget, to be taken by the wind and trusting the person behind you to fly you in the right direction. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime.
When we were safely on the ground again, we went back to the hostel after dinner at Hooters to let our nerves settle and to plan our night and the next day. The only bad thing I can say about Switzerland is that is was very expensive. Any meal in a restaurant was at least 23 franc. We barely ate all weekend, but we went to Venice for the next leg of the journey so I ate plenty there.
On Sunday, we went to the Top of Europe. The big kahuna. The reason I traveled to Switzerland. We boarded the train at 9:30 and went up to Grindelwald. It was the most quintessential ski town. Skiers and snowboarders passing by with their gear made me envious beyond belief. If I only had my snow pants, just my pants, I would have sucked everything up and skied. I miss it so much. I haven't been since last January because of my broken wrist this winter. I miss flying down the mountain not sure whether I will be able to stop or not, but when I do, feeling completely proud of myself. I do regret not skiing here, but I have made a promise to myself that I will return. I want my children to experience this place too.
SO EXCITED!
Grindelwald. Cutest town ever.
I was so jealous of these skiers.
There were sleds everywhere.
All these Asians were smoking. I
thought it was so funny. It was perfect.
Love this picture!
The sun was too bright without my glasses.
I was dreaming of this picture.
Wish that was me.
Throughout the weekend, I would look up and get a glimpse of the side of the mountain and want to scream. How could something be so absolutely gorgeous? I love Mother Earth, she is an amazing, incredible woman who takes my breath away.
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